I saw this tag at The Book Cover Girls and thought it would be perfect to do today with Halloween just around the corner. The tag was created by Never Not Reading and is obvious based on the Halloween cult classic Hocus Pocus! Continue reading
book tag
A – Z Bookish Tag
Hello, everyone! I spotted this tag over at The Bookish Chick and thought it looked fun. Really, it is that simple. Just was browsing and wanted to do a tag. No profound reasoning or thought behind it. How about that for honesty?
The Fall Book Tag
As I sat here this chilly Saturday, sipping my pumpkin spice flavored coffee, I spotted this tag over at Bionic Book Worm (who created it) and at Thrice Read. Sure, I wasn’t tagged, but when does that ever stop me? There is a cool breeze blowing in my open windows and fuzzy socks on my feet. It may not actually be fall but it sure feels like it here. That makes it a perfect day to tackle The Fall Book Tag!
Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody – I loved this book. It has a spooky magic circus theme which felt really different from most of the books that I read.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown – To say my jaw hit the floor at the end of this one would be an understatement. Holy moly! It has been one of my favorite reads of 2017. 
A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by V.E. Schwab – Prince Rhy and Alucard. Do I really need to say anything more than that? Warm fuzzies all over the place for those two. 
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire #4) by George R.R. Martin – How about a cover with read, orange, AND yellow? Huh? Pretty good, right? Those colors just shout fall leaves. 
The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon – So much happens to our characters in this book. They are constantly getting in some kind of trouble and trying to conquer the bad guys. Can’t wait to see what kind of mayhem Paige gets into in the next book. 
Iron Gold (Iron Gold #1) by Pierce Brown – I absolutely cannot wait to read more of the world Brown created in his Red Rising series. The details, the character development, everything was just amazing.
I tag anyone who wants to do this tag! It was pretty fun and I enjoyed hunting down the right books for each answer. If you do it, put your link in the comments. I would love to see your answers!
Follow me on
The Entertainer Blogger Award
Thank you to Metal Phantasm Reads for tagging me in this. I always find these things fun and it is so nice to know you were thought of.
Rules
- Thank the person who nominated you and post a link to their blog
- Nominate at least 12 people who you find fun, inspiring and entertaining!
- Include the graphic in your post
- Answer all the provided questions
Why did you start your blog in the first place?
I started Literary Weaponry for a few reasons. The first being that I have definite opinions about books and I wanted to share them outside of Goodreads and Amazon reviews. Secondly, I wanted a website for my resume as I have been applying for newspaper, library, and transcription work. I can’t deny that I hope to make money from this at some point, however, it is also just fun and fulfilling to be a part of this diverse reading community.
What is your favorite book?
How does anyone answer that question? It’s like asking which kid is your favorite. I’ll give you a couple:
What do you dislike the most?
In books or in the world? In books I hate weak characters most. You know, that character that always needs saved and has no thoughts in their head and ignores the fact that free will is a thing? I hate that. I hate it more than love triangles and anything else. In the world, if I had to put a pin on it, I hate prejudices. It frustrates me to no end that I go out with my family and we get funny looks. I am Caucasian, my husband is Puerto Rican, and obviously our daughter is an adorable mix of the two. The looks we get sometimes just make my blood boil.
What is your favorite food at the mall?
Salted pretzels with cheese dip. Holy moly, it is so hard to resist those. I need the warm, salty pretzels and the sticky artificially colored and flavored orange cheese dip. It is amazing.
What is your favorite past time?
Uuuuhhhhh. I’m not one for hobbies so that is a bit difficult. I love watching old MASH reruns. You can never have too much Alan Alda. I feel like I’m writing an ad for a dating website or something, “I love old TV shows, listening to the rain on the roof, and catching fireflies.”
I hereby tag:
All ya’ll. I mean really, if you want to do this, please do it! If you do pop your link in the comments so I can take a look. Have a beautiful day, everyone.
You’re Not Good Enough Book Tag
I saw this tag over at Lost in a Story and I thought it looked like fun for a Monday morning! The rules are that you choose thirty characters from books (or TV I suppose if the mood strikes you) and RANDOMLY choose two names from that list for each question. I numbered my list and then used a random number generator to pick my two options so that I wouldn’t be tempted to be biased.
