#NotAll Book Tag

Hey! 😀

Here’s another book tag I was tagged for AND it was created by one of my fav bloggers, the Orangutan Librarian.

The tag focuses on exceptions to things us book bloggers often rant about. Such as:

#NotAll Cover Changes — A cover change you liked

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

From right to left: the original U.K. cover by Cliff Wright, the original U.S. cover by Mary Grandpré, the updated 2014 cover by Jonny Duddle, the updated 2013 cover by Kazu Kibuishi.

I did a whole post on Harry Potter book covers because of how much I like the updated 2013 U.S. and 2014 U.K. covers. I tried to choose something different for this question, but was unable to. I do not buy multiple copies of a single book, but I did so with the Harry Potter books because I so love the 2014 U.S. covers illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. Actually, I didn’t purchase them but instead received them as a gift, which made it all even sweeter. Of the covers by Kibuishi, my favorite is probably the Chamber of Secrets because I love the colors in the illustration and that we get a look at the Burrow. I think that cover was the first I’d seen an illustration of the Burrow.

#NotAll Adaptations — An adaptation you love more than the book

Carrie by Stephen King

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

I didn’t like Carrie, the novel, at all but I’ve enjoyed many of the movie adaptations for it. And I do prefer the Lord of the Rings movies over the books. I’ve only read the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, but was bored by much of it, so I plan to continue the trilogy by audiobook to see if that’s better. Only The Hobbit kept my interest, but I didn’t like that movie adaptation.

#NotAll Tropes — A trope you’ll never tire of seeing

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

That would be the farm-boy/girl-learns-they’re-special-and-must-save-the-world trope, a.k.a. “the chosen one.” I just enjoy reading about individuals learning that they have super powers or abilities and must train to master them.

In Eragon, a farm boy learns that he’s one of the fabled dragon riders of his world. I’m currently rereading the series. The first book, Eragon, was great, but I struggled to reread the second, Eldest, because it was so boring. I plan to reread the third, Brisingr, this year.

#NotAll Instalove — You instaloved this instacouple

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Umm… I think the major romance in this story is instalove and since I don’t mind it (I love it, actually), I’ll use it as my answer.

The Night Circus is about two magicians competing to see who’s better. Their “stage” is a circus that’s only open at night. It’s such a great read and I highly recommend it. It’s a favorite. I so love the writing.

#NotAll Love Triangles — An example of a love triangle done well

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Well, I’ve only read the first book of the trilogy, Snow Like Ashes, so I don’t know if I’ll agree with the love triangle in the story once I’ve completed the trilogy. But so far, I don’t mind it, which is the best I can say about love triangles.

Snow Like Ashes is a YA fantasy novel about a girl seeking to restore magic to her lands and help free her enslaved people. It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but that’s the gist of the story. I really enjoyed it when I read it and would love to reread it and continue with the other books. I LOVE the cover. That’s why I decided to purchase the book.

#NotAll Parents — Bookish parents that, you know, parent!

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

I now realize that I haven’t read many books featuring good parents or MG/YA books in which there are parents. However, I think there is some good parenting in The Impossible Fortress seen in the actions of the protagonist, Billy’s, mom and the father of the girl Billy grows to like.

The Impossible Fortress is a YA historical novel (I guess it is. It’s set in the ’80s) about the antics of a teenage boy and his friends who’re trying to buy a copy of Playboy. It was an okay story, but I enjoyed reading it. The cover above is the ARC cover, which is way cooler than the actual cover.

#NotAll Villains — A villain you love

Cersei Lannister

Lord Walder Frey

Thomas Eichorst

Haha! I was just thinking about villains last night (or was it this morning?). These are my current top three. I’m currently listening to George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones by audiobook and was reminded of how much I love Cersei Lannister. Both Cersei and Lord Frey are horrible people but I can’t help it, I like their characters. Lord Frey is hilarious! He’s a total smartass, crotchety old man. I like the part where he talks at length with Catelyn Stark, who was trying to gain passage for Rob’s army.

Thomas Eichorst is from The Strain TV show that aired on FX. The Strain is an adaptation of a sci-fi/horror novel of the same name by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan about a vampire apocalypse. Eichorst is also a horrible human being/vampire, but I like him. I think he’s funny too.

#NotAll Chosen Ones — A chosen one you can get behind

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

I think this one puts a spin on the “chosen one” trope by leaving it somewhat open to interpretation.

The Curse of Chalion is one of my favorite novels read last year. It’s a fantasy novel about a veteran soldier who seeks the aid of gods to protect his princess.

#NotAll Hyped Books — A book that lived up to the acclaim

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Another great read that was a favorite of last year. I always have doubts about celebrity memoirs, so I was surprised to find this one funny and informative.

Born a Crime is Noah’s autobiography about growing up in South Africa in the shadow of apartheid.

#NotAll *Insert Favorite Genre* — A book you’re not keen on from your favorite genre

Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind

Not only is it from my favorite genre, it’s also based on my favorite trope: the chosen one, the farm-boy-who-learns-he’s-special-and-must-save-the-world. Unfortunately, I didn’t get on well with this book. I hated the instalove and the characters do dumb things that were pointless. I was considering to reread it to see if my feelings toward it has changed, but apparently they are still strong.

Umm…so the trope basically says what it’s about. A boy learns he’s special and must help save the world…and he also instantly falls in love.

#NotAll *Insert Least Favorite Genre* — A book you liked from a genre you don’t often read

The Quick and the Dead

My least liked genre for both books and movies is western. I just don’t like it. I’ve never read a western novel and have only watched a few western flicks. However, of the ones I’ve watched, The Quick and the Dead is my favorite, probably because it features a badass woman and probably because it’s the only western I’ve watched multiple times.

All done. 🙂