Mamma Mia! Book Tag

Hello beautiful people!

A few days ago, Romie @ Romie We Deserve Love did the Mamma Mia! Book Tag and not only did I scream, because that's all I wanted and it gives me a reason to talk about how much I love Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and to write a post with gifs of Lily James, but also because I didn't know it existed (okay, it was only created recently, but still)?! Thank you, Romie, for bringing it to my attention, you're amazing! So of course, I'm doing this tag today, because how could I not? This tag was created by Ashley @ Ashley Outpaged and you can find the original video here.

Like so many people, I adore Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. I was so excited about the sequel coming out, even more when they announced that Lily James would play young Donna, because I've loved her since Downton Abbey and will watch anything she's in. She's such an amazing actress and I'm so glad she's finally getting more recognition! I've been so obsessed with the movie and have been listening to the soundtrack all the time for the past month. I can't wait until the DVD release, so I can rewatch it again and again.

But anyway, time for the tag!

Side note: I couldn't find gifs for all the songs, but I did my best haha. Also, as I put gifs, minor spoilers for the movie I guess?

When I Kissed the Teacher | Name a book with a shocking plot twist

I'm usually quite good at figuring out plot twists, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid had a shocking plot twist for me! It kinda made it easier for me to predict the twists of that type of books now though, but I'm not mad, as it was splendidly done in that one. But maybe the most shocking plot twist was that I knew I wanted to reread it a hundred pages into it? How did you do that, Taylor Jenkins Reid? Um... I was also trying to find a way to mention it, as it's one of my favourite books and Evelyn would totally have kissed the teacher too, so... you know... 

Waterloo | Name a book you're positive you'll be in love with

Am I supposed to think of the books in my TBR? That I have added on Goodreads? Well, we'll just take into consideration my enormous TBR, which is made of... two books (at long last, I won't have a TBR by next Monday and I'll be able to conduct a very interesting I-don't-have-a-TBR experiment, but I digress). Anyway, I'm quite positive I'll love Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, I've been so excited about this one and it's actually set during the Napoleonic Wars, so I find even funnier that it's my answer for the Waterloo question. Now, I better love it, or it'll be awkward.

Why Did It Have To Be Me | Name a book you went to 
to get over a reading slump

I don't have reading slumps really often and the last really bad one happened in 2015. The book that got me out of it was Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, I read it in one or two sittings. Since then, it has ignited a love for everything Becky Albertalli writes and I adore the movie, so it'll always have a special place in my heart.

I Have a Dream | Name a book character that inspires you

It's not going to be very original, as I already mentioned this character in the Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag, but she means so much to me. Juliet Ashton from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society inspires me all the time, through her personality, through her writing, through her whole story. I also picture her as Lily James because of the movie, so it's true it fed my love for her even more. If I had to pick another character, so my answers would be a bit more original, Frances Janvier from Radio Silence also really inspires me to work hard, pursue what I love and put myself out there, even when it means going out of the path most people take.

Andante, Andante | Name your current read

I'm currently reading two books. First, I'm reading The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, which I'm planning to finish today (I have a hundred pages left, so), as there is a 24h readathon happening tomorrow. I've been pleasantly surprised by it, as I haven't been screaming at the historical inaccuracies that much, it's quite easy to read once the plot has really started and it's so entertaining. I'm also slowly making my way through Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales: a Selection, I've been reading tales here and there. Can you tell that we're in August and I'm participating in the #classicsathon?

Knowing Me, Knowing You | Name a book you had to break up with and DNF

I recently DNF-ed The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy, which made me a bit sad because I so wanted to read it, but I didn't click with her writing at all and as it was about her life (which was so heartbreaking), I didn't want to force myself to read it. I started it during my 31 books in 31 days challenge, I didn't want to drag it behind me all month, and it was a wise decision. Sorry, little book.

Mamma Mia | Name a book you recently read again

I reread The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows at the beginning of the month (what a surprise) and fell in love with it even more than the first time around. It's definitely one of my favourite books of all time and such a gem, I already want to reread it, which might be a problem, as I just did. I almost wish I could keep this treasure to myself at times, even though many people fell in love with it before I did, haha, I'm a bit possessive when it comes to it. *hides* Also, Juliet Ashton is probably my favourite book character ever, but I already said that.

