Jingle All the Way Book Tag (Original)

IT IS THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. I REPEAT: IT IS NOW THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. 

In case anyone was wondering, Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday in the entire world. It is my favorite time of year and I just feel so good and happy around Christmas time. To honor my love of Christmas, I'll be having fun, Christmas-themed posts for ya all week, and I've never been more excited for anything ever. 

For today's post, I've created a book tag, and it revolves around Christmas music! I know there are similar book tags floating around the internet, but I wanted to create my own because I adore Christmas music very mucho. Okay, here we go!! I've really tried not to give the most cliche answers imaginable and I was marginally successful! 

JINGLE BELLS

A fun, light-hearted book/series 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

This novel is always the very first thing that pops in my head when I think "light-hearted and fun." The characters are so cute and quirky and the story just gives ya good feels all around.

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUSE

A book/series with a scandalous romance

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Now, I want to be clear that I, by no means whatsoever, think that their relationship is scandalous. However, the people in the book do because of the time period and social customs. So basically, these two characters come from very different backgrounds. Teach has money and power. Anne, on the other hand, is a servant. She has no real home or fortune. Also (and this actually is scandalous to me) Teach is betrothed to another woman. So basically, everybody in their world would be stunned by their relationship but I just think it's really cute and sweet. (Here's my review, in case you were wondering)

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

A book/series you are determined to re-read

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

If I'm being completely honest, I have so so so many things I want to re-read, and I feel like this is such a contrived answer, but I definitely think this series is calling my name the most at the moment (but City of Bones is the only book in the series I don't own--Hooray!!!). I never completed the final book in the series, so I want to do that and then re-read The Infernal Devices and maybe I'll have that all done by the time the third Dark Artifices releases and I can just binge the whole series. 

SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN 

Your most anticipated release of 2017

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Just so we're all clear, I most likely won't stop talking about this book until it is in my hands in June 2017. As I mentioned in a previous post (like, yesterday) I 100% cried when this book was announced. Happy tears, of course. Sarah Dessen has been sleighing (*ba dum tsss*) me for YEARS and I just know she's not about to stop now.

SILENT NIGHT

A beautiful book/series that everyone knows

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Okay, this question can certainly be interpreted in many ways (beautiful cover, beautiful writing, beautiful story, etc.) but I chose to go with beautiful writing. And while not EVERYONE may know about this book, I'd say it's fairly well-known. This book has the most stunning writing I've ever come across in a novel, I'd say. For more insights into my thoughts you can check out the 61 (Non-Spoilery) Thoughts I Had While Re-Reading Delirium.

WINTER WONDERLAND

A book/series with great worldbuilding

And I Darken by Kiersten White

Hahahaha we all know I love this book because I don't shut up about it (here is my review if you want to know just how much I love it and why). One reason it is so fantastic is that Kiersten White literally puts you in the Ottoman Empire. Like, here I am knowing basically nothing about history (and even less about the history specific to this book) but I felt like I was living there. White's writing is so lush and detailed.

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

An underhyped book/series that is so great you want to tell everyone about it

Beyond the Red by Ava Jae

This book was a very pleasant surprise and it helped me get out of a reading slump. It is very exciting and well written, not to mention the ALIENS and SOCIAL ISSUES and SLOW-BURN ROMANCE. I really wish more people would read this gem. (My review)

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Favorite trilogy

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

So, fun thing I've realized doing this tag: I've not completed a ton of trilogies. I've started several, I've added several to my TBR, but I've only read a handful of trilogies in their entirety. The ones I have finished were all excellent, which is why I've completed them, I'm sure, but Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me trilogy is one that continues to stick in my head and heart after several years. The beautiful writing and steamy romance have won me over for life, probably.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

A book/series with an underdog protagonist who rises up

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I was trying to come up with a less obvious answer, but the truth is that Katniss Everdeen is the very definition of the underdog who rises up. She rises up in the arena, and she rises up in the rebellion. She is the girl on fire, after all.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

A book/series that helped you get through troubling times

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I could write an entire post about this. In fact, I have! Check out the guest post I did over at Book Nerds Across America if you're curious how deeply significant this book is in my life.

Well, there you have it, friends. That's the Jingle All the Way Book Tag! Now to tag people!!

I challenge the following people to do this tag before the year is up!

Kat @ Perks of Being a Book Nerd
Anna @ Adventures with a Book Nerd
Angel Erin @ Angel Erin's Book Obsession
Alyxandria @ The Book's Buzz
Briana @ Pages Unbound

and of course I'd love for anyone else interested to participate as well! Make sure to comment with a link to your post so I can check it out! 

Would You Rather #3: Dark Edition

Hiya! Would You Rather is a pretty self-explanatory new feature here at The Left-Handed Book Lover, and I think it will be a lot of fun. Each WYR post will have a different theme.

