I found this tag over at Feed Your Fiction Addiction, and it looked like a fun, quick way to talk books. I’d love for you to share some of your responses in the comments below!
This tag originated from Ayunda @ Tea and Paperbacks.
This or That?
Reading on the couch or on the bed?
This is a hard one. If I really had to pick, my bed—because it means I got some additional reading at the end of the day. And more importantly, I wasn’t on any technology.
Male main character or female main character?
When it comes to general fantasies, I read more male main characters. Confession: I prefer these books since they tend to feature less romance. (But I do love the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, and the Liveship Traders Trilogy by Robin Hobb is on my TBR.)
When it comes to young adult, I read more female main characters because they dominate the market.
Sweet snacks or salty snacks when reading?
Salty snacks. I’ve been fasting from sweets for so long that I don’t like them very much anymore.
Trilogies or quartets?
Quartets. Trilogies are super common, and they tend to be pretty predictable. (There’s a formula to them.) Plus, if I love a series, I want to see more from it.
. . . that said, many of my favorite books do form trilogies or trilogies within a larger world. Not many quartets do come to mind. So why did I even vote for it?
The Realm of the Elderling series by Robin Hobb is made up of three trilogies,
followed by a quartet, and then a final trilogy.
First-person POV or third-person POV?
Third person.
Reading at night or in the morning?
Night. I get my best work done in the morning; night is for winding down.
Libraries or bookstores?
Libraries. I don’t have enough money to purchase all the books in the world, so I save the bookstore for favorite books that I want to reread.
Books that make you laugh or books that make you cry?
Books that make me cry. While I enjoy a good laugh, it’s the ones that make me cry that I remember.
Black book covers or white?
Black. A nice white cover is beautiful, but most of my book covers tend to be on the darker side. I think it’s because I primarily buy fantasy books.
Character-driven or plot-driven books?
I can’t see these two elements apart from each other. A book has to have a good plot and even better characters for me to love it. If I had to name where it’s most important for me to see these elements, however, I like for the plot to set off events and for the character drive the story from there.
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Love reading your answers Crystal!! ❤️ I love third person too!! And I can’t separate plot and character either. I need both for the best read. I also love the idea of quartets better… you have to work harder at making two middle books work well. It’s not so easy to just fake it to get to the third book.
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Dani! ❤️ Yay for third person!! And yes, character and plot are both so important to a good book. That’s a good point. I’ve read many trilogies where the second book is lackluster, as if it’s there just to help us get to the third book.
Ayunda says
Thanks for doing my tag! I loooove the Farseer Trilogy. I’m currently continuing with the Liveship Traders series and loving them! I think when it comes to fantasy it doesn’t matter how many books there are in the series, I’d love them all <3
Crystal says
I had a lot of fun doing this tag, Ayunda! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying Liveship Traders. I look forward to starting it! ❤️ Yes to fantasy. It’s my book love of all book loves!!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I’ve always been more of a salty snack person myself too, I think. I agree about libraries/bookstores! I feel like most of the books I actually buy are ones I’ve already read and loved and figure I’ll probably read again.
Crystal says
Yay for salty snacks! And yes! I don’t have the room or budget to buy books other than the ones I love and expect to read again.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I prefer shorter series, but I agree that they’re even better when there are shorter series WITHIN a longer set (like Robin Hobb’s books). You kind of get the best of both worlds in that case!
Crystal says
Yes, I love shorter series within a larger set like the Robin Hobb books! It really does give us the best of both worlds ❤️
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books says
Lovely answers for this tag! 🙂
I realized that, if I mostly read books written in 1st POV, I actually prefer writing in 3rd POV… which is a bit strange haha, but I really love both POV narratives 🙂 and yes to characters driving the story!! <3
Crystal says
Thanks, Marie! I also have favorites written in both types of POV. They both have their unique strengths. If I did have to pick though, I love what I’ve seen authors do with the third person POV. And yes, character-driven stories are the best! ❤️
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
I do most of my reading at night before I go to sleep. Reading in bed is the best.
Crystal says
It’s such a great way to unwind at the end of the day!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
I read third POV but I much prefer 1st. I feel like I can get a better sense of the characters and their mindset. I can’t with quartets! That’s too much LOL Unless it’s like a stand-alone quartet. Those, I freaking love!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Crystal says
First person POV does feel more personal! I don’t think I’ve read a stand-alone quartet before. What’s one or two you’d recommend?