Tag: book tag

Book Funsies, Face-Off Friday

Blogmas Day 3: Friday Face-Off

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

Discovered a new Friday theme this morning that I really am liking! The meme was originally created by Books by Proxy and is being continued by Lynn’s Books. The premise is that you choose a cover of a book you like (read or unread, doesn’t matter, it’s the cover you’re going for) based on a set theme, and then comparing all the different covers for that title, at the end choosing which one you like best.

This weeks theme was “Windswept – the classic figure, stood majestically, with wind blowing out in a fetching way.”

It took me a little while to find a book I wanted to use, all the original ones I was feeling like the hair wasn’t “windswept” enough! I think I was being far too picky to be fair, haha. But then I remembered how much I loved the cover of The Siren by Kiera Cass. Here is the original to me cover:

The Siren by Kiera Cass

I friggin love this cover. I know it’s very similar to her Selection Series covers and that might turn some people off, but I think it’s gorgeous. And who wouldn’t want those waves for a hairstyle!?

These are the alternate covers. I actually really love the sketched cover on the bottom right ( I think it’s the Indonesian cover, but please correct me if I’m wrong!). If I wasn’t so in love with the cover I knew best, I could easily choose that one as my favorite. The style is just so pretty!

Book Funsies, Tags

Blogmas Day 2: Tag Thursday – NetGalley Tag!

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

auto Approved
Who’s one author whose books you automatically want to read, regardless of what they’re about?

Meg Cabot

I will legit buy and read anything Meg Cabot writes. They are all insta buys for me the day they come out. I’ve been reading her since early Princess Diaries days, and love both her YA and Adult works. If she’s written it, I’ve read it. I also have multiple copies of a good number of her books because my sister and I will both buy them, lose one, and buy a replacement. Leaving us with 2 or 3 copies. We definitely have 3 copies of the first Mediator book…

Other authors I would insta buy/request:

  • Sarah J Maas
  • Cassandra Clare
  • Mary Pearson
  • Ashley Poston
  • Maria V Snyder
  • Rachel Hawkins
  • Marissa Meyer
  • ….ok I should stop now…this is why I have so many books

Request
What makes you want to request a book that you see on NetGalley?

It can depend on a few things. First, if it’s an author I’ve read and enjoyed I’ll typically request it without even needing to give the synopsis a once over. If the title or cover grabs me then I’ll read the synopsis to see if it’s something I’ll like. The other thing that will push a book over the edge is if it’s a debut author. Thanks to my sister being an author, I understand how much early reviews and feedback is for a debut author, so I like to grab those when I can.

Feedback Ratio
Do you review every book you read? If not, how do you decide what books to review?

I know I should, but I don’t. My ratio percentage was a respectable 91% recently, but I just was approved for a wave of books so I’m down to 57%. Sometimes if a book really doesn’t gel with me story wise I won’t review it because that’s not really the fault of the author. I don’t really give negative reviews unless the writing or editing was particularly bad. But if I don’t vibe with a storyline, I won’t review a book usually. At least on NetGalley. Sometimes I’ll still do reviews on goodreads.

Badges
If you could create your own badge to display on your blog, what would it be for?

I wish I could have a badge that says how many pages I have read in my history of NetGalley and/or Goodreads. That would make me feel far more powerful than I normally would (or need to).

Wish for It
What’s one book that you are absolutely dying to read?

Can I only choose one? Because, like, there’s a lot of books I’m insanely looking forward to. As of right now, it’s probably Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare. Might seem like an easy answer, but man, that cliffhanger killed me. The other one that I have been waiting to get approved for is the next Tirzah Price book Sense and Second Degree Murder. Tirzah, if you’re reading this, tell your publisher to let me in!

NetGalley Challenge
What was the last book that you received as an ARC that you reviewed? If you’ve never received an ARC, what’s the last book you reviewed?

When You Get The Chance by Emma Lord. I loved her book. Her review is up on my blog from earlier this week I think. She is another author that is, at this point an insta buy.

Book Funsies, TBR

Blogmas Day 1: December TBR

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

Ok December. I need to finish 13 books in you. Do you hear me? If I read 13 books this month I’ll hit my goal of 48 books this year. I had such a strong start to the year, and then between August and November I read like 1 book. That really set me back. Like most months, I plan on predominantly reading YA Fantasy, but there might be a contemporary book or two in there!

I tried to somewhat order them in the order I plan to read them, but it get’s a little muddy at the end. I want to finish out the Falling Kingdoms series for sure. But we’ll see where I go after that. I just got Perfect on Paper in in my bookmail so that’s high up there, but I also just excitedly got approved for ARCs of both A Forgery of Roses and In Every Generation (and as Buffy is my literal favorite TV show, you can see why this would be high on my list!).

And for a better rundown (with links to their goodreads pages):

What are all of you reading/planning/hoping to read in December?

Random

April Wrap-Up!

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

As I mentioned in one of my most recent blogs I am just getting back into reading. As a result I haven’t read a ton of books this month by my old standards, but I did get back into the swing of it! Hopefully I will be able to write reviews of these too, or at least some of them. 🙂

Books read in April:
Stalking Jack the Ripper
Stalking Jack the Ripper
  • Review to come 🙂
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
  • I loved this book! 4.5/5
The Season
The Season
  • Fun retelling of Pride & Prejudice
Illuminae
Illuminae
Gemina
Gemina
Obsidio (currently reading)
obsidio
  • Review of the entire series to come when I finish this last book!