This time I chose books with dark covers. I picked 20 dark-covered novels, paired them up at random, and then picked one. This was extremely difficult! I love most these books so much (there are a few I'm not so fond of), and there were some pairings where I spent way too long deliberating which one to choose.

ARE THERE ANY CHOICES YOU'D MAKE DIFFERENTLY? 

Top Ten Books With A Memorable Setting

So I know that for today's topic I was supposed to pick a specific setting, but that was too difficult so I took a different route.

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider - This will forever be one of the coolest settings of all time--a half-hospital/half-boarding school for teens suffering from a new, incurable strain of tuberculosis.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - I love Gatlin, the southern Gothic town this series takes place in! I really enjoyed learning all the town intricacies and quirks. And, of course, the underground community of witches.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - Who can forget New Pretty Town, a place for all the new Pretties to go and party & live in mansions & drink champagne. They can essentially do whatever they want as long as they don't question the surgery to make them Pretty.

Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler - I know that New York City has been written about loads of times, but there was something about this book that really put me in New York and made me feel like I was there. MY REVIEW.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Not only does this take place in Wales, but it takes place in 1940s Wales with a house full of fantastical creatures. MY REVIEW.

Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell - If you want to travel to a dark Neverland that shifts and changes at random, this is the book for you. MY REVIEW.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Cuz Panem.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I just adored reading about the Amsterdam adventures in this book! I'm fairly certain I've never read anything else that takes place in Amsterdam.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - THE LONDON INSTITUTE <33333

And I Darken by Kiersten White - Somehow I always find a way to talk about this book. Because it's fantastic. And part of what makes it so spectacular is the setting. I mean, come on, THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE! MY REVIEW.

Twenty One Pilots Book Tag

Hello hello! As you may or may not know, I am in love with the band Twenty One Pilots. I was watching a booktube video last night that was a Taylor Swift book tag (I don't remember whose video it was--sorry!), and it inspired me to combine my love of books and TOP by making a book tag!

The Pantaloon - A book set in a different time period

"You have learned 

way too soon;

 you should never trust the pantaloon."

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

This book takes place during Blackbeard's teen years, so the late 1600's. It's a really fantastic imagining of what caused the infamous Blackbeard to be so dang swashbuckly. 

Addict With A Pen - A series you wish had more books

"I'm only at it again as an addict with a pen."

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

This was such an easy pick for me, because Vampire Academy is my favorite series of all time, and I don't think there could ever be too many books in this series. I know that there is a spin-off, but it's not the same. I want to read about Rose and Dimitri and Christian Ozera. I think that there could be a whole other series about what it's like for Rose to be the Queen's guardian. 

Ride - A book that took you a long time to finish

"I'm falling, so I'm taking my time on my ride."

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I just finished this book recently, and it took me over 2 weeks to read. I kept putting it aside for days at a time, and oftentimes when I would pick it up, I'd only read a few pages before putting it back down. I ultimately enjoyed it, but it was a slow go for me. 

House of Gold - A book with gold on the cover

"She asked me, 'Son, when I grow old,

Will you buy me a house of gold?

And when your father turns to stone,

Will you take care of me?'

I will make you queen of everything you see,

I'll put you on the map,

I'll cure you of disease."

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is a little off topic, but I didn't realize how much I love pairing this song with this book until I was prowling my Goodreads shelves for a book with gold on the cover. While this song sounds like it would be happy, it's actually about wishing for a good life, wishing you could have what you want, but being smart enough to realize that's not how life works. I just realized how fitting it is.

Tear In My Heart - A book that has a really great romance

"She's the tear in my heart, I'm alive,

She's the tear in my heart, I'm on fire,

She's the tear in my heart, Take me higher,

Than I've ever been."

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Y'all, I adore this book with every fiber of my being. I loved watching Echo and Noah's relationship grow from dislike to a deep, life-altering love. Their chemistry just burns through the pages, and they help each other grow and face their demons. 

Ode To Sleep - A book that you stayed up all night reading

"I'll stay awake,

'Cause the dark's not taking prisoners tonight."

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

This book started off kinda slow, but I became so sucked into the characters and the writing that I couldn't put it down! 

Fake You Out - A book with an ending you didn't see coming

"And I'll fall down

And I'll break down

And I'll fake you out

All I wanna"

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

This is still one of my favorite books ever, and I think that has a lot to do with the ending. I never could have seen that coming,and it turned me into an emotional wreck when I finished the novel. 

Not Today - A book you keep putting off reading

"Heard you say, 'not today,'

Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,

Heard your voice, 'there's no choice,'

Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise."

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

So I bought this book and got really excited about reading it. I started reading it a few days ago and was pretty into it, but for some reason I just keep putting off reading any more of it, and I don't even know why. 

