The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag 2020

Hi, I'm Abby, and I really can't believe that 2020 is halfway over.

I've posted this same tag for the past two years, and I love doing it, so when I was tagged by two friends over on bookstagram to do it, I figured it was about time I properly wrote up this blog post.  So far this year, I've managed to read 58 books, and gave most of them 4 stars or above, which is awesome.

Anyway, let's jump on in. (Click on any of the covers to see their Goodreads page and learn more about the book!)

1) The best book you've read so far this year.

As usual, this question is too hard.  Here are some of them.

2) The best sequel you've read so far this year.

Last year, Sand Castle Dreams was the sequel I picked, and this year, it's Barefoot Memories.  I love this trilogy so much, and even more so now with the news that we're getting another book!!

3) A new release you haven't read yet but want to. 

I've thoroughly enjoyed every book by Savanna Roberts that I've read so far, but I still haven't managed to pick up Thief!  But I do have an Amazon giftcard that's sitting around waiting to be used, so... it may be in my not-too-distant future, haha!

4) The most disappointing book you've read this year.

Okay, don't @ me if this is your favorite book.  That's valid, you can do what you want.  But in that vein, I... didn't like this.  But I didn't really expect to, so... I dunno, Wonderland is just too weird for my taste.  (also Alice is a little jerk?  why is she so rude to everyone?  anyway I'm moving on I don't want to think about it anymore xD)

5) The most surprising book of the year so far.

 

That has to be Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.  Hands down.  I didn't expect to like this, much less love it as much as I did.  But yeah, I adored it.

6) A new author you've discovered this year.

Tara Grace Ericson is a new-to-me author that I absolutely love!  I've only read Hoping for Hawthorne, but an ARC of Poppy's Proposal just showed up in my email and I'm hyped!! Clean, cute romance is some of my favorite stuff to read right now, and Tara's is wonderful.

7) Your newest fictional crush.

I've loved all of Susan L. Tuttle's leading men, but Tobias from Met Her Match miiiight be my favorite.  His faith, his steadiness, his patience with Pem, I just love him so much, okay.

8) Your newest favorite character.

I'm doubling this and saying that both Mo and Dale are my favorites.  I adore these kids so much, their friendship is everything.  I haven't had a chance yet to pick up the other books in this series, but I can't wait to.

9) A book that made you cry.

Like, full-on, snotty sobbing.  In the car.  While my mom was driving.  So I was trying not to cry too hard.  But Tae Keller has succeeded twice now with making me cry at the end of her books, and I fully anticipate that out of any future books she writes, lol.

10) A book that made you happy.

Both of Sarah Grace's books are a rollercoaster of emotions, but Never Say Goodbye made me so ridiculously happy for so much of it.  Just Tyler's interactions with Murrae alone had me grinning my face off.

11) Your favorite book-to-movie adaptation you've seen this year.

Technically this was a taping of a live stage show adaptation, but you know what I'm gonna count it.  Daddy Long Legs the musical has filled me with so much joy this year, and even more now that I've read the book.  It's so pure and happy, and the score is gorgeous.

12) Your favorite review you've written this year.

I've only written 2 reviews here on the blog so far this year (yiiikes, Abby), but I'm pretty proud of both of them, so here they are:
- never say goodbye -
- barefoot memories -

13) The prettiest book you've bought this year so far.

Technically, this isn't here yet when I'm typing this.  But it should be here in the next couple of days, and I'm SO excited.  I think this is the only physical book I've bought this year, and it's also one of my favorite reads of the year!  I know it's going to be gorgeous!

14) The books you want to read for the rest of the year.

There are quite a few books that I can't wait to read that are coming out the rest of this year, but here are some of my most anticipated:

- staff of nightfall -

- poison's dance -

- one bad apple -

And there we have it! What are some of your favorite books of the year so far?

- Abby

The Seven Questions Book Tag

It's time again for tags-we-weren't-tagged-for-and-are-doing-anyway, y'all!

