Books as First Dates Tag

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I was delighted when I was tagged by Sweaters & Raindrops to do this fun ‘Books as First Dates’ tag! Thank you so much for the tag Siren – I really appreciate it and I’m sorry it took me so long to get the post together.

If you don’t follow Sweaters & Raindrops already, please do go and take a look. She writes well-structured and in-depth reviews, reads a wonderful variety of genres, as well as being a friendly and supportive member of the blogging community.

The Rules

1. Link back to the original tag by Alice @ Love for Words.
2. Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.
3. Tag 5+ bloggers.
4. Have fun!

My answers are below:

FIRST AND LAST: A book/series you’ve read and enjoyed, but can’t bring yourself to read again.

The Dreamseeker Trilogy by Jenny Oldfield.

This was my favourite book ever when I was a child! It’s a fantasy trilogy inspired by Native American folklore. I keep meaning to reread it but am also worried that it won’t seem as magical in adulthood.

It’s also drastically under-rated with only about two reviews on Amazon (one of which is me!) so please do check it out if you’re intrigued by the concept.

WITH A FRIEND OF MY FRIEND: A book/series someone recommended to you that turned out to be different from what you had expected

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

This was one of my book club’s picks a few years ago – my copy had a rose on the cover so for some reason I assumed I was going into a sweet, Austen-esque romance! Needless to say, I was in for a bit of a surprise…

The story was much darker than I expected, with a deliciously Gothic vibe. It ended up becoming a firm favourite – I highly recommend it!

DOUBLE DATE: A book whose sequel you immediately had to read.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood.

I am a hardcore fan of  Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale – it’s one of my top reads of all time. So, needless to say, I was very excited when I heard that a sequel was finally coming! Although my experience of The Testaments wasn’t quite the same as reading The Handmaid’s Tale for the first time, I think the two novels complement each other well.

LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES: A book/series that should be adapted to the screen.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

As I was reading The Silent Patient I remember thinking that it would make a tense and thrilling film. Well, it turns out I should be a talent spotter or something! While researching my review, I came across several rumours that there’s a movie in the making…

You can read my full review of The Silent Patient here.

 

DREAMY STARGAZING: A book that made you go ahhhh and ohhhh.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

I read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt last summer and it’s one of the most emotional books I have ever read. Especially the character of Boris, who absolutely melted my heart!

I would recommend the film adaptation as well – for some reason, it’s been a bit slated by critics but I loved it! It really did justice to the complex and lovable characters from the book (including, of course, Boris).

You can read my full review of The Goldfinch in all its emotional messiness here.

FUN AT THE FAIR: A book full of colours.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

The Night Circus was the book that made me fall in love with fantasy again – it was so immersive and imaginative. Now I really want to read Morgenstern’s next novel The Starless Sea, so I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it!

You can read my full review of The Night Circus here.

AMUSEMENT PARK ADVENTURE: A book that was a rollercoaster.

The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.

A crime novel written from the perpetrator’s perspective, which somehow makes you sympathise with him even though he is completely, irredeemably evil? Sign me up.

You can read my full review of The Talented Mr Ripley here.

PICNIC WITH CHERRIES: A book whose food descriptions made you feel all *heart eyes*.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman.

Okay, not exactly *heart eyes* but the improvised recipes of the female prisoners in Orange is the New Black did make me laugh! I particularly remember Kerman’s detailed descriptions of how she made something resembling a strawberry cheesecake concoction using only a microwave and some pretty grim ingredients.

TRIP TO THE MUSEUM: A book that taught you valuable stuff.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo.

This ambitious, polyvocal novel provided so many different perspectives on the Black, British female experience. I even found myself Googling some issues raised that I knew little about, such as colour-blind casting.

You can read my full review of Girl, Woman, Other here.

Thank you again for the tag Siren! I really enjoyed reading your answers and joining in myself.

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I’ve had a look and it seems that lots of bloggers have done this tag already (I’m a bit behind!) so I won’t be tagging anyone on this occasion. However, if you haven’t participated yet, please do feel free to join in! I look forward to reading your answers 🙂