Rainbow Book Tag
I ran across this tag over at Reading Every Night and thought it looked like fun. There are so many beautiful book covers in such varied colors. I’ve been guilty of buying a book by the strength of it’s cover alone and, admittedly, eye catching color combinations certainly play a roll in that. Here are some covers of books I have read that make up the rainbow!
Rules:
- It must be the dominant colour of the cover not the spine!
- If you do not own a book of a certain colour, just choose one that has the colour on it somewhere.
- It has to be a book you own and/or has to be the exact edition you read (e.g. there are two different covers for Me Before You, you would choose the one you read).
- Tag some people to do it! Whether they be Bloggers, Bookstagrammers or BookTubers.
Red
Orange
Bryant & May and the Bleeding Heart (Bryant and May #11) by Christopher Fowler
It was pretty hard to find an orange book that I had read!
Yellow
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
Green
Freedom’s Ransom (Catteni #4) by Anne McCaffrey
Blue
Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
Indigo/Turquoise
The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose
Purple
The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon
Pink
The Tale of Castle Cottage (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #8) by Susan Wittig Albert
Brown
White
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Black
That is it for the Rainbow Book Tag! It was actually pretty difficult to find the orange and pink covers. Red, black, and white gave me plenty of options! If you want to do this tag, please do, just toss your link to it in the comments here so I can check it out. Have a beautiful day, everyone!
Also, toss me a follow over on Goodreads. I’d love to see what everyone is reading!
Game of Thrones Book Tag
Game of Thrones returned to us last week with their season seven premiere. I know I’m not the only one that got head over heels excited about it. In honor of it’s return I thought I’d do the Game of Thrones Book Tag! I found this over at Thrice Read and it was originally created by Biblionyan.
HOUSE LANNISTER: HEAR ME ROAR – Name a book that you originally loved, but upon a re-read realized that it wasn’t so great after all.
When I first read Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire over a decade ago I adored it along with the rest of her vampire chronicles. Upon a re-read a few years back, I realize I had outgrown my love of Lestat. While it did make me a little sad, because I really loved Lestat, it makes sense. My taste in books has certainly changed since then and broody vampires and definitely no longer up my alley.
HOUSE STARK: WINTER IS COMING – Name your most anticipated book release for 2017.
Well, 2017 is more than half over at this point but there are still a few books coming out that I’m looking forward to. The one that stands out most to me is Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody. This one is set for release tomorrow, July 25th, and I know I’m going to be picking up pretty soon after it is released!
HOUSE TARGARYEN: FIRE AND BLOOD – Name a book that you felt completely slayed with fantastic characters, plot, pacing, etc.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. I enjoyed this book far more than I had expected to. The plot never got dull and most of the characters were fascinating. This book is going to be a favorite of mine for years to come.
HOUSE BARATHEON: OURS IS THE FURY – Name a book that ended with a cliffhanger ending that genuinely pissed you off.
Don’t even have to think about it, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. While reading this book I had become completely invested in the characters and plot and could feel a really good story coming. Then, just as things start getting good, BAM! end of the book. Pissed me off pretty royally. Felt like the book ended up just being all set up to get people to read the next book in the series. Still makes my blood boil.
HOUSE MARTELL: UNBOWED. UNBENT. UNBROKEN. – Name a book, or book series, that’s been on your TBR since the dawn of time.
The Return of the King by Tolkien. I have been trying to read that sucker, legitimately, for over a decade. Maybe I’ll manage to finish it at some point before I’m dead. Really starting to doubt it though. The never ending descriptions themselves may kill me before then.
HOUSE BOLTON: OUR BLADES ARE SHARP – Name the most graphic or disturbing book that you’ve ever read.
24690 by A.A. Dark. This book was seriously messed up. Anyone in the slightest bit squeamish or sensitive should run for the hills if they see this book coming. Rape, cannibalism, violent murders, beheadings…it is pretty disturbing.
HOUSE TYRELL: GROWING STRONG – Name a book, or book series, that gets better and better with every re-read.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. I have been in love with these books since I was a small child and re-read them, usually, once a year. Each time I love them more. They are a happy place that reminds me of a care free child hood and hope for the future. Sometimes, we all need reminded of those times.
That is it for this Monday. I hope you all have a great week and keep reading!
Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag
I think we have all seen this tag hanging around the bookish sphere the last month or so. Who is late to the party doing it? That would be me. Story of my life. Anyway, TA-DA! Happy slightly-more-than-halfway-through-2017 book tag! Appreciate the second half of the year, folks. We are all going to blink and it is going to be Christmas. Going…too…fast…
Best book you’ve read so far in 2017?
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. This book blew me away when I read it back in January. I had picked it up on a whim and continue to be grateful to my freezing winter self for doing so. Schwab quickly became one of my favorite authors after reading this Shades of Magic trilogy.
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2017?
Hands down A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. I loved it so much I read it twice in a week. That takes a lot of affection and dedication for that monstrous book.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
Roar (Stormheart #1) by Cora Carmack. I ordered this one pretty much right after it came out June 13th and it is still sitting on my shelf. I really need to get to it…
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore. This book will either be amazing or I will mock it mercilessly. There will be no in between, you can just tell.
Biggest disappointment.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. People rave so much about this book/series/author. I bet they organize sacrifices to it. With all the wonderful things I heard about it I expected to at least like this book, if not be over the moon for it. I wasn’t. I hated it quite passionately. I’m considering changing my review on Goodreads from two stars to one I hated it so much.
Biggest surprise.
24690 by A. A. Dark. I had not read a horror/thriller/whatever in a long time before I picked up this book. I can’t even really remember what drew me to it but I recall having that I MUST READ THIS BOOK feeling when I first spotted it. 24690 is definitely not for the faint of heart but for me at the time, it really hit the spot.
Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)
Pierce Brown, hands down. I hadn’t read any of his books, heard about him, nothing before 2017. How did that even happen? I’m so glad I picked up his Red Rising series. He has become one of my favorite authors. Not to mention his snarky, sharp humor on twitter gives me the jollies. Seems like a good guy that writes amazing books.
Newest fictional crush.
Striker from Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell mysteries. Granted, I have been completely obsessed with Raybourn’s books lately but Stoker would be amazing either way. Intelligent, resourceful, a bit prickly, and his roguish eyepatch all together make a fairly irresistible character.
Newest favorite character.
I’ve pondered this one for several minutes while browsing the list of books I’ve read this year and no character is really standing out for me as an overall favorite. There have been several I’ve enjoyed but none jump out enough to be considered a favorite. Hm…
Book that made you cry.
Literal tears? Nothing. The closest I got was a sense of fury when a certain character died in Golden Son by Pierce Brown. So many characters died in that book so I’ll leave you to guess which one.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
While I am certainly got a fan of Caraval by Stephanie Garber I can’t deny that the cover for it is absolutely striking. The one I have shown here is the US cover but the UK cover is equally as beautiful.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Any that strike my fancy? I don’t make a reading list and stick to it, I just read whatever gives me that spark in the moment. I have a nice TBR list on Goodreads and then I end up just picking up something at random. You never know.
Favorite Book Community Member (Blogger, Booktuber and Bookstagrammer)
I love browsing through other reading blogs. There are a few that I will typically click on no matter what the topic is but for the most part I’m happy to browse and try to appreciate the wide variety of opinions and reading tastes in the community. Even though I do occasionally roll my eyes…
That’s all folks! I hope you have had a great first half of 2017 and feel free to leave a link to your mid-year tag in the comments.
What Cats Do – Book Tag
Guys, I originally wrote this in February and just found it hanging out in my drafts. Looks like I had finished it, don’t know why I didn’t put it up. Here it is now in all its belated glory!
I love when I stumble across a good book tag. I love books. I love cats. When I saw this tag over at Thrice Read I had to do it. Combine books and cats? Don’t mind if I do!
This is my fluffy companion. I took this picture of him earlier this evening in his natural mode – Dorkapotomus. His name is Pogo and he actually fell asleep like that, snoring and all. I stood there waiting for a good five minutes for him to fall off. He didn’t. I was disappointed. I would have considered it comeuppance for his chewing on my toes in the middle of the night. (Ignore the Christmas window clings I haven’t removed yet. The kiddo likes to play with them.)
PURR- AS CATS DO THIS WHEN THEY’RE HAPPY OR RELAXED, WHAT IS THE BOOK THAT MAKES YOU HAPPIEST OR RELAXED?
There is one book that always gives me the warm and fuzzies. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – good conquers over evil with persistence and determination despite adversity.
SLEEP- WHAT IS A BOOK THAT PUT YOU TO SLEEP OR WAS JUST BORING?
