The A to Z Bookish Survey

I've had this bookish survey sat unwritten in my drafts for so long I can't remember where I found it, so I thought it was about time I came up with some answers for it. There are twenty-six book-themed questions- one for each letter of the alphabet- and twenty-six book-related answers.

If you want to know my favourite books, which book characters I fangirl over, or the book currently giving me a reading-hangover, today is the day you'll find out. (Though, please excuse the quality of today's photos, as I had to use an ancient point-and-shoot because I broke my camera, and can't afford to replace it yet. Everything's come out so grainy and oddly saturated, and I want to cry).

Introducing the A to Z Bookish Survey.

Author You've Read the Most Books By

It's probably Richard Laymon. I was addicted to his books in my mid-late teens, and read almost all of his novels in just a couple of years. I think there are only two of his books that I haven't read- and only because I set them aside when he died so I'd have new Richard Laymon books to look forward to one day. I haven't read any of his books in almost twenty years, though, and I doubt I'd enjoy his quality of writing as much now.

Best Sequel Ever

I'm having a hard time choosing between my favourite sequels because there are so many that I adore, and they mostly seem to be young adult fantasy. I love Leigh Bardugo's Crooked Kingdom from the Six of Crows duology; Siege and Storm, from the Shadow and Bone trilogy; and Rule of Wolves, the sequel to King of Scars. I'm also currently obsessed with The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber, which is a million times better than it's cringy predecessor, Once upon a Broken Heart, and I have a soft spot for Legendary, her follow up to Caraval, too. I could go on listing sequels I love, but I'll stop before I get carried away.

Currently reading

I'm currently reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian. It's very science-heavy, but it's okay because Rocky is the best side-kick ever. Amaze amaze amaze!

Drink of choice

I'm not a tea or coffee drinker, so I'll just have something cold nearby. And then forget to drink for hours because I've become so engrossed in my book.

E-reader or physical book

I'll happily read from both, but you just can't beat a physical book. I love seeing my bookcase fill up with books I've loved and the beautiful editions I've collected; the smell of the paper; and being able to flick through the pages and see all of my favourite passages and quotes that I've highlighted.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school.

Oh, that's a tough one... It would have to have been someone sweet, funny, kind, and a little bit dorky as I was really shy, so probably someone like Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables, or Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars. I'd definitely have had a crush on Nikolai Lantsov from the Shadow and Bone books, but I wouldn't have had a chance.

Glad you gave this book a chance.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I recently read it after leaving it unloved on my bookshelf for a few years, and it was such an incredible read, I read it on the edge of my seat, mind-blown and a little terrified by the way the author imagined the multi-verse. It's easily one of the best books I've ever read. Read it; you're in for a treat!

Hidden gem book

The Binding by Bridget Collins. It starts off slow with a boy learning how to book-bind unwanted memories in to the spines of books, and then all of a sudden, it comes to life with a story of lost love that was so beautiful it hurt my heart. It ended up being one of the most beautiful stories I've read in my life.

Important moment in your reading life

I can't really think of an interesting answer to this. I've been reading all my life, and there isn't one defining moment that stands out. I guess important moments for me included any time I first read a favourite book; childhood trips to the library that helped cement my love of reading; discovering The Magic Faraway Tree and Secret Seven books as a child which led to a love of magical worlds, mystery, and adventure; and reading Little Women and realising, through Jo March, that being a little different could be a strength and not a weakness.

Just finished

The Lighthouse Witches by C.J.Cooke, a creepy tale of witches and wildings set in a lighthouse on a Scottish island. A mother and her three daughters move to the island where women accused of witchcraft were once burnt at the stake, and one by one they go missing. Only one of the sisters is seen alive again... until more than twenty years later, when a second sister is found alive, still seven years old. It was atmospheric and creepy, and a great little autumn read.

Kinds of books you won't read

I won't rule anything out, per se, but I can't say I'm a fan of fluffy romance novels or chick lit.

