Bookending Summer: Lemonade Stand book tag
Good morning bookworms!
This post is part of Bookending Summer 2019, which is organized by Sam & Clo! My prompt for today, “Lemonade Stand book tag” is hosted by Jeimy @ A Novel Idea! (And you SHOULD go check out Jeimy’s blog because it’s super cute, and don’t we all need some more cute in our lives? PS: The answer to that is yes.)
Tags, are pretty self explanatory, so let’s get to it!
Sour – Name a Character that left a sour taste in your mouth
Unpopular opinion time!! Also, please don’t @ me about this because I have only finished book one (Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo) so I don’t know if he “gets better”, but… can we take a minute and talk about what an asshole The Darkling is? Like, talk about a psycho on a power trip! Geebers… It’s taking a long history of knowing that asshole men sometimes get what they deserve (yet, sometimes they also get a presidency) and I’m hoping Alina kills him by the end of the series. Because then she would go up in my estimations as well. However, at this point in time, he’s my pick for leaving a ‘sour taste’ in my mouth. (Also, please keep in mind that I usually like assholes. Ronan Lynch, Andrew Minyard and Cardan Greenbriar are some of my fave characters.)
Semi – Name a scene that was bitter-sweet
100% the ending to What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. It was so so so cute, but also not what I wanted, but also hopeful…?! I need to stop here because otherwise I’ll turn into a huge blubbering mess, but I also felt like Albertalli and Silvera really balanced each other out. Albertalli can be super cute with her endings, and Silvera tends to make me cry for not so happy reasons, so this was a good mix of the two!
Sweet – Name a book ending that was too sweet for words
Ugh. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren. That ending was too over the top. The thing I hated the most was that no one dealt with the fallout of the explosion, it was all just kind of swept under the rug and everyone pretended like the whole taboo thing just … didn’t exist? In fact, the more I think about this book, the angrier it gets me. So, it’s probably best if I just leave this topic now.
Slushie – Name a book that was completely refreshing
OK, so I know these two books are basically polar opposites, but hear me out (because sometimes you it tart, and sometimes you need some salt in your lemonade).
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee is a total breath of fresh air in both, the historical fiction and the super diversity + genres (yes, I know that’s not a real genre, but you know what I mean). I mean, where else have you seen a gap-year, European holiday, m/m romance, that deals with 19th century class structures, racism, feminism and neurodiversity health, that is hilarious, cute and fun to boot, written by an #ownvoices queer author? I challenge you to find one.
At the other end of the spectrum is a retelling of probably one of the most famous literary novels in the world. Ibi Zoboi took Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and set it in Bushwick, Brooklyn, with a sixteen year old MC who has Afro-Latino roots, and then gave her ALL the sass. She is exactly Lizzie Bennett, except her name is Zuri Benitez and she is amazing. Pride is quite honestly one of the best P&P retellings I have ever read.
12 Comments
Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical
Oh man, I was so frustrated by Autoboyography – I just didn’t like the main character at all, felt like he was too reckless and immature, and the way he treated his best friend was awful. Plus, he should not have pressured the LI to the extent he did, imo. Anyhow, the ending WAS frustrating – it felt a bit like something that was written as an after-thought, it connected to the story really sloppily. I love The Gentleman’s Guide, and enjoyed Pride a lot. 🙂 Great post!
Meeghan reads
It’s so funny. I used to hear all about how AMAZING Ab is, but then I started to talk about the problems I had with it, and now I’m finding more like-minded souls. Thank you for sharing!! ??
Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky
I haven’t read Shadow and Bones yet, but literally all I’ve heard about that series was how great of a character The Darkling is, so it’s nice to hear a different opinion on it! I like asshole characters too, but if they cross over into abusive bully territory, then they get a LOT less endearing. And I totally agree on Gentleman’s Guide! Have you read Lady’s Guide yet?
Meeghan reads
I haven’t read Lady’s Guide yet… but I really want to!! I think Felicity could tell a very entertaining story!!
And, saaaaaaaaame. Everyone raved about the Darkling, but I just thought he came across as a dick. I rant about it a bit in my review for it (no spoilers except in the hidden spoilers section) but I think the Darkling was either a) too hyped, or b) must get better with the series. Only time will tell!! (And me finishing Siege and Storm!!)
Pingback:
Ruqs
Hopefully your thoughts on the darkling change by the end of the series? ? he’s my favourite ?? great post!!! 🙂
Meeghan reads
Oh no!!!! I said this in my review of Shadow and Bone!! I don’t want to offend anyone… ?
Ruqs
nooo how can you (the sweetest human on earth) possibly offend anyone?!!
Meeghan reads
? With my very unpopular opinions on the Darkling?! ? I am hoping I understand the thrall by the end of the series!! ?
Ruqs
im looking forward to your final thoughts!!
Pingback:
Pingback: