Good morning, good afternoon, good evening friends! How are you? I hope your week has been great so far. Today’s Wednesday again, and I’m going to talk books and…Australia.
I have to thank the lovely Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews for tagging me for this Aussie Book Tag. She’s one wonderful blogger, and if you don’t know her or her blog yet, I suggest you check it out right now. I promise you won’t regret it. In addition to being AMAZING, Lauren also is from wonderful Australia, which is miles and mileeeeeeeeees away from me, but I am honoured to have been nominated as an honorary aussie. I’d love to visit this place someday, but in the meantime, I guess I’ll…answer this tag?
Koala : A character you want to cuddle all day long
So in case I forgot to mention it here, I LOVE koalas. They are my favorites of ever, and I actually DREAM of cuddling one. Weird? No, but I mean, don’t you want to cuddle one as well?
For this answer I’d go with Travis from The Serpent King. That book BROKE ME, really, and Travis, this bookish nerd, I really think that he could use tons of hugs. My review’s coming this Friday on the blog!
Vegemite : A book you love that everyone else hates
So, since I’m not actually Australian, I never tried vegemite, but always wondered…how does it taste? I’m curious.
I’m going to cheat a bit here and give the same answers as Lauren, because…well, I felt the same way as her about these books. We were liars : a lot of people ended up being disappointed by this, maybe because they expected more from the story, or did see the plot twist coming. I expected nothing and didn’t see anything coming, not even my tears falling down my face. Also, Looking for Alaska is brilliant, but I’m talking about this book enough.
Socceroos : Favorite Fictional Squad
I probably won’t stop talking about this series for a while, and…I apologize, truly, ahah. But is there anything more perfect than The Lunar Chronicles squad ? I can’t think of anyone else. They are all SO different, yet complete each other perfectly, and most importantly, the author managed to give them different but equally strong voices and places in the story.
Southern Cross : Most Recent 5 Star-Read
It’s not such a big surprise for anyone, except if you are new here, but I love everything Lauren Oliver writes. I’m a huge fan of her books, her writing style, her characters, everything. I was a bit scared about reading her latest release though, Replica. Told from a dual point of view, it’s a book you can turn around to read the story as you want, and this made me a bit nervous. Also, I was scared of too much repeats between the two parts, but what do you know… Lauren Oliver never fails me. Might be a bit biaised here, but yeah, it was a 5-stars for me.
Patriotism : Favorite Book By An Author From Your Country
It is a bit hard for me to think about books with French authors, recent proof of this is my article for my #SFATW feature, which took me like HOURS to even think of. I feel a bit ashamed of it to be honest, ahah. But if I had to choose one book, I think I might go with The Little Prince again, because it’s poetic, it’s beautiful, and definitely worth reading.
Echinda : A book you like to look at, but it physically hurts to read
Maybe it’s not the most stunning cover in the entire bookish world, but I really like how simple it is, and…well I just decided to focus on the PHYSICAL HURT part of this question. So obviously I need to talk about Jandy Nelson and The Sky is Everywhere. I read that book with a lump in my throat the whole time. It was this good. I love books that make me FEEL EVERYTHING like this.
Ned Kelly : A Book That is really grim, but an iconic must-read
Okay, it’s a classic now, but I really think it can be mentionned here, and it would be….The Hunger Games. I mean, clearly whenever I think about it now, I wonder just why I read such a dark book. It’s crazy when you think about it, but, really, it is so eye-opening on so many levels on our own society. I could do a whole essay on this.
Great Barrier Reef : A book that had you gaping in awe
For that one I think I have to go with my first Patrick Ness book, More than This. Because there is SO MUCH MORE to this story than you first expect there to be (that was a bad word pun, sorry about that. or not). That book was brilliant and whenever I read it and finished reading it, I just stared into space thinking, WHAT WAS THIS. Go read it, in case you haven’t yet.
Pavlova : A light and fluffy book that you can’t help but love
I’m going to be very cliché here and talk about cute and fluffy contemporary stories? All the books I have read so far by Jennifer E. Smith, Sarah Dessen and Sarah Ockler never fail at making me smile. Also, I’m a huge marshmallow, so…
Milo : A genre/author you reach for to get you out of a reading slump
Hm I would have to say contemporary because it’s my favorite genre, but lately with all the amazing fantasy books I have discovered… I don’t even know anymore, my TBR is going CRAZY and I just want to read ALL the books. Also, I don’t even have time – or I feel like I need to read everything before I re-read things, but … okay, to really answer the question here, I want to say The Mara Dyer series, because it’s just THIS GOOD. And it’s a mix of contemporary and fantasy and overall just CRAZINESS.
