This was a fun tag floating around Booktube, so I decided to chime in with my own answers. It was originally created by Leah at HilLovesBooks.
Phase 1 – Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover?
We all have those books, don’t we? One of the books I bought because of the cover was “These Broken Stars” by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. I mean, just look at it:
Phase 2 – First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary?
This one was one in which I have only read a portion, but ever since I read the summary I needed to read it. And that’s “Between the Lines” by Jodi Piccoult and Samantha Van Leer (her daughter).
The summary:
What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?
Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.
I was instantly intrigued because I’ve never read or heard of a book like that before.
Phase 3 – Sweet Talk: A book with great writing?
This is definitely a most recent favorite of mine, and that is “The Kiss of Deception” by Mary E. Pearson. Though I listened to the audiobook, the details put into the world and the depths of characters and where they were going in the plot was one that I loved. Pearson’s writing style is lovely and it drives the story forward.
Phase 4 – First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series?
This one was surprising to me, but that is “The Selection” by Kiera Cass. I didn’t think I was going to like this book at all, but as soon as I read it I needed to read the other books ASAP. The way Cass writes the love story and the chemistry between America and Maxon is just swoon-worthy.
Phase 5 – Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night?
This didn’t necessarily keep me up all night, but I had to finish it as fast as possible because I loved it that much: “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. It was just such a great captivating book that as soon as I started I had to finish it, but work got in the way of that. As soon as I got home that day, I ran right upstairs to jump back into it, finishing it in the fastest reading time ever for a novel that I’ve read.
Phase 6 – Always on my mind: A book you could not stop thinking about?
At the time I couldn’t stop thinking about this book and the series and how much I wanted to continue on at that precise moment with the rest, and that is “City of Glass” by Cassandra Clare. It’s the third book in the Mortal Instruments series, but it was such a great wrap-up to a great story that I just couldn’t stop thinking about how so many of the loose ties came together in the end.
Phase 7 – Getting Physical: A book which you love the way it feels?
“The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman has such a cool, scratchy texture. It’s kind of like sandpaper without the threat of potentially shaving your skin off. Such a cool feeling.
Phase 8 – Meeting the parents: A book which you would recommend to your family and friends?
I’d definitely recommend “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell to friends and family. The book is funny, serious, and very reminiscent of family life and college, and since the majority of my friends are around that age, I think they could relate. I loved this story so much and I’d definitely recommend it to my family and friends.
Phase 9 – Thinking about the future: A book or series you know you will re read many times in the future?
This shouldn’t come as a shocker: The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas is definitely one I can see myself rereading for years to come. The story, the world, the writing, the characters, they’re all so wonderfully built and developing and growing as the books progress and that’s what I love about them. It’s not a stagnant series.
Phase 10 – Share the love: Who do you tag?
All of you lovely people should also do this tag! It’s fun and it really gets you thinking on some of your favorite books.
Accompanying video: Book Courtship Tag
Reader Rayna 