As they say, there is always a first time for everything. After nearly 4 years of blogging, it’s time for my first ever book tag post! A few weeks ago I was browsing on Twitter when I came across this 90s Music Edition book tag post by And She Reads On. As we all know I’m a music junkie and I’m also a 90s kid, so I just knew if I only ever did one book tag post, it has to be this one. So, let’s see what we have! For extra fun, I’m going to include the music videos as well, because I can.
What’s My Age Again – Blink-182
At what age did you discover your love of reading?
Honestly? I have no idea. My mom used to read me pretty much from my birth and soon enough I refused to go to nap or sleep without her reading to me first. I was around 3 years old when I learned to read with the help of a relative. I was already familiar with the letters, I just needed a little push and a nice afternoon. I’ve been addicted to books ever since. My reading skills were way above everyone’s in my age by the time I went to kindergarten and then school. My parents always amuse me by recalling how I was entertaining everyone on the Metro every time we traveled somewhere by reading the ads out loud. I also carried books with me to kindergarten, because you know how it is. So, yeah, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading.
All Star – Smash Mouth
What is your favorite genre?
Well, at this point I think it’s safe to say my favorite genre is Fantasy – I’d rather not go into subgenres – as that’s what I’m reading most. But I love Historical Fiction, and Murder Mysteries as well. Actually, I’m open to a lot of things, although I’m not much into Sci-Fi or Horror.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something
What’s your go-to reading snack/drink?
I can’t say I have a go-to reading snack/drink. It’s probably whatever I have close at hand. As I’m always snacking on something it changes depending on what I’m munching on at the time. Most probably some unhealthy stuff. If I’m not at home then I either don’t snack (if I’m commuting, I might snack if I’m traveling long distance), or I’m probably having a lunch break in which case I’m eating my lunch. As for drinks, I either drink tea – rarely – or my favorite brand of peach juice. I’m very particular when it comes to drinks…
Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers
What book do you ALWAYS recommend to people?
Hm. 2 books come to mind: Lamb by Christopher Moore and The Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes. But if you give me more time to think we probably will sit here for a couple of hours until I get through all the books I’d love to recommend… It all depends on what you are looking for. Historical Fiction? You can’t go wrong with C. J. Sansom‘s Shardlake series. Urban Fantasy? I’d say whatever from Craig Schaefer. Comedy? Lamb by Christopher Moore. Historical Fantasy? T. Frohock‘s Nefilim series. Grimdark Fantasy? The Lore of Prometheus by Graham Austin-King. Dark Fantasy/Mythology? The Yarnsworld series by Benedict Patrick. But I will also never not recommend The War For the Rose Throne series by Peter McLean or the Tide Child trilogy by RJ Barker. This is only the tip of the iceberg and I’m going to stop now before I just ramble on forever.
…Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
A book or series you have read more than once?
So…how much time do you have, again? I like to reread books. Before I started reading in English and got a Kindle my bookish world was pretty small and only read what I already had at home or what I could get from the library which really wasn’t that much. These days I’m doing fewer rereads, usually I use audiobooks for that as they work best for me that way. And it’s also a good way to get back on track when a new book in a series comes out – I just reread the previous book in audio. So I’m going to focus on those I reread the most which are the Harry Potter series and Lamb by Christopher Moore. The HP books narrated by Stephen Fry are my comfort reads and I go through it all at least once a year, because…sometimes it’s just easier to fall back on what you know and save the precious few credits I can spend on audiobooks. Plus it requires no effort on my part to pay close attention while I’m doing stuff. As for Lamb, I just love that book, it’s been my traveling companion on my first UK trip so I also have fond memories of it. And it never stops being funny, no matter how many times I read it. My memory being what it is, there is always something new I discover within the pages.
Tearin’ Up My Heart – N’Sync
A book that broke your heart to finish?
Oh boy. A few weeks ago I would have said Downfall by Rob Thurman without hesitation. It’s the 9th book in the Cal Leandros series, which sealed my eternal love for UF – even if it ended in a disgrace. Book 10th ended with a cliffhanger and book 11th was canceled by the publisher. At the time of reading Downfall I had no idea there were going to be at least 2 more books, and as things went it shaped up to be a good series final. I had an inkling where the story was going and I both wanted it to go that way and did not want it to go that way. It did not go that way which was oddly disappointing. Anyway. Halfway through I seriously contemplated putting my Kindle into the fridge Joey-style. I didn’t, because I’m quite sure electronics aren’t supposed to be frozen.
As I’m generally not a person who gets deeply emotional by books – well, I can get angry, and sad and happy, don’t get me wrong – I never thought I’d have a similarly strong reaction to any other books. And then I’ve read The Bone Ship’s Wake by RJ Barker, the third book in the Tide Child trilogy. Which made me cry like a baby. I’m still not over it, in fact.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
A book that you read as a teen that you still love today?
Huh. This is a good one. I really have to wrack my brains here. I swear it would be easier if I had to pick a book from my childhood… Now that would be an easy answer. In my teen years, I mostly read YA and I don’t think I would read most of them today. I really was into Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen‘s books, but I have no idea how they are holding up. I guess the Harry Potter series is a safe bet as I only got into it in my teen years. After refusing to read it for years. I only gave in around the time the fifth book was released in Hungarian. And then I got stuck for life, lol.
Hurt – Nine Inch Nails
What book do you love that deals with heavier subjects?
This one really give me a pause and made me think. I mean, I love reading Grimdark Fantasy, so I should have a great set of books to choose from. I went on a different way though. I eventually picked three books I’d like to feature here:
If I Stay by Gayle Forman: deals with death and loss although it’s a YA book. Personally, I loved the sequel more, Where She Went, which I also like to reread and which is lighter in tone, although it also deals with heavy topics.
Storytellers by Bjorn Larssen: this book made my top 10 list in 2020. The MC has depression and it also deals with other heavy topics such as murder, abuse, etc. Not an easy read but one that stayed with me for a long time.
Some Distant Sunrise by Elliott Downing: it’s a short book, but pulls a punch all right. I think this is one of the heaviest books I ever read, or maybe it’s because I read it at a very particular time in my life. Nevertheless, it deals with drug addiction and loss and it really cut deep for me.
And that’s it for my first ever book tag post. I thought this would be easier, but some of these questions really gave me pause. On the other hand, it was nice to have a walk down memory lane, not least thanks to the 90s music – which is close to my heart.. I’m not going to tag anyone, but I encourage everyone who wants to have some fun to give it a go. And I’d like to know what your picks would be!
Timy, also known as Queen Terrible Timy hails from a magical land called Hungary, born and raised in its capital city, Budapest. Books have been her refuge and best friends ever since she can remember along with music. She might be a tiny bit addicted to the latter. Timy is the owner and editor of Queen's Book Asylum. In her free time (hah!) she likes to create things, collect panda stuff, go to concerts, travel, and take the literary world one book at a time.
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