The How I Choose My Books Tag

I haven’t done a tag in a while, so thought I’d better get round to doing one I was tagged in recently. The How I Choose My Books Tag was created by The Bookish Underdog, and I was tagged by Darque Dreamer Reads. Both of these blogs are beautiful and definitely worth checking out.

1. Find a book on your shelves with a blue cover. What made you want to pick up this book?

Strange The Dreamer – Laini Taylor.

This book was EVERYWHERE in the lead up to its publication. I’ve read some of Laini’s books before and adored them, and the pre-order version of this book came with a lovely shiny cover and blue sprayed edges. I just couldn’t resist.

2. Think of a book you didn’t expect to enjoy but did. Why did you read it in the first place?

The Evil Seed – Joanne Harris.

I wasn’t sure about this book to begin with. I really wasn’t keen on the cover, but it’s about vampires so there was hope (I like vampires). I’d read some Joanne Harris before and really loved it (Runemarks and The Gospel of Loki – both based on Norse mythology so very different subject matter) and I needed to add a bunch of cheapish books to my kindle before I went on holiday. The Evil Seed was 99p at the time so I figured I’d just give it a go. Glad I did.

3. Stand in front of your bookshelf with your eyes closed and pick up a book at random. How did you discover this book?

Heartland – Lucy Houssom.

I saw TorUK tweet about this book (coming soon), along with a new cover for the first in the series. I had never heard of it, but I really loved the look of the cover so I sent them a cheeky tweet and ended up being sent a copy of each! So I have Tor to thank for helping me to discover this.

4. Pick a book that someone personally recommended to you. What did you think of it?

American Gods – Neil Gaiman.

After I enjoyed Good Omens so much, my dad recommended this one for me to try next. My parents got me the massive illustrated version for Christmas and I managed to get it read before the TV adaptation started. I. Loved. It. I thought it was meaningful, thought-provoking and (obviously, being Gaiman) brilliantly written.

5. Pick a book you discovered through book blogs. Did it live up to the hype?

This Is How It Always Is – Laurie Frankel.

I saw a lot of reviews of this book before I managed to get my hands on a copy. When I did I had very mixed feelings. On one hand, I was thrilled because the proof copy I had was shiny, gold and pretty. On the other hand, I was a little sceptical because there was A LOT of hype. It did live up to it though.

6. Find a book on your shelves with a one word title. What drew you to this book?

Defender – G.X. Todd.

I saw a giveaway for this book on Facebook and, after looking up the synopsis, decided it sounded really intriguing. It didn’t have a cover at the time, but the blurb was enough to gain my interest. I entered the giveaway and won a limited edition hardback!

7. What book did you discover through a film/TV adaptation?

The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien.

This is the only book (that I can think of) that I’ve read after seeing the film of first. However, I have a couple more lined up because the films were or look fantastic: Before I fall by Noah Hawley, and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

8. Think of your all-time favourite books. When did you read these and why did you pick them up in the first place?

The Call of the Wild – Jack London.

This has been my favourite book since childhood. My mum must have given me this to read because I read it very young and the copy I have was most definitely not new.

Now You See Me – Lesley Glaister.

I picked up in a bookshop in my early teens when my dad took me in and told me I could have any one book I wanted. The title drew me in first, and then so did cover and blurb. The story is emotional and beautiful.

Good Omens – Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

My family recommended this book to me and I absolutely loved it. I’ve re-read it a few times since, and I even persuaded my boyfriend to read it (he doesn’t read much).

I Tag…

City of Novels // Rustling Reads // Lots of Livres // Bibliophile Soprano // The Bookish Baker // That Book Gal // Serial Bibliophile // Reading with Lori // Between the Pages.