Larkynn's Caramel Frappuccino Book Tag

RULES

1. LINK BACK TO NERISIREN’S POST.

2. THANK THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU AND LINK BACK TO THEIR POST.

3. DO THE PROMPTS.

4. TAG/SHOUT-OUT TO A FEW PEOPLE, IF YOU LIKE.

5. HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY GOOD TIME!

BONUS #1: REMOVE ONE OF THE PROMPTS AND REPLACE IT WITH YOUR OWN FAVORITE WINTER DRINK PROMPT!

BONUS #2: USE YOUR OWN SELFIE AS A HEADER (NON-OPTIONAL. P.S. PLZ DON’T USE MINE).

Thank Yous & Tags: A special shout out goes to both NeriSiren (who created this winter book tag) & Sarah Maree! They both tagged me. If you click on their names you can find their original posts. If this sounds like a fun post, consider yourself tagged!

Disclaimer: I’m not very creative when it comes to the things I drink and I’m also not very aware of a lot of Christmas cheer in the books I typically read. With that being said, some of these titles MAY stretch the limits of Christmas or winter or the described drink. 

The Prompts:

Hot Chocolate: The Quintessential Christmas / Winter Book

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I don’t really read a lot of books that focus on Christmas. And if I’m being honest, aside from the Harry Potter books and a random YA novel, I don’t really remember too many of the books I’ve read TALKING about Christmas. So you get The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe because there’s a lot of snow in it :)

Horchata: A Book that’s Sweet & Spicy

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble

This is a sweet romance with scandalously spicy mystery. Claire joins her father on a business trip and is instantly overwhelmed with flashbacks and panic attacks that she cannot explain. Why would a place she's never been to feel so familiar?

Eggnog / Pumpkin Spiced Drinks: You Either Love It or You Hate It

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This was one of my guilty pleasure reads in highschool. I’m not sure I could re-read it as an adult. But boy oh boy do I still enjoy memes, gifs, and fanfiction revolving around this world created by Stephanie Meyer. And I think her world definitely has some influence in the worlds I create as well. I’m a 30 year old who’s still way too obsessed with vampires and werewolves... 

Hot Caramel Apple Cider: A Seasonal Twist OR Cultural Fusion

Dragon Pear by Yoon Ha Lee

This book feels like a magical space western / Korean Mythology cross over and I LOVE IT. Min is a gumiho, or a shapeshifting, charm bearing fox creature that has the ability to take on a human form. As a child she has always been taught to never reveal her true form because the humans are frightened of fox spirits. The old stories claim that fox spirits would lure humans to drain away their life forces. Dragons, Goblins, and Tigers, while still looked down upon by most humans for being supernaturals are at least allowed to use their magic freely. When a strange investigator shows up at Min's house calling her older brother Jun a deserter, all bets are off in Min's mind as she takes off on a daring space adventure to find her brother, clear his name, and bring him home safely to their mother.

Monster Energy Zero Ultra: A Book Character That Gets You Fired Up for Much Needed Change

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett & On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Okay, this one was a HARD decision and I think it comes down to a tie. In The Grace Year, Tierney is a clever, resourceful girl that lives outside the demanding rules of her society. When every girl turns 15 she comes into her magic, magic that is used to seduce and manipulate men. The only way to purge their bodies of the magic is for the girls to be locked in a secure camp for a whole year. At the end of the day, Tierney is the only one who can see their society for what it is, and also knows the first steps toward making everything better.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up features Bri- a sixteen year old rapper of color who just wants to make it big. Instead, she gets busted at school for selling candy bars and the security guards at school treat her like a drug dealer. Bri uses her words and rhymes to not only make it big, but to find herself and encourage real change in her community. You cannot stop her on the come up. 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: A Jazzed Up/ Twisted Classic that Should’ve Been Left Alone OR a Book that Still Makes you Salty

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 

I’m going to say it, and I know this isn’t going to surprise ANYONE who follows me regularly but, The Cursed Child STILL makes me salty. IT IS NOT CANON--IT’S A POORLY WRITTEN FANFICTION. End rant. 

Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri: A Book That’s Trying To Do Too Many Things (OR That One Element that Bugs you About an Otherwise Good Story)

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

This is a sequel to an absolutely FABULOUS book. This one is not so much. The characters feel like they’re completely destroyed and the entire novel is 400+ pages of the main characters arguing about going to war / attacking each other and failing to make any headway. 

Caramel Frappuccino: The Series You Drop Everything Else For

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger 

This is one of my all-time favorite books series. It features elves, dwarves, goblins, gnomes, humans, trolls, alicorns & more. To mere humans, it looks like magic, but really, it’s all super advanced science and I love it. While the books do get dark, the world itself (has a LOT of its own problems) is so vibrant and wonderful. 

Hot Chocolate with ALL da Marshmallows: A Delightfully Frosty Character

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Della (short for Delicious, but she NEVER lets anybody call her that because it’s weird AND the last time a teacher tried to use her full name a boy LICKED her to see if her name was a good fit) is fierce, strong, loyal, clever, and she doesn’t take snow from anybody. ♥

Chai Latte: A Book That’s Cozier Than Your Favorite Fuzzy Pink Unicorn Socks

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

This is a wonderful, hint-of-magic, small town cozy read about a librarian that can really read a book and the people of her town. It’s also about a woman who lost her sister, gained a teenager, and has also found herself tasked with taking care of her elderly foster mother. 

Iced Sun Tea: A Book That’s Totally Out-of-Season But You Don’t Give a Flying Reindeer

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

This one is totally more of a Halloween read since it involves witches and werewolves, BUT it’s actually great anytime of year, no matter what anybody else says! 

Cinnamon Dolce Latte: Your Favorite Seasonal Themed Momement in a Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The moment when Harry realizes that there are Christmas presents waiting for him under the tree--it’s the most Christmas-y memory I have from reading xD

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What have you been reading?

Reading Updates

Happy New Year, Readers! 

I know 2020 was one, uh …  interesting ride, at least for me. I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones well. If not, please know that you and yours are in my thoughts during these scary and trying times.

A quick shout out here to Neri @Post Cards from La-La-Land, as she does posts like this every year to review the materials and projects she has been working on. I’m stealing her idea because I have been so behind on posting updates! 

Armed with a Bingo Update:

I didn't get my whole Bingo card filled in this year--but I was close!

A Book Published in 2020: Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

A Book in the Middle of a Series: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

A Book from the Last Decade (2010-2019): A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth

A Young Adult Novel: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

A Nonfiction Book: Online Searching by Karen Markey

A Memoir: We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai

A Book by and Indie Author: Positivity Camp by Sarah Maree

A Book You Saw Someone Else Reading: Fated by Benedict Jacka

A Book with a Color in its Name: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism By Robin DiAngelo

A Bestseller Book: The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble

A Book You Meant to Read Last Year: The Line Tender by Kate Allen

A Book with Food Included in the Title: Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Previous squares:

A Book of Your Choice: Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Kelly Entrada

A Book that was Gifted / Borrowed: The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin

A Book with Multiple POVs: Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

A Dystopian Novel: Internment by Samira Ahmed

A Book Written in a Format Other Than Third Person: Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

A Book about Friendship/Family: Best Friends by Shannon Hale

A Fantasy/ Science Fiction: Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

A Book with a Beautiful Cover: Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Squares that Still Need Filled:

1. An Anthology or Poetry Collection

2. A Book that a Friend Recommends

3. A Book that has a Number in the Title

1. A Book Longer than 500 Pages--Yes that’s TWO Spaces

Mock Newbery 2020 Update:

Titles Completed:

1. Interment by Samira Ahmed

2. The Line Tender by Kate Allen

3. The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin

4. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

5. New Kid by Jerry Craft

6. Best Friends by Shannon Hale

7. Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

8. Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga

9. Song for a Whale By Lynne Kelly

10. Because of the Rabbit by Cythia Lord

11. Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

Titles Yet to Read:

1. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

2. Caught! Nabbing History’s Most Wanted

3. Orange for the Sunsets by Tinea Athaide

4. This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality by Jo Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy

5. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

6. Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

7. Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmitdt

8. Planet Earth is Blue by Nichole Panteleakos 

9. A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée

Actual 2020 Newbery Winners:

• Newbery: New Kid by Jerry Craft

• Honor Books: The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christain McKay Heidicker, Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga, and Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Mock Newbery 2021:

Titles Completed:

1. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

2. Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

3. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

4. Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy

5. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

6. When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

7. Kent State by Deborah Wiles

8. Go with the Flow by Lily Williams

9. The List of Things that Will Not Change by Rebeca Stead

10. Fighting Words by Kimberly Bruebaker Bradley

11. Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

12. The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest

13. All He Knew by Helen Frost

Titles Yet to Read:

1. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

2. When you Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

3. The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

4. A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese

5. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

6. Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

7. Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Other Titles I’ve Read This Year:

What have you been reading? Share your thoughts and comments below!

Happiest of Winter Holidays to you, Readers!

-Larkynn

Hallotober Tag

  

Welcome readers & Happy Halloween! A special shout out and thanks to Neri @ Post Cards from La-La Land for the inspiration for a fun Halloween Questionnaire. I know it’s been a while since I’ve last posted. Boy do I have some updates for you! But first, let’s talk about Hallotober! 

