Happy (day after) Valentine’s Day! 💕 But for some of us single folks, it’s the day that all the chocolate is on sale 😉🍫 Today, I’m doing the Valentine Book Tag which was created by the lovely Taiwo from Stuffed Shelves. Let’s get started!
1. What book(s) have you been given as a gift that you loved? 
My friend Xandra got me the Six of Crows duology for Christmas last year, and now, it’s one of my all-time favorite series! The plot is so well-crafted, and the world and its characters are so sophisticated. Plus, Leigh Bardugo’s writing is 10/10. 🌟 I definitely recommend giving this series a read!
2. What book(s) would you like to give as a gift to someone else? 
I would probably gift the Six of Crows series because I loved it so much. Otherwise, I’d gift The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. It might be weird since this is a prequel series, but maybe it’d encourage the person to pick up more of the Shadowhunter books 😉
3. If you could gift a random person any bookish item, what would it be? 
This might be cheating, but I’d make them a custom bookish box. 🎁 It would include lots of bookish items like a mug, reusable tote bag (like the one in this pic), candle, and a book!
4. If you could gift a random person any non-bookish item, what would it be? 
Socks. I feel like most people really enjoy socks. I’m also a very practical person, so I’d probably give something like MUJI pens, too. 🖊️
5. What do you say when a person gives you a gift you don’t like? 
I’ll smile and thank the person for thinking of me. I’d be grateful that they gave me a present, but if I really don’t like the gift, I’d probably just give it to someone else.
6. Mention a book based around Valentine’s Day. 
Be Mine by Sabrina James. I read this book in fifth grade, and I thought it was sooooo cute. 😍 I don’t know if I’ll still love it as much if I read it now, but it was definitely one of my go-to fluffy contemporary books in middle school.
7. Mention any two tips for blogging as a gift to other bloggers and to those who may want to start a blog.
Number #1: Talk to other bloggers. It’ll make the experience so much more enjoyable for yourself because you’ll be better integrated into the community. Everyone is loving and willing to support you, but friendship is a two-way street. 
Number #2: Don’t feel pressured to read every book. Books are expensive. Reading takes time. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the latest and greatest hype books, and it’s easy to feel bad for not reading them. Keep in mind that book blogging and reading is an activity that belongs to YOU. Remember that it’s a fun activity–not an obligation.
8. Link to some posts by other bloggers that you loved or were very helpful.
I’m going to repost the posts I mentioned in my January Wrap-Up because I feel like these posts are still amazing and relevant AF:
- Aimee teaches us how to read like a fangirl
- Marie explains why we should blog hop
- Fanna drops some facts on the importance of book bloggers
- Fellow extrovert, Elizabeth discusses book blogging from an extrovert’s POV
- The Obi-wan Kenobi of the #NewBloggers group, Evelina, teaches noobs like me how to get organized!
- Jennie created an amazing post about how to move to self-hosted WordPress
Read By Tiffany 
I’ve speed-read this post for the general info first. It is a fantastic post. I have bookmarked it and when my brain slows down(just finished a great book and can’t focus), I’ll come back and give this the proper read through it deserves. I found myself nodding at each topic, like: “Oh Yeah! I’d gift that to someone too!” and “Wonder if she’s seen my ‘Save Dobby’ tweet?” Oh my, our book-souls must be synced. 😀
Seriously, can’t wait until I can sit and read more at your blog.
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Aww 💕 Thanks so much for your kind words! Which of the books were your favorite??
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Thanks so much for linking back to me Tiffany!! Great answers!🤗💕
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Thanks for starting such an awesome tag!!
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Omg!! Thank you so much! I’m glad you think it’s awesome!😊
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Of the ones mentioned in this post, The Infernal Devices series sounded the most interesting.(I looked them up on Amazon). I’m not a big reader of heavy romance stories. So, I never go by cover art and always try to read summary and a few reviews at the least.
I really like #2 from your advice to bloggers from question 7. Even when you just Tweet about books and don’t blog, it is so easy to get caught in the whirlwind of how many great books, bookish things and the like are out there. It’s great fun honestly. But, a nice piece of advice about not stressing or going overboard trying to do too much too fast. It reminds you to savor how great the thing you’re doing/reading right now is.
