The Playlist Tag: Book Recommendations

The premise of this tag is: shuffle your playlist and match a book to whatever comes up. I saw it on Abookolive’s YouTube Channel.

I used the playlist with all my hearted songs on Spotify, so it has a lot of different type of stuff on it, much of it obscure, but we will see what comes up. I will try and make the books recommendations.

So, I will do five goes. If you want more of these, let me know!

1. ‘Before Sunrise’ – Gengahr

Now, this is a very summery sounding song. It’s on Gengahr’s album Where Wildness Grows. They are a band I really enjoy listening too. They’re music is bright, but melancholic and I really love that combination. The title immediately reminded me of the movie Before Sunrise from 1994, which features Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. It is one of my favourite movies of all time. Because of that connection and also the title of the book I will pair it with A Bright Ray of Darkness by Ethan Hawke. I read this book in 2020 (I think). I did not absolutely love it, but I did like it fine. The feelof the book is nothing like the song and it is definitely not light and summery. Quite the opposite in fact. Yet, I just had to pick this book! I am not sure of this one as a recommendation, but if you like a darker kind of masculine story, this may well be for you.

2. ‘James’ – Oscar and the Wolf

Now, Oscar and the Wolf is on the dancier, more poppy side of my music taste. I tend to describe his music as Tame Impala meets George Michael. Oscar and the Wolf is pretty much the artist name of Belgian Max Colombie. This song is from his third and most recent album The Shimmer. His sound is quite relaxing to me – for me it does the same thing as Tame Impala does. This is a song that centres around heartbreak and let’s be honest. There are plenty of books that deal with heartbreak! But I decided to go with My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. It’s dark story about a young girl being groomed by her teacher. It’s an unsettling story and dark, but very well told. I think the lyrics of this song go with it surprisingly well.

3. ‘On Brûlera’ – Pomme

This is a French song and though my French is dismal, I love this song with a passion. It’s so incredibly beautiful. This song is from Pomme’s 2017 album A Peu Pres. I love her music, especially her voice. It’s angelic and effortless. The lyrics talk about eternal love and dieing in the lover’s arms. It’s absolutely beautiful. I love the way the song scoops into the chorus. It inflates my heart every time! The first book that came to mind was The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Do I really need to tell you why? It will grab you and inflate your heart, just like this song does. If you have not read it yet, why not?!!!

4. ‘Intervals’ – Tamino

Oooh, we’re sticking with very pretty songs and gorgeous voices apparently. Now, Tamino is a Belgian/Egyptian/Lebanese singer that I absolutely love. This song is from his 2018 debut album ‘Amir’, which is unfortunately his only album to date. Tamino’s songs have this incredible melancholic beauty to them and they just connect with my emotions. At their heart they are guitar songs, but he adds Arabic instrumentation on many of them and and that intonation is also evident in his vocals. I am actually excited he came up, because there are rumours he’s releasing a new album this year. His is one of the most moving voices I know and since his voice has matured since then, I expect this next album to be an absolute gem. I definitely want to go for a book with a Middle Eastern feel to it. I could go with something Egyptian, but actually I think I will go for The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. It is a book I absolutely loved. A modern day story is interwoven with a fictional account of Rumi’s life. An incredible book.

5. ‘Glycerine’ – Bush

This is one of those songs that remind me of being a teenager in the 1990s. I adored this song and I have a vivid memory of seeing the live version, so I will include that here. The guitar in this is just perfect! I used to be so into Gavin Rossdale back then, but… wasn’t everyone? Now, to choose a book to go with this. There’s a lot of angst in this song, of being scared and sad and maybe even depressed. I feel like it’s about people trying to make a relationship work. For some reason my heart wants to go with Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson. I absolute adored that book, even if it has some elements I am not normally a fan off (cheating on a spouse). It was angsty, but an adult ‘what if’ sort of angst. I never see this book talked about and I think it’s fantastic!

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If you enjoyed these, let me know. It was a fun one to do, as it combines my two favourite things in the whole wide world: books and music!