I've been wanting to do another tag, and what should pop up on my subscription feed but this one on Olivia's blog.  So here we are.  I stole it.  I'm such a criminal.

I'm pretty excited about this one so let's dig on in.

1. What is your favorite genre to read?

Historically speaking, it's been fantasy, but nowadays, I'll pick up pretty much anything except horror, as long as its relatively clean and holds my attention. 

2. What was the best book you read for the first time last year?

Ooh, I like this question!  I read a lot of fantastic books last year, but the Blades of Acktar books really stuck out to me.

((listen, whoever is making blades of acktar memes... keep up the good work))

3. Do you remember when you first began to read? What drew you to it?

I started reading when I was around 4, so no, I don't really remember.  My parents (Dad, in particular) were huge readers, so I grew up surrounded by stories.  Mom says I used to just read whatever I could get my hands on.  It's about when I was 10 or 11 that I remember choosing what I wanted to read for myself.  I think what drew me was that the 26 letters I was learning to put in different orders could paint such a different picture in my head.  It fascinated me.  It's still what draws me, in a way.

4. How do you arrange your books?  By color? By title? By author? By series? By something else altogether?

I have an TBR "shelf" (meaning, all my unread books are stacked on my dresser) which is organized by color, and my actual bookshelf with all the books I've read and loved and decided to keep, which is organized by author last name and then series order.

5. New books or used books?

Yes! All the books! I will never deny that I love the smell and feel of a new book, but I will also never deny that I love the price of a used book.  So I'm not picky, I love them all.

6. What tends to send you into a reading slump?

When I read such a stunningly beautiful book that all I want to do is read that book again and again until I'm sick of it which is impossible because I love it so much.

No but seriously it's only ever new-favorite books that send me into reading slumps.  Because they're so good! How is anything supposed to compare?

7. What tends to pull you out of a reading slump?

Time.  Watching movies that remind me of my old-favorite books and then feeling like reading again.  After a little while, I'll miss reading too much to not go back to it immediately.

And there we have it friends! Seven questions about books and my answers to them. Shout-out to Olivia for providing tags ripe for stealing. (seriously though, go follow her, she's awesome and her blog is so gorgeous)

The questions, should you choose to steal this tag from me:

1. What is your favorite genre to read?
2. What was the best book you read for the first time last year?
3. Do you remember when you first began to read?  What drew you to it?
4. How do you arrange your books?  By color?  By title?  By author?  By series?  By something else altogether?
5. New books or used books?
6. What tends to send you into a reading slump?
7. What tends to pull you out of a reading slump?

 Pick a question and answer it in the comments! I want to know ALL your bookish answers! *heart eyes*

~ Abby

The #AwesomeBloggerAward + My Blogiversary!

I've had this blog for three years.  THREE.  Three whole years!  Where did that time go?

I started this blog all the way back in 2016, when I was just a little baby 17-year-old who didn't know what she was doing.  Tbh, I still don't know what I'm doing, but I know for a fact that I've found more of myself and my God than baby 17-year-old me ever dreamed she would.

And this is the first year I haven't completely forgotten when my blog started and missed this anniversary entirely.  I have my lovely friend Faith to thank for making my brain go "wait, when is my blogiversary?" in enough time to post about it!  And she tagged me to do a fun tag, so... double friendship points to her.



So let's get started with the #AwesomeBloggerAward!

1. What is one thing that makes you sparkle? (Something you get excited about)

Awww, I'm totally calling getting excited "sparkling" from now on.  Things I sparkle about... hmm... Jesus, books, Disney, my friends, showtunes, giraffes, and... uh... yeah, I think that's pretty much it.

2. What is your favorite color to wear?

Well, my favorite color in general is purple, so I do love wearing that (and I have a loooot of purple clothes, haha), but I also love the way royal blue looks on me. Those are the main two.

