the Book Courtship tag

Now that the introductory post is out of the way, it's time to get onto the very first tag of this new blog of mine!

I saw this tag on Raeleen's channel, though majority who did it said they got it from Jesse's. Don't know if you know this, but padfootandprongs07 is my favourite Booktuber only because she reads more contemporaries than the rest, which is my most-read genre :)

Phase 1 – Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover.

So I was walking into Kinokuniya Jem, barely reaching the Young Adults section when I spot this book. It stood out so well and it was the first book, maybe the only book, I noticed.

I have this thing with butterflies, and this book was the only one on the shelves that had its cover out, the rest being just spines. It didn't just drew me in, it completely sucked me. Its title can only be seen when you hold it at a certain angle: Drop, by Katie Everson. "An honest account of a teenager's experiences with drugs", according to this blurb on the back.

Phase 2 – First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary.

Here's a book I took for its summary, among the books which I took for their covers. 

Stumbled upon this book during the SG50 Warehouse Sale early last month. It was a lucky find, hiding among the $4 books, but going for just 2 bucks; Just Like Fate, by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young. 

This summary reminded me of Kasie West's Pivot Point, which concept I found interesting. I may not have enjoyed it that much but it blew my mind to think about alternate universes and such. Also, any book that has a grandmother is sure to tear my heart apart, which is a great reason to bring a book home ;)

Phase 3 – Sweet Talk: A book with great writing. 

Not only is that cover gorgeous, but so is the writing of Leslye Walton's The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. The way it was written didn't just captivate me but it also made me picture breathtaking scenes, as if I was really there, in that era and place.

This doesn't happen very often, being able to picture a clear setting of a book. But for this, it was easy simply because of the writing.

Phase 4 – First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series. 

I picked up Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel the middle of last year, not expecting to like it. Books with werewolves, vampires, the such, weren't really my thing. [they still aren't.] But I fell for the first Infernal Devices book, hook line and sinker!

While everyone around Booktube and Bookstagram are obsessing over Will Herondale, there I was head over heels in love with Theresa Gray. I just love her strong humble demeanour, her love for books, and her grey eyes. Gosh. She's probably my first fictional girlfriend ever.

Phase 5 – Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night. 

Honestly, I seldom read books late at night, because I cannot stay up alone anytime after 11 without music. And with music playing, I tend to lose focus on what I'm reading.

I've shamelessly joined in the trend of adult colouring books, and my current favourite late night activity is filling in Johanna Basford's Enchanted Forest with Taylor Swift's Red and 1989 albums playing in the background. [those 2 will always be my most favourite Swift eras!]

Phase 6 – Always on my mind: A book you couldn’t stop thinking about.

I finished this book at the airport, a few minutes shy of midnight. I could not stop sobbing, and it didn't help that the first song that shuffled on my playlist was Rihanna's Stay. It suited so perfectly with My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga. You'll know why if you read the book.

And even a few weeks after, I could not stop thinking about Aysel and Roman. )':

 Phase 7 – Getting Physical: A book which you love the way it feels.

I have this habit of fingering the corner of the page on the right side, like what you'd do before turning a page. I do this very often no matter what book, even after I just turned from the previous page, because I just love running my thumb along the paper. It feels really nice! Try it.

 Phase 8 – Meeting the parents: A book you would recommend to your family and friends. 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman was not a book I was expecting to like. I have this mindset of If people who don't usually read likes it, I won't. But I was wrong with this book. The movie made it a million times worse; I've watched it so many times and I still cry each time. Any book or movie that focuses on the relationship with parents and a little brother will always break my heart.

I know my family don't read, but I'd definitely want them to watch the movie adaptation.

Phase 9 – Thinking about the future: A book or series you know you will re-read many times in the future? 

I wasn't one of the fangirls who was anticipating Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games before the movies came out. In fact, I only read the books after I watched Catching Fire; and even then I hadn't even watched the first one yet.

I bought the boxset because I didn't know what was going on and needed the books to enlighten me, but I didn't expect to get hooked. Completely devoured the first 2 books, taking just a day each, along with two days for Mockingjay. They were easy reads, and in a way mirror the society we live in now. Would definitely reread this modern classic series in the future :)

 Phase 10 – Share the love: Who do you tag?

Anyone who wants to do this of course! But there's nobody reading this blog yet, so nevermind.

So there's the first tag post for my new blog. Pictures credits to me :)