(It also reminded me that if Tamino and Pomme did a duet, I could die happy. )

TAG TIME: Goodreads Book Tag

I saw this tag on Alex’s blog Mybookworld24 and thought it would be a fun post to do this rainy Thursday, all about Goodreads, which (let’s face it) we all love to hate.

Send me a friend request if you want to connect on Goodreads.

1. What was the last book you marked as read?

Treading the Uneven Road by L M Brown, a fantastic short story collection set in Ireland.

2. What are you currently reading?

Same as yesterday, so I feel like I am repeating myself, Haha!

 

3. What was the last book you marked as TBR?

The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson. The cover just intrigued me and the synopsis sounds pretty interesting as well.

4. What book do you plan to read next?

Either Eucalyptus by Murray Bail or The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman.

5. Do you use the star rating system?

Yes, I have to convert my 7-star system into Goodreads 5-star system.

6. Are you doing the 2019 Reading Challenge?

Yes, I always set it to 50 books. I have gone past that.

7. Do you have a Wish List?

On Goodreads? Is there such a thing? No. On Amazon I think I made one once, but I can’t remember when I last updated it.

8. What book do you plan to buy next?

Probably Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff. I am reading Godsgrave right now and eventhough I am struggling a bit, I am enjoying the story.

9. Do you have any favourite quotes and would you like to share a few?

I like a lot of Oscar Wilde quotes, but this one is my favourite.

10. Who are you favourite authors?

William Horwood and Robert Jordan for sure. I have read many books by both. I also love Jane Austen quite a bit and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is probably my favourite book.

11. Have you joined any groups?

Yes, several. The one I am most active in the Fantasy Buddy Reads one.

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That’s it from me – join me on Goodreads if you like and I will try and not to say the same things as I did the day before 😂🤣 I did badly…

 

 

TAG TIME: The Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag! (2019)

I have seen this tag all over the shop – and probably you have as well! Thought I would run through this tag today 🙂

-THE QUESTIONS-

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019.

I had three 7*-books so far this year, which is pretty good going! Two of those were fiction; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and  A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and one non-fiction, which was Centaur by Declan Murphy and Ami Rao. Maybe A Man Called Ove has the slight edge? I adored it!

 

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019.

Maybe The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden? I really loved The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater as well.)

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.

I can’t think of anything in particular.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

I am looking forward to reading Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff, though I am yet to read Godsgrave – I will probably read the latter in July or August.

5. Biggest disappointment.

Maybe The Hating Game. Every person I look to for book tips loved it so much, but it was just ok for me. Sure, it’s a cute hate-to-love romance, but there was nothing particularly new about it. Also, Dare by Natalia Jaster, since I had loved the first book Trick so much and its follow-up really fell flat.

6. Biggest surprise.

I guess I was really surprised by how much I loved This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen.

7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

I definitely want to read more by Fredrik Backman!

8. Newest fictional crush.

I don’t tend to have fictional crushes. I am quite fond of Poet from Trick though. 😁❤

9. Newest favourite character.

See previous question. 😜

10. Book that made you cry.

Centaur by Declan Murphy and Ami Rao. I can’t even imagine what Declan and his family have gone through.

11. Book that made you happy.

Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen. So funny, so true!

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

I bought a beautiful illustrated edition of A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin, even if I have vowed not to continue the series until the author actually has announced firm dates for the next book. I still don’t believe he ever will. I still could not resist this book though…

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

See my 2019 TBR!

TAG TIME: Fall Time, Cozy Time Book Tag

Thank you to Siobhan over at her Novelties blog for tagging me earlier today for this wonderfully seasonal book tag. I haven’t done a tag for a while, so I thought I would get to it right away.

1. Crunching Leaves: Pick a book that has reds, yellows and oranges on it.

I think The Artisan Heart by Dean Mayes has a very autumnal cover and includes said reds, oranges and yellows. I could not think of a more fitting cover…

2. Cozy Sweater: It’s finally cold enough to wear warm, cozy clothing. What book gives you the warm fuzzy feelings?

I would go for the original Shannara series by Terry Brooks. Definitely the book version of comfort food for me.

