My lovely friend from The Last Book on the Left (a fabulous book and writing blogger, give her a follow if you don’t already) tagged me in The Outstanding Blogger Award tag and I’m excited to answer the questions she’s set me. As I only made my big ole blogging comeback this year, I’m not going to play by the rules because, to put it simply, I don’t really think I’m worthy of the award. Maybe some day I’ll feel more worthy but I need to up my blogging game first. So, if you want to check out the rules and how the tag really should be done, take a look at M.T.’s post.
So, without further ado, onto M.T.’s questions…
1. Do you like listening to music while you read?
If I’m at home or on my own then no but if I’m around other people e.g. on a train or in a coffee shop (thinking more of pre-Covid times here) then I do tend to. I’ve gotten quite good at zoning out of whatever is playing to focus on reading so if I am listening to music it’s more to mute out the world than to listen along as I read. I feel like fellow introverts will relate to me, right?
2. What is the best book you’ve read in 2020 so far?
I have to admit, despite lockdowns, I really haven’t read that much this year. I did read Little Women for the first time though and really loved it. I adored the film when I saw it way back at the start of the year and was so relieved I enjoyed the book just as much. Even though parts of it feel a bit dated (and even a bit preachy in places), it has a strangely modern feel and the focus on female family relationships is so heart-warming.
3. What is the best movie or TV show you’ve seen in 2020 so far?
Well, my personal favourite, if I can bring it up yet again was the new Little Women film which I saw way back on 11th January… what a different time that was! I also watched Schindler’s List this year and, although it was an incredibly hard watch in places, I thought it was a really important story which I feel richer for knowing.
4. Are there any sequels you liked more than the first book?
I’ve been reading more stand alone adult books recently but a couple that come to mind would be nearly all The Mortal Instruments sequels and Clockwork Princess in The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. I’m so out of the Shadowhunters loop these days but I really loved those books as a teenager. Also, I love an epic finale in a series so The High King from The Chronicles of Prydain (a severely underrated children’s high fantasy series!) is a great ending and probably my favourite of the five books. Plus, The Order of the Phoenix is my favourite Harry Potter book (even if I’m not such a J.K. fan these days).
5. Besides reading, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
Well, I think my blog makes it quite clear I love the theatre. I’m definitely not a performer but pre-Covid, I was going to a lot of shows and my most used playlists on Spotify are my musical theatre ones. I also enjoy making up stories and I would love to one day publish a book. There’s a children’s series idea I’ve been working on through the lockdowns which I might do blog post about at some point but it’s a very research-heavy project so it’s slow progress currently.
6. What book is underrated but you wish more people knew about?
Not to be repeating myself again but The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander deserves just as much hype as the likes of Narnia! Also, keeping on the children’s book theme, my favourite book growing up was The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner and I always felt that was underrated.
For an adult fiction pick, I’m surprised there aren’t more people reading My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. It was longlisted for the Booker Prize but I haven’t seen as much hype around it as I feel it deserves because it is so so good.
7. What is your most anticipated 2021 release?
Well, my most anticipated 2020 release was Troy by Stephen Fry which has only just come out! However, as for 2021, there is one book that comes to mind. I’m really looking forward to reading Reputation by Lex Croucher. I’ve been subscribed to Lex on YouTube for a long time because I really enjoy both her takes on the world and key social issues and her brilliant sense of humour. Reputation is a Regency comedy-drama which is being described as one for fans of Mean Girls and Jane Austen, both of which I love so I’m down.
Thanks so much M.T. for tagging me in this, it has been really fun answering these questions. This tag was started by Colton Beckwith and you can find the original post with the lowdown on how the tag is supposed to go here. Just to be clear again, I answered these questions because I was tagged but not to properly enter myself in for the award 😊.
Thanks for reading, bye for now!
Georgia Haze 