Dancing Queen | Name a book that made you want to dance around the room

I had trouble finding an answer to this question, until I got through my Goodreads shelves, saw Autoboyography by Christina Lauren and realised it was the perfect answer. It is quite a hyped novel, but I totally agree with it and this book made me so happy (and broke my heart several times, but oh well). Not only was the bi rep absolutely amazing, but I related to Daniel so much, which was quite unexpected. I adored the way the romance was written, but also seeing present and supportive parents, it made my heart full. I need more contemporary novels like this one. Tanner and Daniel, I miss you.

Super Trouper | Name a series you haven't finished due to its intimidating size

I still need to finish some trilogies, but that's not because of their size, so I'm not quite sure it counts. However, I still haven't started the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, nor Robin Hobb's huge Realms of the Elderlings series (there are three trilogies and two spin-offs series or something? WHAT?) due to their intimidating size. I am finally finding motivation to read fantasy again, though, after such lack of that this year (for me, that is). The book coming out this Fall about the Targaryens makes me want to pick up the A Song of Ice and Fire series really soon and it's on my reading bucket list of 2018, so it's time. I think I also got the final push from my boyfriend to read Robin Hobb's books, he just read the first one and adored it (he literally said he loved it more than Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone? He only read the series last year, but still?), and my parents have been obsessed with it for years. Time to stop putting those series off.

Writing this post has been so much fun, as I had no choice, but to listen to the soundtrack yet again to type my answers! I'm not tagging anyone in particular, but if you're obssessed with the movie like I am and want to do this tag, bam, you've been tagged!

That's it for me today y'all, now I'll go back to singing along to the soundtrack!

Have a nice day,

Lots of love,

Lucie

Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

Hello, beautiful people!

June is over, which means that we're officially halfway through the year.

To celebrate that and reflect on the books I've already read since the beginning of the year, I decided to be very original and to do the mid-year freak out book tag, because I love this one so much! Did I really wait until July to post it? Why, yes.

Best book you've read so far in 2018

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Oh, how happy I am to have read this book in June, because even when I wasn't quite done with it yet, I knew it would be my answer. If you want to know how obsessed I am with this one, I wanted to reread it when I was a hundred pages in. It was such a thrilling and emotional novel, it broke my heart many times, introduced me to one of the most memorable characters ever with Evelyn Hugo and it made my little bisexual heart so happy. 

Best sequel you've read so far in 2018

I haven't had the best of luck with series since the beginning of the year. I did read first books in several series (the sequels aren't out yet anyway), but picking up sequels has been hard, it might be because I'm in the mood for standalones, or sequels can often be disappointing (it depends, of course, but lately, I've been more disappointed than pleased). However, there are some exceptions to this rule, one of them being Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones. This duology is so close to my heart, as so many elements of it are my absolute favourites (can you believe poppies are on the cover when they're my favourite flowers?) and it was such an excellent and satisfying conclusion. I've been missing Liesl since January and I will never stop. I already want to reread these books so much.

New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

There aren't so many, actually, because I either got to my most anticipated releases already or they aren't out yet. The three I can think of at the moment are A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews, Circe by Madeline Miller, Sightwitch by Susan Dennard and To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

While I haven't read many sequels since the beginning of the year, I'm excited for quite a few sequels for the second half of the year, as my most anticipated releases are Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare and Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor. There are so many others of course, but those are the ones I'm the most excited for!

(Me on the day I'll get my hands on those books)

Biggest disappointment.

Unfortunately, Villette by Charlotte Brontë. I have many reasons for not liking it and I know other readers or critiques have the same reasons for liking it, I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea. I had really enjoyed the beginning, so I didn't expect to dislike it so much, but it happens sometimes. However, I read Shirley by Charlotte Brontë and loved it, so I'll just erase Villette from my memory.

Biggest surprise

I know this one was really hyped, but, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. I still can't get over how much I adored this novel, need the sequel RIGHT NOW or how many things happened in just one book. I still can't believe it's a debut novel either. It's one of the best fantasy novels I've read in the past few years. If you still haven't read it, don't think too much on it and go for it!

