Hello everyone,
It is my first tag post of 2022 and this is one that I found on Livy’s blog just the other day. As soon as I saw the questions and prompts, I knew that I wanted to have a go at answering them myself, so let’s get straight on with it!
Your go-to genre or favourite type of book:
It used to be domestic and psychological thrillers, and out of habit that is still the section I head towards first whenever I enter a bookstore. However, my favourite genre now is historical fiction, especially when it contains a mystery element.
At the same time, I read a lot of different genres and so my favourite type of book is one that simply tells a fantastic story in which everything from the plot to the characters to the writing, all comes together.
Retellings you are drawn to:
I absolutely adore Greek mythology retellings. Every one of them seems to be wonderful and my current read, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, is no different. But I like any kind of retelling if it takes inspiration from a famous story to tell something truly original; an example being These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong.
Lifestyles or careers of the book characters:
It would be quite cool to be a detective like Hercule Poirot or any of Agatha Christie’s other protagonists, although I would fail miserably at it! Also last summer I read The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, which featured a character who was a historian at the British Library specialising in old artefacts. That would be a great career too.
Places or settings you are drawn to:
I love a vibrant setting which really transports me into the story, and for me historical fiction does that the most. In particular, I am drawn to the classic Gothic country house setting, where there is always a spooky atmosphere.
And similar to Livy, I like books set in the city where I live or in places I have been to, as it helps me feel a closer connection to the story.
Relationships you enjoy reading about :
My favourite relationships in books are strong sibling relationships and platonic friendships.
Buzzwords in the title of the book:
I cannot think of any that I look out for in particular.
Things in book covers that draw you in:
I usually covers that are intricate or detailed, or something containing vivid colours or symbolism. Here are three of my favourite covers out of the books I own, just to illustrate the point:
Non-fiction buzzwords or a non-fiction area you are drawn to:
I like to look at (auto)biographies, mostly to find out how certain events in the person’s life or discussed and described, especially when they are things I remember happening. I listen to audiobooks as well, from well-known figures in the public eye who have had to overcome societal barriers to get to where they have.
Medical conditions of characters:
Just like Livy I find it interesting to read about characters with anxiety as I can sometimes relate to them. I do not like to read too many books that involve more serious health conditions as part of their storylines.
Time of year or time in history/future that you are drawn to:
I enjoy such a wide variety of books that I am happy with just about any point in history. I like contemporary novels, but as a lover of historical fiction I suppose I particularly enjoy things set in the nineteenth or twentieth centuries.
BONUS #1: Any other bookish boxes or buzzwords not already mentioned:
I do not subscribe to any book boxes. In terms of buzzwords, I often enjoy books that involve the subject of witchcraft.
BONUS #2: What bookish boxes or buzzwords turn you away from a book?
Anything that seems like a cliché!
And that is everything! If you would like to have a go at answering these questions, then consider yourself tagged!
Happy reading :)
Stephen Reads Books 