Lord of the Rings Tag| CarenzaOnBooks

Having recently rewatch the Lord of the Rings films for the first time in quite some time, it's gotten me in a very Lord of the Rings mood. I adored these films as a kid and I used to listen to the 1960s/70s BBC audio production on repeat. I have only read The Fellowship of the Ring, but am planning on getting to the series soon. I stumbled across this tag on Mary and the Words' blog, which you can read here, and knew I had to do it. 

Taken from Google Images

Middle Earth: The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings

I'm going to have to go with Lord of the Rings. As I've already said, I grew up watching these films, so they mean a lot to me. This was a very tough one as I prefer the story of Lord of the Rings, but I have the attachment to the Hobbit as I actually saw those films in the cinema. But Lord of the Rings is what started me on this journey.

Fellowship: Favourite Hobbit Movie

I love the Desolation of Smaug. We get introduced to Laketown and of course, we get to meet Smaug. The new cast members in this film are excellent. I always enjoy watching this film. 

The One Ring: Favourite LOTR Movie/Book

I'll go with the one I have both watched and read, which is the Fellowship of the Ring. It's what started this quest. It has one of my favourite pieces of music, Concerning Hobbits. It's much lighter in tone compared to the other two in this series and it's where you get to meet the Fellowship for the first time. It has a soft spot in my heart. 

Bilbo Baggins: Favourite Character

Without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite character is Pippin. I have always had a soft spot for Pippin. He's the baby of the group. Gandalf can be very mean to him at times. He has quite a subtle story arc compared to Frodo and Sam. He's cheeky and sweet. He's just the best. 

Dor Guldur: Least Favourite Character

Denethor. I have never liked that character. He was nothing but cruel to Faramir and was easily corrupted by Sauron. I do pity him a bit with some of his decisions in The Return of the King, but asides from that, I cannot stand that character.  

Gundabad: Favourite "Evil" Character

It has to go to Gollum. You can debate that he isn't an evil character, but I would say he is one of the primary antagonists of the series. He presents some interesting dilemmas for our main characters and you're unsure if you should pity or hate him. He also used to terrify me as a kid, so I have to give it to him.  

The Shire: Favourite Place

I'm going to steal the prompt from this question and go with the Shire. It just seems like a really nice place to live, with gorgeous Hobbit holes and those rolling fields. I would very much like to visit the set in New Zealand one day and see them in person, especially as two of my friends have been.  

Rivendell: Favourite Species

I really like the Elves, especially the Rivendell Elves. They are so eloquent, yet kind to others. They welcome in the Fellowship and seek to protect them. Plus that elf hearing and agility sounds quite nice. 

Misty Mountains: Do You Have a Favourite Quote from the Movies/Books?

It's probably a bit of a rouge answer, but I really like and frequently quote Pippin from The Fellowship of the Ring with this line- "Anways, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing". It is of course then followed up by Merry saying "Well, that rules you out, Pip". I love this scene a lot. It's one of my favourites. 

Mirkwood: Would you rather be an elf, hobbit, mankind, dwarf or wizard?

100% without a shadow of a doubt, I'd be a Hobbit. I want to live in a Hobbit hole and enjoy my days with nice food and pretty surroundings. In the evenings, there would be trips to the pub before curling up with a good book. Maybe a bit more like Frodo and Bilbo, and go on adventures before coming back. But a Hobbit nonetheless.  

Gondolin: Favourite Durin's son

I am going to choose Kili, and that's partly because he's played by Aidan Turner in the films. There seems to be a theme to my favourite characters in that they're cheeky and sweet. I'm excited to see what he's like in the book when I get around to reading them. 

The Nine: Favourite fellowship member

My most recent rewatch has convinced me that Aragorn is my favourite Fellowship member. Throughout the films, we see him being nothing but kind to those around him. He always takes the time to talk to others and make them feel welcomed. He's heroic and goes on an epic development journey. He stands out as the best member of the Fellowship of the Ring. 

Sindarin: favourite weapon

My favourite is Sting. It's small, it's practical and it's Hobbit sized. One day I'd love to own a replica from the Noble Collection as it just looks amazing. 

Minas Tirith: Do you own any LOTR/Hobbit merch?

I own two Pop Funkos, one of Frodo and one of Pippin. I have a small figurine of Gandalf from when the Hobbit movies where coming out and they started selling magazines with figurines. I have a poster that my best friend got me and a postcard from Hobbiton as she's been. I'm not sure if this counts but I collected a lot of the Lego sets as a child and had a lot of fun building them. I'd say it's quite a small collection. 

Gig-Galad: Would you have changed something from the movie?

Honestly, I wouldn't change anything. I know that a lot of people don't like the Hobbit movies, but I adore them. I am a big fan of the extended editions and believe they have everything in a person could want. 

Minas Morgul: Gandalf or Saruman? 

It has to be Gandalf! Not just because he's a great character, but because I met Ian McKellen in passing in 2019. He was doing a series of shows for his 80th birthday and I got to say thank you to him at the end. I did miss out on a selfie opportunity, but I'm just happy I got to see him in person. 

So that concludes my answers to the Lord of the Rings tag. If you are a LOTR fan, please do this tag and let me know! 

Sour Album Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

I am very late to the party, but I recently started listening to Sour by Olivia Rodrigo and I'm kinda (very) obsessed with it. I tend to listen to the same music over and over, so it's nice to have something new to listen to. So I had to do the Sour Album Book Tag. I found this on Allomanci Read's blog, which I will link here. It has all the rules and info you could need if you want to do this tag. My favourite songs from this album are brutal, good 4 u and jealousy, jealousy.

Brutal- A Book with a Lot of Teenage Angst

Loveless by Alice Oseman. This is about a young woman going away to university and discovering her sexuality after struggling to find a label that worked for her. It deals with asexuality and aromantic identities, something I haven't read much about. While it does deal with these important topics, the teenage angst/drama got a bit much for me at times. I still gave it 4/5 stars.  