3. What is your favorite song right now?

The main songs that I'm loving right now are the three newest songs by Hannah Kerr: "in the meantime", "glimpse", and "Split the Sea". They're just beautiful and have been stuck in my head for about a week now. So. Yeah.

4. What is a favorite Bible verse of yours at the moment, and why does it resonate with you?

A favorite Bible verse that He's really been speaking to me through recently is Daniel 3:18, "And if not, He is still good."

5. What is a book (besides the Bible) that you would always recommend to someone?

This is hard, because I feel like different books hit different people different ways.  So just because I love something, that doesn't mean everyone will.  But I think pretty much anyone would enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia. It's just so cozy. <3

6. What is a movie and/or book that you've wanted to watch/read for a long time, but you haven't gotten around to it yet?

Oof.  Calling me out there.  I've been meaning to get around to The Book Thief for //years// but am I emotionally ready?  I don't know. Thus, I keep putting it off.

7. What is one thing that a lot of people don't know about you?

Hmmm... I feel like I'm a pretty open book, tbh.  I will say, a lot of people in my real life don't realize how sarcastic I am until I say something sassy under my breath and they catch me. xD I love jokes and laughing but I've also got social anxiety and am just a generally reserved person, so I guess it surprises some people? I dunno.

8. How did you come up with your blog title?

I came up with the title for this blog back when I was 13 or so.  I just thought it sounded cool, and it stuck in my brain until I was 16 and officially started blogging!

9. Which of the four seasons best describes your personality?

Ooh, interesting.  I feel like I might say winter?  Not because I'm cold and distant, but because I'm kind of a snuggly, cozy person? Is that weird to say?  But seriously, I love all things winter, I love being cold (it's muuuch better than being hot, trust me), I love peppermint and crisp air and snuggling up with a good book.  So yeah.  Winter, I think.

10. What is one thing that God has taught you recently?

God has been showing me a LOT of stuff recently, but one of my favorite things is how He delights in me.  He delights in us, and He wants us to delight in Him, and it's a beautiful thing.


Thank you again to Faith for tagging me!! That was so fun!

And now, because I can, I'm going to tag some people! Yay!

Allison Tebo @ Allison's Well
Mary Kate @ Sarcastic Scribblings
Faith @ Stories by Firefly

Here you are, ladies! I can't wait to hear your answers! (no pressure, though, obviously, if you don't want to do it. ;) )

1. What is one thing that makes you sparkle? (Something that you get excited about)
2. What is your favorite color to wear?
3. What is your favorite song right now?
4. What is a favorite Bible verse of yours at the moment, and why does it resonate with you right now? 
5. What is a book (besides the Bible) that you would always recommend to someone?
6. What is a movie and/or book that you've wanted to watch/read for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it yet?
7. What is one thing that not a lot of people know about you?
8. How did you come up with your blog name? 
9. Which of the four seasons best describes your personality?
10. What is one thing that God has taught you recently?


And that's about all I've got for this post today!  Let me know in a comment, what is your favorite song right now?

~ Abby

Hello September Tag

Hello, lovelies!  I'm coming to you today because 1) I've been tagged for this September-themed tag and September is almost over, and 2) it's my birthday!  Yay!  I thought what better way to celebrate being 20 than by posting something about one of my favorite seasons - autumn!  (And since we don't really get autumn here in Florida, I'm making this post SUPER fall, so let's do this!)

Sweet Faith over at I Like That tagged me for this and I cannot wait to get into it!

~ Rules ~
>Please copy these questions (below), answer them, and then write out new questions (or just copy these) for the people you nominate below your answered questions.
> Please nominate at least 3 bloggers, but try to avoid ones that you know have already been nominated.  (Note from Abby: idk if I'll do this, considering we only have one more day of September, but if you're reading this and wanna just call it the Hello October tag or something, feel free to say I tagged you!)
> Lastly, include these guidelines in your post, and use the tag picture!

Aaand the questions!

