Firstly a little peek at my shelves at the moment:
I don't necessarily put books off because they will potentially make me cry, but I'm pretty sure that Hopeless by Colleen Hoover is going to be a tearjerker (since the other books I've read from her have been so far!).
2. Pick one book that helped introduce you to a new genre.
I hadn't read paranormal YA until I read Twilight, and in hindsight I can tell it really wasn't that great. At that moment in time though, I actually enjoyed it (don't ask me why because I honestly don't know).
3. Find a book that you want to reread.
Genesis by Lara Morgan - it was my first YA dystopian/sci-fi novel and I have re-read The Rosie Black Chronicles so many times because I just love it so much! Seriously, if you love that genre and are looking for something by an Aussie author then I'd definitely recommend it.
4. Is there a book series you read but wish you hadn't?
I think that everything I've read has somehow added to my overall bookish experience, but I still don't know why I bothered to persevere with the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. Granted, it did get a bit better as the books went on, but I guess I actually finished it more out of obligation to get some closure rather than because I actually loved it.
5. If your house were burning down down and all your family and pets were safe, which book would you go back in and save?
This is a tough question. My special copy of If I Speak True by Jessica L. Brooks would probably have to be it though, since my name is in the acknowledgements section and she wrote such a lovely message in it for me!
6. Is there one book on your shelf that brings back fond memories?
A Waltz for Matilda by Jackie French will always have a special place on my shelf. I remember it being a book that had such a great storyline set in the early 1900's in Australia and it rekindled my love for historical fiction. It's something that I always know I can come back to and enjoy just as much as I did the first time.
7. Find a book that has inspired you the most.
I can feel a deep-and-meaningful moment coming on. Slammed by Colleen Hoover was both heartbreaking and inspiring to 'put the emphasis on life' and appreciate those around you.
8. Do you have any autographed books?
I do! I have a copy as mentioned before of If I Speak True by Jessica Brooks, The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer which I got at my first ever book signing, Between The Lives/Disruption by Jessica Shirvington from when I went to her book launch and Razorhurst/Liar by Justine Larbalestier who I also met at a book event.
9. Find the book that you've owned the longest.
I've had Little Women by Louisa May Alcott sitting on my shelf for ages, yet I still haven't gotten to reading it yet *takes note to finally get to the rest of the classics on my shelves*.
10. Is there a book by an author that you never imagined you'd read and enjoy?
I wasn't really sure whether I'd like Half Bad by Sally Green, but I actually ended up quite liking it.
So there you have it folks, I have officially completed my first tag on this blog! To do it next (if you haven't been tagged already)
Glad to hear you ended up Half Bad, it was a memorable story even though it wasn't my favourite. I love pictures of shelves, your one is fantastic! I feel the same way about Fallen, I have all the series on my shelf and I thought it was just okay, but I do feel obligated to read them all. READ ALL THE BOOKS.
ReplyDeleteGreat tag hun, I'll be doing this one sometime :)
I don't usually read a lot of fantasy-themed YA so it is a book that I remembered - and I do want to read the sequel too. Can't wait to see your post :)
DeleteTwilight was my first paranormal YA as well! It might have actually been my first YA book, period. I really liked it at the time but now I really dislike it after I read more YA. I've GOT to read something by Hoover eventually, I've heard so many great things. Great shelfie :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alise :) Exactly - while I enjoyed it the first time round, after I began to expand my reading horizons and explored more books in the genre I realised that in comparison it wasn't as good as some others.
DeleteColleen Hoover is an AMAZING writer, I hope you get to read one of her books soon!
FANTASTIC post, Eugenia - such fun - and I loved getting a look at your shelves - soo pretty! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Ebony, I had lots of fun writing it :)
DeleteYOU HAVE AN AMAZING BOOKSHELF. I love looking at these tags -- though I have to admit, it DOES give me slight book-shelf envy. ;) At the moment my books are piled very haphazardly around my room until I get a proper bookshelf. You have a seriously awesome collection of books, though it does look like you're beginning to run out of room. (I'm pretty sure EVERY book blogger is going to have this problem...) I think, though Twilight wasn't amazing -- because let's face it, it's not -- it introduced a lot of people (including myself) not only to paranormal, but YA, too. I'm pretty sure Twilight would've been the first paranormal books I'd read, as well, though I can't be 100 percent sure. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHaha yes - I think space will soon become a *bit* of a problem...and at that point I think I'll need to put some creative storage solutions into action! That's definitely true with Twilight - it was my first glimpse into paranormal/YA novels and although it wasn't amazing, like you said, it was a stepping stone of sorts to get me into other books that I hadn't tried before. Glad you liked this post Kara, thanks for visiting :)
DeleteLove the bookshelves!!!! SO PRETTY. Oooh I've read A Waltz for Matilda as well and really liked it - it's a pretty obscure book so I don't often see others mentioning it. I loved Jackie French's book Hitler's Daughter so I had to give it a go! And yep, I really loved Half Bad as well :D
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you Emily :) Although I think it's time for some re-organisation to revamp my shelves. You're one of the few other people I've come across who have read A Waltz For Matilda, and I'm so glad to hear that you like it too! I haven't read Hitler's Daughter yet, so I might give that one a try.
DeleteEUGENIA... PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT YOUR BOOKSHELF. BECAUSE I WANT ONE LIKE THAT! Seriously...so pretty! <3
ReplyDeleteAnyway...that's so cool you have so many autographed books! :D
And I didn't expect to like Half Bad so much either to be completely honest; but I'm so glad we both ended up enjoying it so much! :)
Thanks for sharing, and fabulous post! <3
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
Thanks Zoe, glad you liked this post! :) I got my bookshelves a few years ago from Officeworks, although I'm not sure if they are still selling the same ones.
DeleteIt's always a good thing when a book actually surprises you in a good way and you enjoy it more than you would have thought!
Ah, fun! I have yet to do mine. I should probably get on that...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing yours Stephanie :)
DeleteThose are some awesome looking shelves right there! I laughed when I seen you mention Lauren Kate. I tried to persist with her books as well but they're just awful. I know Twilight gets a lot of flack, but it's really spurred YA into it's own and brought some many people back to reading. Looking back, I loved it then too, now, I wouldn't ever read it again. But it still has a place in YA. Awesome tag Eugenia, already did mine and thanks for tagging me. It was super fun <3
ReplyDeleteYay glad you had fun doing your post too Kelly :) I think I'll always remember Twilight as being my first delve into the world of YA so like you said it still definitely has its place. Yes, unfortunately that series started to get on my nerves after a while, but she has written some other novels since then (although I am wary to try those out). Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove your bookshelf, and great answers. Glad to hear you loved Genesis, I've had that one on my shelf for ages and wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. If there was a fire I would grab Finnikin Of The Rock, Froi Of The Exiles and Quintana Of Charyn, by Melina Marchetta, it is my fav series ever. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rochelle :) You should definitely read Genesis - it's still one of my all-time favourite sci-fi novels! I really need to red more from Melina Marchetta, I always hear such great things about her books.
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