Traitor- A Book that Broke Your Heart, but you still keep going back to

Without a shadow of a doubt, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. This was the last time I cried at a book, and I last read this in 2018. I have read this countless times. There is a section of this book, which if you know it, that breaks my heart every time I read it. I know it's coming and yet when I read it, I bawl like an idiot. I couldn't tell you why. I adore this series, it's probably one of my favourites. I will happily read it over and over. 

 

Driver's License- A book that helped you grow/become who you are today

Speaking of Cassandra Clare, it would be wrong to not mention her here. City of Bones came into my life at exactly the right time. I try not to talk about the same author twice in a book tag, but Cassie's books have had such a strong impact on me. I've always been a reader, but I became more interested in reading after discovering these books. I was totally swept away by these books. Every time I finished the series, I would start again. I must have read them 3 or 4 times back to back. These books will always hold a special place in my heart. They've shaped me into the person and the reader I am today. 

1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back- A book which was slow paced, but so addictive that you just couldn't stop reading it

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. It took me 4 or 5 attempts to read this book. I finally listened to the audiobook while on holiday in Bruges back in 2019. It takes quite some time to get to the central plot, but the writing was so beautiful that I just didn't want to stop reading. Laini is such a fantastic writer, with everything she writes being in this gorgeous poetic style. I love her writing. The Strange the Dreamer duology is a favourite of mine. 

Deja Vu- A book that makes you nostalgic

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I must have read this around the time the film came out, which I think was 2013, and I loved it. I related a lot to Charlie and how he always felt like an outsider until he met this amazing group of friends. I was also really getting into reading at that time, so I sometimes feel nostalgic for discovering my love of reading at that time. I wish I could go back and live in that time where every book I read was amazing and brought so much joy to my life. 

 

Good 4 U- A book you almost dnf-ed but it became your favourite

I'm not someone who dnfs books, I tend to put them to one side and then come back to them at a later date. The only book I can think of is one I've already used and I don't like to use the same answer more than once. So, I'll quickly say, that Strange the Dreamer was a book that it took me a few times to get into and then became one of my favourites. 

Enough for You- A book that lived up to your incredibly high expectations

If We Were Villains by M.L Rio. I have a review, which you can read here. I had heard nothing but good things about this book and it didn't disappoint. This might be my favourite book of the year so far. I loved the characters, the writing, the story. Pretty much everything about it. I would love to read from M.L Rio again as she is a fantastic writer. I will keep on talking about this book for a very long time. 

Happier- A book/series which caused a book hangover

I don't really get book hangovers, so the closet thing I can think of is when I read Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin. I loved that book so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it and it had been a while since I felt that way about a book. The story was just addictive. I wasn't the biggest fan of the sequel, so I'm not sure where I stand with this series anymore. However, I will always treasurer my first read of Serpent and Dove. 

Jealousy, Jealousy- A world you would sell your books to be a part of

It's probably very cliche, but I would love to live in Hobbiton from Lord of the Rings. I have only read one of the books, so I am basing this from the films. Oh to be a hobbit and live in a hobbit hole. To visit the Green Dragon and the Prancing Pony. It just looks like a jolly and pretty place to live. I would love to live there.

Favourite Crime- A favourite series, but a really disappointing last book

It's not a favourite series, but the final book in the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Schusterman was really disappointing. The first book was incredible, the second was okay and the final was not great. It had such a strong premise, but for me, I lost enjoyment with each instalment. I'd like to give it a second chance at some point as I think Neal is a great writer, but something went wrong with this book.  

Hope Ur Ok- A book that healed you/your comfort book   

The Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman never fail to put a smile on my face. I recently reread them in preparation for the final volume and they just made me so happy. Alice captures this relationship well and the art style is really cute. If you are looking for an adorable graphic novel series about an LGBT+ relationship, plus it tackles the topic of mental health really well, then look no further because they're the best.  

I tag anyone who wants to do this tag! If you end up doing this tag, then tag me on Twitter (@carenzaonbooks) as I'd love to see your responses. 

The Mid Year Freak Out Tag 2021| Carenza Bramwell

Despite the fact that we're still in a global pandemic, time is going very fast and we're over halfway through the year. As we're over halfway through, I thought I would do the Mid Year Freak Out Tag. This is my third time answering these questions on here and I love looking back on my answers from previous years.

 

1) Best Book You've Read So Far in 2021

Hands down the best book I've read so far is If We Were Villains by M.L Rio. I have a full review, which you can read here. I was hooked from beginning to end. I didn't want to stop reading. I loved the story and the characters. I imagine this will be one of my favourite books of the year. 

2) Best Sequel You've Read So Far in 2021

I'm technically cheating as last year I chose Heartstopper Volume Three and this year I'm choosing Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman. These are some of my favourite books. I reread the whole series so far in preparation for this volume and it made me happy. These are fun and fluffy, yet capture some serious topics beautifully at the same time. I can't believe this series ends with the next volume. 

 

3) New Release You Haven't Read Yet, But Want To

I'm putting off reading Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid for one reason and that is because the book is set in August, so I want to read it in August. I just thought it would add to the reading experience reading it in the same month it's set in. I have loved the two other books from Taylor Jenkins Reid, so I imagine I'll enjoy this one too. 

4) Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of The Year

I have chosen Gods&Monsters by Shelby Mahurin as it's one of the few books I know that's coming out later this year. I had mixed feelings about Blood&Honey, but I'm going to reread the series in prep for this one and hopefully my love will come back. I remember being blown away by Serpent&Dove and I want that feeling again.  

5) Biggest Disappointment

This may come as surprise to some, especially those that have been reading my blog for a while, but I was really disappointed by Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare. I have a review, which you can read here. But this series nowhere near lives up to Clockwork Angel, which is my favourite Cassie Clare series. I want to love it, but I don't care for the plot at all. I still really enjoyed it, but for me to give a Cassie Clare book anything other than 5 stars is quite rare. 

