I’m back with another book tag! This one is called ‘The 20 Questions Book Tag,’ and it should be fairly self-explanatory! But I’m hoping it’ll also be a bit of fun

How many books are too many books in a series?

I think it kind of depends? I care less about the number in the series and more about the content. If a series is still going strong, I never want to see it end! But if the series feels like it’s winding down, I’d rather it end when it’s thematically appropriate instead of stretching it on forever (granted, this is more of an issue for television shows, but my point still stands).

Personally, I love getting into series, especially if I can catch them early on! I’ll confess that sometimes looking at a series with a 15 book backlog can be intimidating since I have so many other books to read. Yet so far, I haven’t had the opportunity to regret binging a series that large.

How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I think this one is very dependent on context. Is there another book coming out soon? Or did the series end that way? Sometimes a series gets canceled without warning, so it gets stuck in a perpetual cliffhanger. Nobody loves it when that happens.

But if it’s a cliffhanger that fits in with the story being told, and I know that there will be another book in the next year or two? I don’t mind it. Don’t get me wrong! That ending will absolutely get under my skin; that’s the whole point. But it wouldn’t force me to give up the series or anything like that.

For example, it feels like every book in Scott Westerfeld’s latest series (Impostors) has had a cliffhanger ending of sorts. It’s a great mechanic to get dedicated fans excited for the next novel, as long as it is done carefully.

Hardback or paperback?

Why not both? Both have different uses and appeals. Hardcovers have the best collection value and can be stunning! Plus, I tend to read hardcovers faster and love that they’ll (usually) stay open on my lap. Unless a cat goes and sits on top of it…that happens sometimes.

Meanwhile, paperbacks are nice and portable, meaning that I can take them virtually anywhere. Plus, they’re more affordable, which is always appreciated! Though for me, paperbacks do have one downside, which is that reading for hours will cause hand cramps (again, I deal with chronic pain, so this is a concern for me).

I guess if I was forced to choose (thankfully, that is not the case), I would have to go with hardcovers. Plus, it’s so easy to find companies selling collector’s editions these days, which is both fun and dangerous.

Favorite book?

Ugh. Why do you have to ask me that question? I’m already an extremely indecisive person, and I love SO many books that this feels like an impossible question to answer. I’m going to cheat and respond with a series (sorry, not sorry). One of the series I keep coming back to lately is The Murderbot Diaries. I’ve read every book half a dozen times and play the audiobooks on loop when I’m stressed.

They’re the book equivalent of comfort food to me. I love Murderbot’s sardonic humor, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the way Martha Wells portrays the world or events. It’s precisely what I’m looking for in a series.

Least favorite book?

This one is tough. Usually, when I dislike a book, I’ll just DNF it and move on with my life. So I don’t really get time to form an active disdain. I guess there is one shining exception to this rule. Between middle school and college, I had to read the same freaken book four times for English. It was not a book I enjoyed, but I actually read it each time since I cared about my grades.

Every single time I felt a piece of my soul die. What book, you ask? The Death of a Salesman. I distinctly remember a conversation I had with my professor following the fourth reading of said book. He was surprised that I sat down and read it in one night instead of reading it over the week (as assigned). I promptly told him that I just had to see Willy Loman die again. So yeah, I might not have positive associations with that book.

Disclaimer: No offense to anybody who loved this book. My main gripe was my frustration with the lack of variety and diversity in my school’s reading selection. I was sick to death of seeing the same books over and over again when there are so many excellent books to choose from.

Love triangles, yes or no?

I could take them or leave them. It’s not a trope that I relish, but when supplementing the plot (and done carefully), it can turn out to be beneficial.

The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

It’s been a hot minute since I came across a book I couldn’t/wouldn’t finish. I guess I’ve been fortunate in my picks lately! I can’t remember the title, but I remember that it started out with a graphic depiction of animal death, so I noped right out of that one.

A book you’re currently reading?