So there it is! The Twenty One Pilots book tag! I know when you make a book tag, you're supposed to tag people, but I'm not sure how many of you lovely people listen to TOP. So, I tag all of you. If you want to do this tag, please do! And leave the link down in the comments so I can check it out. 

Would You Rather #1: Book Boyfriends

Hiya! Would You Rather is a pretty self-explanatory new feature here at The Left-Handed Book Lover, and I think it will be a lot of fun. Each WYR post will have a different theme.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner and yours truly date-less for the evening, I figured I'd turn to the guy--well, more like guys--who truly has my heart: my book boyfriends! This round of WYR is going to be especially tough because I rounded up a list of some of my favorite YA hotties and paired them at random, and now I'm stuck to choose between all my loves!

This was super tough, but I eventually made my decision for all 11 of the pairs. My choice is circled.

What do you think? Are there any choices you'd make differently? Any guys you would add/take away from this list? Tell me your thoughts! 

Top Ten Series I Will Always Fangirl Over

Hello lovelies! This week's TTT topic was a freebie, and because I hate mentally exerting myself I went for an easy topic: series I will always fangirl over. As I was deciding what series to include, I realized A) as of the past couple of years, I've not read (or completed reading) that many book series, and B) the series I have read have been pretty good but thinking back on them doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. That being said, most of the series I picked are series I read back in middle school but still love with all my heart.

The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld - This was one of the first book series I ever fell in love with! I was in, like, 6th grade the first time I read this, and I still think it's just as brilliant as I did then.

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - I have said (exclaimed) this so so so many times, but I will honestly never stop. This series is my #1, my ride-or-die, my all-time favorite. The characters, the worldbuilding, the writing. Everything about it owns my heart.

The Pushing the Limits series by Katie McGarry - Katie's books are just amazing in every single way and I think everyone should experience these beauties.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - Despite what the movie and TV show make it seem like, these books are actually amazing. The world is engrossing and the characters are addicting.

The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi  - Between the unique writing and the wonderful romantic tension, this series had no problem winning my fangirl squees.

The If I Stay series by Gayle Forman - I'm not sure if this really counts as a series, but there are two books, so I say it does. Anyway, these books are emotional and adorable and absolutely captivating.

The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - There are 4 novels in this series, all of which are pretty thick. It seems like a hefty journey to embark on, but it's so worth it. The lush southern gothic setting and the cast of characters we get to know throughout the series make it all worth it.

The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare - What can I say? Clare knows how to write 'em.

The Delirium series by Lauren Oliver - Beautiful and heartbreaking and poignant and unique. I recommend this series to literally all my friends.

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - I mean...it's The Hunger Games....

Are any of these series on your list of favorites? What are some other series you want to gush about all day? 

Top Ten Books I'm Thankful For

Happy almost Thanksgiving, everyone! I haven't blogged in a longggggg time, and I thought what better way to make my comeback than to appreciate the very reason I began blogging. Some of these books made the list because they had a major impact on my life. Others made the list because they're just good books.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - I'm obsessed with everything Sarah Dessen writes, but this is still probably my all-time favorite of her work.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This is probably such a cliche pick, but it really is an amazing series. And with the release of the Mockingjay Part 2 movie (which I've already seen twice) I'm all up in my feelings about this series. Also, this is the book that got me into book blogging in the first place, so it certainly belongs on this list!

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I read this really recently, and it brought me out of my "slump." I hadn't read a book in months because college kind of sucks that desire away from me, but Isla revived me.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - This book series will forever be my number one, my ride or die. It is my favorite book series of all time, and it got me through a particularly rough time in my life. I have no words to accurately describe how thankful I am for these books.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I love this series so freaking much, but the first one is definitely my favorite. So many emotions. Lauren Oliver is just an incredible author and she had a lot of impact on my writing style.

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - I love this series, and it's really hard to describe my attachment to this series. I started reading it when only the first book was available, and each time a new book was released, I was at a vastly different point in my life. It's kinda like this series went on a journey with me. That's probably weird. Anyway, the third installment is my favorite book in the series!

Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I will promote this book until the day I die. It was a truly amazing reading experience for me that brought me out of my comfort zone. J.H. Trumble is amazing, and I'm so glad I happened upon this book and discovered her. 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - I just love love love this series, and I will fangirl about it for the rest of my life. The final book is my favorite and made me feel so many emotions that I was reeling for days after I finished it. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - This is one of those series that I've been in love with since, like, sixth grade, and every time I revisit it, I fall in love with it again. I loved this series before I ever really loved reading. 

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - I am obsessed with Katie McGarry. I will read anything she ever writes. She is amazing, and this book is amazing. I have forced multiple friends to read this because I just love it so much! 

What books are you thankful for?