6) Biggest Surprise

I struggled for an answer for this question, but then I remember being surprised by Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. I read it really quickly, as it had that "I need to know more" factor. I have a review of this book, which you can read here. This is the perfect Halloween book, with amazing LGBT+ rep. Aiden is a great writer and I can't wait to see what they write next. 

7) New Favourite Author (Debut or New to You)

R.F Kuang has to be a new favourite author. I adored The Poppy War and can't wait to dive back into this series. I know she is writing some kind of dark academia book, which looks really good. I have a feeling she's going to be an auto buy author for the future. 

8) New Fictional Crush

As mentioned in my answers to these questions for the 2020 version, I don't really do fictional crushes, so I'm going to give Jesper from Shadow and Bone show a shout out as a new favourite character. I think I just have a thing for characters that begin with J, such as Jaskier from the Witcher and Jake from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. 

9) New Favourite Character

Speaking of new favourite characters, I had to choose Rin from The Poppy War by R.F Kuang. She's just so badass and we need more badass characters out there. I'm very excited to see where her journey goes in the other books in the series. 

10) Book That Made You Cry

I haven't cried over a book since 2018 so I can't answer this question. It really takes a lot for me to cry at a book. 

11) Book That Made Me Happy

A book that made me very happy was Flake by Matthew Dooley. This is an adorable graphic novel and I adored it. It's set in the North-West of England, which is where my family is from, so the humour in this book really appealed to me. I laughed out loud at multiple times while reading this. It's going to be a favourite of mine for a while. 

12) Most Beautiful Book You've Bought/Received This Year

Like last year, I am choosing the Fairyloot edition of Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare. Despite my problems with Fairyloot, they really do the prettiest editions of books. They're stunning. 

13) What Books Do You Need to Read by the End of the Year?

I have decided that I want to read the complete Sherlock Holmes stories by the end of the year. I have had them for so long and adore variations of these stories. It's high time I actually read them.

I hope you enjoyed this tag! 

Grisha Magic Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

After watching the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, I knew I wanted to make some content inspired by it. I went and did a quick Google search and came across this tag, you can watch the video I found it in here. Don't worry, there won't be any spoilers for the show here! This tag uses the magic system from the Grishaverse (which I plan on rereading). 

1) Heartrender- A Book That Made Your Heart Race   

For this prompt, I chose The Diviners by Libba Bray. I choose this because I remember listening to the audiobook and being genuinely quite scared at some scenes. I would listen to it while I was walking, in the middle of summer, and I knew I was perfectly safe, yet I still felt scared for some reason. The atmosphere built in these books was great.  

2) Healer- A Book That Made You Feel Good

I recently reread the first three volumes in the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman as I needed a feel good, fluffy book. While these books do deal with some heavier topics such as mental health, coming out and bullying, these books always make me feel happier. The story is adorable and so is the art style. I have a feeling these will be my go to comfort books. 

3) Tailor- A Book That Perfectly Matches Its Cover

Taken from Google Images

I realised that all the books I chose for these questions were quite popular books, so for this question, I decided to pick a lesser known book. So I'm choosing Let Me Tell You About A Man I Knew by Susan Fletcher. The blurb and cover for this book were the reason I picked it up. I read it a few years ago and I still adore it. The story was beautiful. The cover is beautiful. I wish more people would read it as it's such a good book. 

4) Squallers- A Book With A Death That Made You Gasp

I struggled to pick an answer for this question as I didn't want to spoil anyone. So I had a look at my Goodreads and I think the last time I was shocked by a death was in The King of Crows by Libba Bray. I didn't want to pick the same author more than once, but this was the last time I remember being "shocked" and it was more annoyed than shocked. 

5) Inferni- A Book With A Steamy Romance

A classic answer for this would be the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas as those books are well known for their steamy romance. I didn't want to choose them, so I chose another steamy romance and that was House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas. I remember that there was at least one quite steamy scene in this book. I don't tend to read books for their steamy scenes. 

6) Tidemakers- A Book Or Book Series With An Unpredictable Plot

I spent more time than I'll care to admit looking at my bookshelves thinking what book or series had an unpredictable book and I couldn't pick one. So I've decided not to pick one. I don't try and guess the plot as I'm reading. I like to be in the moment. I know this is cheating, but it's my blog and I pick the rules. 

7) Durasts- A First Book In A Series With Incredible World Building

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin 

I decided to go with Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin as I felt the world building in this book was really good. It was one of the things that hooked me in when I was reading it. I've read this book twice and I always enjoy learning more about the magic or the world. Shelby is really good at writing these worlds. 

8) Alkemi- A Book With An Explosive Ending 

This was another question I struggled with as I don't remember the last time I was wowed by an ending. So I've decided to pick a classic and one of my favourite books, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. I have read this book so many times and every time it makes me cry. I am someone who is very picky (probably not the right word) when it comes to what makes me cry in literature and fiction. It takes a lot. But this book will destroy me every time I read it.  

Those are my answers to the Grisha Magic Book Tag. You can probably expect a Shadow and Bone review from me at some point in the future. What would your answers to these questions be? 

Anti-Valentine's Day Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

Happy belated Valentine's Day! Whether you celebrate it or not, you cannot avoid this celebration. Personally, I've never celebrated it as it's my Grandma's birthday and I'm comfortably single. However, in the spirit of the season, I thought I would to a Valentine's themed book tag. I found this one on Storme Reads A Lot, the original post is linked here. I hope you enjoy!

1) Name a Character That Annoys You For No Apparent Reason

I recently read Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas and I could not get along with the main character. She was kinda annoying, but mostly I just didn't like her. It's very hard to annoy me so it took me by surprise by how annoying I found her. I can't even remember her name.

2) What's A Book You Read That Ended in Total Heartbreak?