3. Fall Storm: The wind is howling, and the rain is pouring. Pick your favourite book or genre to read on a stormy day. 

I HATE stormy days as we live in a very exposed house, so I want to something light and easy. Either some light hearted YA of some sort or a bit of feel-good romance. Nothing too deep.

4. Cool, crisp air: What cool character would you like to trade places with?

Not sure. I think Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time series is pretty cool.

5. Hot apple cider: What is an under-hyped book that you want to see being the next big thing?

I love the Gryphon Riders series by Derek Siddoway, which is a self-published YA fantasy series. I am hoping to read the last book this month. The first two were excellent.

6. Coats, Scarves and Mittens: The weather is turning cold and it’s time to cover up. What’s the most amazing book cover you have seen this year?

Easy! Circe by Madeline Miller. Both the naked hardback and the dust jacket are stunning!

7. Pumpkin Spice: What’s your favourite fall time snack to eat while reading?

At the moment I just want to eat crisps… Like, all the time! Does that count?

8. Warm, Cozy Bonfire: Spead the warmth! Who are you going to tag?

I will tag Abbey, Destiny, Meggy and Rita  and anyone else who wants to do this tag. If you have already done so, please tag me, so I can read your answers!

 

TAG TIME: Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt

Time to explore my bookcase in search of the following books:

1. Find a book by an author with the letter ‘Z’ in their name.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (2 Zs in his name – bonus points?!)

2. Find a classic.

Well, I have a Classics shelf, so that’s easy! The first one I grabbed was Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I have not read this one yet. Saving it for autumn.

3. Find a book with a key on it.

I looked and looked but did not find. FAIL!

4. Find something on your shelves that is not a book.

I have a little octopus bath dude sitting on my shelf for some reason!

5. Find your oldest book.

I have a bunch of children’s books that I have owned the longest, but the book that is physically the oldest is The Soul of a Bishop by H G Wells from 1917. I found it for €1 in the local charity shop. I am yet to read it.

6. Find a book with a girl on the cover.

Yeah, this is an easy one, as I have a few. I went for Little Women by Louisa M Alcott. Still haven’t read it – shame on me!

7. Find a book with an animal on the cover.

Choose the first book I could find, which is my new copy of Bambi (Felix Salten).

8. Find a book with a male protagonist.

You can’t get any more protagonisty than Rand Al’Thor in The Wheel of Time Series. Let’s go with The Eye of the World.

9. Find a book with only words on the cover.

Took me a while but I have The Burial at Thebes that only has words on the cover.

10. Find a book with illustrations in it.

Thornhill (Pam Smy). This was such an interesting book, somewhere between novel and graphic novel. A bit like a YA picture book.

11. Find a book with gold lettering.

I actually used quite a few books in this challenge with gold lettering, but did not want to repeat myself. I went for my beautiful copy of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Definitely a cover buy!

12. Find a diary.

Nope. No diaries. None at all. I used to have Bridget Jones’ Diary, but I am not sure what happened to it. As for now: FAIL!

13. Find a book written by someone with a common name.

I finally settled on Longbourn, as both Jo and Baker are pretty common names. I haven’t read this book yet, but I am looking forward to sometime soon!

14. Find a book with a close-up of something on the cover.

I found Outsider by John Francome, which has a close-up of a horse ribbon.

15. Find the book from the earliest time period.

The books set in the earliest time period I have are the Earth’s Children series by Jean M Auel. Set in prehistory. I re-read The Clan of the Cave Bear this year.

16. Find a hardcover book without a just jacket.

Finally an excuse to show of my gorgeous copy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare).

17. Find a teal or turquoise coloured book.

I will go with The Nest, even if the turquoise colour is a bit on the pastel side. I bought this at the airport sometime last year, fully intending to read it. I still haven’t.

