January 11, 2019 – This Stack of Books

I have a lot of opinions about books. I like writing my opinions about books. Therefore, I was delighted to be tagged by Beth at Reading Every Night to do the Twenty Questions Book Tag. Here are twenty of my opinions on everything from love triangles to cover type.

How many books are too many books in a book series?

Some stories have expansive worlds, a gigantic, multi-faceted storyline, and many characters. Fantasies such as The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien and Eragon by Christopher Paolini seem like they are made to be a series.

And then there are authors who just need to learn that sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.

In general, I think two to four books is a good amount for a series, with just a few exceptions.

How do you feel about cliffhangers?

It’s sort of a love-hate relationship. I like it when I can go read the next book in the series right away. I love it in serial stories. I really don’t like it in a series when the next book isn’t going to be published for a long time. I abhor it in a standalone. Why would anyone put a cliffhanger in a standalone?

Hardback or paperback?

Hardbacks are usually beautiful and durable, but paperbacks are easier to read, and not as expensive. I always buy paperbacks if it’s a book I haven’t read before, and I’ll sometimes get hardcovers of old favorites or books I want to keep for a long time or intend to lend to other people.

Favourite book?

Image result for you bring the distant near

Short answer: You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins.

Long Anser: One? Did you mean to ask what my favorite books are? Here’s my top 27: here and here’s my top 5: here.

Least favourite book?

I don’t really have a least favorite book. I would have to vehemently disagree with something the book praises and really dislike the writing to call a book my “least favorite.” As for now, we’ll just say I don’t have one.

Love triangles, yes or no?

My thoughts on love triangles, in a triangle for maximum effect:

NoNoNoNoNo

NONONONONONONONONONO

I don’t like love triangles. Unless they are necessary element in the character arc, they seem to detract from overall character development and provide unnecessary complication and drama to a book that otherwise might have potential.

The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

I don’t remember. I’m a pretty fast reader, so even if I’m not completely immersed in the story, it isn’t too much of an investment to finish it. If I think I don’t like it, I just skim ahead.

A book you’re currently reading?

Ooh. This book is fascinating. It’s called The End of Epidemics and it’s about how epidemics start, spread explosively, and what we can do to stop them. It’s not so scientific as to bog a reader down, and it’s actually quite interesting.

Last book you recommended to someone?

Romanov by Nadine Brandes. This book was amazing, and I think it will appeal to a lot of different readers because of the historical elements and the fantasy elements.

Oldest book you’ve read?

The oldest fiction I’ve read was maybe the Odyssey by Homer? People don’t agree on exactly when it was written. Some say it was passed down for a long time as a spoken story as it was written. The general consensus seems to be that it was probably written somewhere between the 8^th and 10^th century BC.

Newest book you’ve read?

Romanov by Nadine Brandes is coming out on May 7, 2019. I’m so excited to see what people think of it! I liked it even better than Fawkes, and the Russian revolution is a fascinating time period, to start with.

Favourite author?

Hmm… I’ll refer you to my list under ‘favorite books’ again and then just say Mitali Perkins, author of You Bring the Distant Near, and Andrew Peterson, author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.

Buying books or borrowing books?

I get most of my books from the library. You can actually get a new book from the library quite quickly if you get on the hold list fast enough, in my experience. If I’ve read a book and really like it, I’ll buy it to have and reread. Or if there is a really good sale on books, sometimes I’ll buy one.

A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

I didn’t like The Selection by Kiera Cass. I know that’s an unpopular opinion (that’s why it’s in this section), but I felt like the story was too predictable and cheesy, and I didn’t really like Kiera Cass’s writing style. It just felt cliché and overly dramatic. Also, there was a love triangle, and you probably remember my feelings on love triangles.

Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks, all the way. I get most of my books from the library, as I said before, and I don’t want to ruin my own books.

A book you can always re-read?

Image result for on the edge of the dark sea of darkness

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a great book to reread, as is You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins and On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson, as well as Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.

Can you read while hearing music?

I can. It’s easier if it’s music I’ve heard before, but even if it’s new, I can usually do both.

I’ve actually listened to an audiobook while reading before on several occasions. I don’t know how, but I remember most of both stories.

One POV or multiple POVs?

It really depends on the book. Some authors need the whole book to develop their story and their character, and one point of view works well for that. Some authors do a really good job at making their characters feel real even when they have a lot of characters.

I like multiple POVs when the author can distinguish and develop all her characters and especially when they all have unique voices. It’s also interesting to realize that every character can have their own unique story, whether or not it’s the one being told.

I like single POVs when the book already has a lot of details or characters to keep straight (no multiple POV fantasies for me, thank you very much) or when one character should really be the main focus.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

It depends on the length. Most books I read in one sitting. I remember the book better that way, and the events make more sense and feel more timely. If it’s a long, detailed, or weighty book, or a book in verse, I’ll often read that over multiple sittings.