The lovely Jess from bookendsandendings tagged me in this, and I don’t usually do book tags, but I thought I’d join in! 🙂 I needed something like this to get back into the swing of blogging. Tagging: Anyone who’d like to answer these questions.

1. What book is on your nightstand now?

At the time of writing, it’s Lost Stars by Lisa Selin Davis – you might recognise the title as Lisa visited here for the blog tour a few weeks ago! I’m around a third of the way through, and I’m really enjoying it, but ohhhh my goodness the A Level homework is piling up. This weekend I’ve had about four essays to write. It’s ridiculous. So hopefully, when my workload starts to ease up, I can get back to it!

2. What was the last truly great book that you read?

I had to consult Goodreads for this, and narrow it down, because I have read so many fantastic books this year. I’m going to have to say UNBOXED by Non Pratt (my review graphic is here!) as it was so beautifully moving and it’s been on my mind since I put it down, which was weeks ago. It had some wonderfully unique and original characters. The simple concept of the book was pulled off beautifully, and moved me to tears. Actual tears.

3. If you could meet any writer – dead or alive – who would it be? And what would you want to know?

I really want to meet Haruki Murakami. I’ve only read about three of his works, and they aren’t my usual genre, but I could honestly read exclusively Murakami books for the rest of my life. His writing is just so beautiful and his books have a tone that I just really resonate with. I got into his work just after he did a UK book tour – gaaah! I don’t know what I would like to know from him, specifically… I just think being in the same room as him would be pretty epic.

4. What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?

This is quite hard, because I own such an eclectic mixture of things! YA is what you’ll mainly find on my shelves, but I’d like to think I read quite widely, and I hardly ever cull books so you can see how my tastes have changed over time. Some random non-YA picks I own: Forensics for Dummies, a large collection of 80s Fighting Fantasy editions, and about twenty annuals of The Dandy comic.

5. How do you organize your personal library?

Ooh, this is a long one to explain. I have two ‘main’ bookshelves in my room which are occupied by YA and classics that I’ve read, in colour order. I have stacks and shelves of books yet to be read. And a few shelves outside of my bedroom, which is where my signed books are, as well as various other books I can’t fit on any other shelves. IF you want a better explanation, plus some visuals… here’s my bookshelf tour post!

6. What book have you always meant to read and haven’t gotten around to yet? Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read?

THERE ARE SO MANY. I have never read Pride and Prejudice, or many classics at all for that matter. I’ve also abandoned some very popular series and trilogies – mainly because I didn’t have the time and they’re big chunky books – like Dreams of Gods and Monsters, City of Heavenly Fire and Requiem.

7. Disappointing, overrated, just not good: what book did you feel you were supposed to like but didn’t? Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?

I recently read The Great Gatsby as prep for A Level English, and I was honestly just so bored while reading it. I wasn’t processing it properly, and it just didn’t capture me. But, with a lot of classic fiction, I usually get more into the story when I’m analysing it in class, so, we’ll see! I don’t actually remember what book I just didn’t finish. I’ve hardly ever DNF’ed books.

8. What kinds of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of?

At the moment, I’m drawn to fresh and exciting contemporary fiction, predominately LGBT* fiction. I have so much on my to-read list. I’d like to read more widely and diversely. As for books I stay clear of – I just cannot get into books that are traditional romances – there has to bee something really outstanding about it.

9. If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?

Considering the current political climate, and the fact that the electoral college will probably stick with their selections – Donald Trump is going to be president. Ugh. UGH. UGH. I could write a thousand page book on my feelings about this.

I think I’ll recommend him Wide Awake by David Levithan, which is about a presidential election where a gay Jewish president is set to be elected. It’s been years since I read this, but from what I remember, it follows a group of diverse youth in a campaign to support this candidate, with a strong sense of community, strength and pride. So, yep, I’d very much like Donald Trump to read this book, partly to show him what America should look like, and partly to show him that he’s gone about everything wrong. And also I think making him read about a gay Jewish president would really hurt his feelings. (thumbs up emoji)

10. What do you plan to read next?

There is so much on my to-read pile right now, and I’m really indecisive! I have lots of review copies that look great, such as Wide Awake by Angie Stanton and Wing Jones by Katherine Webber. I’m really excited to see what those are like.