Burrito Bowl Book Tag

Burrito Bowl Book Tag

• Jul 30, 2015

I was talking to Alexa about how I wasn't sure what I wanted to post today, and she suggested doing a tag. Aside from the TBR Tag, I still haven't completed a few of the posts I was tagged to do. But, like the rebel I'm really not, I decided I wanted to do something else instead. I recently came across this tag while reading Lauren from Bookmark Lit's blog, and I've been dying to do it ever since! The Burrito Bowl Tag was created by Cristina from Girl in the Pages and Joey from Thoughts and Afterthoughts. While I wasn't tagged by anyone specifically, that isn't stopping me. Here are the rules to participate:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you to make your own burrito bowl, linking back to their site.
2. Answer the tag questions.
3. Tag 5 others to create their own bowl!
4. Food coma.

THE INGREDIENTS

RICE | The Foundation – The book that got you into reading

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is the first book I truly remember reading and loving. I slept with books in my crib, had Madeline memorized as a little girl, and was an avid reader from the very beginning. So, I don't know I can really say that this is the book that got me into reading, but I do know that this is the book that solidified my passion for it. I was gifted this whole series for Christmas one year, and I'm pretty sure that I read this book in the second grade. For some reason, I can picture myself reading it in that classroom. Clearly, it made an impression on me! This is the first book I truly remember loving, and it's remained a lifelong favorite to this day.

BEANS | The Filler – The book with a whole lot of nothing

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart did not work for me. It seemed like it was all flash but no substance. The writing is lyrical, but it was also so confusing and disjointed. I kept reading because I wanted to know what was going on, what had happened, and why the main character was acting the way she did... and when everything was revealed, I was left in a rage. I ranted about this book to everyone I could get to listen. This is one of those books where I definitely don't understand the hype, and I wish I hadn't bothered to finish.

PROTEIN | The Building Block – A book quote to live by

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent is one of my all-time favorite books, and I highlighted numerous passages while I was reading. I debated what quote I wanted to highlight for this question, but I felt like this one is something I need to always remind myself. But I'm a huge fan of quotes (Exhibit A and Exhibit B), so there are are many others I could have chosen! It can sometimes forget that everyone has a story and that I can't judge someone based solely on what I see on the outside looking in. 

FAJITAS | The Crunch of Texture – A book with immaculate world-building

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is the start of one of my all-time favorite series, and it's set in a world with such depth and complexity. I wasn't a huge fantasy reader when I dove into Throne of Glass, and here's what I wrote after finishing, "The world and setting felt so real to me! I could imagine each different part of this place, which is something I really appreciated about this book. My biggest problem with most fantasy books is that the world feels so foreign that I become disconnected from the story. Even though this was clearly an imaginary world, I still felt like I 'knew' it, in a way." And that's how I felt about the first book, which isn't even the strongest in the series! PS: Heir of Fire.

SALSA | The Dance of Flavor – A book that kept you on your toes

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan was one of the first books that came to mind, and I knew I had to highlight it because it's also one of my very favorite series. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Unspoken, but I certainly didn't know I was about to be HOOKED. There's a wicked villain, a terrible curse, a special town, a gothic mystery, a ton of humor, some major swoon and lots of emotion... I was never sure where Brennan was going with the story, but in the very best way. It definitely kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading, and I felt like NO ONE WAS SAFE. 

CORN | The Explosion of Sweetness – A memorable scene with friendship/romance

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier is one of the most romantic books I've ever read. The main character can't speak for most of the book (a sacrifice she must make to bring the end to a terrible curse) and yet it's still one of my favorite love stories. And how can I even choose my favorite scene? There's Sorcha and Red's day on the beach (LOVE), but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a scene near the end where Red declares his feelings for Sorcha. HOLY SWOON, Y'ALL. In a book with so much sadness, the romance was a sweet, bright spot of hope. And now I want to re-read...

CHEESE | The Bond of Calcium – Two characters from different books you wish could be friends

I have no idea if this would work, but I like to imagine that Sybella from Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers and Quintana from Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta could be friends. They've both experienced trauma, have some darkness inside them and have learned that they are worthy of love. I think they'd be able to understand one another - the good and the bad - and that they'd help each other heal. But I think they'd butt heads and challenge each other, too!

SOUR CREAM | The Tangy Topper – The quirkiest character you've ever read (protagonist or supporting)

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins has one of the quirkiest main characters - and love interests! - I've ever read. Lola has an outrageous style and loves costumes. Cricket loves intricate and complicated machines made to perform simple tasks. And, you know, his name is Cricket. If that doesn't qualify him for quirkiest, I don't know what does! Together they're quite the pair, and I love watching their friendship turn into something more. I love that it's set in San Francisco, too, because the setting just adds to the eccentric and cool vibe.

GUACAMOLE | The Cost of Creaminess – A book you paid too much for

While I don't regret buying them, you could argue that I've paid too much for my Folio Society editions. But I adore them! My favorite is my gorgeous edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which is even prettier in person than it looked online. While I'd buy my Folio books all over again, I can certainly understand why someone might think I'd paid too much for them. They're exquisite - so much attention is paid to the details. From the endpapers to the illustrations, I think they're worth every penny!

LETTUCE | The Handful of Crispness – A refreshing concept/theme in a book

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid was a recent read with the most refreshing concept and theme. It looks at a tiny decision in the main character's life and splits into parallel stories based on what happens in her life as a result. I haven't read many books with this concept, so it felt so unique! And the book keeps coming back to the idea of fate versus free will, which is a theme I find really fascinating. It was the kind of book I wanted to talk about once I was done. What choices led to where you are in life? Do your decisions define you? Read this book and see if it makes you think!

CHIPS | Le Pièce de Résistance – A must-read rec, if you like...

Nowhere but Home by Liza Palmer is the book you must read if you love food, family, football and finding your way. I recommend this book every chance I get because it's one of my all-time favorites. I bought it on a whim at Target one day, and I've never been happier with a random purchase. If you love Friday Night Lights, read this book. If you love the South, read this book. If you love contemporary fiction, read this book. If you love books with heart and soul, read this book. Basically, I can think of a million reasons to read this book. (I can't tell you how many copies I've bought as gifts!)

TABASCO | The Kick to the Face – Your favorite fight/action sequence

The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas was such an exciting, action-packed book! This book uses an unconventional structure - with portions set in the Sahara desert and others set seven months prior in England. Rather than start in England, it shifts between two time periods with a non-linear narrative. I wanted to know Titus and Iolanthe were in the desert, how they'd gotten there, what had changed between them, etc. There were so many twists I didn't see coming and even more EPIC adventures. I know I didn't name a specific scene, but that's because I think this whole book qualifies!

I'm tagging: 

Alexa from Alexa Loves Books

Cassie from The Casserole

Lindsey from Bring My Books

Lisa and Gaby from Bookish Broads

Morgan from Gone with the Words

And anyone else who wants to participate!