I’m (mostly) between books at the moment. I say ‘mostly’ because I am slowly making my way through one specific audiobook: Descent of Angels by Mitchel Scanlon. It’s actually terrific, but it takes a lot of focus, so I’ve only been listening to a chapter here and there as I have time.

Otherwise, I just finished Not a Happy Family and intend to start The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina next.

Last book you recommended to someone?

56 Days. My mom was asking for a decent thriller with an ending that actually held up to the main story (we’ve been getting a lot of books with endings that disappoint lately), and I suggested 56 Days to her. For those curious, she loved it as much as I did. Proving that when it comes to thrillers, at least we have the same taste.

Oldest book you’ve read?

Oh wow. Interesting question. I would have to assume/guess that it would be The Odyssey or The Iliad, unsurprisingly.

Newest book you’ve read?

I’ve been working through a lot of ARCs (advanced reading copies) lately, so any number of those! I’m currently (at the time of writing this) reading through September and October 2021 releases. Most of these books have come through Netgalley, for those wondering.

Favorite author?

Um. I have around half a dozen favorite authors? I know! I’m so bad. I guess if I had to pick a top favorite, it’d be Ilona Andrews. Yes, even that is technically cheating, as Ilona Andrews is the pen name of Ilona and Andrew Gordon. Whoops.

I also adore Seanan McGuire, Martha Wells, Faith Hunter, and Karen Chance. I could probably keep listing authors, but I’ll force myself to stop there for now.

Buying books or borrowing books?

Currently, I’m doing more buying (and getting arcs through Netgalley and the like). I moved during the pandemic and haven’t had a chance to head to my local library yet. However! I have followed them on Facebook, and they seem absolutely incredible. 100 times better than my previous town’s library (I hate having to say that), so I am extremely excited to head over and get a new library card with them. Then I’ll likely start borrowing way too many books and rushing to keep up with everything I have. It’ll be worth it.

A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

Hrm. I feel like there were several times this year when I picked up a thriller everyone was gushing about, only to be disappointed with it. However, the book that comes to mind here is The Pact by Jodie Picoult.

The Pact was a book club read back when I was in school, and I distinctly remember sitting there, in a room full of people who loved the book. I thought to myself: “If I open my mouth right now, I’m going to make so many enemies.” So I shut up and kept my thoughts to myself because I was super shy in school.

Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks! Not only do I not want to damage my books, but I have such a vast bookmark collection. It would be a waste for me not to use them. However, I will confess that when I was younger, I did dog-ear some books. (Don’t kill me!)

A book you can always reread?

My go-to reread (other than The Murderbot Diaries, which I already discussed) would have to be Pride and Prejudice. I reread that book just about every year, usually around the wintertime. It is arguably the book I have read the most in my life, and I have several copies because of it. I’m also willing to read retellings of Pride and Prejudice, including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I’m weird like that.

Can you read while listening to music?

Yes! In fact, I almost always need some sort of background sound when I’m reading. I have music playing almost all the time, usually just streaming away on YouTube. I’m one of those who doesn’t like silence, especially not when I’m trying to concentrate. It helps that music can cover up more distracting sounds.

One POV or multiple POVs?

Both? I hate that I’ve been ambivalent with so many of these answers, but it’s true. Honestly, it really depends on the format of the book. Sometimes multiple POVs are really required to get the point across, and I’ll find myself really enjoying the different perspectives.

Other times, one POV is enough, and it’s easy to get into that singular narrative and frame of mind. I have no preference to either, so I won’t actively choose or avoid one or the other.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Except for audiobooks, I’ll usually read a book in one sitting. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Sometimes it’ll take me a day or three to read a book, especially if it is dense or makes me stop and think (I love those).

I have to admit that I just really enjoy settling in and read a whole book in one go. Even if I get interrupted, I’ll usually try to come back and finish the book as quickly as possible.

Who do you tag?

I choose to tag Booksphobias and One Book More.