Favourite new author

Without any hesitation, Alice Oseman. I've read all of her books within a week, when I never do that. I can't even binge-read book series anymore and yet, I needed more of her writing. I adore every single character she writes, her pop culture references (when I read that Frances from Radio Silence watched Parks and Recreation, I so screamed), seeing her characters making cameos in her other works (for Radio Silence). I'm so impressed by her, as she's only two years older than me (!!) and she's so talented. Moreover, I adore her YouTube channel where she talks about writing.

Newest fictional crush

PETER QUIIIIILL. I am pretty sure that everyone will give me a side-eye for that, thinking I'm only talking about MCU!Peter Quill. But I am so not. I love both comics!Peter Quill and MCU!Peter Quill and they have different backstories and storylines for some things! So as I've been reading the Guardians of the Galaxy comics for the past few months, I can legitimately say that he can technically be my newest book boyfriend. I'm pretty insufferable when I read them, though, because I scream a lot because of Peter. Oops. 

Newest favourite character

Juliet Ashton from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, without any hesitation. When I reread my review of this book, I realised how obvious my answer would be, I seem so passionate about her:

      "Juliet was such a great main character, especially when you consider that this book is set right after WW2, she speaks her own mind, is smart, sunny (if you've read the book you'll appreciate that reference), independent, had great taste in books. I would have read another book about her and I'm even more excited to see her come to life on the big screen."

I adore her so much and I knew I would from the second I read that she had written a biography about Anne Brontë, who is, incidentally, my favourite Brontë. Now that I've watched the movie, I love Juliet even more and it isn't only due to the fact that she is portrayed by Lily James. I still have tears in my eyes from when they talked about Anne Brontë, I can't.

Book that made you cry

Y'all, I cry in front of almost every movie I watch, I usually feel things too loudly, so I have probably cried while reading most of the books I've read so far this year. If I had to pick one, I'd say All of This Is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor. I adored this book so much and a part of it made me sob really hard, because it echoed my personal life perfectly. I cried for an hour after finishing it, that's how it affected me. I'm so glad I read it, I so needed it.

Book that made you happy

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo. This book made me the happiest because it meant travelling back into the Grishaverse, which I'm always missing a little. Moreover, collection of short stories can sometimes be uneven, but it wasn't the case with this one, I adored all of the stories. It was also made of fairy tales/folk tales and it gave me such a warm feeling while reading it, like I was a little child again, listening to a bedtime story.

Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year

I've seen several book adaptations, now that I'm thinking about it, but my favourite was Love, Simon. I had loved the book and was so excited to finally see the characters on the big screen and I wasn't disappointed in that. It is such an amazing and adorable story and it's been meaning more and more to me lately, on a personal level. I also adored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I'd say that Love Simon follows its novel more closely!

Favourite review/post you've written this year

I found two versions of this question, so I'll answer to both. My favourite review I wrote was for All of This is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor, it was such a thought-provoking book and I had so much to say about it. My favourite post I wrote would be the one about The Greatest Showman, where I explained why I couldn't like this movie like so many people did. It was such a great post to write, because I had to do some historical research (can you tell I used to be a history major?) and I stood by everything I said, every single time (I had an argument about it at uni once, and I so won both the argument and a friend at the end of it).

Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

It was a bit hard to pick, but while I tend to prefer paperbacks for reading, I have a weakness for what's under hardbacks' jackets. So, without hesitation, the most beautiful book I got since the beginning of the year is The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar. Honestly, look at how stunning it is:

It was really hard to pick just one and I've rarely cheated to those questions since the beginning of the tag, so I'll show you my second favourite, because I can't get over the naked hardback. Ladies and gentlemen, please feast your eyes upon The Cruel Prince by Holly Black:

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

The Get To Know Me Tag

Sooo, Geraldine @ CorrallingBooks tagged me to do the Get To Know Me Tag! Thank you so much, lovely! As you may know, I love doing tags –it’s been a while I think?- I’m excited to do this one!

VITAL STATS

Name: Lucie 

Nicknames: Lulu, Lu, P’tit Lu, Elisabeth, Babeth, Small Marmot

Birthday: February 12^th 1996

Occupation: I’m studying history in La Sorbonne, it’s my third year, which means I’ll have a bachelor of history in a few weeks! *dances happily*

APPEARANCE

Hair colour: I’m blonde but I have a lot of hair, so the hair under is more dark blonde, because it never sees the sun, haha. I need it to be summer so I’ll be fully blonde again!