Most recently it was Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I had to drag myself through that book. I wanted to love it like so many other people did but it just wasn’t there for me. The characters were so predictable and the build up took forever.
TWITCH WHILE DREAMING- HAVE YOU EVER DREAMT OF A BOOK YOU READ?
Oh heavens yes. I am a vivid dreamer. The last one I clearly remember was from A Gathering of Shadows by VE Schwab. I dreamed that I was at the ball looking out over the red river, sizing up my competition for the games. I was going to kick some major booty.
SEEMS TO PLAY NICE…UNTIL THE CLAWS ARE OUT- WHICH BOOK HAD THE BIGGEST PLOT TWIST(S)?
Just from books I’ve read so far in 2017 I’d say A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. Really good book and when I got to the twist I couldn’t put it down. Devoured the last third of the book.
CUDDLES- WHICH BOOK CHARACTER WOULD YOU GIVE A HUG TO?
I genuinely have no idea. Most of the books I read have brutal murders, strong women, or a whole group of characters I hate. None of them I particular want to display physical affection towards.
CATNIP- WHAT’S A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAVE WARM AND FUZZY FEELS?
I already mentioned that Bitterblue gives me the warm and fuzzies. Other than that I can’t really think of another book that does that for me. Several leave me excited, frustrated, or sobbing in corners but warm fuzzies don’t come along very often.
CAT BREEDS- WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS?
Currently I am head over heels for VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic books. I also love Christopher Fowler’s Bryant and May series. His characters are quirky and often a bit grumpy and the mysteries they solve are complex and complicated. Great series.
GETTING THE CAT- HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR FAVORITE BOOK(S).
Goodreads and other reader recommendations for the most part. I am a sucker for a picking up a book for it’s cover, too, and have found a few great books that way.
THE VET’S OFFICE- YOUR LEAST FAVORITE BOOK.
From all of the books marked “read” on my Goodreads list, only one has the distinction of getting only one star. SeQuence (The Heart of the Ocean #1) by Lorraine M.L.M. It is the worst book I have ever read and I’ve read some bad smut in the past.
BEING IN PLACES THEY SHOULDN’T- LEAST FAVORITE CLICHÉ.
I would have to go with a female protagonist needing a man/significant other to complete her or her story line. – I’m stealing this answer from Thrice Read because it couldn’t be more true.
FINAL QUESTION: THE GOOD OLD CARDBOARD BOX- MOST UNDERRATED BOOK SERIES.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. She is planning to write seven books for this series, the third came out in March 2017, and I adore them. I’ve read the first two at least six times and I do not get tired of them. There are some seriously harsh criticisms out there for The Bone Season and I just don’t understand it. They are amazing!
Some of my answers would have been different if I had written this recently instead of months ago but I am still so amused at myself that I left them as is. Happy Friday, everyone!
Throwback Thursday – June 22
Renee began this Throwback Thursday meme at Its Book Talk as a way to share some of her old favorites as well as sharing books that she wants to read that were published over a year ago. Books that were published over a year ago are almost always easier to find at libraries or at a discounted sale price. As I have been sifting through my TBR list and purging those books that no longer hold my interest, I came across several from years past that I’d love to share with you!
Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor
Published: August 2012
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.04
“Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.”
The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. ‘He never says please’, she sighed, but she gathered up her things.
When Brimstone called, she always came.
In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she’s a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in ‘Elsewhere’, she has never understood Brimstone’s dark work – buying teeth from hunters and murderers – nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn’t whole.
Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought
I know it’s not just me that sees Laini Taylor’s books everywhere. Her newest release, Strange the Dreamer, appears to be incredibly popular. But you know what? I was being shallow and a little odd and refused to look up books by Taylor because I hate the cover (US) of Strange the Dreamer so much. I mean, it is an intense hate. Don’t ask me why, I can’t figure it out myself. I’m being a terrible person and judging a book by it’s horrendous cover.
However, I stumbled across Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the story synopsis certainly interests me. My local library currently has it on hold for me and I’ll be picking it up today. I’m trying not to judge it by the fact that the Goodreads description compares it to Twilight. How did the publishers ever think that comparison was a good selling point? Boy, I’m being a negative Nancy. I think I’ll go brew some coffee and read a few pages of my current book before the day has to begin. Happy Thursday, everyone!
Literary Weaponry 