When I saw the bit about the gift box, I giggled because I had just been thinking about looking up book related art on the Society6 website to order a cool tote to give away at some point on my Twitter. I don’t feel I could keep up with a blog and do it justice at this point but I do have the desire to participate in this community, if nothing else, through Tweets and such.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments as well 💕 Yes! I always want to get bookish merch (from Society6 or Redbubble, but it’s honestly so expensive)
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Aww, that’s a really sweet tag. Books are a lovely gift although I do feel bad when people buy me doubles. 😉 I forgot to fib last time this happened and feel like a total meanie.
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Books can be such a difficult gift because it’s hard to tell someone’s preference! and Oh No!! it’s okay though they probably know you were still grateful~
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Oh great answers for this tag 🙂 and yes for chocolate on sale ahah, I’m here for that 😛
Can you believe I haven’t read the Six of Crows series just yet……………..
I probably need to leave this blog right now? Oops, haha. I will read it soon I promise, I am so glad to hear you enjoy it so much 🙂
I love your tips here: it’s so important to chat with other bloggers, I think the blogging experience isn’t complete without that and… let’s be honest, it’s the fun part, chatting about books with everyone 😀 I used to think I had to read all the books, I’m feelin a bit better now with experience, but… sometimes it’s so overwhelming, with everyone shoving books in our faces all the time, hahaha 🙂
Great post!! 🙂
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Thanks Marie!! Talking to such amazing bloggers really makes everything so much more fun 😍 Definitely try reading Six of Crows!! It’s kind of slow/confusing for the first chapter, but then it hits the ground running with such intensity and action~
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I will try and read it soon for sure 😀
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Lovely post, I adored your answers!! Your post made me want to read Crooked Kingdom even more, I keep seeing it on blogs and it makes me ashamed that I haven’t gotten to it yet, but I’m scared!!! I have so many high expectations for that poor book, I wonder if they will ever be met. I loved your gift ideas, I love receiving pens because I need them and use them, but I prefer the bookish one (obviously!)
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You need to read it!! It’s so good 😍 I love bookish gifts too but pens are a good default!
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Thanks for thinking of me! I loved your tips, it’s so easy to get caught up with what you ‘should’ read!
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Of course Jenn! Your blog is amazing and it deserves all the attention 😍
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I actually have Six of Crows, but I haven’t read it yet 🙂 and yes! I enjoy socks a lot! But once I made the mistake of giving nice socks to my boyfriend as part of a Christmas present, and I haven’t been able to live it down a year and several months later xD apparently, he thinks it’s a really crap gift 😀 the muji pens sound awesome too. Great minds! 😀
And thank you again for mentioning my post!! ❤
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Evelina!! Pleaseeeee read Six of Crows 😍 Socks are probably a hit or miss for some people but I think they’re so cute~
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I totally agree with you about gifting the The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare, to someone as it’s such an incredible trilogy? Do you prefer The Infernal Devices trilogy or The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare? You have also given very good tips, as they really help me as I am new to blogging and so could use all the tips possible. I loved reading your answers to the questions in this tag.
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I personally love the Infernal Device trilogy more! (and The Dark Artifices) I definitely think Cassandra Clare’s writing is not as developed in her earlier books, and it’s something that has greatly improved throughout her series. 👌 I’m thankful that you appreciate the tips!! I still consider myself relatively new to blogging, too, but these were things I wish someone told me when I first started. I hope you do the tag sometime too!!
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I personally love and prefer the Infernal Devices trilogy more too. I haven’t started The Dark Artifices series let as I haven’t finished The Mortal Instruments series yet; I am on book 4. Yes I would agree, although she is one of my favourite authors. That’s ok – I really do. I have first started, I have only posted three posts – so I want to gain more tips and criticisms as well as positives on my posts. Yes I will, as I do love tags!! I will let you know when I do it!! Have you got any other tips that might help me?
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Do you have a book twitter? I definitely think Twitter is the best platform to start networking with others. I started by joining the new bloggers discord group! https://twitter.com/AvalinahsBooks/status/946109651996807168
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Yes I have set one up with my friend today, as if you have read my weekly wrap up you will know that I can’t read and have to use voice dictation. This is my Twitter account – https://mobile.twitter.com/elena_books. Thank you for leaving the link and suggesting I make a Twitter account.
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