The last time I remember crying at a book was back in 2018 in a reread of Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. That book makes me weep every time. Again, it's very hard to make me cry about books, so that is the last time I remember being heartbroken over a book.

3) What's A Book Where One of Your Favourite Characters Doesn't Make It?

I'm not going to give it away, but there was a character death in The King of Crows by Libba Bray that made me so angry. They deserved better and I cannot believe they were killed off. Also this series deserved a better ending which made this characters death even more annoying.

4) A Character That's A Total Buzz Kill?

I just finished reading The Poppy War by R.F Kuang and thinking about it, I didn't vibe with Altan. I'm just not sure what the point of his character and story arc where. This is a very loose answer as I literally couldn't think of anyone else.

5) A Book In Which the Dreaded Love Triangle Makes An Appearance?

Cassandra Clare loves a good love triangle. Heck, the woman loves a good love octagon at this point. I love Cassie's books, but I am getting a bit frustrated with this all who's into who in each series. I'm still going to read her books, but I would like it if we could move away from all this complicated romance. 

6) Name a Book Filled with Action Packed Fighting Scenes.

I've already mentioned it, but The Poppy War had some epic fight scenes. This is a book about war, so it's unsurprising. I thoroughly enjoyed how much action was in this book, which at times did get a bit gruesome, but I really enjoyed this book. 

7) A Book In Which the Older Brother Causes Issues for the Main Couple?

Honestly, I can't really think of any. There are probably some, but none are coming to mind.

8) A Really Sad Book That Makes You Cry Your Eyes Out While  Simultaneously Breaking Your Heart?

I hate repeating myself in a tag as it can come across quite lazy, but Clockwork Princess broke my heart. I cried at least three times while reading. I've read this book at least four or five times and I still cry each time. It's just a very well written romance. 

9) A Book Filled With Blood and Gruesome Scenes You Can't Get Out of Your Head?

House of Blood and Earth by Sarah J Maas. Although I can't remember much about this book, there are some stand out gruesome scenes I cannot forget. I'll have to read it again and I'm not looking forward to those scenes. 

10) What's Your Favourite Anti-Valentines Day Movie?

I'm going to have to pick Lady Bird. Yes this does have romance in it, but at it's core it's about family and friend love over romantic love. Also I may be picking this because it's my favourite movie. 

I hope you enjoyed this anti-valentines day tag!

Carenza :) x  

The Anti-TBR Tag| Carenza Bramwell

Two tags in just over a week? How am I? I saw this on Books Nest's (Beth) YouTube channel and I thought it sounded like something I would enjoy. There are a lot of books I probably won't read and as someone who is mostly a mood reader, I think this tag was made for me. This tag was made by Nicole and Her Books on YouTube.  

A Popular Book That EVERYONE Loves But You Have No Interest In Reading?

I have seen lots of people raving about To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. I even have a free copy downloaded on my iPad. These days I only tend to read contemporaries if they have an LGBT+ element to them. I don't pick them up as much as I used to. I'm not really interested in contemporaries that focus heavily on romance. These books just don't seem like they'd be for me, which is okay as I know they are well loved by many. 

A Classic Book or Author That You Don't Have Any Interest In Reading?

Classic fans will probably hate me but I just don't see myself reading any Jane Austen anytime soon. I even got rid of my copies last year. Again, from my knowledge, they focus quite heavily on romance and that just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe when I'm older, but for now, I don't see myself having a burning desire to read Jane Austen. 

An Author Whose Books You Have No Interest In Reading?

Sadly, I have to choose Naomi Novik. Once upon a time, I could have seen myself enjoying her books, but after the controversy with A Deadly Education, I wouldn't feel comfortable picking up her books. I find it very hard to say that there are authors I don't see myself picking up.

An Author You Have Read A Couple of Books From and Have Decided Their Books Are Not For You?

I have read almost all of Leigh Bardugo's books but the more I think about it, the more I realise they aren't for me. Maybe once the TV show has dropped, I might give them another chance, but I just found them a bit underwhelming. Six of Crows was made to be this epic book and I found it a bit dull. Ninth House is a book I see myself giving another chance to. 

A Genre You Have No Interest In OR A Genre You Tried But Couldn't Get Into?

It seems that everyone that picks this question answers with the same genre- Sci-Fi. I don't mind watching Sci-Fi, but reading it is something I struggle with. There have been very few, if any, Sci-Fi books I've enjoyed. It requires a lot of concentration and I think I just prefer fantasy. I would like to give The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Myer a go as they're based on fairytales. 

A Book You Have Bought But Will Never Read?

This is the only question I don't have an answer for as I don't tend to buy books unless I know I'm going to read them. I have received some books in subscription boxes in 2016-17 that I will never read, but I decided to donate my copies to charity. I like to give books a chance before I decided they aren't for me. 

A Series You Have No Interest In OR A Series You Started And DNFd?

I wanted to love Infinity Son by Adam Silvera. Sadly, I did not. I will not be continuing the series. I have got rid of my copy, despite the fact it came out this year. I was just underwhelmed and let down. I'm hoping it doesn't impact on the relationship I have with his other books as I loved them. 

A New Release That You Have No Interest In Reading?

Love, Creekwood by Becky Albertalli, the latest book in the Simon Vs universe. I loved Simon Vs or Love, Simon as it's now known. I don't see myself rereading it and I have no interest in continuing with the series. I liked that it was a standalone. There are probably some other new releases that I won't be buying but I have no clue what books are coming out in 2021.

That concludes my answers to the Anti-TBR tag. Consider yourself tagged by me!

Carenza :) x

The Joys of Christmas Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

As it is now December, a month I love unconditionally for the festivities, I thought I would to a Christmas book tag. I found this one online and it was originally made by Samantha at Novels and Nonsense on BookTube. 

My Christmas tree two years ago

1) Anticipation: The Christmas Excitment is Real, What Book Release(s) Are You Most Anticipating?

