The Book Courtship Tag

I saw this tag a little while ago on Jenna @ Bookmark Your thoughts’ blog. I thought it looked like fun, so couldn’t resist getting involved. Let’s just jump right in.

Isn’t it pretty?

PHASE ONE: INITIAL ATTRACTION – A BOOK YOU BOUGHT BECAUSE OF THE COVER

Vixen by Rosie Garland has one of my favourite covers of all time. In fairness, I thought the blurb sounded very intriguing as well, but it was undoubtedly the cover that first grabbed me.

PHASE TWO: FIRST IMPRESSIONS – A BOOK YOU GOT BECAUSE OF ITS SUMMARY

There’s always a slightly dubious feeling when someone already famous turns their hand to novel writing, but the moment I saw mention of historical fiction inspired by true events, Icelandic mythology, and the power of storytelling in the blurb for The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson, I knew I had to check it out. I’m excited to give it a go!

PHASE THREE: SWEET TALK – A BOOK WITH GREAT WRITING

When I think about Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, it’s the beauty of the prose and the wonderful atmosphere it creates that always come to mind first. Funnily enough, it’s also historical fiction set in Iceland and inspired by true events. I actually read it whilst on holiday in Iceland during a bitingly cold, snowy winter, so that certainly helped to enhance the reading experience as well!

PHASE FOUR: FIRST DATE – THE FIRST BOOK OF A SERIES THAT MADE YOU WANT TO PICK UP THE REST OF THE SERIES

I recently read Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. It’s a sci-fi novella that explores themes of cultural identity and racial prejudice. I enjoyed what it had to say a lot, and though things wrapped up a little neatly, there are two other books in the series, so I’m excited to see if we’ll get to dive a little deeper.

PHASE FIVE: LATE NIGHT PHONE CALLS – A BOOK THAT KEPT YOU UP ALL NIGHT

Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House was so absorbingly atmospheric that I simply didn’t want to put it down. Plus, there are some deliciously creepy moments that may keep you awake for other reasons.

PHASE SIX: ALWAYS ON MY MIND – A BOOK YOU COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT

I don’t think a book has ever haunted my thoughts as much as Bird Box by Josh Malerman. I read it about two-and-a-half years ago, and I still think about how intense and unsettling it was on a regular basis.

PHASE SEVEN: GETTING PHYSICAL – A BOOK THAT YOU LOVE THE WAY IT FEELS

I don’t have many of them as yet, but The Penguin Clothbound Classics are very tactile. They’re sturdy naked hardbacks with a rough, textured feel.

Some examples of the Clothbound Classics.

PHASE EIGHT: MEETING THE PARENTS – A BOOK YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Most of my family and friends aren’t big readers, so I would probably recommend something accessible and universally relatable regardless of your level of interest in reading – but something that is also timely, with an emotional pull to it. So, perhaps something like My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher, or A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

PHASE NINE: THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE – A BOOK OR SERIES YOU KNOW YOU WILL RE-READ MANY TIMES IN THE FUTURE

[ insert generic Harry Potter answer ]

PHASE TEN: SHARE THE LOVE – WHO DO YOU TAG?

I wasn’t tagged, so I’ll leave it open to anyone who wants to get involved. I’d love to see your answers though, so pingback here if you do it so I can check out your post.