Windy or rainy autumn? 
So far we've had a very rainy autumn, and to be honest, I don't mind it... as long as I'm inside before it really starts coming down, haha!  Windy autumns just make for messy hair and windburn - no fun.  So rainy for me!

Do you like chai tea?
Not particularly... but I'm not really a fan of tea either. *dodges angry tea drinkers*

Tea, coffee, cider, or hot chocolate?
Considering I don't really care for any of those first three, hot chocolate all the way!  It is my hot drink of choice, generally speaking.  And don't even get me started on the glories of peppermint hot chocolate... though that's technically a winter thing... ooh caramel hot chocolate, that's my favorite autumn drink, for sure!

If you could travel to one state in the U.S.A. just for the autumn scenery, where would you go?
I have been to the mountains of North Carolina several times and we've always been just barely too early for the leaves to change and goodness gracious, I wanna see those leaves! 

Do you like soup in the autumn? If so, what kind?
Not often, to be honest.  It never really gets cold enough here to justify it.  But if I'm feeling particularly autumn-y, I'll take a bowl of potato soup!

What color of leaves do you like best?
Any? All?  I don't honestly know, because all we get here is green.  So... any color other than green, haha!

If you could go to another country for the autumn scenery, where would you go?
Hmm... somewhere in Europe, for sure.  Maybe Germany?  That looks lovely in the fall. :)

Sweater or hoodie?
I love a good hoodie.  Sweaters tend to be too warm for me, but a hoodie (especially a zip-up hoodie) is fantastically cozy.

A hazelnut or apple cinnamon candle?
Apple cinnamon, definitely.

Cookies, brownies, or both?
Aaaaahhhhhh that's hard.  I think I have to say cookies, but give me pretty much anything sweet, and I will be happy.

What's your favorite fall activity?
I think I gotta say reading on this one.

Bonus Questions:

Pumpkin pie or apple pie?
Now, see, this is just cruel.  I love both of these things for different reasons, I don't think I can choose.

Have you ever had a pumpkin spice latte?  If not, do you think you would like it/want to try it?
I mean... I kinda tried one for one of our YouTube videos... I didn't love it.  But as I said, I don't care for coffee or tea, so I just don't think it's for me.

Would you rather go on a hayride or do a corn maze?
Considering I'm allergic to most hay, I think I'll opt corn maze.  I've had fun doing those in the past, anyway, so I'd totally be game for doing it again!

And I think that's all the questions, which means we've reached the end of this post!  I hope you had fun (I know I did)!  I love fall so much, don't you?  I'll leave you with this, my autumn playlist, for all the fall-music-vibes you may want:


What's your favorite thing about fall?  What song should I add to the playlist?  Tell me in the comments!

~ Abby

The Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

Hello, my name is Abby, and I'm freaking out because 2018 is almost halfway over.

So to somewhat sate my freaking out, I'm going to do this tag and take a look at the books I've read so far this year!  Let me know in the comments below what your answers for some of these questions would be, I'd love to hear about what you've been reading!

1) The best book you've read so far this year.
Oh no this is way too hard.  I've read a lot of great books this year.  So, here, compromise, I'll list a few of my faves so far. 

2) The best sequel you've read so far this year.

I've read a ton of sequels this year, but I think this one continued the story perfectly!

3) A new release you haven't read yet but want to.

I've loved a lot of Korman's books that I've read so far, and I've heard really good things about this one!

4) The most disappointing book you've read this year.
Actually, looking at the list, I haven't been disappointed by any books I've read this year. 


5) The most surprising book so far this year.

I think that has to go to this one.  It was creepy, but perfectly so, and the plot twists were so well done.  I really enjoyed it after not knowing what to expect.

6) A new author you've discovered this year.

Not only is this gal new to me, but this was her debut novel!  It was such a powerful story, and I highly recommend it and the audiobook. 

7) Your newest fictional crush.

Can I say Mick?  Because Mick.

8) Your newest favorite character.