I don't actually know many books coming out in 2021, but the fourth instalment in the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman is coming out in early 2021. Alice is one of my favourite authors and I will always buy what she releases. If you are a fan of YA Contemporary novels, especially ones that tackle LBGT issues, I'd recommend Alice's books. The Heartstopper series is an adorable graphic novel series about two British boys falling in love.

2) Christmas Songs & Carols: What Book or Author Can You Not Help But Sing It's Praises?  

Without a shadow of a doubt, a book I will go on and on about is Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin. It is one of my favourites from the last few years. I wasn't the biggest fan of Blood and Honey, but Serpent and Dove really stole my heart. I haven't read anything like it since I first joined the bookish community in 2016.

3) Gingerbread House: What Book or Series Has Wonderful World Building?

It would be a crime if I didn't choose Cassandra Clare's book. The world she has built across all these series is so detailed and fleshed out. It's a real treat as a reader to be able to explore a world across so many series from one author. 

4) A Christmas Carol: Favourite Classic or One That You Want to Read

I'm not a big classics person, so I'm going to bend this prompt slightly. Rather than pick a traditional classic, I'm going to pick a childhood classic and say His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is a book I want to read. I never got into the hype as a child but with the most recent TV adaptation, I would highly consider picking up the books.

5) Christmas Sweets: What Book Would You Love to Receive for Christmas?

Honestly, I would be happy to receive any book for Christmas. But one that is quite high up is The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow. I really enjoyed her other book, The Once and Future Witches, so I would love to read some more from her. 

6) Candles in the Window: What Book Gives You That Warm Fuzzy Feeling?

Before all the JKR controversy, I would have said Harry Potter but now it doesn't feel right saying that anymore. I can't think of anymore that I've read and haven't already mentioned that give me that feeling. I am a sucker for a good romance, when it's well written. I want invest in their relationship. I think I'm going to have to cheat and pick any that have a good relationship in. 

7) Christmas Trees & Decorations: What Are Some of Your Favourite Book Covers?

Here are some books that I've purchased recently that have really pretty covers, but aren't necessarily my favourite covers of all times:

8) What Are Some of Your Favourite Things About Christmas And/Or Some of Your Favourite Christmas Memories?

Christmas is a really special time in my family as it's also my dad's birthday on Christmas Eve. We've always made a big deal of making them separate occasions but we do go all out for both. We also have a tradition of buying a new decoration for the tree every year to symbolise the year, but that's something I'll explain more in a future blog post. I love that my family makes such a big deal of Christmas and it's something I intend to continue for the rest of my life.

I hope you enjoyed this book tag and it got you in the festive mood!

Carenza :) x 

  

The End of Year Book Tag 2020| Carenza Bramwell

The end of 2020 is slowly approaching. Soon we can leave this hellish year behind and prepare for whatever 2021 has installed for us. With the end of the year approaching, it is time to reflect on various things, including the books we have read. Today's post is going to be the End of the Year Book Tag. I've seen this on various content creators sites, but I found the questions on Kristin Kraves Books Blog.   

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

The book I'm hoping to finish by the end of the year is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JKR. I started this as a part of a reread during lockdown before the whole JKR fiasco happened. I am only finishing it to finish the series and then I plan on distancing myself from the series for quite some time. I think I'm almost halfway through the audiobook, narrated by the legendary Stephen Fry.  

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

I would consider my most recent read, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, an autumnal book that transitioned to the end of the year. It had some spooky vibes to it, which was perfect for this time of year. I'm not one that usually reads transitional books, but Addie LaRue is an incredible book for this time of year when it's dark and cold outside. 

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?

All the books I was waiting for to be released have been, but I am waiting for my copy of These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong to be delivered. It's a 1920s retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in Shanghai with some fantasy elements in. I cannot wait to read it when my copy finally arrives. Another book that I haven't order is This Winter by Alice Oseman, a Solitaire/Heartstopper novella. It's a Christmas novella about Charlie and Nick. I'm going to pick it up closer to Christmas. 

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

It's very difficult to pick only three books! But if I was forced to I would have to pick The Secret History by Donna Tartt, The Familiars by Stacey Halls and The Angry Tide by Winston Grahame. These are books I can see myself picking up before the year ends. 

Is there a book you think could shock you and become your favourite book of the year?

Quite possibly! To be honest, I don't think I have a favourite book of 2020. I have read some good books, but none have wowed me. There's only one book I'd consider coming close to wowing me. Understandably, 2020 has been a very difficult and it has impacted my reading quite severely. I have been finding solace in my books, but I don't know if I've enjoyed them as much as I normally would. 

Have you already started making reading plans for 2021?

A goal of mine for 2020 is to tackle as much of my TBR pile as possible. I feel I made a good dent in it this year, but I know I can make an even bigger dent next year. I also plan on being just as strict with book buying as I was this year as I cut my book buying habit back quite significantly. I also really want to be more selective with the releases I buy as there have been quite a few that I haven't enjoyed this year. 

That concludes my answers to the End of Year Book Tag! What are your hopes for your reading by the end of 2020?

Carenza :) x 

The Dark Academia Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

Recently, I have been seeing a lot of content relating to the Dark Academia aesthetic online. If you have not heard of Dark Academia, allow me to provide a definition from Urban Dictionary- "An aesthetic that is inspired by old and classic literature/philosophy, as well as themes of existentialism and death (essentially a knowledgeable, vintage emo)". The more I saw it floating around, the more it intrigued me and the more I realised I had some common interests with it. I then stumbled across this tag online and I knew I had to complete it.

Taken from Google Images

1) What is your favourite dark academia book and movie?

I had a look on the Goodreads page for Dark Academia books and it turns out I've read a surprising amount of books on this list. However, the only I could consider to be a favourite is Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I remember adoring this book when I first read it in 2016. I had to be told to put it down as I was desperate to continue reading it. I have since lost interest in the series, but maybe a reread is required. 

