The New York Times “By the Book” Tag

I’ve been itching to do another book tag, especially since I’ve been in such a reading slump lately, and the first few questions really caught my eye! I first saw this tag on Thrice Read’s blog a while ago and it seemed really fun!

WHAT BOOK IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND RIGHT NOW?

Well, technically, my Kindle is on my nightstand. But I’m currently reading The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken and Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff. Like I said, I’ve been in a reading slump lately so I’ve been really unmotivated to read anything, which is a shame because my ARCs are starting to pile up.

WHAT WAS THE LAST TRULY GREAT BOOK YOU READ?

The Dark of the Moon by E.S. Bell was the last book I gave five stars to. Not only that, but I wrote a pretty long review gushing all about it which is pretty telling about my feelings for a book.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY WRITER – DEAD OR ALIVE – WHO WOULD IT BE? AND WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW?

This is one of the questions that drew me to this tag. Without a doubt, George R. R. Martin. SPOILERS to those who haven’t watched season 7 of Game of Thrones yet! There are quite a few questions I would like to pick Mr. Martin’s brain about, but mostly: please, please tell me Jon’s real name is not actually Aegon in the books 😒. ~~Also, Jonsa is totally going to happen, right?!~~

WHAT BOOKS MIGHT WE BE SURPRISED TO FIND ON YOUR SHELF?

Okay, because I’m a huge nerd, I actually have a two different bookshelves. I have my regular bookshelves and then I have a smaller bookshelf which is where I keep all my “nonfiction” books. Mostly, it’s made up of textbooks I’ve kept over the years and a whole ton of books about different world mythologies/folklore.

HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE YOUR PERSONAL LIBRARY?

I like things to be neat and orderly, so my books are all in alphabetical order by author.

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU ALWAYS MEANT TO READ AND HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO YET?

There are a few books that would fit to answer this question, but I think I’ll go with The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman. I’ve started it so many times but can never seem to get past the first chapter.

DISAPPOINTING, OVERRATED, JUST NOT GOOD: WHAT BOOK DID YOU FEEL YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE BUT DIDN’T?

Hmm. If anyone has ever ventured onto my Tumblr, it’s quite clear how I feel about the Throne of Glass/A Court of Thorns and Roses books. I’ll just keep it simple and say Sarah J. Maas’ books are not for me (anymore).

WHAT KIND OF STORIES ARE YOU DRAWN TO? ANY YOU STAY CLEAR OF?

I’m definitely drawn to YA/Adult Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Historical Romance. I also love a good mythology/fairy-tale retelling. I try to stay away from contemporary, although there are a good number that I’ve really enjoyed. There are certain tropes, though, that I’m a sucker for that will make me pick up a book.

IF YOU COULD REQUIRE THE PRESIDENT TO READ ONE BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

There are so many different ways to answer this question but I don’t feel like being too political so I’m just going to skip it.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO READ NEXT?

Oh gosh, there are so many books downloaded on my Kindle right now. I’ll probably read Warcross by Marie Lu since I won a copy of the book and I can’t wait for it!

If anyone else decides to participate in this tag, post a link in the comments, I want to read your answers! I would also love to hear any ideas on how to get out a reading slump! It’s been months and this is the longest slump I’ve ever been in.