I loved all twelve princesses in this book.  Azalea and Lord Bradford in particular are going to stick with me for a long time, I think.

9) A book that made you cry.
I'm going to say The Science of Breakable Things again for this one, because the ending had me laying in bed, listening to the audiobook, bawling my eyes out.

10) A book that made you happy.

This book just made me ridiculously happy.  I adore Percy and Frank and Hazel with all of my heart and I loved reading this again.

11) Your favorite book-to-movie adaptation you've seen this year.

I watched the mini-series of Emma this year and I enjoyed it far more than I anticipated I would.  I also watched the mini-series of Pride and Prejudice, but I liked Emma just a smidge more *shrug*

12) Your favorite review you've written so far this year.
Idk why, but I'm still rather fond of this one.

13) The most beautiful book you've bought this year.
Technically I bought this last year but it's still my fave and one of the prettiest books I own so yeah.

14) The books you want to read in the rest of the year.
Well, I want to finish my Riordan re-read, which means finishing Trials of Apollo, reading Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes, and re-reading Magnus Chase.  I also really want to read some of the Star Wars books I've had on my unread shelf for way too long.

And there you have it!  What are some of your favorite books you've read this year?

~ Abby

The Get to Know Me Tag: Writer's Edition

I have another tag to do!  YAY!

The lovely Gray (go check out her blog, guys, she's so cool) tagged me for this... tag... I've been writing all day, okay, I need more words. xD  Anyway, this one is super fun because y'all get a glimpse into my writing! :D

The Rules

~ Link back to the person who created the tag ~ that would be Savannah (whose blog I also love)

~ Thank the person who tagged you ~ Thank you, Gray :D

~ Share the tag graphic (optional) ~ I made my own, but the original is gorgeous o.o

~ Tag eleven bloggers ~ oh dear, do I even know 11 people? xD


LET'S DO THIS

Vital Stats / Appearance

[pen] Name: Abigail McKenna

Nicknames: Abby is technically a nickname, but it's what I've been called by most people since birth, so a lot of my close friends/close family friends will refer to me as Abs, which I find hilarious as it's a nickname of a nickname.  xD

Birthday: September 29

Hair color and length: Dark brown with a good amount of red, that goes to just past my shoulders as of now, but I may get it cut after all the end of the year dance stuff that's easier with longer hair is done.

Eye color: It changes depending on what I'm wearing, but on normal days, it's blue-green with brown around my iris.  My eyes are special, but I love them.

Braces/piercings/tattoos: Never had to have them, don't have any, and no.

Righty or lefty: Righty

Ethnicity: Caucasian (very, very white)

Firsts

First novel written: It was a story about three siblings who discovered something cool in their grandmother's attic... I don't remember what it was, actually...

First novel completed: ^ that's it.

Award for writing: I've never won one, so I guess I'll have to get back to you on that one xD

First publication: Also have to get back to you on this one...

Conference: The One Year Adventure Novel Summer Workshop last year.  It was fantastic, and I absolutely recommend it if you're an OYANer.

Query/Pitch: None yet! (in case you haven't figured it out, my writing has always been pretty personal.  I rarely even share it with my family... honestly OYAN is one of the few places I've openly posted it to be read by other people)

Favorites:

Novel (that you wrote): I have a feeling it might turn out to be my WIP... but I haven't completed a novel in so long that I don't really have one.  I have special places in my heart for several of my stories, but none of those have actually been finished, so....

Genre: I know it's not so much a genre as it is an age category, but anything and everything middle grade!

Author: Ohhhh lots.  Melanie Dickerson, Avi, Lois Lowry, C.S. Lewis, Rick Riordan...

Writing music: Whatever I'm in the mood for at the moment.  Or my story's playlist.  Or movie soundtracks, or Broadway soundtracks, or Disney soundtracks, or... I listen to a lot of music.

