I ran into this tag over at Kristin Kraves Books. I’ve been really into book tags recently because I am procrastinating super hard on everything in my life. Literally, I have like five different things I should be doing right now, but instead I’m just…staring into space and doing book tags. Alas.

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1. How many books is too many books in a book series?

It depends on the series! There are some series that are so clearly dragged out for no reason (*cough*Throne of Glass*cough*) but some that I don’t mind being lengthy if they’re actually delivering decent content. I’m always super impressed by ridiculously long series, like the Malazan, which is, what, like twelve books or something? That’s an insane number. I think something like that might be too much. Maybe 3-7 is a good sweet spot to aim for?

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

Depends on the cliffhanger! If the book can still stand on its own and the cliffhanger is just there to sort of…open the doorway for another book, that’s fine. But if the arc of the book has been building towards something and it’s not resolved, then no. That’s just bad writing. A book should be able to stand on its own.

3. Hardcopy or paperback?

Paperback, though I am starting to had hardcovers less! I think paperbacks looks nicer and are easier to hold and carry, but I can see why a lot of people prefer hardcovers.

4. Favorite book?

Yikes, just one? Impossible. I can talk about my favorite *kind* of book, though? Things I prefer in a book? There are a few elements I need in a book for it to become a favorite. First, rich writing – there are a lot of books that treat writing like an afterthought to plot and pay no attention to the way the words feel. I like my books to have language that’s beautiful; I don’t even mind if it’s on the lighter side of purple prose. Second, women. The book needs to have women in prominent roles. If the book doesn’t have women in prominent roles, I’m not likely to even read it, let alone like it. Third, some kind of plot-driven suspense. There needs to be something happening and it should be exciting and not just a character being introspective about life.

5. Least favorite book?

So, basically, the opposite of everything I talked about above, but also, I really dislike books with an Inexplicable Heterosexual Romance. That is, a romance that isn’t good or makes no sense and it’s there just to be there; you see this a lot in YA, where the book doesn’t even need a romance but it’s there anyway. Also, girl on girl hate is the worst.

6. Love triangles, yes or no? 

Okay, I know this is going to sound weird especially since I’m generally not a fan of romance, but I adore love triangles. I don’t know. I’m trash like that. Literally, a love triangle is usually the one thing that can make me stomach a romance. I don’t know why I’m like this.

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

UGH, it was Red Sister by Mark Lawrence, and I’m STILL UPSET about it. I wanted to like it so much, but I just hate the way Mark Lawrence writes. It’s this weirdly ostentatious writing that’s really hard to follow and reading felt like such a chore. Plus I couldn’t connect to any of the characters.

8. A book you’re currently reading?

I’m reading  three books right now: an academic text about relationships between women in the Victorian era, Mackenzi Lee’s Bygonne Badass Broads (which is awesome), and Jane Eyre (less awesome). I’m genuinely worried at how long it might take me to finish Jane Eyre because while it’s not torturous, I’m not as invested in it as I hoped I might be.

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

Hmm, I think I recommended The Beautiful Ones to Rachel a while back?

10. Oldest book you’ve read? 

Wuthering Heights, maybe? It’s an a 1847 book. Actually, no! Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, is older.

11. Newest book you’ve read? 

Uhhhhhhh Circe and Ace of Shades, both of which came out two days ago!

12. Favorite author?

N.K. Jemisin, V.E. Schwab, Amanda Downum, Alison Goodman

13. Buying books or borrowing books?

Both! I love the feeling of buying brand new books, but I also hate buying book and then not loving it. Plus, as a librarian I’m very gung-ho about borrowing from your local library!

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seem to love?

I’m turning into an absolute broken record about this  but Children of Blood and Bone. I don’t even dislike it that much but it’s one of those petty things where seeing how much everyone loves it is making me dislike it more.

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

I never dog-ear. Bookmarks are so much fun!

16. A book you can always reread?

Harry Potter and Sweep.

17. Can you read while hearing music?

Nope! I can’t do anything while listening to music, honestly. Even when I write, I have to be in a very specific headspace to be able to concentrate while listening to music. Generally I’m a big fan of silence, and I need absolute silence to concentrate. I’m very easily distracted.

18. One POV or multiple POV’s?

It depends, but generally I do like multiple POVs, so long as they are in third person. I can’t stand multiple first-person POVs (Children of Blood and Bone had THREE of these).

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

It is extremely rare that I will read a book in one sitting. It either has to be the best page-turner ever or really short. I love reading but I just can’t concentrate on a book for that long.

20. Who do you tag? 

I’ll tag whoever wants to do it, tbh.