The Stay at Home Book Tag

Last Updated: 17 January 2022

2020 has been a year of curveballs and uncertainty all around, but one positive to come out of the situation is that many more people have found the time to rediscover their love of books. Reading has always been one of my biggest passions, and I can wholeheartedly get behind this newfound love for literature.

When I came across the Stay at Home book tag on Rebecca's book blog, I couldn't wait to get involved and share my answers to the questions in the tag. So, what's the Stay at Home book tag all about?

A Book You Read in a Day

I am quite a fast reader, and if a story draws me in then I usually do little else until I've finished the book! One recent read that is particularly memorable for this reason is Summer at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn. I read this book whilst on holiday in Berlin in March, just as the world was starting to turn upside down. We were hearing lots of horror stories about flights being cancelled and holidaymakers being stranded abroad, so I raced through this book to lose myself in a lighthearted HEA and successfully calm my anxiety.

A Book that is a Guilty Pleasure Read

I don't believe in the concept of guilty pleasures. Why should anyone be ashamed of liking something just because it's an unpopular choice or is not deemed to be 'cool'. For instance, some people say that YA fiction is a guilty pleasure (unless you fall into the target age group). I say that YA is one of my favourite genres. Who cares that I'm closer to 30 than being a teenager now? 

A Series that You Want to Start

There are so many great series out there that I keep considering delving into but have yet to take the plunge! The one I will mention here though is the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. I actually own a box set of the whole series and it has been sitting on my bookshelves staring at me for years. Maybe one day I will finally get around to reading it! 

A Book that Has Been on Your TBR for Ages

I could write reams to answer this question. As it currently stands, I have almost 1400 books on my to-read list - and that doesn't even include my wishlist or books I plan on buying (at some point). Luckily, those aren't all physical books or I think my ceiling might collapse under their combined weight, but that is a super long list and as I average about 50 books read a year, that's a lot of unread books I've been racking up over the years! One of the longest-serving unread books on my tbr is Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe. I will get around to reading it someday!

A Book You Recently Bought Because of the Hype

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I've been hearing about how impactful this book is for so long; I finally caved and got a copy from my local second-hand bookshop. I haven't read it yet, but fingers crossed it manages to live up to my high expectations!

A Book You Learned from or Had an Impact on You

So many books helped to shape my view of the world and gifted me knowledge on some very unusual topics! As a young child, my favourite book was All About Alice by Penny Dale. I would religiously take the book out of the library week after week until my parents finally gave in and bought me my very own copy. It may only have been a (mostly) picture book and was certainly no literary masterpiece, but All About Alice was one of the earliest stepping stones that cemented a lifelong love of books. 

A Book You Were Gifted

The Little Café in Copenhagen by Julie Caplin. My parents got me this book for Christmas as my fiancé and I visited Copenhagen a few years ago. Unsurprisingly, I still haven't read it, but it looks like a really fun read and I can't wait for a chance to get stuck into it!

What is One Thing You Have Done Recently to Look After Yourself?

I'm very good at keeping busy and even better at making lists to keep myself organised, but I'm not so good at remembering to stop and take time out for myself. My fiancé is great at realising when I'm at the end of my energy reserves and understanding when I'm nearing mental burnout - even when I don't realise it myself. Like so many others, the last few months have been challenging and the 'new normal' has taken its toll on me. Last Friday, my fiancé got home from work and told me he was taking me to the coast the following day. Wells-Next-the-Sea in North Norfolk is one of my happiest places and a visit to the coast - no matter the weather - always leaves me in better spirits and helps me to recharge my mental batteries. 

An Upcoming Release You Are Looking Forward to

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. The premise of the book sounds really interesting and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! I'm typically not very good at remembering to buy books on release day, but this is one I will definitely pre-order as I've been so eagerly awaiting its arrival. 

How would you answer the questions? Let me know if you decide to join in with the Stay at Home book tag, too!