Books As First Dates Tag

Ahhhhhhh, first dates. I think we can all agree that first dates can be exciting but also super awkward. I mean, there’s so much pressure! And spoiler alert: first dates are NEVER as perfect as they appear in the movies.

 I can still remember mine – I was fourteen and the new guy I’d been crushing on invited me to the theater. Sounds pretty romantic right? Well, let me tell you – it wasn’t all smooth sailings! First, our seats were mixed up and we didn’t get to sit together [thankfully he pulled some strings]. Then, during intermission, I managed to thoroughly embarrass myself. Basically, the company had set out a small buffet and as I reached down my handbag slid off my arm and landed in a plate of fudge brownies, splattering me with chocolate. *Face palm*.

But, despite all the awkwardness, my date was a perfect gentlemen and raced off to find some napkins, helping me clean off. And you know what? We ended up having a really great time, the fudge incident becoming an inside joke between us.

Which brings me to today’s post: the Books As First Dates Tag!

Before I get into the questions, I have to thank my good friend Emma from A Few Chapter To Love for nominating me. Emma [my eczema sister and fellow Twihard] has just recently returned from hiatus with a beautiful new aesthetic. Be sure to check her out! Thank you for the tag, Em – I’m sending you a big hug! 💙

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First and last: a book / series you’ve read and enjoyed but can’t bring yourself to read again

Life and Death is basically a gender-bent retelling of Twilight reimagined for it’s tenth anniversary. This time, it’s Beaufort Swan who moves to the gloomy little town of Forks, Washington. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. Was it necessary? Hell no – Bella definitely lived the best possible version of this story. And okay, sure it was interesting to play around with what might have been but I can’t see myself re-reading Life and Death anytime soon.

With a friend of mine: a book / series someone recommended to you that turned out to be different from what you had expected

I was probably the last human alive to read Shelby Mahurin’s debut novel. Let’s just say, I’m not one for the hype train and witches aren’t my thing. But when Emma raved about it during her 2020 OWLs readathon I finally caved. This book was freaking phenomenal – dark and complex with heavy religious overtones. An enemies-turned-lovers romance between a witch and a witch hunter, Serpent and Dove explores religion, feminism and tolerance.

Double date: a book whose sequel you ‘immediately’ had to read

I read A Court of Mist and Fury as soon as it released. And I regretted that decision profusely. A Court of Mist and Fury DESTROYED me. I remember sitting there and feeling the urge to lob my paperback across the room. I mean, that freaking CLIFFHANGER! How was I ever going to survive the wait? [Still can’t believe I did]. At the time, I probably would have given my left leg for an early draft of A Court of Wings and Ruin.

Let’s go to the movies: a book series that should be adapted to screen

Okay, so I’ve finally decided to pick up the Lunar Chronicles and all I’ve been able to think about is how absurd it is that this series hasn’t been picked up by Hollywood yet. I mean, the Lunar Chronicles could be the next Star Wars! This series takes our favorite fairy tales but adds a futuristic, science fiction twist. The stakes are high, the action full-throttle and the imagery seriously vivid. Like, can someone please just make this happen already???

Dreamy Stargazing: a book that made you go ‘ahhhh’ and ‘ohhhh’

The Night Circus is basically an enchanting feast for the senses. Beautifully complex and interwoven, Erin Morgenstern’s debut is the very definition of dreamy, reminiscent of some half-forgotten dream. The plot centers around Le Cirque des Rêves, a magical travelling circus that opens at nightfall. It’s a seductive labyrinth of illusion and imagination – the perfect stage for a duel between two star-crossed magicians.

Fun at the Fair: a book full of colours

Here’s the thing about me: I love truly immersive settings with bright and pliable aesthetics. You know, books that capture a specific vibe or feeling. One such book is Nicola Yoon’s Everything, Everything. This book feels like a riot of color as our protagonist, Maddie experiences the world for the very first time [it’s a long story]. Everything, Everything just oozes that lush tropical aesthetic with the perfect added amount of swoon.

Amusement park adventure: a book that was a rollercoaster

Another series I’ve just recently re-read, the Starbound Trilogy is a sweeping space opera about love, hope and survival against all odds. While the first two installments were more of a slow burn, Their Fractured Light steamed ahead at full throttle. Right from the very first chapter we were thrust into a deadly cat-and-mouse game of hit and run and the plot never let up.

Picnic with cherries: a book whose food descriptions made you feel all *heart eyes*

I feel as though To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the quintessential book for yummy treats and a classic vintage aesthetic. Our protagonist Lara Jean loves to cook and her narrative is full of homemade sweets and baking. Jenny Han always has her making something. Cupcakes, muffins, Christmas cookies – you name it. You can practically smell the freshly baked cookies wafting from the pages.

Trip to the museum: a book that taught you valuable stuff

Okay, I can feel you all rolling your eyes and groaning in unison – I know I always scream about The Sun Is Also a Star but this book honestly changed my perception of EVERYTHING. The Sun Is Also a Star is a deeply philosophical book about fate, grounded in scientific fact. Nicola Yoon explores the butterfly effect, showing us that our actions play a bigger role in the gathered consciousness of the universe.

Daria | Laura | Lucy | Naemi | Rain | YOU

Okay, you’ve heard about my awkward first date experience – now I want to hear from YOU. Let me know in the comments below your most hilarious first date [or any date for that matter] escapade.

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