Free For All Friday: The Folklore Book Tag

 

Free For All  Friday: The Folklore Book Tag

Intro

Hello lovelies! I'll admit, I'm not a huge Swiftie at this point. That's my sister. I liked her when she did country, but after that, I kept less track of her. In honor of my sister's love and how much I like this challenge's prompt, here is my take. 

If you are a Swiftie, how are my picks?

The Rules

• Link to the original creator: you can check her out here (she is no longer an active blogger, though)
• Tag at least 3 people.... well, the first three people to see this and want to do it... consider yourself tagged
• Declare the rules and list of prompts in your post
• Thank whoever tagged you and link to their post. I was "tagged" by Leslie at Books are the New Black, which you can check out here

The Songs and Their Prompts

• The 1: a book with an ending that left you speechless
• Cardigan: a book that makes you feel happy and sad all at once
• The Last Great American Dynasty: a book with a fascinating and extremely well-told story
• Exile: a book you wish you hadn't read
• My Tears Ricochet: a book that made you cry uncontrollably
• Mirror Ball: a book that feels like it was written just for you
• Seven: a childhood book that makes you feel nostalgic
• August: a book that reminds you of summer
• This is Me Trying: a book that deals with loneliness and sadness
• Illicit Affairs: a book that gave you a book hangover
• Invisible String: a book that came in your life at exactly the right time
• Mad Woman: a book with a female character you adore
• Epiphany: a book that is haunting
• Betty: a book couple that fills you with yearning
• Peace: a book character you'd die for because you love them so much
• Hoax: a book you thought you were going to love but didn't

My Picks and Explanations

The 1

Heartbreak Beach by Bailey Thomas

The ending of this one certainly left me speechless... but not in a good way. It took possibly the dumbest twist I've ever read. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but just know... I hated this book and do not recommend it. 

Cardigan

A Mark on My Soul by Jordon Greene

This one was a very endearing story initially. It then definitely made me cry by the end. I won't be explaining why (again to avoid spoilers). If you are looking for a queer story that will make you cry, I highly recommend. 

The Last Great American Dynasty

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

The way this book covers the impacts of social media in a thriller setting was truly fantastic. I loved how it flowed from thrilling to calmer moments. Seeing the current-day setting truly shape the book was incredibly fascinating.

Exile

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

This one was such a miss for me. I felt like the annoyingness and stupidity of the MC took away from the important message Kuang was trying to make. I ended up just annoyed by the end. I was better off sticking to just knowing this book from the reviews. (I know this one is super popular, but I am welcome to my opinion, as are all of you).

My Tears Ricochet

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I became wildly emotionally invested in this one and absolutely loved it. I absolutely bawled at the heartbreak and triumph at the end of it. (You guessed it, no elaborating to avoid spoilers). 

Mirror Ball

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Absolutely everything about this book (and the series as a whole) is perfect to me. When I first read it as a freshman in high school, I was super hooked. The way it blended psychology with a cast of interesting YA characters was peak for me. Unlike most people, who are the opposite, this book got me into Criminal Minds. 

Seven

Magic Treehouse #16: Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osbourne

This one was a true childhood favorite of mine in a series I collected and read as many as I could. I would find them at library book sales and see how large I could build my collection. I picked this one in the series in particular because it also plays into a special interest of mine: the Olympics. I've always been obsessed with it. (Yes, I know the ways it is problematic, it's part of my fascination).

August

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Honestly, all of her books feel like the perfect embodiment of summer to me. I love all of them, but this one was my favorite. As a kid who would spend summer at a lake, it was the life experience I wish I had.

This is Me Trying

The Manicuist's Daughter by Susan Lieu

This book conveys familial and racial pressure quite well. She discusses how she always felt alone amongst her own people. 

Illicit Affairs

Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Ritchie

I just finished this one, and honestly, all other books feel dull compared to it. As such, I am struggling to get through them. I highly recommend this series as I am truly obsessed with these characters. I will be UNWELL when this series ends. 

Invisible String

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

It was when I read this book that made it a 5-star for me, and a book I will never forget. I absolutely pictured one of the main characters as my neighbor, and my brain absolutely latched on to the concept. I was in the perfect mood for a thriller like it, and I'm so thankful I picked it up when I did. 

Mad Woman

Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy

Lotte (the FMC) is so sweet, and I could totally see myself being best friends with her. She had really human flaws that made me love her even more. 

Epiphany

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

I don't read almost any "haunting" books, so I had to pull a childhood favorite. It has a ghost who haunts, so I think it counts. It was a book my mom introduced to me, which means it has a special place in my heart. 

Betty

Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade

The couple in this one is oh so hot! I love them and their banter so much. I just find them so dynamic that they have me hooked. 

Peace

Will from Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

I'll admit, I don't really feel like I'd die for any book character, so I just picked one I like and would love to know in real life. Will takes time to come out of his shell, and that is always endearing to me. 

Hoax

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

It turns out I didn't even actually rate it. I felt so meh about the book, I couldn't even form enough of an opinion to give it a star rating. Everyone raves about Jimenez's writing, but it is mediocre to me. 

Conclusion

Woo boy, I have a feeling some of the picks I have here are gonna ruffle some feathers. As a friendly reminder, everyone is allowed to have their own book tastes and discuss what did and did not work for them. I had a lot of fun with this challenge, and it reminded me about a lot of books I haven't thought about in a hot minute.