18. Find a book with stars on it.

I had a few, but I went for The Muse by Jessie Burton. Another one I have not read yet!

19. Find a non-YA book.

My favourite book of the year so far:

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SHOW ME YOURS!

 

TAG TIME: Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

So I have read 49 books so far this year, which is only one away from my Goodreads goal of the big five oh (50!).

I thought it would be a good opportunity to do this tag and think about the books I have read so far! 🙂

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2018.

Circe by Madeline Miller. I am not sure what it was about this book, but it was pretty great. The writing, the story, just magical and amazing! Now I need to read Song of Achilles! I also really loved Assassin’s Quest (Robin Hobb) and Nevernight (Jay Kristoff) a lot.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018.

I have not been reading a ton of series, but I would say Royal Assassin, by Robin Hobb. I am loving this series!

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.

I have heard nothing but good things about Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff, so maybe that one. To be fair, I don’t read a ton of new releases and if I do, they tend to be via NetGalley.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

Nope, nothing springs to mind. Sorry!

5. Biggest disappointment.

Golden Son by Pierce Brown. I was so ready to fall in love with the Red Rising series and the first book was not what I expected, but I liked it, but then the second book was more what I wanted, but it just fell flat for some reason… So frustrating! Argh!

6. Biggest surprise.

Flow by Clare Littlemore. A self-published dystopian YA series and this first book was just fantastic!

7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Either Madeline Miller (Circe) or Jay Kristoff (Nevernight) probably.

8. Newest fictional crush.

I don’t tend to have fictional crushes. Let me think… Nope… nothing… Man, I’m boring!

9. Newest favourite character.

I loved Mia in Nevernight a lot. I thought quite a few characters in that book were pretty interesting.

10. Book that made you cry.

I know I have cried a few times and I know Persuasion by Jane Austen was one of them.  And probably Happiness by Aminatta Forna.

11. Book that made you happy.

What Kitty Did Next by Carrie Kablean. This was such a fun continuation of the Pride and Prejudice story.

12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year.

Haven’t seen any! I guess I watched The Handmaid’s Tale, which is pretty amazing.

13. Favourite review you’ve written this year.

Not a review, but my favourite post was the one about the Readers’ Bill of Rights.

14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

Circe by Madeline Miller. The hardback copy is soooooo gorgeous! Plus the naked hardback is just so pretty as well!

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Too many! I do want to finish some series though, so I want to read Assassin’s Quest (Robin Hobb) to complete the Farseer Trilogy and Bloodfire Quest and Witch Wraith (Terry Brooks ) to complete the Dark Legacy of Shannara series. Oh and Godsgrave (Jay Kristoff), which I got on offer on my Kindle for £1.99 a couple of days ago.

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If you have not done this (very popular) tag yet, please consider yourself tagged!

Liebster Award

Thank you to Emily at her wonderful blog Reaching While Rooted for nominating me for the Liebster Award. Check out Emily’s blog, read her insightful reviews and fun tags and all that jazz. Follow her if you do not do so already!

(Apologies, Emily, that it has taken me an age to get round to answering your questions!)

Rules for Accepting the Award:

1. Write about it on your blog and thank the person who nominated you. Write a bit about their blog.
2. Display the ward on your blog
3. Nominate 5 or 10 blogs which you feel deserve it
4. Let the nominees know you nominated them.

Don’t forget to to create 10 new questions for the nominees to answer. Notify your nominees and provide a link to your post so that they will know what to do. Once you are done, come back here and post the link so I can check your answers!

Emily’s questions and my answers:

1. What inspired you to create a blog.

A friend asked me whether I had read a certain book (I can’t remember which one) to which I replied, “Yes.” Friend: “When?” Me: “Ummmm.” Friend: “What did you think of it?” Me: “I can’t quite remember…”

Basically to avoid the above, I thought it would be fun to document the books I read and what I thought of them.