For movies, I did a quick google and one of the films that came up was the 2019 adaptation of Little Women. Greta Gerwig is my favourite writer-director and I will adore anything she releases. I have seen this film twice and each time I have loved it. This film has become one of my all time favourites.

2) What dead poet would you like to have a drink with?

Poetry is one of the areas in the dark academia aesthetic that I do not care for. I have too many traumatic memories from studying poems in school. However, I saw someone class Shakespeare as a poet and I would not say no to having a drink with him. I've been going to Shakespeare plays since the age of six and I have a great respect for his work. I would like to have a drink with him and ask why everyone has to die horrible deaths in his plays?

3) What is your favourite painting/or sculpture?

It's cliche, but I am a huge fan of Vincent van Gogh's work. I've been very fortunate to see a lot of his paintings over the years. I love Starry Night. It became particularly special to me after that episode of Doctor Who they did about Vincent. A close second for favourite painting has to be Monet's Waterlilies. They are breathtakingly beautiful. I would love to see them again at some point as I was ten years old when I saw them and I don't feel I fully appreciated them. 

4) What is your favourite architectural marvel?

Again, my answer is cliche, but visiting the Palace of Versailles will stay with me forever. The Hall of Mirrors is astounding. Just the whole palace is amazing. If I was to go again, I would love to explore the gardens more as I spent a whole day in the Palace. Visiting the Palace of Versailles sparked my interest in the French Revolution and writing when I visited Paris when I was ten. 

5) What Shakespeare play would you want to be the lead in?

I have seen many Shakespeare plays in my life and the only one I've been interested in playing is Hamlet. I have seen a couple of productions where they changed Hamlet to be played by a female actor and it worked really well. Hamlet has some of the most famous and interesting speeches. He also has the most fun and is a well layered character. I've lost track of how many versions of Hamlet I've seen at this point. 

6) How many languages do you speak and which language would you most like to learn?

The only language I speak fluently is English. I used to be able to speak decent French as my school was bilingual, meaning I took some of my classes in French instead of English. I started to pick French up again during lockdown on English and I'm really enjoying refreshing my memory. If I had to learn another language, it would be a tie between Italian and Japanese. I've tried learning both in the past and it's been challenging. Maybe once I've graduated and I've got a bit more time on my hands, I would love to pick up another language alongside English and French.

7) What is your favourite quote from poetry, plays, prose etc?

A quote I really fell in love with a few years ago was an Oscar Wilde quote and it was "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars". I just fell in love with the imagery and how beautiful it was. Oscar Wilde is a writer I admire and need to read more of his works. 

8) Which fictional character's death is your ideal way to go?

I've read a lot of books and I'm trying to think of a character that dies peacefully in their sleep. I can't. All the deaths I read are horrifying. They get murdered in various creative and brutal ways. I don't want to die like that. I would happily choose a mundane, boring, peaceful death over one I've read about. 

9) Which university or college would you most like to attend?   

I love my university and I can't believe I'm in my final year. However, the thing I don't like about my university is the campus itself. It's a very modern campus, with none of the charms of an old campus. A university I did look around but decided against applying to was Bath Spa. That campus was stunning. It was one of the prettiest campuses I visited when I was looking for places to attend university. It had this gorgeous woodland, and as I visited in autumn, it was stunning. Any classically pretty campus, I am super jealous of. 

10) What is your murder weapon of choice?

I think this question says a lot about people and what they choose. I've seen a lot of people choose poison. Personally, I would love one of those tiny daggers that you don't see until you kill someone with it. I think that's really morbid but whenever I've read about them or seen them used in film, I find it really interesting. It also forces you to get up close with your victim. I'm not sure if I should be concerned if this is where my mind goes.

11) What mythology would you most like to be apart of?

Again, I'm fairly certain my answer is cliche, but I'd have to go with Greek mythology. I've read a lot about it and it's one I would still like to know more about. I need to learn more about mythology in general as there are so many interesting ones out there. 

12) If you had to do a PhD what would you choose to do it on?

I would probably choose something to do with film studies. I want to go into film and tv after I graduate, so this is an area I would like to expand my knowledge on. I don't know much about film in general, so this would be a really useful avenue to explore.

13) What fictional character would you die for?

Honestly, none of them. They're all a bunch of muppets. 

Rapid Fire Round

For this round I will be choosing my answer and then providing one sentence on why. 

1) Leather bound or cloth bound books

Cloth bound books, leather bound ones are kinda gross when you think about it.

2) Dog earring pages or highlighting 

Highlighting, it makes it easier to find passages when flicking through books. 

3) Sculptures or paintings

Paintings, I just find them easier on the eye.

4) Films or theatre

How dare you make me choose? But if I had to, theatre. Nothing beats live performance. 

5) Poetry or prose

Prose, I do not like poetry at all. 

5) Museums or bookshops 

Again, how dare you make me choose? Museums as some have bookshops inside and then it's two for the price of one. 

6) Smell of books or coffee/tea

Smell of books, I don't like tea or coffee. 

7) Fountain pen or typewriter

Typewriter, much easier to use and less messy.

8) New or old books 

New books, I really like being the first owner of a book. 

And that concludes my answers to the Dark Academia Book Tag!

Carenza :) x 

Avatar the Last Airbender Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

Avatar is one of my favourite TV shows. I remember adoring it as a kid and all the times I've watched it since. I saw a lot of people tweeting about it so I just had to rewatch it. I've almost finished Season Two and as I'm deep into my Avatar feels, I wanted to do a Book Tag based on it. I found this one, created by BookTuber A Clockwork Reader. This tag is split into the four nations and each section has three questions.

Water

1) Katara and Sokka: Best sibling relationship

The only sibling relationship that comes to mind when I think of siblings are the Weasley Twins from the Harry Potter series. I am going to try and not use HP that much as everyone adores it. But you can't deny that the Weasley twins have the best sibling relationship. They're just iconic.