Time to write: I wish I could say midday or morning or something but no, my brain always decides it's writing time at night.  Which does not help with sleeping because then I'm thinking about plot twists and next thing I know it's three and while I've gotten a lot of words down, I'm also exhausted.  *sigh*

Writing snack / drink: Anything salty (or candy) / water, for the most part.

Movie: uhhhhh at the moment, it's probably Star Wars... or Narnia... or pretty much anything Disney, but to be honest, I haven't watched many movies lately, so...?

Writing memory: It's not really about actually writing, per say, but it's probably one night when I was driving with my dad and we were talking about our stories to each other, and he was saying how he'd love to take me to a writer's conference someday, and it was just very peaceful and gentle and it's a nice memory to hold onto now. :)

Childhood book: I was obsessed with all things American Girl, so I guess I'll go with that, but I had too many to list here in any sort of timely fashion.

Currently

Reading: Rereading "The Mark of Athena" and loving it.


Writing: A story about a girl whose mob boss father has her infiltrate the palace, but she and her best friend become close to the princess and she doesn't want to betray the royal family.  Which is a terrible way to explain it, but I really love this story, y'all.

Listening to: my spring-themed playlist :D


Watching: Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street, The Autobiography of Jane Eyre (which is a YouTube vlog-style adaptation of Jane Eyre and it's really good so far), and the usual suspects (MacGyver, Bull, OUAT, etc.)

Learning: Spanish! (or rather, trying to learn)

Future

Want to be published: I'd love that!  If it's in God's plan for me, of course.

Indie or traditional: I'm going to copy Gray's answer here and say that I'm cool with indie, but traditional would be a dream come true.

Wildest goal: I kinda want to write a non-fiction Bible study book at some point? (which, I know, that's just wild xD)

I Tag...

Genuinely, I don't know who to tag, so I'm just going to tag YOU lovely people!  Tell me down below the answers to the "Currently" section!  Inquiring minds (okay, actually, it's mainly just me) want to know!  If you could recommend to me one song that you've been listening to recently, what would it be? :D

~ Abby

My Life in Books {book tag}

Hello friends!  It has been awhile and it's good to be back!  Today I bring you a super fun tag that I stole from Faith who stole it from Lindsey, and it seemed like a good time so I thought I would take it on!  So let's do this thing!

1. Find a book for each of your initials.
  
Yes, my initials spell the word arm.  I like them a lot :D

2. Count your age along a bookshelf.  What book is it?
Book #19 on my shelf was "Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea" by Frank Peretti... which isn't actually my favorite Cooper Kids book, but this series holds great memories.


3. Pick a book set in your country/state

Not only is this set in my state, it's set fairly near to me!

4. Pick a book that represents a destination you'd love to travel to

There are several places in this book that I'd love to go to, including London and Scotland (I reeeeally want to go to Scotland), so this is a good pick!

5. Pick a book that is your favorite color

This isn't my favorite shade of purple, but it is a nice one.  (Also... this title... more like "How to Break a Reader's Heart" am I right?)

6. Which book do you have the fondest memories of?

Either of these books is definitely this answer for me.  I grew up on these stories, and they hold a special place in my heart.

7. Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

Confession time:  I didn't actually finish reading this.  And what's worse, I watched the movie and stopped reading.  But it was boring and confusing and my dad said it wasn't the best Shakespeare play (and I always took his reading advice), and I'm an auditory learner anyway so hearing the lines spoken was much better for my understanding of the material.  And I mean, I got As on all the projects relating to it so clearly it wasn't a problem.

8. Which book in your TBR pile will give you the most accomplishment when you finish it?

This book is a beast, oh my goodness.  I really want to read it, and soon, because it's my grandfather's favorite book and he gave me my copy (which was his copy), but good grief this book is big.  It's very intimidating, but I think it will give me a sufficient amount of satisfaction once I've actually conquered it.


And there you have it!  This was such a fun tag to do! 

I'm going to tag... anyone who reads this post while a television is on somewhere in their house. :D

~ Abby