Sizzlin' Summer Book Tag!

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!

Are you ready for another Tag Tuesday? Today we're doing a tag that's 100% stolen from Jesse over on YouTube at jessethereader. It's the Sizzlin' Summer Book Tag. Now we all know that I am not a fan of summer, but I do love a good book tag so I'm very excited to do this one! 

An extra challenge for myself: I am only answering the tag prompts with books that I've read this year! And let me tell you, that was much harder than just looking at my shelves.

Alright, let's dive into the Sizzlin' Summer Book Tag!

==========

Summertime: A book that you feel brings on the ultimate summertime vibes

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 
by Rick Riordan

I feel like this one is a no-brainer. Of course I'm going to pick The Lightning Thief as the ultimate summer book! Not only does it take place in the summertime, but it's all about a summer camp and therefore has things like bonfires, fireworks, and gladiatorial fights to the death...no? Well, I think it's the perfect book to kick summer off.

Sunscreen: A book that you felt protected you from a reading slump

Lost in the Moment and Found
by Seanan McGuire

I read this novella back in March of this year, and I feel like the proof is in the pudding with that month: I only read 5 books. I was really super struggling with my reading. I'm not sure if this definitely protected me from a slump, but it was a huge factor. If not for Lost in the Moment and Found and The Lightning Thief, I would have definitely fallen into a slump, due to the book in my next question.

Sunburn: A book that burned you

The Master and Margherita
by Mikhail Bulgakov

I just don't have a very good track record when it comes to Russian classics. I heavily disliked Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy when I read it, and now this. I haven't even finished this book. It's been four months since I've even picked it up! I'm not entirely giving up on it yet, just because I've heard so many wonderful things about it, but I don't know when I'll give it another try. But since this is also a book that takes place in the summertime, maybe I'll try again in August.

Pool Time: A book that made a splash in your life and became your entire personality

After Sappho
by Selby Wynn Schwartz

I absolutely loved this book, it's by far one of my favorites of 2023. When I finished this I ended up googling every woman mentioned and read whatever I could find about them. I don't know if I'd say that it became my entire personality, per say, but it definitely left a lasting impact. I'll be thinking about it for years to come, I'm sure.

Fireworks: A book with an explosive plot that kept you hooked until the very end

Yellowface
by R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang has proven that she can write well across a wide variety of genres. We've seen historical fiction, fantasy, and now a modern-day thriller from her. We've also seen how good she is at creating unlikeable characters. Rin from The Poppy War ended up being a sort of anti-hero, but June in Yellowface is just straight up terrible, and I loved reading about her. Reading about her descent made me want a bowl of popcorn. I was thoroughly entertained right up to the last page.

Lemonade: A refreshing read that reminded you why you love reading

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
by Axie Oh

I read this right at the beginning of the year and thought it was just delightful. It's no secret that I've been gravitating away from YA the past few years, but The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea showed me that I can still enjoy YA stories, which is a reminder I think I really needed. I even liked the romance that was explored, which is a huge change from my usual reaction. I do think that my enjoyment was partially due to the Ghibli vibes of this book. It reminded me a lot of Spirited Away, which is one of my favorite Studio Ghibli movies.

Popsicle: A short and sweet book that melted away far too quickly

Nick and Charlie
by Alice Oseman

These characters are definitely sweet. Heartstopper -- both the graphic novels and the TV show -- is by far one of my favorite stories, and I'm pretty sure my favorite romance, bar none. So any Heartstopper content becomes an automatic want. Even though this novella is a little more dramatic and serious than the main story, it still warmed my heart. I can confirm that the squealing-leg-kicks were in action while I was reading.

Fireflies: A book that lit up your life through a dark time

The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson

An epic fantasy like The Way of Kings might not seem like a comfort read, so let me explain. As I reading this, I learned that a childhood friend of mine was killed, which naturally was very tragic and traumatic. Not only that, but I was still struggling with the grief of losing my grandmother just a month earlier. I was pretty much in one of the worst depressive episodes I've had in years. But reading The Way of Kings and watching our main character, Kaladin, struggle through his own depression and claw his way out of it gave me a lot of hope, so I think I'll always associate this book with that feeling from now on.

Sunset: A book with the prettiest, most summery cover

Sharks in the Time of Saviors
by Kawai Strong Washburn

For the last question, I'm technically cheating and giving you a book that's on my TBR! I bought Sharks in the Time of Saviors last month and I knew that this has to be a summer book. I mean, that cover! Not only are the oranges and yellows just the ultimate summer color palette, but the shark also gives me strong Jaws vibes, which of course is probably the most famous summer movie ever, and one I try to rewatch every year (or more, I really love Jaws). I'm planning on picking this book up within the next few weeks, either still in July or in August.

==========

That's all I have for today, everyone! I hope you liked this adorable summer tag. It's been a very cruel summer so far, heat wise: today it was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). We also had a haboob, which is a kind of dust storm, like you see in Mad Max. Summertime in Phoenix Arizona is the absolute worst. At least there isn't humidity to deal with also (today was only 17% humidity). Wherever you are in the world, I hope it's cooler than where I am. 

Until next time, friends!