Book Tag: This is My Genre Tell Me Yours Tag

So…I am notorious for missing book tags when I’m tagged. Case in point, Laila @ Big Reading Life tagged me in this one in November of 2016 & I only noticed this week. If anyone has any tips for keeping up with them, please let me know. Anyway…here’s to the tag, created by Drew @ TheTattooedBookGeek.

Question 1: What is your favorite genre?

I love many different genres & I’ve really been broadening my horizons this year, but my absolute favorite genre (and where most of my favorite books seem to come from) is fantasy.

Question 2: Who is your favorite author from that genre? 

I can never pick 1 favorite for anything. Ever. TV show, book, movie…you might as well as me to rip out my own heart or pull out my own teeth. Some of my recent favorite authors include Victoria/V. E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo,  Deborah Harkness, George R. R. Martin (give me another book already!), N. K. Jemisin, Kendare Blake, & Vic James…to name a few.

Question 3: What is it about the genre that keeps pulling you back?

I love getting immersed in  worlds that have so many things to discover, especially when they are well built. I also get interested in how different authors write about things like magic and dragons and politics in these new worlds. Character development is also great for me. I love it in fantasy series when characters change from hero to villain and sometimes back again.

Question 4: What is the book that started your love for the genre?

I think my earliest book in the genre was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. I remember when my mom read it to me the first time, and I was obsessed with the BBC miniseries. The idea that kids could walk through a wardrobe and wind up in a magical land where it was always winter was magical to me. I may have tried out going to Narnia in my grandfather’s closet a time or two, always half afraid it would work. In middle school, I also read The Giver by Lois Lowry and it was pretty influential in my love of dystopian fantasies.

Question 5: If you had to recommend at least one book from your favorite genre to a non-reader/someone looking to start reading that genre, what book would you choose and why? 

There’s so many! I would definitely recommend starting with some lighter fantasy. Really well built high fantasy like Game of Thrones can be really fun, but takes investment to keep track of all of the places and characters. I would highly recommend A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab to newbies. It’s a really interesting world that’s grounded in our own understanding of London, and then adds several versions of it. The characters are dynamic and interesting…and the first book of the series is pretty much a self-contained story so if it’s not for you, you’ll at least get a complete story (though the last 2 are amazing!). Another recent favorite is Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. It’s a slow burn, but very political and has a really intriguing plot about sisters who must kill each other in order to ascend to their island’s throne. Each sister has a different ability with which to help her win the fight, and the politics are also very interesting. Finally, I really LOVE the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (first book pictured). It’s a fantastic blend of magic, vampires, romance, conspiracies, old British libraries, and humor. I’ve read the first book multiple times, and I just can’t seem to stop. On my second read, I even read it in one day…even though I KNEW what was going to happen. I cannot wait for new books next year!

Question 6: Why do you read? 

I read to immerse myself in other worlds and other lives for a little while. I also read to learn about other people’s experiences beyond my own small knowledge of the world around me. I read to de-stress and participate in a wonderful online community and because I find it enjoyable. Books are amazing and interesting and wonderful.

Thanks for the tag, Laila. I’m glad I finally got to do it! I’ll tag a few people, and I’ll look forward to your answers if you get to it!

• Dani @ Perspective of a Writer
• Mandy @ Book Princess Reviews
• Emma @ The Terror of Knowing
• Lauren @ Comma Hangover
• Wendy @ What the Log Had to Say

What’s your favorite genre? Got any good fantasy recommendations for me?