Rapid Fire Book Tag

I’ve been bored and slightly out of post ideas (though a book review for The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout is coming) and I stumbled upon this video on the wonderful BooksandLala booktube channel, and thought about giving it a try! There was also the Souvenirs from across the world post I was planning on, but then I went to the introduction page and realized that part of this project involved mailing another person some souvenir from your own country, and that put me off of the idea because a)I don’t know how to mail/courier things (yes you can laugh :P) and b)even if I did know, I’m sure it would be too much trouble. However! I will soon do a post on my hometown, soon soon soon.

As for this tag, it was created by GirlReading (check out both the booktube channels I mentioned!) and it’s basically just a bunch of random book-related questions which I think I’ve never addressed before on my blog. So here it is!

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E-Book or Physical Book?

I love the touch and feel of physical books – but ebooks are way more convenient. You can carry around hundred books in your bag, it saves you from unnecessary clutter, you can even read when the lights are down, and most importantly, you don’t have to keep dusting your books every two days. It’s so annoying and plus, how do all the books on booktube and bookstagram LOOK SO CLEAN?? However, however, reading an ebook can never replace the feeling of holding an actual book in your hands and being able to smell and pet them.

Paperback or Hardback?

Hardbacks look prettier, but paperbacks all the way! They are easier to read, carry and take up less space.

Online or In-Store Book Shopping?

I love roaming around in bookstores, looking at various books and marvelling at the feel of the room full of books – but let’s face it, nothing can beat online prices. Books are costly, and I’m always shopping online because of the cheap prices. Plus, India (at least where I live) doesn’t have a lot of second-hand bookstores, or even individual bookstores (as compared to bookstores abroad) so buying something cheap in a bookstore is pretty much not an option for me.

Trilogies or Series?

I don’t have any preference. I do understand that trilogies can be read quickly, but I don’t mind reading a 6 or 7 book series, if it’s well done. 

Heroes or Villains?

Uhm…villains. I love heroes too, but heroes in fantasy and contemporary (especially YA) have all become more or less the same and are on the receiving end of a lot of stereotypes. It’s the villain which brings in uniqueness, and I find myself disliking a book if the villain isn’t evil or exciting enough :P

A book you want everyone to read?

Both Khaled Hoesseini books – The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Recommend an underrated book?

I’m tempted to go with my previous answers –  but those books aren’t really under-rated. For this answer, I’ll go with Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson. It’s a historical romance between a deaf girl and a lord (I think he was a lord?) and it’s painfully beautiful. It’s one of the top 5 favorite love stories I’ve read.

The last book you finished?

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Review will be up by tomorrow, so look out for it for my thoughts on the book! (Btw, I didn’t really like the book).

The Last Book You Bought?

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I haven’t read a book by an Indian author since a long time, and one of my friends recommended this to me. It’s a retelling of Mahabharatha (an Indian epic tale) from Draupadi’s point of view. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a book by just hearing its premise.

Weirdest Thing You’ve Used as a Bookmark?

A pen? Maybe.

Used Books: Yes or No?

YES! Used books have a different story to tell, apart from the one written in its pages. I have an used book on my shelf (probably the most shabby book on my shelf ever) and on its first page, in beuatiful italic hanrdwriting, is written – ‘The day I played footbal in Inorbit mall’. I can’t help but keep thinking about the day, as if it were me playing football.

Top Three Favourite Genres?

Historical fiction. Literary fiction.  Fantasy (YA and Adult).

Borrow or Buy?

Buy! But it’s not always pocket-friendly :/

Characters or Plot?

Characters. Both are important, but I’ve realized over the years that (for me) even if a book has a good plot, if the characters are not well-sketched, I can never like the book. However, if the book doesn’t have a good plot, often well-defined characters can save the book for me.

Long or Short Books?

Completely depends on the genre and story. I wouldn’t mind a 1000 page fantasy or a 700 page literary fiction. But a contemporary more than 500 pages? Nah!

Long or Short Chapters?

Both. Short chapters are cool and innovative, and long chapters are cool and innovative.

Name The First Three Books You Think Of…

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens

I’ll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson

Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry?

Books that make me cry. I’ve often said on this page that I love books which are emotionally driven, and can make me feel and sob a few tears. There is nothing like a good, believable emotional story.

Our World or Fictional Worlds?

Both. I can’t choose.

Audiobooks: Yes or No?

I haven’t listened to a lot of audio-books, in fact the one I’m listening to now (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) is the second ever audiobook I’ve listened to. And, I love it! So, yes!

Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover?

I know it’s wrong but it would be a lie if I said I don’t. Because, sometimes when a cover is really ugly, unless I’ve heard rave reviews about the book – it’s hardly likely that I’ll pick it up.

Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?

TV adaptations. There are very few movie adaptations that I like, and I feel like TV shows can do better because they don’t have the 2-hour time limit and can stretch the book over a number of episodes and do full justice to it.

A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book?

The Maze Runner. I hated the book, but the movie was fun!

Series or Standalones?

For a quick, light contemporary or for literary fiction – standalones.

For plot-driven or character-driven fantasy – series.

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That was it! Doing this tag was too much fun, and I’m not tagging anyone because I want anyone who wants to try it to give it a go! Thank you.