Rapid Fire Book tag.

Another bookish tag post! Such fun. Thanks for tagging me, lovely Jess. 
Well, I'd do more of an intro but as the tag title suggests, this is a quickie! Let's get to it...

E-book or physical book?

Physical book. Always.

Paperback or hardback?

Paperbacks are cheaper and easier to carry around, however if a book is really special (or I just can't wait til the paperback of a new release comes out) I'll go hard.

I recently bought the special hardback edition of 'Milk and Honey', by Rupi Kaur...despite already having the paperback. This was partly because I wanted the updated version with the new (and incredibly moving) foreword, but also because having a hardback of this magnificent poetry collection felt right. 

Online or in-store book shopping?

In-store, usually. But if there's a specific book I'm after, I'll always check if a certain Waterstones has it before I go there. Don't want to waste any time searching – well, actually this only ever leads to me buying more books than planned. 

Having said this, I LOVE A Great Read. They're the absolute best for bookish deals.

Trilogies or series?

I like a trilogy for its neatness and power of three – but then I can't say no to a series, because YAY moreeeee!!!

Heroes or villains?

Villains can be so much fun to read, tbh.

A book you want everyone to read?

YA: 'Paper Butterflies', by Lisa Heathfield (which I wrote more about HERE)

Middle Grade: 'The Island at the End of Everything', by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

General fiction: 'The Time Traveller's Wife', by Audrey Niffenegger.

Poetry: 'Milk and Honey', by Rupi Kaur.

Non-fic: 'Mad Girl', by Bryony Gordon / 'Ctrl Alt Delete', by Emma Gannon (read more about the former HERE and the latter + an interview HERE) 

Recommend an underrated book?

'Panther', by David Owen. One of the most gripping, ridiculously moving and at times super surreal reads. (see my blog post about it HERE)

ALSO 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock', by Matthew Quick. Now that was a thrilling, devastatingly dark read.

The last book you finished?

My re-read of 'Stargirl', by Jerry Spinelli. As magical today as it was when I first read it, aged 13.

The last book you bought?

'In Bloom', Matthew Crow's debut. Bought it at YALC after reading and loving (then blogging about) his latest, 'Another Place'! 

Weirdest thing you've used as a bookmark?

Oh wow, time to reveal something. I am freakishly attached to my souvenir-type fake leather bookmarks. I'll sometimes use bits of scrap paper or receipts if need be, but tbh I never go without my beloved bookmarks.

Top 3 favourite genres?

YA (obvs), contemporary, feminist. 

Borrow or buy?

I'll buy a book myself if I really believe it's worth it, and I'll want to keep it after reading. I actually hardly ever borrow from friends these days, though. Because I have so many books of my own already in my TBR! Also, I'll always lend.

Used books: yes or no?

Yes. I mean, I'm not always that attracted to the stained yellow, bent and faded crime novels in charity shops, but more often than not I find some treasures in amongst them and they're usually £2 max! Plus I think of them as pre-loved...and I adore one of those little scribbles in the cover 'dear ____, from ____'. 

Characters or plot?

A good plot is hard to come by and will totally hook me in, it's true – but I have to care about the characters first!

Long books or short?

Depends, tbh. I can race right through a contemporary YA regardless of length, but I'd rather have a high concept story be a little more succinct sometimes.

Long or short chapters?

I've recently found out that I LOVE short chapters! Reading and writing them!

Name the first 3 books you think of...

'It's All Absolutely Fine', by Ruby etc. 'Lola Offline', by Nicola Doherty (see my stop on the blog tour here!). 'Beyond the Wall', by Tanya Landman.

Books that made you laugh or cry?

All of Lisa Heathfield's books have made me super emotional. 'Editing Emma' by Chloe Seager made me giggle a fair bit (took part in that blog tour HERE - wow, Grace, enough with the links?!). 

Our world or fictional worlds?

UGHHH, I've already said I love contemporary fiction! I hate myself for not being more fantastical in my tastes. But then I do enjoy middle grade fantasy books with their own worlds a mad amount.

Audiobooks: yes or no?

Never listened to one, actually! But I bet I'd love them.

Do you ever judge a book by its cover?

Of course. And don't you act like you don't! I see you!!

Book to movie or book to TV adaptations?

I enjoy a film of a book, if it's done well. I hate YA trilogies being made into 4 movies. Pisses me right off. I think I'd like more TV adaptations, actually.

A movie or TV show you preferred to its book?

I think 'Me Before You' was better in film form – if only because beautiful Finnick starred in the film. The book was way too long, and very quickly became a chore to read.

Series or standalones?

I love a good standalone, me.

Thanks Jess for tagging me! Anyone else who reads this and fancies answering these quick and quirky questions, please go ahead – and tweet me when you do, maybe?