Julie and the Phantoms bookish tag

Hello bookworms!! Welcome to an original, Julie and the Phantoms bookish tag!! ???

Please excuse me for a moment while I just SCREAM INTO THE ABYSS about what an absolutely perfect show Julie and the Phantoms is.*

Yes, I watched this amazing show, not once, but TWICE during October (and once again already in November). I regularly have the soundtrack playing on my Spotify account, and YouTube now opens directly to the songs from the show on repeat. You might say I’m obsessed.

So obsessed, that Sarah, my gorgeous friend at Commas and Ampersands (instagram / youtube), and I put our heads together to come up with this Julie and the Phantoms bookish tag.

“But Meeghan, don’t you have a list of like 50 tags that you still haven’t responded to?” ?

? Shhhhhhhh… It’s time for my babies from Julie and the Phantoms to break your heart, like they have been doing to mine.

* FYI, I have no idea how to change the size for gifs from Tenor (and Giphy doesn’t have any JatP gifs – so rude), so you will just have to deal with them being full size. I’m not even sorry because it’s JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS.
You’re welcome.

Julie and the Phantoms bookish tag

? RULES ?

? Link back to the original post (and also Sarah’s booktube account)!!
? Thank whoever tagged you!!
? Answer the prompts!!
? Tag some friends to share the awesomeness!!
? Go watch Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix (and sing every song like it’s your last performance on stage)!!

NOW OR NEVER
a book at the top of your TBR

Honestly, there are just … a lot on my TBR that I want to read immediately. However, I think the book that I am going to make time for this year is The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel.

It’s a book that I got sent as a review copy, and I really just need some more happy softness in my life!!

WAKE UP
a book that you were hesitant to read

Oh, definitely An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I was so worried that I wasn’t going to enjoy it, and then I would be the one person who was all “I don’t get it”.

But of course I shouldn’t have worried. I absolutely loved it when I did finally read it this year!!

THIS BAND IS BACK
a sequel that you waited a long time for

There are a bunch that I am STILL waiting for (and trying to be patient…), but the one that always comes to mind is The Red Queen by Isobelle Carmody.

The Red Queen is the seventh and final book in the Obernewtyn series. It was published in 2015, which was 28 years after Obernewtyn came out.

BRIGHT
a book that took you by surprise

OK, so I feel like I need a disclaimer for putting Fence: Striking Distance against this prompt. You see, I really love the Fence comics.

But when I found out this book was more focused on Aidan, I kind of lost interest. He’s such a playboy and NOT a team player that I was sure I wouldn’t love it. It was also my first Rees Brennan book. But, she made me care about a character that I hadn’t before, so that’s the part that was surprising.

WOW
an action-packed book

It’s been a hot minute (or most of 2020) since I’ve read an action-packed book. In fact, it’s been so long, I had to consult my goodreads!!

And really, this could have been any of their books, but I’m going with Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff because I did read this in 2020.

FLYING SOLO
a book with incredible friendships

I’m so torn with this prompt because there are two that I really want to use… but I’m going with the team from The Mortal Instruments. Even when they are mad at each other they’re still looking out for one another.

In particular, Alec and Jace’s friendship since they were kids is the best. Bordering on brothers, parabatai and best friends all rolled into one.

I GOT THE MUSIC
a book that got you out of a slump

One of my usual go-to slump lifters is Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. I just really love the story, and my poor child Baz. I also love how ridiculous Simon is, and how much the entire story is a parody of it-which-shall-not-be-named.

It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but I think a reread should be in order before Any Way the Wind Blows is released!

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOLLYWOOD
a book with a great ensemble of characters

Ummm… the entire Grishaverse world?! But if I had to pick a book, I would go with Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The six MCs and the side characters are all written so well.

I’m actually really excited to see how it all plays out in the TV series. (But I really need to finish the Grisha trilogy first!!)

ALL EYES ON ME
the prettiest book in your collection

I genuinely have a lot of pretty books, but I’m going with one of my more recent acquisitions. Illumicrate’s edition of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab is gorgeous.

This edition has sprayed pages, exclusive end pages, and the naked hardcover is stunning. It all adds up to one seriously beautiful book.

FINALLY FREE
a series you wish would never end

If I’m being honest, this one is kind of a toss up. But because I’m worried it would ruin my other pick, I’m going with the the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

It’s kind of like The Simpsons in the way that no one seems to age and time goes forever anyway, so it makes it the perfect candidate.

PERFECT HARMONY
your fave OTP

This one is hard because I have so many… but I’m going with Nick and Charlie from Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper series. Not only are these two absolutely precious marshmallows that must be protected at all costs, they are ridiculously sweet.

So sweet that they remind me of the OTP couple in Julie and the Phantoms. Just, with less singing and fewer… ah… issues!!

EDGE OF GREAT
a book that is (almost) perfect

Yes, hello. My name is Meeghan, and I am a Maggie Stiefvater stan. But if I can only pick one book, it will always be The Scorpio Races. Always. Because I genuinely think this book is perfect.

The characters are so real, and while there is plot to the story, it is very much character driven. And the world-building is second to none.

UNSAID EMILY
a book that makes you cry

Ok, so I LOVE books that make me cry. It’s almost a prerequisite for my TBR. But Back After the Break is one of my fave books that I sob uncontrollably from almost start to finish.

I usually reread it once every 2 years, and it’s almost cathartic. It also has amazing friendships and strong putting yourself back together themes.

YOU GOT NOTHING TO LOSE
a villain you love to hate

The White Wolf in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor is always one of my most hated villains. And I do love hating him.

He is arrogant, ruthless, a predator and has bad morals. Which is part of what makes him such a great villain.

STAND TALL
a book that gave you feelings

C.G.’s babies, The Boy Who Steals Houses gave me ALL of the feelings. So many feelings. The feelings hurt me (but in the best way possible).

If you haven’t heard me screaming about this book, then you must be new here, because it’s one of my faves. I genuinely adore this book. The characters, the storyline, the prequel on Paperfury’s blog. I’m stopping now before I dissolve into a puddle of tears.

Tagging

I feel weird tagging people for a tag that I created… but, if you’ve watched Julie and the Phantoms, then consider yourself tagged!!

And if you haven’t, then you should probably get on that immediately
(and then come do the tag…)