Hallotober Tag Rules

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link to their post 

2. Put the rules at the beginning or after the introduction

3. Answer the 13 questions 

4. Tag 13 people

5. Delete Question 13, add a new number one question of your own

6. You are free to use the tag image somewhere in the post

Tags:

I don’t have 13 people to tag--but feel free to play along if the fancy strikes you! 

Hallotober Tag:

Do you believe in ghosts?

I do! I’ve had a few ghostly encounters of my own, and I’ve heard a lot of family members and friends tell some of their own as well. Maybe if I get around to it, I’ll share a couple of them as blog posts!  

Trick or treat? Do you prefer a book that‘s full of twists and shockers or do you prefer a more comfortably predictable story?

    I love books that are full of twists and shockers. I’m a hardcore mystery lover and when I was a kid I wanted to be a detective---so I love trying to figure out whodunnit before the author’s big reveal at the end of the novel. The more twists and turns--the harder the mystery.

What is your favorite horror novel or short story?

    I love the Nevermore Series by Kelly Creagh. It’s a paranormal romance-horror that involves monsters and alternate dimensions first discovered by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s a beautiful mix of reality and magic that leaves you wondering, what if...

What was the last Halloween costume you wore?

Last year I had a lot of fun dressing up for my Halloween storytimes. I got to dress up 3 days in a row! I made 3 different, easy DIY costumes that I’m actually really proud of. I was a black cat, a unicorn and a Hogwarts Student. 

What is your favorite fall snack?

Hot apple cider! Okay, okay, it’s a drink--but it’s my favorite food-related thing about fall :) 

Do you carve pumpkins?

I did this year for the very first time! What do you think, readers? Can you figure out which one is mine?

Do you prefer horror movies or stories?

This is a great question. Am I watching the horror movie by myself, or am I with a group of people I trust? Because honestly, that’s about the only way I watch them anymore! Hands down, I think I prefer reading the scary stories because I feel more in control of how scared I actually feel. There’s something about movies that are sometimes way more real than they need to be!

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

 So this isn’t necessarily Halloween specific--but it’s my favorite fall memory. I went to a local corn maze with a group of friends. Everyone was there in pairs, except for me (my then boyfriend simply didn’t want to go) and my now husband (whose partner also chose to not go). So as a group we did the corn maze, which was a TON of fun (pretty sure someone got punched in the face when he tried to scare the group at large). But when that was over we did all of the other games associated, like the Wheelbarrow Race and the Giant Barrel Roll, and split off into couples. I was left awkwardly with this guy I didn’t know, whose significant other also ditched last minute. During the Giant Barrel Roll, he kept getting super dizzy and falling, and because we had been going so fast, I couldn’t stop the Barrel, so inevitably he fell out, several times. AND, being the jerk that I am, I laughed uncontrollably the whole time. Nearly six years (and a lot of growth and change) later, we’re now married and still laugh hysterically when we share this story. 

 Do you prefer to give out candy or get candy?

Okay, so I LOVE candy and going for walks--but I’m too old to get candy myself. And honestly, it’s no big deal to go to the store and pick out my favorite candies. When my daughter gets a little older, going with her will probably be my favorite. But until she gets older, handing out candy will probably be my favorite for a while. You get to see all of the cute costumes and make kids smile. 

Do you decorate for Halloween or fall?

Again, this is something I hope to get better about as my daughter gets older. I’m pretty lazy though, so in my adult life pre-daughter, I didn’t really decorate because it was just more cleaning for myself after the holiday was over. 

Do you have a favorite urban legend? If so what is it?

So we have one local urban legend that I remember pretty distinctly called Cry Baby Ridge. There’s a long section of winding road surrounded by towering trees that crosses over a cavernous river. There is one spot along the road where you can pull off to the side and access the river. This is Cry Baby Ridge. If you pull over in this spot at midnight on a full moon you will hear the wails of a newborn emanating from the river far below. It is said that a desperate teenage mother left her newborn down by the river’s edge in the middle of nowhere to spare herself society’s judgement. That lost little newborn still haunts that riverbank even to this day, wailing for its mother. And if a woman gets too close while the child weeps, it will mistake you for its mother and drown you in the river in sweet revenge. 

Would you rather spend a night in a graveyard or a haunted house?

Graveyard! If I’m going to be scared, I want to be scared by real ghosts--not electronic stuff. Now, if it’s a real haunted house, I’d still probably choose the graveyard, because it’d be more likely to be haunted by less-angry ghosts. If a house is haunted by a real ghost, they tend to be more angry--right? Nobody ever talks about the ghosts that water their plants or complete their puzzles. 

What is your favorite spooky movie?

Practical Magic. I know it’s pegged as a romantic fantasy--but it has it’s creepy moments! And as much as I’ve wanted to be a detective, I’ve longed to be a witch even longer.