The Book Recommendations Book Tag

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I’m back! I’ve been on a little blogging hiatus recently (more on that in my monthly wrap up post), but I’m very happy to be back with lots of exciting and creative posts planned! The wonderful Ally @Ally Writes Things very kindly tagged me in her original book tag, the book recommendations tag! I had so much fun going through my bookshelves and Goodreads to find the perfect answer to these questions! If you’re not following Ally, then you are seriously missing out, her posts always make me smile, and she has great taste when it comes to reading and recommending books! Lately, there have been so many new and creative book tags floating around the blogging community, and this one is no exception! I apologise to your TBR’s in advance as I hope I’ll convince you to add a few of these books to your reading list, you never know you might find a new favourite!

Rules

• Tag Ally @ Ally Writes Things so I can see your recommendations!
• Give at least one recommendation for each of the prompts below
• If you don’t have a recommendation, talk about a book you want to read
• Tag your friends

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A Book About Friendship

Found families and strong friendship groups are some of my all-time favourite bookish tropes. There’s just something so heartwarming about a group of unlikely individuals finding comfort in each other and the wonderful banter that comes with it. If you haven’t read Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, then where have you been? And if you have, then just give it another read! It’s such a good book, and I can’t wait to see the loyal friendship between the Dregs come to life this April! 

A Translated Book

One of my reading aims this year is to read more translated books, I used to read loads of them when I was studying at university, but recently they’ve fallen to the bottom of my TBR! One of my favourites will always be Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky, a five-part unfinished novel that follows the connected lives of a group of people and their experiences during WW2. Sadly, Némirovsky died in Auschwitz in 1942 with only two parts competed, but as a rough draft, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece.

A Diverse Romance

Last month I fell in love with romance novels again, so I decided to treat myself to a few new love stories! I’ve heard nothing but good things about The Kiss Quotient, and its diverse group of characters is what initially attracted me to this book. Our protagonist Stella has Asperger’s syndrome and is convinced that she needs lessons on how to be good at sex and relationships, so she hires Michael, a Vietnamese-Swedish escort, to teach her. This book sounds like the perfect blend of sweet and steamy, and I can’t wait to start it soon! Another diverse romance that I really enjoyed was The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon. A thought-provoking and wonderfully unique love story that also tackles issues of immigration and cultural identity.

A Fast-Paced Book

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman! I’m late to the party with this one, and I’m embarrassed that it has taken me this long to start it, but I’m glad that I fianlly did! I’ve fallen head over heels for this series, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did! The unique format and wonderfully witty group of characters make this space adventure an unforgettable read that you won’t want to put down.

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A non-fiction book (not a memoir)

Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion. As soon as I saw this prompt I knew I was going to pick Didion! For those who don’t know Joan Didion is an American writer who launched her career in the 1960s after winning an essay contest sponsored by Vogue magazine. There’s something magical and heartbreakingly raw about her writing and her latest collection of essays is at the top of my 2021 TBR.

An Underrated Memoir

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield. This was book I read with my university book club and one that really surprised me! Who would have thought a musical memoir would be a instant page turner for me? Everything about it was so raw and real, plus the unique playlists for each chapter were a fabulous addition. Sheffield is an American music journalist and long time contributing editor at Rolling Stone, so if into music then I highly recommend you that you check this out!

A Book With Fewer Than 10,000 Ratings on Goodreads

The Witchling’s Girl by Helena Coggan. I always rave about this book, but it’s such an underrated book that deserves endless praise! I’m usually a reader driven by plot rather than character but this book completely subverted that. Coggan’s beautifully evocative prose and world building surrounds a battling story of love and death that will break readers hearts. The characterisation and development is what makes this book truly stunning, Haley’s succession to becoming the Witchling is one heck of a journey that I’m thankful to have experienced.

A Book With a LGBTQ+ Protagonist

I couldn’t decide between They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera or Song of Achillies by Madeline Miller so I’m just going to recommend both of them! Both of these books will break your heart so be sure to have the tissues at the ready!

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A Book By a Trans/Non-Binary Author

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender. I loved this book so much and it makes my little heart flutter just thinking about it! This was a profoundly moving story about self-discovery, love and revenge and one which took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. It was honest, it was real and it was story that I feel honoured to have experienced.

A Book with More Than 500 Pages

My mind instantly went to A Court of Silver Flames, but everyone’s already reading that, so I’m going to choose something completely different and pick Crescent City! 😅 Once again, Maas excels at creating a unique fantasy world filled with an equally fantastic cast of characters and an unexpected storyline that is never once predictable. Like I’ve said before, I could read Sarah’s shopping list, and I’d love it! There’s just something wonderfully magical about her writing that sends me head over heels and into her captivating worlds and adventures. 

A short story collection

I haven’t read many short stories, but I am a big fan of flash fiction. Flash fiction for those who don’t know, is a short piece of fiction that sometimes centres around a snap-shot filled with open-ended questions and a shroud of mystery. I was first introduced to the format whilst studying it at university and instantly fell in love with its ability to hold so much story and possibility within only a couple of hundred words and knew it was something I wanted to try and replicate.

A book you want everyone to read

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson *wink wink* I don’t think it’s possible for me to complete a book tag without mentioning Brandon Sanderson, Sarah J Maas or Madeline Miller! It’s no secret that this is one of my favourite books EVER, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop recommending it. I’m tempted to re-read it and experience the wonder and brilliance all over again!

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I want to say a HUGE thank you to Ally for tagging me, I had so much fun answering these questions, and I hope everyone found some great book recommendations! I really enjoyed this tag, so I’m tagging anyone who has any of these books on their TBR!