Hair length: I cut my hair again two weeks ago and now it’s above my shoulders. And yes, I cut my hair myself, because it’s curly so you can’t see it if the length isn’t the same everywhere. I know it’s weird but… I don’t want to spend a lot of money on that!

Eye colour: In my family, we all have blue eyes, but we all have different shades. Mine are more steel blue (according to my boyfriend who just checked!).

Best feature: My emotionality, even though it’s overwhelming at times, because I can empathy with others easily and listen to them.

Braces: Oh my, I got mine for three years and only got them off in October of my high school senior year. I hated those so much, ugh. I know they were useful on me, though, so I get it.

Piercing: I only have my ears pierced and I don’t want anything else. Belly-button piercings weirds me out because I’m quite uncomfortable about belly buttons, which is so weird.

Tattoos: It could be pretty cool to have one but it’s hard to decide which one you want on yourself for the rest of your life, right? I’m too indecisive for that, let’s be real. So yeah, only temporary ones! At some point, I loved drawing on my skin actually.

Right or Left: I’m right-handed, but apparently when I was younger, I was holding the pen with my left hand sometimes.

FIRSTS

Best friend: Victoire, the daughter of my parents’ best friends! She’s a year younger than me but I think we know each other since she was born, or something. We were in the same elementary then middle school but because I’m two years above her (I’m a year ahead in my studies), we slowly broke apart. It’s sad, but it’s what happens to me most of the time (like when I choose to study in Paris).

Award: Uh, we didn’t really have competitions of some sort in school, I think we got an award for a swimming competition with my classmates when I was eight, but I don’t really recall it. xD

Sport: It would be ballet, because I started when I was four and half, and practiced for ten years!

Real holiday: When I was a year and a half, I went to Ibiza with my parents; I actually recall seeing fireworks, because the Real Madrid had won some competition in football. Also, my dad disguised himself as a woman (why even?) and I was screaming: “give me back my dad” apparently.

Concert: You probably don’t know the singer, except if you’re French, haha. When I was eight, my dad took me to Lorie’s concert, who was every little girl’s idol. I think I went to her concerts three times total. But one of the best ones I’ve been to was Mika’s, especially when he took his shirt off. I was like thirteen or fourteen.

FAVOURITES

Movie: ALL THE MOVIES DIRECTED BY TIM BURTON AND FEATURING JOHNNY DEPP! I think Charlie and Chocolate’s Factory and Alice in Wonderland are my favourites.

Colour: Purple! Actually it’s a colour I almost never wear, but it’s my favourite one anyway! I mostly wear blue or pink which actually makes… Purple. I’m logical like that, haha.

Song: Right now, I’m obsessed with Photograph by Ed Sheeran. I loved it before it was on the trailer for Me Before You, but now it brings back even more feels!

Restaurant: I love Moroccan’s restaurants because couscous is one of my favourite foods.

Shop: Bookstores. For clothes’ shopping, I love H&M!

Books: It’s such a tricky question, I don’t want to answer! The best book I read in March was Lady Midnight, so I’ll go with this one! Also, Emma and Julian *sobs*.

Shoes: Ballerina shoes! Now that it’s Spring, I can finally wear mine again, which makes me so happy! It’s comfy and elegant at the same time.

CURRENTLY

Feeling: Comfortable, because I’m in my bed after a long day and also very tired after this week of finals.

Single or taken: I’m in a relationship since August 2014! I know my boyfriend will be reading this and proud as a peacock. ;)

Eating: I just ate apple pie and it was so good!

Thinking about: that I need to get train tickets to go see my little brother tonight, who is in a music camp (sort of), where he’s improving his skills in trombone.

Watching: I just caught up on the last episode of the Flash and I need the next one, aaaaaah! This one had a goal and all but I think next time, it will be about confronting the antagonist!

Wearing: A flowery dress with black tights and pink ballerina shoes.

FUTURE

Want Children: Of course I do, and at least a daughter, because I’m stuck with three brothers.

Want to be Married: Someday, definitely.

Careers in mind: *runs away as far as I can* So, basically, I don’t know. I want to work in the culture area for sure, maybe curator in a museum?

