I’m supposed to be telling you about the Scalia book today, but uh… The world has been a rough place so it was either a book tag or me squealing about the Scorpius Syndrome books 3 and 4, which would have been spoiler filled so… Now we’re going to do a book tag! On September 17, 2017, Monica Hay created The Astrology Book Tag on YouTube and I’m super excited about it. There’s also a Zodiac Book Tag, which is also likely coming your way soon because fun questions! So let’s get started!
1. Aquarius: a book that made you think outside the box.
I’m going with Dude You’re a Fag by C.J. Pascoe, which is a non-fiction book I had to read for my Men and Masculinities class and is the only one of those books I’ve actually put on my Goodreads completed non-fiction list. I can’t remember the others… Anyway, this book (and that class) was when my feminism finally started to be actual feminism. I learned so much that semester about intersectionality and it really challenged my perceptions of gender roles, my internalized misogyny, etc. I’m far from perfect now, but I can definitely credit my Women’s Studies minor for challenging my opinions and making me think through views I had for no real reason. This told you nothing about the book, so sorry about that. Basically, it was a sociological study of a high school and how masculinity was displayed in this high school.
2. Pisces: a book that was dreamy and made you feel like you were reading a hug.
I wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret this, but I think the best answer I could give is Dress Codes for Small Towns, which, as you may recall, I am obsessed with. I’ve linked my review to the side for you, in case you’re curious. It’s a book about friendship, identity, and finding love in a small town when you maybe don’t adhere to gender norms and you’re also maybe not heterosexual. It’s excellent and definitely feels like someone’s giving you a hug. Or, perhaps more apt, that you really want to give the characters a hug, join their friend group, and make some corn dolly’s. I highly recommend it.
3. Aries: a book with a courageous main character.
I thought about being stereotypical and going with Harry Potter because Gryffindor, obviously, but I thought I would go with Seraphina from The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean. This was the July Book of the Month, which I absolutely adored. I’m choosing this book because I think Sera was incredibly brave. She left her husband, started a bar, asked for a divorce in front of Parliament, and really chose her own path. I think that’s a type of bravery that is too often overlooked, but it is a type of bravery I need to channel right now. Believing in yourself and knowing what you deserve can be a struggle, but it’s worth it. Hopefully.
4. Taurus: a book that you can always depend on and return to.
Ooh, this is a tough one. I’m not much of a re-read kind of person, honestly, with the exception of Harry Potter, which I’ve read a thousand times, and Throne of Glass, which I keep re-reading because I have to figure things out. I’m going to go with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban though because it’s perfect. The illustrated edition comes out on October 3, 2017 and I’m very excited!
5. Gemini: a book that had two equally interesting sides.
I have no idea what to think about this one… Like a dual perspective book? If so, I could pick almost any romance novel and I’ll obviously choose Hate to Want You because I’m not over my complete obsession with this book and am DYING for the sequel. Alisha Rai is so incredibly talented, y’all. If you haven’t given her a shot yet, you really need to.
6. Cancer: a book that nurtured you in a time of need.
Oh boy. I think I’m going to go with A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean, if only because it gave me romance novels in general, which helped me survive law school and the bar exam with my sanity mostly in tact. Also, just Sarah MacLean came into my life at a time when I needed her and I’m forever grateful for Sarah J. Maas mentioning her in a newsletter, which sparked the necessity of reading all of them. Can you tell I love Sarah MacLean? I feel like I talk about her literally every time I get a chance, but I just adore her so much!
7. Leo: a book that felt larger than life.
Oh… Um… Can I say Harry Potter again? No? Fine. A Court of Mist and Fury. Yes, this is the second book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, but it is also my favorite ever so I don’t care if this doesn’t make sense. ACOMAF is perfect and wonderful and it expanded the world of ACOTAR so much and it is AMAZING and I really just don’t have words to explain to you how perfect it is. But if you haven’t read it, you need to. It’s just so good. SO GOOD.
8. Virgo: a book with a conscientious main character.
You know… I think I’m going to go with Chaol from Throne of Glass. This might seem like an odd choice, but he’s so bound by duty and trying to always do the right thing that he can be incredibly annoying. But, he’s also rather admirable in his efforts to be a “good person” who adheres to his duty and all that jazz. Also I just finished Tower of Dawn and had to read about how he felt so bad for not living up to his word and just eye roll after eye roll, tbh. But then he redeemed himself finally and I was like YOU’RE A REAL PERSON. So I don’t know if he’s the best choice, but he’s my pick for this one.
9. Libra: a book that charmed your socks off.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. This book is everything and it has Levi so what more do you need? You may (or may not) know that I have Fangirl listed in my Top Ten books because of how much I adore it. It’s easily one of my favorite books of all time. Hm, maybe I should re-read this one soon? If you haven’t read it, it’s about Cath and her twin sister, Wren, who go off to college and experience typical growing pains. There’s the perfect mix of fandom and every day life. Plus Levi. For real. LEVI.
10. Scorpio: a book that made you want to improve yourself.
Uh… Oh boy. I have no idea. Maybe Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes? We’re going with it. I read this on my commute last summer and I remember crying and laughing to myself on the bus so I was totally that girl. So sorry. Anyway, Year of Yes is Shonda’s memoir about her life-changing decision to start saying yes to things that scared her. This changed her entire life and her outlook on life, it seemed. I don’t know if you’ve noticed that Shonda has been a lot more public about herself since she did this project. Although I wouldn’t say I’ve fully embraced the concept, I have been working on taking more risks and challenging myself since reading this. Either way, I was very inspired by the book and Shonda Rhimes as a person, generally speaking. I think she’s amazing.
11. Sagittarius: a book that made you feel optimistic about life.
Hm… Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, maybe? We’re going with it. I really loved this book. It’s becoming a movie that releases next year called Love, Simon and I’m beyond excited for that! Basically, the book is about Simon who has a pen pal of sorts (email) from his school and this person (code named Blue) is the only person he’s really “out” to. And then he gets sort of blackmailed to keep his secret by this random guy who wants to date Simon’s friend Abby. This dude is not particularly awful aside from this, so it’s unclear why exactly he can’t be a normal human and just talk to Abby, but anyways. The book is great and when Simon does come out, everyone is supportive, even though Leah and Nick are a little affronted that he didn’t tell them. AND THE BLUE REVEAL. Oh man. So many people say they guessed it, but uh, I was not one of them. I believe this book is listed in my July Wrap Up so that’s linked over to the side.
12. Capricorn: A book with a steady and ambitious story arc.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Have I talked about this book enough yet? I feel like that’s impossible, so here we go! Six of Crows is amazing. AH-MAZING. I would highly recommend that you read this book on Audible because it’s beautiful and wonderful. Having a full cast narrating this book is just so amazing and the characters give life to this book and the narrators really bring them to life. It feels indescribable because yes, it’s a heist, but also, it’s just an adventure. And a band of morally grey characters who come together and form bonds and attachments to each other.
So if you’re reading this, I tag you! If you don’t want to do the full tag, answer the Libra question (A Book that Charmed Your Socks Off) in the comments for me because I’m a Libra and it’s also Libra time right now.
Till next time.
xx
firewhiskeyreader 