2) Yue: Favorite star crossed lovers

I'm not sure if they count by Lazlo and Sarai from Strange the Dreamer have an amazing relationship. They meet under such beautiful yet unusual circumstances and the relationship that grows from their is incredible. They are one of my favourite literary couples.

3) Blood Bending: A book with a disturbing/unsettling concept

I would have to say that Beautiful Boy by David Sheff tackles some disturbing themes. It is a non-fiction book about his sons journey through drug addiction. It doesn't shy away from the utterly horrifying parts of drug addiction. It was a very difficult book to read, but has a valuable and interesting portrayal of drug addiction.

Earth

4) Toph - A character who's strength surprised you/or surprised the other characters in the book

I know I've already mentioned Strange the Dreamer but Minya really took me by surprise. Externally she is a child of around 8, but she's actually in her mid twenties. Some the things she did really took me by surprise and took the characters by surprise. She was a very morally interesting character in the end.

5) The Tales of Ba Sing Se - best short story/poetry collection

This is technically cheating as it isn't a collection of short stories but the only thing that comes to mind for this prompt is Another Day in the Death of America by Gary Younge. This is a non-fiction book by British journalist Gary Younge, writing about gun crime in America. Through it, Younge tells the stories of ten young men who all died on the same day due to gun related deaths. It's a very hard hitting book, but one I think more people should read.

6) Kyoshi Warriors: Best warrior character

I would have to say that Witchers from The Witcher count as warriors as I can't think of many others that I've read about. I've read the first three books in the Witcher series and I can say that the Withcers are warriors of a kind. They certainly know how to put up a good fight and kill monsters.

Fire

7) Zuko: Best redemption arc/a redemption arc that should have happened

Everyone who answers this question always says that Zuko has the best redemption arc and rightly so. It is very difficult to think of an equally good redemption arc when Zuko's exists. I'm not sure this comes close to being a redemption arc, but Jessamine from The Infernal Devices goes through some series character development. Especially in later books, she actually starts doing good deeds and makes up for some of her poor choices in the first two books.

8) Iroh: Wisest character

Again, Iroh is a character that is in a league of his own and no one can come close to him. That being said I'd say Starr from The Hate U Give is one of the wisest characters I've read from. She goes through so much yet comes so far. She also knows when to fight and when to back down. She is an incredible main character.

9) Azula: Best downfall

One of the most satisfying downfalls I've read in a while has to be the villain from The Diviners. I won't go into details as it is quite spoiler-y but it was so good to watch the characters tear him down. It was one of the few times I've felt scared by a villain and was thankful he had an epic downfall.

Air

10) Appa: Favorite fictional animal/pet

I have to pick the two cats from the Shadowhunter Chronicles, Church and Chairman Meow. Any cat will always be the best fictional pet, but these two are pretty great.

11) Aang: Purest cinnamon roll

No one can change my mind by Reed from Serpent and Dove is the purest cinnamon roll ever. He is so sweet and I adore him. I also adore Lou from S&D. Basically that entire cast of characters is pretty great and they deserve happiest as they're so sweet.

12) Avatar state: A stubborn character/a character that struggles with letting go

I'm going to cheat and pick two characters, but June and Day from the Legend series were so stubborn. They were both so fixed in their ways. I still think they were pretty great characters but could have been a tad less stubborn.

So that concludes my answers to the Avatar the Last Airbender Book Tag! If this looks interesting, then I tag you.

Carenza :) x

The Hamilton Book Tag| Carenza Bramwell

Two book tags in one month? Who am I?

In all seriousness, like everyone else on the planet I watched Hamilton on Disney+. My family have taken out a one month subscription just to watch it. Watching it got me thinking and reminded me that this tag existed, so I thought why not? This tag was created by Maureen Keavy on YouTube.

1) The Room Where It Happens

A book world you would put yourself in.

I'm going to force myself not to choose Harry Potter as that's a cliche answer and instead choose the world of Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. I read those books last summer and adored the world. It sounded beautiful and was unlike anything else I had read before. I would happily live in that world if I could.

2) The Schyler Sisters

An underrated female character. 

I don't think she counts as an "underrated" female character, but I have to choose Lou from Serpent and Dove. I adored that book, mostly for the characters, but especially for Lou. She isn't your conventional female character, which made her quite refreshing. I'm very excited for book two. 

3) My Shot

A character that goes after what they want and doesn't let anything stop them.

I know that I've just mentioned Strange the Dreamer, but I have to choose Lazlo from the series. He's determination to find Weep is the main starting force of the book. I was hooked on his journey and dedication. 

4) You'll Be Back

Sassiest Villain.

I really struggled with this question as I couldn't think of a sassy villain off the top of my head, so I'm going to go with Johnathon Morgenstern from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. He does have some sassy moments, as do most of Cassie's characters. He is also by far the best villain from her series.  

5) Non-Stop

A series you marathoned.

I recently marathoned the Legend series by Marie Lu. I had a box set of the original trilogy and I binge read that. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how easy it was to read. I would love to read more books from her in the future. 

6) Satisfied

Favourite book with multiple POVs.

If you've been following my blog for a while, then you will know that I am not the biggest fan of multiple POVs. I often get confused about who I'm supposed to be reading from. That being said, a book I did really enjoy and didn't mind the POVs, was The Muse by Jessie Burton. The POVs added to the mystery in the book and made me really enjoy it. 

7) Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story

A book/series that will be remembered throughout history.

Just this once I'll give into cliche and say Harry Potter. Despite the recent revelations about JK Rowling as an individual, Harry Potter will remain a classic series throughout time. Myself and many others owe a lot to these books. 

8) Helpless

A relationship you were rooting for from the start. 

Again, I know I've already mentioned it, but Lou and Reid from Serpent and Dove have the best relationship. I adore them both so much and cannot put into words how excited I am to read book two. 

