#BookTag Saturday: The "Aside from Books" Tag

I'm way behind on my tags over on Bookstagram so this week I'm doing a book tag that I recently caught up on over there...

1. Favorite Hobby

Baking

2. Favorite Drink

Iced Tea

3. Favorite Food

Pasta of any sort

4. Favorite Color

Black & Lime Green

5. Favorite City I've Visited

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

6. Where Would You Dream Home Be

Somewhere in the south, maybe New Orleans?

7. Favorite Accessory

My Ouija board planchette necklace

8. Favorite TV Show

Vikings, Midsomer Murders, and Criminal Minds

9. Marvel or DC

Neither, I don't read comic books

10. Last Movie Watched In Theaters

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (yes, that long ago!)

#BookTag Saturday: The Coffee Book Tag

This week I've found a book tag that embraces one of my favorite things: coffee! Yes, this week I'm tackling the Coffee Book Tag. Book Tag originally found on: Paper Fury

BLACK: NAME A SERIES THAT’S TOUGH TO GET INTO BUT HAS HARDCORE FANS.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

I may just be saying that because I had a hard time getting into it, but the first book was mind-blowingly boring. I swear nothing happened in the whole book, they just spent a lot of time strategizing about what would happen when the three queens faced off. Yet everyone else seems to love the first book and I've heard rave early reviews of One Dark Throne. 

PEPPERMINT MOCHA: NAME A BOOK THAT GETS MORE POPULAR DURING THE WINTER OR A FESTIVE TIME OF YEAR.

The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston

Maybe it's the title, but this book, Wintersong, and Stealing Snow are all books that remind me of winter, although I read Stealing Snow last fall and Wintersong in late winter and I can't remember what season it was when I read The Winter Witch.

HOT CHOCOLATE: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOK?

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is probably one of the few books I was assigned to read in school that I actually liked. Really liked. Why? Because there's some romance in it. Teachers aren't too big on assigning books with romantic themes which I think is sad because love is the most important thing in life, but I digress. I still reread this book every October even though it's a MG book.

DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO: NAME A BOOK THAT KEPT YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT FROM START TO FINISH.

Broken Prince by Erin Watt

I mean we had that cliff-hanger at the end of Paper Princess and I was dying to find out how Reed would explain what he'd done and dig himself out of the hole he'd dug for himself. Would Ella forgive him? And then that one ended in a cliffhanger! Agh! Erin Watt, you torture me! 

STARBUCKS: NAME A BOOK YOU SEE EVERYWHERE.

Any of Sarah J. Maas's books, but probably A Court of Mist and Fury or Empire of Storms

It's hard to believe that before April of 2016 I'd never heard of Sarah J. Maas. Now every time I go on bookstagram I see tons of pictures of her books. Every. Single. Day. I mean, I love SJM and the TOG and ACOTAR series, but those books are everywhere! 

THAT HIPSTER COFFEE SHOP: GIVE A BOOK BY AN INDIE AUTHOR A SHOUTOUT

Awaken by Skye Malone

 I love Skye Malone's books. She's probably my favorite indie author since I can't get enough of her books! And now I wait, anxiously awaiting the next Awakened Fate book... please be soon?!?!

OOPS! I ACCIDENTALLY GOT DECAF: NAME A BOOK YOU WERE EXPECTING MORE FROM.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

 There was just so much hype and I don't think ACOWAR lived up to it. I was expecting so much and in the end, I think this book could have been half the length it was and been much better.

THE PERFECT BLEND: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT WAS BOTH BITTER AND SWEET, BUT ULTIMATELY SATISFYING.

The Hollow Trilogy by Jessica Verday

Oh, the emotional trauma Abbey goes through throughout this trilogy. Her best friend's death - falling in love with a dead guy - thinking she's crazy - not being able to touch said hot dead guy. Oh, how we love the things that cause us pain the most! 

GREEN TEA: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT IS QUIETLY BEAUTIFUL.

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen

This book is so beautiful. It's about coming to terms with who you are and learning to love yourself. It's definitely a must read for teenage girls with self-esteem issues. 

CHAI TEA: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT MAKES YOU DREAM OF FAR OFF PLACES.

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

This book took me to a place I never thought I'd want to go - Romania - and made me fall in love with Bran Castle and the history of the area and folklore. Kerri Maniscalco's excellent world building has once again given me wanderlust.