Longest book you've read

Probably The Stand by Stephen King. It's a big beast at over 1400 pages long, but it was so good it only took me two weeks to read.

Major book hangover because of

I'm currently experiencing a major book hangover from The Ballad of Never After. I finished it over a month ago, and the last forty pages or so were so heartbreaking that I can't stop thinking about it. I swear, if Stephanie Garber doesn't fix that ending in book three, I'll never be happy again. Excuse me while I go wait in the Hollow with the mirth stone until she writes the real ending. Just. Let. Him. Be. Loved.

Number of bookcases you own

I only have one bookcase, but it's about seven foot wide, and holds a double row of books. (I finally organised it last week, and it's so pretty)! I'd love to have a whole library full of bookcases that stretch from wall to wall and ceiling to floor, though. One day...

One book you've read multiple times

There are quite a few books I've read multiple times, but one of my favourites to reread is The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- especially at this time of year. It never loses it's magic, and it's still beautiful and devastating every time. (Though, the scenes when Henry is attracted to underage Clare make me more uncomfortable with each read).

Prefered place to read

I love to read on my bed, lying on a pile of pillows, snuggled up under a blanket. So comfy.

Quote that inspires you / gives you all the feels

I love a good bookish quote, so I'm struggling to pick just one. These are three of my current favourites:

"There was no part of him that was not broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken."- Kaz Brekker, Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo.

"There had been a time when books were the only place he could find solace... Each spine had been an open doorway whispering come in, come in. Here is a land you've never seen before. Here is a place to hide when you're frightened, to play when you're bored, to rest when the world seems unkind." -King of Scars, Leigh Bardugo.

'There is nothing of equal value to me.'-Jacks, The Ballad of Never After, Stephanie Garber. (I can't add more of the passage or give context as it's a big spoiler, but if you've read it, you'll understand the emotional state it left me in).

Reading regret

The time, in my early twenties, I thought it would be a good idea to read The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, as I'd loved the film. It was the most boring, badly-written piece of crap I've read in my life, and it was the only form of entertainment I had travelling through France in the back of a car for eight hours. (That was right before mobiles worked abroad, and smartphones were a thing). Big mistake. Huge.

Series you started and need to finish

The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I've only read the first book, Every Heart a Doorway, so far, but I really enjoyed how weird and morbid it was, and want to work my way through the others. I think there are at least eight in the series.

Three of your all time favourite books

I have so many favourite books, so it's so hard to choose just three. These are three of my ultimate favourites, but not necessarily my top three. I ended up with a short list of about fifteen and couldn't decide which of them I loved best, so I chose three of them at random.

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Unapologetic fangirl for

If we're talking book characters, I can't help fangirling over Nikolai Lantsov from The Shadow and Bone series, and Jacks, Dante, and Julian from the Caraval / Once Upon a Broken Heart books. I'm a hopeless fangirl for both sagas, too.

Very excited for this release more than all the others

I can't wait for the third book in the Once upon a Broken Heart series- even though, it's probably at least a year away- and I'm also really looking forward to reading the new John Marrs novel, Keep it in the Family, which just came out. Everything he writes is amazing.

Worst bookish habit

Buying multiple editions of my favourite books when I find a beautiful cover I can't resist.

X marks the spot: start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book

My gorgeous spring-green clothbound of The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

Your latest book purchase

I've bought quite a few books lately, but the last book I bought was a fantasy novel called Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher. It's about a girl who asks a gravewitch for help to kill a prince who has been abusing her sister, and is promised the tools to do so- if she can complete three impossible tasks. It sounds intriguing, and I can't wait to read it.

Zzz snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY too late):

The Ballad of Never After... And not because I was reading it, but because I couldn't stop thinking about what happened! I'm not sure I'm ever going to get over it, to be honest.

And that's the A-Z Bookish Survey. Feel free to have a go at the survey, too- and send me your links if you do, so I can read them!

What books have you enjoyed lately?

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