9) Ten Duel Commandments

Favourite fight scene. 

I would call it a favourite fight scene, but there were some pretty good fight scenes in House of Blood and Earth by Sarah J Maas. Especially one in particular towards the end. That was very good. 

10) Say No To This

A guilty pleasure read.

I'm not sure if I have any guilty pleasure reads, but I do love the occasional graphic novel. I just find them very easy to read and that they bulk up my reading challenge. My favourites have to be the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman. 

11) What Comes Next

A series you wish had more books.

Honestly, there isn't a series that I wish had more books. Most times the authors know when to stop their series. I'm not a fan of this recent trend of adding books to series that finished many years ago and had good endings. To me it just ruins all that emotional build up and is releasing books for the sake of releasing books. 

12) Right Hand Man

Favourite brotp.

Without a shadow of doubt, Jaskeir and Geralt from the Witcher. Specifically the TV show adaptation. They have the best brotp and they need to forget Yennifer and make them a couple. I just adore Jaskier with all my fibre. 

13) What'd I Miss

A book or series you were late to reading. 

There's a very long list of books I was late to reading, but I would have to choose Sadie by Courtney Summers. I remember when everyone was raving about this book a couple of years ago but I waited until I could listen to it on audiobook. The audiobook is amazing. It was such a good book and I'm desperate to add a copy to my collection. 

14) Stay Alive

A character you wish was still alive.

I know it's cliche to mention, but there are a small handful from the Harry Potter series that I wish had survived. I won't mention them in case anyone reading hasn't read the series, but die hard fans probably will relate to my pain. 

15) Burn

Most heartbreaking end to a relationship. 

I'm a bit skeptical about mentioning it as it's a spoiler, but I recently read a series where the main OTP didn't stay together throughout the series and I was so shocked by it. 

16) The Reynolds Pamphlet 

A book with a twist you didn't see coming. 

I'm actually really bad at spotting twists in books, so pretty much every book manages to surprise me. It would be very difficult to pick one in particular.

So that was the Hamilton Book Tag!

Carenza :) x

The Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2020| Carenza Bramwell

It's that time of year when every bookish person on the internet is sharing this tag, so why be original, when you can jump on the bandwagon? This tag was created by IsThatChami and EarlGreyBooks, both are BookTubers. 

1) Best Book You've Read So Far in 2020

It's cliched, but I have to say Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare, the latest instalment in the Shadowhunter Chronicles. I haven't read many 5 star books this year (outside of the HP books, which always get five stars even though I despise their creator). It made me fall in love with this world again after the last two books didn't land so well with me. I have a soft spot for the London Shadowhunters, they will always be my favourites. 

2) Best Sequel You've Read So Far in 2020

Hands down, it has to be Heartstopper Volume Three by Alice Oseman. I adore this series and it happens to be one of the very few sequels I've read this year. Alice has become one of my favourite authors and I will always buy whatever she releases as she is an amazing author. Plus all her books feature LGBT characters and they're amazing.  

3) New Release You Haven't Read Yet, But Want To

Despite hearing mixed things about it, I've been really interested in reading The Gravity of Us. It's an LGBT novel about two boys connected by the NASA Space Programme. I'm always up for LGBT novels, so it isn't surprising that this is high up on my TBR. It came out in May, but I was on a book buying ban so I'm hoping to get around to it in the next few months. 

4) Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year 

I am dying for Blood&Honey by Shelby Mahurin to come out. Serpent&Dove was my favourite book from last year and I need to know what happens to my precious little babies. I'm hoping to find my copy in the many boxes I have to unpack so I can have a reread before it comes out. I am dead excited for the FairyLoot exclusive box for this book.

5) Biggest Disappointment  

I am a huge fan of Adam Silvera's books, so when I heard he was releasing a fantasy novel, I was so excited. Infinity Son just ended up being a huge flop for me. It was filled with poor world building and characters I didn't care for, so I just did not like it. I have no intentions of continuing this series after finding it so disappointing. 

6) Biggest Surprise

Without a doubt, House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City) by Sarah J Maas. I thought I was done with her books. I didn't enjoy ACOWAR as much as I wanted to and I didn't even pick up the Christmas novella. I have no intentions of ever finishing that series, to me it is a trilogy. But House of Earth and Blood took me by surprise. It was enjoyable. I liked the main characters. I am somewhat excited for the future books. It was much more up my alley than her other books.

7) New Favourite Author (Debut or New to You)

Jessie Burton for The Muse. I read her other book and didn't enjoy it as much. But I thoroughly enjoyed The Muse. It's a modern lit book and I'm trying to read more books in that genre. I am somewhat excited for her third book to come out in paperback in September. 

8) New Fictional Crush

Sadly I'm not really a person that goes in for fictional crushes, but I will give an honourable shout out to Jaskier/Dandelion from the Witcher series. I do prefer TV version to book version, but he's a great character. 

9) New Favourite Character

Lucie Herondale from Chain of Gold. She is the sweetest little thing and she's a writer. She deserves more recognition than she gets. 

10) Book That Made You Cry

I'm a monster and I don't remember the last time I read a book that made me cry. It's very difficult to get me to cry at a book, so I haven't cried at one in 2020. I'm a terrible human being. 

11) Book That Made Me Happy

I'm going to cheat and mention Heartstopper Volume Three again. Those books always make me happy and I can't wait for book four to come out. 

12) Most Beautiful Book You've Bought/Received This Year

Hands down, it has to be my FairyLoot copy of Chain of Gold. I am a sucker for pretty, exclusive editions and that one is stunning. I hope they release more versions for the remaining books in the series. 

13) What Books Do You Need to Read by the End of the Year?

I actually just made a blog post all about this, so I will link it here. But I will mention that I am dying to finish reading more of Laini Taylor's books. They are amazing. 

So those are my answers to the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag!

Carenza :) x