Where you want to live: In an English speaking country. Do you guys know what a struggle it is to buy books in English? I either have to order from Book Depository or Amazon. I want to be able to go to a bookstore and choose! In Paris, there is a bookstore with everything I need but it’s way more expensive than TBD or Amazon, like sometimes, a paperback there is at the same price as a hardcover on TBD! It’s insane! Anyway, I’m just saying that to choose… London. It’s not too far for me, thanks to the Eurostar from Lille. Also, since I live in the north of France, I almost have the same weather that in London, most days.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN

God: Yes. I’m more or less catholic, because that’s what my family is, but I don’t think one religion above the others is right.

Miracles: I’ve never seen one, so maybe?

Love at First Sight: Not love, but attraction yes.

Ghosts: I don’t know but whenever I’m alone in a house/flat or it’s the night… I have my doubts.

Aliens: Definitely! I can’t believe we’re all alone in this wide universe.

Soul mates: I don’t think so. I think there are several right people for us in the world; you just have to find one of them. Because if for some reason you’re not with the person who felt right anymore, I’m sure there will be someone else, who’ll feel right in another way.

Heaven: I don’t really like to think about it, but I hope.

Hell: Same as above.

Kissing on the First Date: Definitely! But most of the time, I figure the things out with the guy before a first date… So the kiss happened first. Except with my boyfriend two summers ago, where we actually had a date.

Yourself: YES! I’ve been getting so much better at that for the last year, a part of it is due to the blog actually, because it helped finding myself. #cheesy

Wow, it actually took me quite some time to write down all my answers! Thanks for tagging me Geraldine! :)

The Deserted Island Book Tag

Once again, I come back with a tag! But this time, I was actually tagged, thanks to Geraldine @ Corralling Books! :) 

It was a really hard tag to do, because I had to choose between some of my favourite books, it's like choosing between my future children. I CAN'T. For example, Harry Potter could be chosen for every category (there are six categories so it could work, haha).

Water — A book you simply cannot live without

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - I can't choose a book among them, because they're all so good! I first read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when I was six, I'm not even kidding. So yeah, Potterhead for life! I couldn't watch the first movie in the theaters because I was too young, but well, my parents were right because every time I saw Voldemort's face I hide behind our sofa, which was ridiculous, but it made me sad. I watched all the others in the movie theaters though. 

Food - A book that is a close second on your favourites list

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Any book in the Infernal Devices would apply to this category actually! I know Geraldine, it was your answer, but I don't have another. I started reading in English for this trilogy so it makes me so emotional every single time. *run and start to reread every book in the trilogy* If you'reading this post today, it's because of these books. And I'm proud to say that I have a first edition copy of Clockwork Princess (!!).

Shelter - A book that makes you feel at home and safe

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima - This series is everything I love in a high fantasy novel and... I have also a ridiculous reason for choosing it *hides*. My boyfriend recommended it to me at the beginning of our relationship... So the series really mean something to me. I loved it but read it in French, so I'll definitely get myself all the books in English in the future! I'm also really excited for Flamecaster, which is set twenty years after the events of this series. My copy is already preordered, who is surprised?

Flare Gun - A book you would recommend to someone who doesn't read

Legend by Marie Lu - I don't read a lot of dystopian novels these days, but this one is really easy to get through and it's one of my favourites. The world-building isn't complicated, there is a lot of action and a swoon-worthy romance. You guys know that fantasy is my favourite genre, but it doesn't please everyone and can be hard to get through sometimes, especially if you aren't used to them. Contemporaries are easier but well, some people need their action ;)

Matchsticks - A book that warms your heart

This is what happy looks like by Jennifer E. Smith - I don't read a lot of contemporary novels, but I love the cute and fluffy ones, where you just wait for the characters to get together. Jennifer E. Smith definitely writes this kind of novels and I love them so much! This one is definitely the cutest, it's a summer romance between a super popular actor and a regular girl. Of course, it's complicated and everything, but I felt so many things. The emails about the pig asdjkehjqs. And the e-novella, which was kind of a sequel ,was just as cute! <3

Compass - A book that directed you towards your love of reading

To be honest, it's actually Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, like I mentionned before, but I already talked about it for the first question. So well, I'll talk about another books series that I loved when I was that age: Dancing Shoes by Antonia Barber, which was amazing! Of course, it's about ballet and I started practicing when I was four, so I was all about that!

Which book can't you live without? Any book you would recommend? When did you start reading and thanks to which book?