I was tagged by the wonderful Leslie from Books are the new black in this cake flavoured questions. It has really made me think and I loved revisiting some of my old books.
The Questions:
CHOCOLATE — a dark book that you loved
I actually had this on audiobook as I was concerned I’d forever be mispronouncing the names in my head (looking at you Rhysand!)
It was fantastically read by Prentice Onayemi and I fell into the world. That’s not to say it wasn’t dark AF. There is murder and torture and the main character basically gets horrifically maimed and killed several times a night in the ‘other world’ in order to be a stronger killer and assuage his need for vengeance.
Definitely a dark chocolate read.
VANILLA — favorite light read
On the other end of the scale this series is just ridiculously light and fluffy. A group of highly paid sports stars, musicians and lawyers have started a book club for me where they read romance books in order to better understand the women in their lives.
The bromance part of it is wonderful as they do what blokes do and mock each other but, ultimately what they want is strong, loving relationships with the women in their lives. There is a bit of feminist spiel which can come across as a bit mansplainy from one of the characters but the rest of it is so funny I find it hard to care. The next book is out in November and I’ve already pre-ordered my fix.
RED VELVET — a book that gave you mixed emotions.
My initial review for this book is here: All Rights Reserved
I only gave it three stars at the time but it is a book that occupies my thoughts quite often. I’ve never read anything like it and I love the world and the idea but the main character got on my nerves.
It’s set in a world where everything is copyrighted. Every word you say and every action has been licensed to someone else and you owe them for using it. Everyone has a cuff on them from the age of 15 and it records how much they owe.
Whenever I hear of Disney trying to extend their copyright for things that should be in the public domain or someone complaining that someone ‘stole’ their title, I flash back to this world and the repercussions of words and actions being reserved for the elite.
CHEESECAKE — a book that you’d recommend to everyone
A few years ago I took part in a travelling book club where you passed on a book you liked to a group of people and they’d read and mark it up and then it would move around. There were five books in circulation and this was the one I chose. I am constantly trying to get people to read it. I love it.
Its like a multi-flavoured cheesecake. You like the paranormal? It’s got that in. You like mystery? It has that in too. Romance? Check. Sarcastic heroine and best friend goals? Yes. Transgender milliner? Yep. Gay Vampires? Yes. Steampunk. Regency. Dresses. Tea. Cake. Umbrellas that turn into weapons and so much more.
READ IT!!
COFFEE — a book that you started but never finished.
And I never will. This made me rethink my blasé attitude to trigger warnings.
Having seen this on so many people’s lists of top fantasy books I was so excited to try it and went in without reading anything about it. All I knew was it was an alternative China-based book about a girl trying to be a warrior.
I had it on audible and was fairly enjoying it. There were moments when it was a bit dark but nothing too bad. I liked Rin and her struggles to be a better fighter. Even when war broke out I was still on board.
Then came chapter 25.
Now. I’m not stupid or naïve. I know that atrocities are committed in the name of war. I know that there are horrific actions taken by both sides.
But the graphic depictions of torture, desecration of corpses, child mutilation and rape turned my stomach.
When one character stared to detail her gang rape I lunged at my phone to turn it off. Sadly I knocked it off the bed and so heard more than I cared to about what happened to the character before I could actually press stop.
It left me shaking and I had to get my husband to come and sit with me until I calmed down enough to go watch something to take my mind off it.
I wish I had known about that content as i probably wouldn’t have even stared reading it.
CARROT — a book with great writing
Now this is cheating as I am doing a whole blog post about this book on April 6th as part of the BBNYA. Just to say that this is the type of writing that I aspire to in my life. I want to be able to write like this and read more like this. This is carrot cake with cream cheese icing AND tiny little fondant carrots on the top.
That was so much fun! Thank you to @bksRthenewblack for the tag.
If you decide to have a go at this please let me know in the comments as i would love to hear your thoughts too.
Such great answers!! I really enjoy the Bromance Book Club series! Such fun reads. I really want to read Rage of Dragons! I loved the Poppy War series but I TOTALLY understand that it has major triggers in it. I am so sorry that happened to you. It’s such a brutal series.
I honestly had no idea what I was getting into with Poppy War, I hadn’t read any reviews of spoilers so I was blindsided! Rage of Dragons does have similar vibes but, somehow, you expect it more. Thank you for your review.
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This is a wonderful idea! I’m currently reading The Poppy War and yes, chapter 25 onwards it does get pretty grim. Great post, so many good books here.