If you’re inspired to do this, please do, I am tagging you! I’d love to read your answers.
oooh, can’t wait to get your thoughts on The Serpent King… I read it a little while back and absolutely loved it…
Oh well you won’t have to wait too long, my review’s up tomorrow on the blog 🙂 It was such a great book, I agree! Thank you so much! 🙂
I love seeing this tag. I also don’t know why vegemite tastes like…
Ugh. Stupid phone, sending comments before I am ready. ANYWAY
I don’t know what vegemite tastes like, but these books are awesome. A book that left me in awe was The Night Circus. I was so engrossed in that world. I never wanted to leave.
Ohh thank you! Haha it’s okay, it happens to me as well. I heard TONS of great things about The Night Circus, and I added it to my TBR because of it, but haven’t had the chance and time to read it yet. I’m so glad you loved it so much! I heard the world is so, SO good. I can’t wait to get into it 🙂 Thank you! <3
Exactly! The world is amazing. And the book is all about the world and the relationships between the characters. It’s lovely. It also started as a NaNo, which is cool.
It started as a NaNo?? Wow, I had NO idea. This always gives me some kind of hope that someday I’ll do this too ahah. Also, how so many great ideas are born thanks to NaNo 🙂
Oh these are all amazing picks Marie. I definitely agree with you on We Were Liars, I wasn’t aware that was one with some mixed reviews (like Vegemite) but it was one I absolutely loved, I definitely was not disappointed by that ended! 😀
The Lunar Chronicles are my favourite fictional squad as well. I love all the characters so so much! Also More Than This had me gaping as well mostly because I was struggling to guess what was happening but I was so invested with the story I just couldn’t put it down.
Great answers for this tag! 😀
Oh thank you so, so much Beth! 🙂 I was so invested in More Than This as well, it was crazy. I often read it during my lunch break, and I remember just having to stop to see if I wasn’t going to be late back at work, but… it definitely took me a minute or two to realize the world and people were still moving around me, hahaha. ? Thank you!
I’ve done that a time or two, started reading in my lunch break, haven’t noticed the time and nearly ended up being late back. It’s the sign of a really good book though isn’t it? And we’ll probably both end up doing it again at some point too! 🙂
Haha yes, it’s the sign of a GREAT BOOK 😀
Aww, Marie you’re the sweetest ♥
I really need to read The Serpent King and More Than This! I’m really glad to see you enjoyed Replica too 😀
It’s kinda hard to describe what Vegemite tastes like? It’s really savoury and salty. A lot of people don’t like it because it can be very strong. People make the mistake of using it like Peanut Butter or Nutella though which is so wrong, haha. You’re just supposed to use the smallest bit on toast with butter. Unless you’re like me and can eat it straight out the jar ??
I can’t wait for you to read The Serpent King and More Than This, I hope you’ll love both! 🙂
Haha okay, wow well I don’t think I’d be able to do that, if it’s very strong in taste haha, but…I still want to try someday 😀
Loved The Hunger Games!! I also really liked We Were Liars, but I know there were definitely mixed opinions about it. I’m also glad to see that you enjoyed Replica! I have it on my TBR, but I don’t have a copy yet! Also, I would love to hug a koala…
Ohh I hope you’ll enjoy Replica when you get to it 🙂
Koalas are the cutest creatures, aren’t they <3 <3 Thank you so much!
Me too! It definitely looks really unique! 🙂 They most definitely are… but would I risk going to the land of creepy crawlies to hug one? Probably not…
Hahahhaa, yeah… I get your point haha.
Oh, I want to cuddle koalas <3 My sister-in-law is actually working at the zoo as a caretaker for, among other animals, koalas! So technically she gets to cuddle koalas every day and yes, I'm a little jealous 😉
And The Lunar Chronicles crew is definitely one of my all-time favorite crews out there too! I love them so much.
I think the last book that had me gaping in awe was Crooked Kingdom. One of the best duologies out there I think 🙂
Cuddling koalas is like a dream haha. OHH REALLY? That’s SO cool, it has to be such a great job ahah <3 <3
Ohh wow, well… it's about time I hop on the Six of Crows hype train, haha 🙂 Thank you so much!!