 

Book Funsies

I’m Tag Happy ;)

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

 

1. What fictional character has the best style?

Ok I’m unsure what you mean by style. But let’s go with Magnus Bane.

2. Your book girlfriend/boyfriend/fictional crush?

Valek Icefaren. Forever and always ❤

3. Ever loved a character but than started hating them?

Uhhh…more often I dislike a character and then begrudgingly start liking them. *cough* Rowan Whitethorn *cough*

4. Biggest/Longest book on your shelf?

A Storm of Swords – George RR Martin

5. Heaviest book on your shelf?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – The Illustrated Edition

6. Do you have any book posters?

No, but that’s because my posters are pretty much all Disneyland related….

7. Do you have any book themed jewelry?

I have loooots. Thank you Bookish Box 😉

8. Book OTP?

Yalena Zaltana and Valek Icefaren (despite my liking to think I’m his actual OTP…)

9. Favorite book series?

Poison Study Series by Maria V. Snyder

10. Favorite Book-to-movie soundtrack?

2005 Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s amazing background reading music ❤

11. A book story you miss/wish would continue?

The Mediator Series – Meg Cabot

12. Favorite stand-alone?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

13. Since when do you read books?

Since my parents/sister began reading to me.

14. Which Hogwarts house are you in?

I always thought Slytherin, but my bestie has pointed out to me that I’m actually a Ravenclaw who, for some reason, likes to believe she’s a Slytherin….

15. Quality you look for in a book?

Uniqueness.

16. Favorite book quote?

First – “quotation.” Sorry, it’s a pet peeve ingrained into me by my father since birth.

Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever.

I’ve actually considered getting that tattooed somewhere.

17. Favorite author?

Meg Cabot

18. Favorite book cover?

Oh god…so much pretty…..but this is among them 🙂

ACOTAR

19. Action or Romance?

Why not both? Although I do love in books when characters try to have a romantic moment while the world is falling apart around them, and one of them basically says “seriously, now!?”

20. Where do you go when a sad moment happens?

Further into my book…..

21. How long do you need to finish a book?

If I’m into it? A couple hours? If I’m not I can legit take months and read a few dozen between starting and finishing the other.

22. How long is your mourning period?

Usually until I pick up another book….but it can last longer depending on how long until the next book in the series.

23. Least favorite Book?

All Quiet on the Western Front. Ugh.

24. Turn on in a character?

Confidence.

25. Turn off in a character?

Arrogance. There is a difference.

26. Reason I joined Book blogging?

Honestly? I don’t know. It seemed like fun, and I’ve been a bookstagrammer for awhile. It prolly is an outlet since my friends often get tired of me constantly talking about books….

27. Name a scary book?

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Heh heh….see what I did there? 😉 #adulting

28. Last book that made you cry?

Oh man…last book? Maybe Lord of Shadows?  I don’t cry at books all that often….

29. Last book that you gave 5 stars?

Haven’t published it’s review yet, but it will be Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

30. Any favorite book titles?

Like, title alone? Like I really liked Stalking Jack the Ripper since I’m fascinated by him…plus the book was awesome!

31. Last book you read?

Gemina – The Illuminae Files #2

32. Book you’re currently reading?

Obsidio – The Illuminae Files #3

33. Last book adaptation you watched?

Love, Simon….OMG THE FEELS

34. A book character you always wanted to talk to?

Talk to? I just want Jesse de Silva to speak to me in Spanish <3…but for legit conversation, I think Hermione Granger and I would get along swimingly.

35. An author you always wanted to talk to?

J.K. Rowling. Legit. Not just because I love her as an author, but as a friggin human she’s amazing.

36. Favorite Book snack?

Almonds and Craisins

37. Book world you want to live in?

Hogwarts ❤

38. Book world you DON’T want to live in?

The Hunger Games….awesome books….but rouuuuugh life.

39. Last time you smelled a book?

I don’t have a sense of smell 😦

40. Weird insults used in books?

“Do you bite your thumb at me sir!?”

41. Favorite romance book?

Pride & Prejudice…does that count? Or is that a classic? As far as contemporary goes I have a total soft spot for Nora Robert’s trilogy Inn Boonsboro and her Bride Quartet. Not gonna lie.

42. Do you write?

Just this blog. My sister writes novels though, and she’s pretty amazeballs.

43. Favorite magical item?

Time Turner. Imagine all the reading time!

44. Your Quidditch position?

Beater. Totes.

45. Name a song you connect to a book.

Haha! Tell Me I’m A Wreck by Every Avenue.

46. Favorite book related chat up line?

Hey baby, is that a new spine? Because I wanna crack you open.

Oh wait….that’s a good serial killer pick up line…my bad 😉

47. Have you ever used it?

Ummm no. Because I’m NOT a serial killer.

48. Favorite book fandom?

Harry Potter. Wands down.

49. How many books do you own?

What a rude question to ask a lady! #runsandhidesinstacksashamed

50. Tags.

Honestly, whoever wants to “procrastinate life” by doing a super long/super awesome tag 😉