The Summer Bucket List Tag

We were tagged by Siobhan @ Novelties for The Summer Bucket List Tag. Thank you so much for tagging us! We had so much fun completing this tag!

Rules

• Link back to the original creator in your post.
• Feel free to use any of my (Tiffany’s) graphics in your post, or create your own!
• Tag 5 other people at the end of your post, and let them know you’ve tagged them.

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Felicia

The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake

This book has some of the most amazing beach scenes that I’ve read in a book. This is such a hard hitting middle grade book that honestly broke me at times. This is a book that heavily features the ocean and beach. I think it added a lot to the story and how the main character explored the changes in her life.

Stephanie

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

This book has been with me through a lot, and is hands down one of those books I turn to whenever I’m in a slump or feeling down. This takes place mainly in New York, but the road trip all across America to various watery locations. It was one of the books that defined my reading addiction, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without Percy.

 

Felicia

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

As soon as I saw what was needed for this one, I knew I would be picking Fix Her Up. This book is steamy and sexy and my goodness does it have a firey romance! I don’t know who I would be if this wasn’t my choice for this one. Don’t let this unsuspecting cover fool you, this book is an absolutely steamy one!

Stephanie

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The first book I think of when I think “fiery romance” is hands down The Kiss Quotient! I am absolutely OBSESSED with Stella and Michael, and I can’t wait to get my hand on the other two in the series. This book gets hot and heavy super quickly, and it’s definitely a wild ride from beginning to end!

Felicia

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn

This book involves a literal journey across the United States, but it also involves some amazing personal journeys for the two main characters in this story. This book took me by complete surprise in how hard hitting it was and the topics it deals with. I thought I was just going to get a cutesy contemporary. While I did get that, I also got a book that talks about addiction and grief.

Stephanie

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns has been at the top of my favorites list since I read it back in high school. It is one of those books where, when I read it, I found portions of myself on every Pae. The characters n this book go on several different types of our eyes. They journey to find themselves, to figure out their relationships with each other, and to physically track down a missing girl. One of the things I love about this book is that John Green gets to the heart of each of these characters and helps to relate to real, everyday issues in a book that deals with some extraordinary circumstances.

 

Felicia

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

I’ve read Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow twice now and both times it has left me completely starstruck. I absolutely adore this book as well as the sequel. It has some of the most amazing world building. The characters in the story are delightful and I can’t get enough of this world. Absolutely can’t wait for more in this series.

Stephanie

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

When I firs read Caraval, I couldn’t get enough. I tore through it in about a day while on a road trip. I was astounded at the people and the setting, and the character building. Stephanie Garber left me dazzled by the magical world she created. Imagine my delight when I found Legendary on the shelf of a bookstore the next day, several weeks before it was supposed to hit stores. Maybe magic does exist?

Felicia

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

For this, I have to go with Wilder Girls. This book was everything I could have ever wanted and never knew I needed. It completely hooked me and I could not put it down at all. This is not a book I would have ever thought about picking up, but I received an ARC through Netgalley and read it and fell in love. It totally messed with my mind and made my skin crawl during many parts of it, but it’s so amazing and I’m completely obsessed.

Stephanie

Warcross by Marie Lu

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and I physically could not stop listening to it. I remember the struggle every time a class would start and I would have to take out my headphones. I ended up locking myself in my room with my iPod and an art project to finish this one. I stayed up till three AM to listen to the final moments and I do not regret it. This book is AMAZING, unfortunately, I didn’t feel the same about the sequel.

Felicia

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This seems to be a book I can’t stop talking about, but my choice for this is definitely Red, White, and Royal Blue. The romance in here is so sweet and amazing and I absolutely can’t stop gushing about it. While having an amazing romance, it also deals with some amazing topics and has a lot of representation!

Stephanie

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Since Felicia took my first choice here, I decided to go with my runner up for this category. What if It’s Us was such a sweet read. I really appreciated the representation that we got with this book. The relationship between the two main characters was really adorable and I didn’t want the book to end. I also was obsessed with all of the Broadway themes throughout – it was one of my favorite reads!

Felicia

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

While Sorcery of Thorns may be a somewhat odd choice for it, I definitely thought this book was a breath of fresh air. It was unique to me and to me that’s what this prompt is all about. I have never read a book like this one. The whole aspect about books being sentient was unlike anything I have ever read! I wish this book had a sequel because I could so use more in this world.

Stephanie

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel

This book came to me and was a four star novel in a sea of DNF’d ARCs. I was a little worried at first, because I don’t read a lot of quality middle grade, but man this book packed a punch! The main character was quirky and fun, and had to deal with some massive problems, especially for a twelve year old! I also can’t pass up a good story about a secret society! This book was a super quick read, and I can’t wait for news on book two!

Felicia

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

With the Fire on High is definitely my choice for this. I knew almost nothing about this book before going into it, but was so pleasantly surprised by it. The main character goes through a lot in the book and overcomes some great obstacles. This book also heavily features food and other culinary aspects. The descriptions of the meals that are prepared honestly made me feel like I had the food sitting next to me at times.

Stephanie

Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

This book spoke to me. As a bigger girl, I empathize with Millie Michalchuck and her overly-positive personality. She had to leap so many hurdles in this book – from overprotective parents, to struggling to speak up when something wasn’t right, all the way to discrimination against girls whose dress size is larger than your average shoe size. This book is a split POV and the other main character, Callie, also has some massive obstacles to overcome as well – even though most of them she put in her own path. I highly recommend this follow-up to Dumplin’ (and I also recommend the Netflix film adaptation of the first book as well!)

Felicia

Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale

This one took some thinking, but I ultimately decided on Small Town Hearts. This is one I recently read and it’s so descriptive. It actually worked for several of the questions for this tag and almost got used for by the water, but the descriptions of the food in this book are just absolutely amazing. I found myself hungry for the food that kept being mentioned in the book while reading it.

Stephanie

Getting Hot With The Scot by Melonie Johnson

This isn’t really the book most people would think of when it comes to food, but let me tell you, the way this author describes food is downright delectable. In this novel the main characters start out on a tour across Europe, and along the way they taste a lot of food (and men). I mean, I can’t go to McDonalds right now and not be constantly reminded of this book every time I see them advertise their Stroopwafel flurry.

Felicia

The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross

This is one that I kept putting off even though I’ve owned it since it was released and even bought the sequel when it came out even though I hadn’t yet read the first book. The Queen’s Rising was so inspiring to me though. Not only for all the passions in the story, but also for the actions that the main character has to take throughout the story. I found it to be an inspiring story all around.

Stephanie

Internment by Samira Ahmed

I can’t stress enough just how much this book impacted me. I’ve been writing letters to my representatives. I’ve been talking about these issues to anyone who will listen to me. This book, while not perfect, reminded me of the social injustices that are going on that need to be addressed. I highly recommend this book!

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We tag: Melanie and Mireille at TBR and Beyond, Candyce at The Book Dutchesses, Heather at Young at Heart Reader, JoAnne at Mahkjchi’s Not-So-Secret Books, and Alys at Alys in Bookland.

Happy reading!
Felicia and Stephanie