2. If you could quit your day job, what would you do instead?

Well, I quite my day job four years ago (has it really been four years???!!!! Maybe three and a half…) when I decided I simply wanted to enjoy being a mum to my (now) five-year-old daughter for a while. After childcare costs I really was not earning enough to make it worth it. We are about to open a holiday cottage though, which I will be taking care of. I thought I would spend lots of time reading and I do spend some time doing just that, but my time tends to fill up anyway with all sorts of nonsense. I kind of like it that way. 🙂

3. A portal opens up to another land or time in your room. Where does it go?

Oh dead, I don’t know. Maybe Australia. I spent ten months there about fifteen years ago and fell in love with the country. There are areas I would love to explore a bit more.

4. What is your least favourite genre?

Horror. I get nightmares easily and don’t really like gore.

5. What is your favourite animal?

Horse – no contest!

6. What’s your favourite hobby when you are not reading?

I love writing, even if I am not that great at it. I love horse riding, but have not done it much in recent years. I do love watching a bit of telly of an evening too. Well, that’s about the gist of my terribly exciting life.

7. It’s time for a vacation. Who is your travel partner?

My husband and my daughter of course!

8. Do you have a life philosophy? If so, what is it?

Be yourself and and do listen to others, but don’t let them live your life for you. Be strong and don’t be afraid to say no!

9. You find a time machine and travel ten years back in time. What advice or life affirmation would you give yourself?

See question 8. It took me long enough.

10. What is one thing you love about yourself?

Oh, yeah, sure, go in with the hard question last! I love that I have learned to simply love myself. That single thing has changed so much. When you love yourself and allow yourself to make mistakes, you can be a far better support to others. No, I am not perfect, but neither as anyone else and actually, I am pretty all right 🙂 Deep, right!

***

The blogs I want to nominate are:

Marta at The Cursed Books
Kat at Crazy Life with Doc and Bam
Megan at The Cozied Reader
Regina at Bookish In Bed
Abbey at Three Cats and a Girl

And these are your questions:

1. What is your one favourite book (no whole series, a single book!)?
2. What is the first book you remember loving as a child?
3. Do you have any pets? If so, do share!
4. Pink, purple or blue?
5. Favourite ever book cover?
6. Is there a popular book you did not like?
7. What is it you like most about blogging?
8. Do you use Goodreads, and if so, how many books are on your Goodreads TBR?
9. Fairies or unicorns?
10. Lord of the Rings or Jane Austen?

I know these questions are quite random, but I would love to see your answers, so let me know when you have gotten round to doing this one!

Tag Time: Anything But Books Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Abbey at Three Cats and a Girl. Do check out her lovely blog if you haven’t already!

Name a cartoon that you love.

Octonauts – my 5yo daughter can now name the most obscure sea creatues because of that cartoon and I love it too!

What is your favourite song right now?

Favourite songs change almost daily, but I have been on a ‘euphoria’ song kick recently. I seem to love listening to songs that make me feel energised and happy at the moment. The ones I have been playing on repeat are ‘Ready To Start’ by Arcade Fire and ‘Burn’ by Ellie Goulding. I am not really one for dance music, but for some reason I love Ellie’s music.

What could you do for hours that is not reading?

Browsing the Internet/watching Youtube videos. I try and restrict myself, as it’s way too addicting. Same reason I don’t play video games anymore. I think I have an obsessive streak in my nature. Otherwise, horse riding. I have not it much in recent years and I miss it so much! Also, daydreaming/thinking – I could waste hours just staring into space.

What is something that you do that your followers would be surprised by?

I play an online horseracing game called Equination. In it you can breed and race your own horses. I have been playing it for nine years!

What is your favourite, unnecessary thing to learn about?

Anything related to nature and history. Useful yes, necessary? No.

What is something unusual you know how to do?

Thanks to the trees that got blown over recently I am a deft hand at splitting wood now!

Name something you have made in the last year.

Too many Hama bead artworks with my daughter 🙂 Oh, and I have handsewn a patchwork cushion cover from fabric sample squares. It’s in the background of this picture!

