It’s time for another book tag! (Okay, I’m actually quite overdue. Whatever). This week I’m doing the 10 Books Challenge. I don’t know who created this tag, but the earliest incarnation I’ve spotted was by A Rambling Reviewer. So thank you, A Rambling Reviewer!

The Rules:

• List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way.
• Do not take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard.
• They do not have to be the “right” books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way.
• Paste these instructions and tag 10 friends.

A Book That Made Me Think: All Systems Red by Martha Wells

So, why did I pick All Systems Red? I guess I would have picked all of Murderbot Diaries if I could have. I’m addicted to this series, and it is the series I have done the most theory-crafting for. So naturally, it was the first thing that came to mind when I considered a “book that made me think.” Am I skirting the rules a little bit? Maybe. But I am being honest about what first comes to mind.

A Book That Surprised Me: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

I read Gideon the Ninth early in the Gideon-hype phase, so I was UNPREPARED for how much I would love this book. Seriously. It blew me away and continues to blow me away with each read. The humor is all sorts of surprising, including hidden memes and other internet references. Not what I was expecting, but very much something I loved.

A Book That Made Me Happy: Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews

Recently the latest Ilona Andrews book was released, and it was a return to the Kate Daniels world- one of my favorite series of all time (seriously, do not underestimate how much I love this series). It made me so happy I nearly cried. This novella was a hit right to the feels, and I loved every minute of it. And now I want to reread the whole series (again). So yeah, Magic Tides counts for this section!

A Book That Made Me Sad: Saga, Volume 10

Okay, if we’re being honest here, almost all of Saga has made me sad. And yet I keep reading it, go figure (sorry to all the friends that I have made read this series alongside me). However, the last two volumes have been pretty rough. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil it, but it certainly made me sad. To put it lightly.

A Book That Made Me Feel Nostalgic: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Ah. The Secret Garden will always make me feel nostalgic. I loved the book and the movie as a child; both hit in different ways. When I think of either, I remember the family I have lost, who loved this world with me. It makes me a little bit sad, in a bittersweet way. It also reminds me of all the good times and is certainly part of the reason why I love gardening as much as I do.

A Book I Have A Love/Hate Relationship With: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Okay, so this one took me a minute to think about. It was hard for me to find a book that I both loved and hated. Ultimately, Mockingjay was the first one to come to mind. I love it when a series ends at the planned time, but I also hate goodbyes. So that alone makes it a love/hate for me. But more than that, I didn’t love how this particular series ended while absolutely loving certain elements of it. It left me feeling all mixed up, exactly as a love/hate relationship would.

A Book That I Have Re-Read The Most: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I think most avid readers have that one book they return to time and time again. For me, it’s Pride and Prejudice. Whenever the winter blues start getting me real bad (read: every freaking winter!), I pick it up and read through it. It’s become my “I need help coping” book, and I’ve probably read it over a hundred times. I wish I was joking.

A Book That Made Me Want to Travel: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Honestly, any traveling circus-themed book will make me get the urge to travel. I think it’s inherent to the plot. So my answer is probably a little obvious and plain, but it’s also the truth. I enjoyed the magical elements woven into this particular story, which is probably why it came to mind so quickly.

A Book That Gave Me All The Feels: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Many books have given me all the feels, even if I just look at the last month’s worth of reads. However, one of the standouts from the last year has to be Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same moment, this is the book to read.

A Book That I Wish I Hadn’t Read: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Is there a book I regret reading? I guess I’d have to pick Death of a Salesman. To be clear! I don’t hate that I read this book. I hate that it got assigned to me FIVE TIMES during high school and college. Why did I have to read it so much? Why couldn’t we have read a different book by a different author? When I look back and see the lack of diversity in my school reading and then see how many times I read books like these, it makes me want to scream.

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