EARL GREY: NAME YOUR FAVOURITE CLASSIC.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Because of Mr. Darcy. Enough said.

A-Z Book Tag

I found this book tag on Lauryn April's Blog and it was originally created by The Perpetual Page Turner. I love doing bookish tags on #bookstagram so I thought I'd do one here on my blog. 

Author you've read the most books from:

Abbi Glines. I love my YA fantasy novels, but when I need a break and want to grab something contemporary I pick up Abbi Glines's latest or reread one of my favourites!

Best sequel ever:

A Court of Mist And Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas! Best second book in a series EVER!

Currently reading: 

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Drink of choice while reading: 

Some sort of coffee drink (Frappuccinos, Cappuccinos, etc.) or iced tea.

E-Reader or Physical Books:

Physical Books. E-Books are convenient because I can just grab my Kindle, but the screen is torture for my eyes after a while.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school:

Probably someone like Varen Nethers from Kelly Creagh's Nevermore Trilogy. I've always loved the tortured souls!

Glad you gave this book a chance:

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee! Sci-fi isn't my usual thing, but the way it reads isn't at all like what I imagine a sci-fi novel is like and I'm completely addicted to the series!

Hidden gem book:

Awaken by Skye Malone. Her writing is just amazing!

Just finished:

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Kind of books you won't read:

Books with LGBT main characters (I'll read some books, like Zoey Derrick's first 3 69 Bottles Series books where there are bisexual characters, but only if it's mostly guy-and-girl; it's nothing personal, just not something I enjoy reading). Also most Sci-Fi and Dystopian.

Longest book you've read:

Probably that one Harry Potter book that was over 800 pages.

Major book hangover because of:

I don't get major book hangovers... I can always start a new book within in a day even if an amazing book is still on my mind. Lately I can't stop obsessing over The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee... so good!

Number of bookcases you own:

3 main bookcases plus a giant shelf, 3 DVD shelf-things full, and a plastic three-door cabinet full (just in my room)

One book you've read multiple times: 

Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie, an oldie but a goodie!

Preferred place to read:

In bed or in my chair in the living room.

Quote that inspires you/Gives you all the feels because of a book you've read:

"To the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered." - Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury.

Reading regret:

Not getting around to reading the Game of Thrones books yet. They're just so long and I have so many books to read right now.

Series you started and need to finish:

The Mayhem Series by Jamie Shaw. I read the first book last year and got books 2 & 3 from the Apollycon Virtual Signing this year so they're on my shelf, just not read yet. And I need book 4!

Three of your all-time favorite books:

The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, and Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot

Unapologetic fangirl for:

The ACOTAR series, although ACOWAR didn't live up to my expectations. 

Very excited for this release:

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones and Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalo

Worst bookish habit:

Starting a book, not really liking it, but telling myself I have to finish it before I can move on to something else. Book masochism!

X-Marks the spot. Start at the top of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book:

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Your latest book purchase:

The Shadow City by L.C. Hibbit - It's free through this weekend I believe, so I decided to pick up the whole trilogy.

ZZz, last book that kept you up way too late:

Trust by Kylie Scott

Want to take the A-Z Bookish Survey? Consider yourself tagged!

The Summer Bucket List

This summer I compiled a "bucket list" of things to do before the summer is over to ensure that I don't spend all my time writing. Here is my summer bucket list...

Five 4 Three 2 One

          Every now and then I like to do a fun 'get-to-know-me' blog and since the next four-five weekend blogs will be devoted to Out of Darkness, here's one carefree blog coming up...

5 Items I Would Buy With A Million Dollars: 

1. All the books on my wishlist. 

2. A Duplex in Nashville, Tennessee, so I could live on one side and my grandmother could still be nearby in the other half of the duplex while still giving me privacy. 

3. A new tattoo (or two!)

4. A French Bulldog puppy.

5. A trip to Ireland.

Bonus Item: Give money to the ASPCA

4 Things I Love About My Favorite Book:

(Fav. Book: Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore)

1. The Mad Monk Ghost / Legend

2. Amy's sister Phin

3. This line: Never trust a writer, they're paid to make up stories. 

4. Amy and Ben's witty banter.

3 Books I'd Bring to a Desert Island:

1. Play by Kylie Scott

2. Nash by Jay Crownover

3. The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

2 Food Items I Could Never Live Without:

1. Cheese

2. Pasta

 1 Person Who Makes My Life Better:

1. My Boyfriend Josh <3