What is your most recent personal project?

Getting our holiday cottage on the market soon. I am writing (and thinking about) the sales text for it. And a name for it – so hard!

Tell us something you think of often.

I often wonder why I worry so much. I am a rational person and I know worrying does not change an outcome of an event, so there is no point worrying, right? And yet, I do, constantly. It drives me nuts!

Tell us something that is your favourite, but make it oddly specific.

No biscuit is better with milk than the humble plain chocolate digestive.

*****

I would like to tag the following lovely bloggers:

Clarissa @ Quirky Lady Bookworm

Rose @ Stuckinfiction

Megan @ The Cozied Reader

And of course if I haven’t tagged you and you want to do this tag, consider yourself tagged!

 

End of the Year Book Tag

I have seen this one on a number of blogs and Booktube Channels and figured it was about time I did it!

1. Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

Only the books I am currently reading, which are Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas and Where The Stars Rise, which is a collection of Asian scifi and fantasy stories.

  

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Jane Eyre was supposed to do this for me, but coincided with my (much-mentioned) reading slump. I feel Throne of Glass is doing a better job at the moment.

3. Is there a new release you are still waiting for?

No, I don’t think so.

4. What are three books you want to read by the end of the year?

At the rate I am going, three books is a hard push! Ha! But, three books I would like to get through are A Winter Flame (Milly Johnson), Flame in the Mist (Renee Ahdieh) and Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie).

5. Is there a book you think can still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?

I doubt it very much, but I guess you never know!

6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2018?

I know I have a few ARCs to read over January and February, but apart from that I plan to keep it casual for a while. I am not committing! 😉

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Please consider yourself tagged if you fancy doing this tag! 🙂

 

 

Tag Time – Book Blog Newbie Tag!

My blog has only been around a couple of months, so I felt this strange attraction to this tag when I saw it on The Book Hooked Nook (great name for a blog by the way!)… So here we go 🙂

1. Why did you start this blog?

Mainly for myself. I am a scatterbrain and I do not know from one month to the next what I read, let alone what books or characters I especially loved. My brain is simply not wired up that way! So, if I was going to write a list and little reviews to remind myself of the books I read, I may as well make a blog of it. I am loving it, though I do still feel like a complete newbie!

2.  What are some fun and unique things you can bring to book blogging?

Pfff, no idea! I thought it would be photography, but I have not been taking that many book-related photos. Maybe my honesty and my chaotic, sometimes sarcastic nature? I ramble a lot….

3. What are you most excited about with your new blog?

Interaction with other bloggers… Seeing next year what I actually read this year! 😉

4. Why do you love reading?

Why not! It takes you to another world, lets you be someone else, makes you fall in love with worlds, people and things. It relaxes me… It soothes me…. It settles my overactive brain…

5. What book or series got you into reading?

The Black Stallion series by Water Farley. My, I used to love that horse and I think I had a book crush on Alec when I was young. I always wanted a horse of my own just like The Black. Those books still hold a very special place in my heart.

6. What questions would you ask you favourite authors?

Simply: How?

7. What challenges do you think starting a blog will be hardest to overcome?

Completely irrational fear of failure, feeling like an imposter playing at book blogging?

8. When did you start reading?

Probably properly around nine or ten, when I discovered awesome books, like The Black Stallion series and I think I reasonably quickly moved to adult books. I am not that old, honestly, but I swear YA was nowhere near as much of a thing i my day as it is now.

9. Where do you read?

Usually at home, on the sofa or in bed, but I will always have an e-book going on my phone as well that I can read when I am out and about.

10. What kind of books do you like to read?

I love reading both fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction I love biographies, history and things about the natural world. In fiction I will read most things, but am especially fond of fantasy, contemporary and historical fiction. I do read thrillers and fluffy romances every now and then as well, depending on my mood. Plus I do looooove a good classic every now and then. I love Jane Austen for example.

Consider yourself tagged if you fancy doing this tag as well! 🙂