Completely agree about Travis!!! Looking forward to your review! I felt exactly the same about we were liars- that book broke my heart- and I didn’t see the plot twist coming because I thought the request was much earlier something else (can’t remember what now) great post!
Travis is just.. I just want to hug him. That’s it. <3
We were liars BROKE ME as well, it's crazy, I didn't expect that book to turn out that way! Thank you so much <3
Yes!! ?
Hahaha, I’m also so curious about vegemite, we hear so much about it! I forgot to ask my Aussie friends to bring some back the last time they were here 🙁 We need to plan a trip there and try all the food and go cuddle the koalas! I have only watched the movies and never read The Hunger Games. I had not gotten my reading mojo back when the first movie was released so now I don’t feel like reading about something I already know and characters that have Hollywood faces! xD
OH YES, the sweechie dream trip haha, that’d be awesome.
Oh I completely understand this. I don’t like when it happens, but if I read the book after seeing the movie, I feel like it spoils the story a little bit. I’m imagining the characters as these actors, and the scenes and decors as they were in the movie, and…well, it ruins a bit my imagination :/
Exactly, the images normally created by your brain only gets replaced by the hollywood lights and it takes the fun away 🙁
Yeah… I wish that didn’t happen, but…Even if I haven’t read a book I want to read, but there’s a trailer out…and if I know the actors’ faces..well it’s all wrong already 🙁
This tag is so cool :). I might do it myself. Vegemite is very salty and strong tasting (but delicious. I’m a new zealander and obliged to say so). Replica sounds great, and I am so with you on hugging Travis, and I love the odd fluffy contemporary myself. I’m not sure, I think a lot of books leave me awestruck, because writers are amazing in general. In specific, though, anything Laini Taylor, and A World Without You by Beth Revis.
Ohhhh yes, please do, I would LOVE to read your answers to this! 🙂 Oh yes, I remember your review on A World Without You on your blog a little while ago. I HAVE to buy this book sometime soon, whenever I can, it sounded SO good. <3
I really want to cuddle a Koala as well, but I heard they carry Chlamydia aha sorry weird fact of the day!
I have to agree with your choice of We Were Liars as well, I never expected the plot twist and really enjoyed it!
Hahahaha, oh thank you for that weird fact, I had NO idea actually, haha. Thank you :p
I’m glad you enjoyed We Were Liars as well, that plot twist surprised me a lot -and made me cry haha.
I don’t even know where I learnt that fact but every time I hear about Koala’s now it’s in my brain ahah!
Hahaha well, now…I’m sure I’ll think about that as well 😛
I’m sorry for tainting your cuddly image of Koala’s aha!
Hahaha it’s okay 😛
See, I’m the opposite. I’ve been reading my fantasy novels, and I’m seeing some cute contemporary out there. I never read contemp. Ever!
Ohhh really? I hope you’re enjoying contemporaries now, and..well it’s my favorite genre so if you ever need any recommendation…I’m here 😀
Shames goes for fantasy! ? You need a rec, just let me know!
I’ll remember to, thank you!! ?
Haha, yes Lauren is such an amazing and inspiring blogger! I love how you’re considered an honorary Aussie. 😀
I had to look up Vegemite the first time I saw this tag and was so confused by it. I don’t think I’ll ever taste it, but I’m glad some people like it. x)
The only book by Ness I’ve read is A Monster Calls, but I now need more!! More Than This sounds like an excellent follow-up.
Aww thank you so much for your comment, Naz <3 I hope you'll read More Than This soon, it's an excellent book <3
Haha I love the tag! And koalas are even MORE adorable in real life, I can tell you that (*WINK WINK*) Always and forever longing for the awesome Rampion squad because they are the best to love and long for! ALSO, I UNDERSTAND THE FEELS OF THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, I love that book but my heart and soul are battered. As for your question on vegemite… it is SO hard to answer because the taste is ever so odd but it is EXTREMELY salty (and I love it!).
AHH you are making me a tiny bit jealous now, I’m dreaming to see koalas in real life haha, hopefully someday <3
and well, I hope to try vegemite at some point as well, I'm curious ahah. Thank you my forever crazy, and you should do this tag, if you haven't already, it'd perfectly fit you :p