Bridgerton Book Tag

Hey there guys, how are you? I’m so excited because a few days ago the second part of Bridgerton season 3 finally dropped, and I’m so happy about it. I may be in the minority but I truly have a soft spot for Penelope and Colin, and this could become one of my favourite seasons of the show. So today I want to do a book tag related to this TV show, the original can be found on “Sin Libros No Soy Nada” channel on Youtube. I’ve done an English translation from Spanish. Let’s get started!

 

1. Anthony Bridgerton – A book that it’s not from a genre you love, but you ended up liking it anyway.

I would like to say I enjoyed Anthony’s season, but I wouldn’t want to lie, I’m sorry. By the way, a book I really enjoyed that was out of my comfort zone was The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. I usually don’t read mystery books or thrillers, but this one blew me away, it was just so good.

 

 

2. Benedict Bridgerton – A retelling I would recommend to everybody

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge is a book I read years and years ago, but to this day it is still my favourite Beauty and the Beast retelling ever. It’s dark, and it’s also very compelling to read, I remember really loving it.

 

 

3. Colin Bridgerton – A book that made you feel like you were travelling and that made you discover other worlds

Did you know Colin went to Europe? He might have mentioned it a few times during this season lol. A book that made me discover other worlds was for sure the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, it has a really good fantasy world building and for a good part of the series the characters are travelling, so there’s that.

 

 

 

4. Daphne Bridgerton – A book that’s completely in your comfort zone

Maybe not the coziest answer, but for sure The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It’s one of my favourite books ever for a reason, I love pretentious kids doing crimes, talking about literature and speaking in Latin, what can I do about it?

 

 

 

5. Eloise Bridgerton – A book where letters/diaries have a very important part in the story

We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra, a book I loved that’s told mainly through letters exchanged between the two main characters. The writing is lyrical, and I would really recommend it.

 

 

6. Francesca Bridgerton – A book with a memorable love story and with a slow-burn pacing

Well, let me introduce you to the slow-burn queen of Romance, Mariana Zapata. Her book From Lukov with Love really encompasses all of these characteristics and it’s one of my favourite romances of all time, this book will make you burn, quoting Bridgerton.

 

 

7. Gregory Bridgerton – A book that, despite being criticized, you will read

Nothing comes to my mind in this moment, so I will slightly change the prompt to “a sequel of a book I will read despite not really liking the first one”. I really didn’t enjoy Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare, so I’m still not sure about reading the sequel, but there was something really interesting going on with the romance, so maybe I will pick up the second one, just for the fun of it all.

 

 

8. Hyacinth Bridgerton – The last book you added to your TBR and that you want to read right away

Under the Lupine Moon by A. Knightley is the last book I’ve sent to my best friend saying “we need to read that” and I still stand by that. It comes out in July and I needed it like yesterday.

 

 

 

9. Violet Bridgerton – A book you love for the values that it conveys

This is a hard question for me, because I usually don’t read books for their values, but I think Little Women by Louisa May Alcott really portrays a good depiction of how womanhood can encompass very different types of representation, every one beautiful in their own way, so I will use that as an answer.

 

 

 10. Lady Danbury – A book with a wonderful story but that it’s not loved by everyone

I simply cannot answer this question, to be honest. I thought about it, but every book will have people who love it and people who didn’t like it, what is underrated to me could be not so underrated for someone else, and so on, so I will skip this one.

 

 11. Simon Bassett – A book that deals with problems during childhood/adolescence with themes of neglecting/abuse/bullying that I would recommend

I have not read this book, but I’ve seen the movie, and I still think it’s one of the best that deals with these themes, and that’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It’s so delicate and vulnerable, and it always makes me tear up.

 

 

 

 12. Penelope Featherington – A book with a wonderful female character that really fascinated me

May be controversial, but she’s still my best girl, so I will say The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. I didn’t love this series, but God if I love Libby Rhodes. I support her rights, and I support her wrongs, I love her to death, that’s just it.

 

 

 

Okay guys, this was my take on this tag. I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know who is your favourite Bridgerton character in the comments down below (and PLEASE don’t spoil season 3, it’s been 48 hours).

Thanks for reading,

 

 

 

Choose a The Tortured Poets Department cover variant and I’ll recommend you a Dark Academia book

Hey there guys, how are you? You very well know that every time something Taylor Swift related comes out, I’ll be ready to talk about it. And maybe recommend you some books in the process.
Today we’re doing a fun little experiment, since I decided to recommend a Dark Academia book for every cover variant of The Tortured Poets Department that Taylor has announced.
Since of course the album will be out on April 19^th and therefore I still haven’t listened to it, this article will go on vibes alone (hence the Dark Academia) and I will write a different book recommendation type of article with every song and bonus track when the album will be out, so keep that in mind.

 

Variant #1: “The Manuscript”

The very first variant, the one that sent the Internet into a frenzy, the one nobody expected, and for this one I decided to go with THE Dark Academia book, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It’s solid, it’s the classic, there’s a reason it is considered the pillar in this genre, and I still agree this is one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. And TTPD is giving classical, it is giving literature, and it is giving masterpiece. A win-win.

 

 

Variant #2: “The Bolter”

The Bolter variant to me is softer in vibes, but it’s giving more “thinking about what makes one person sad” kind of vibes. This one strongly gives me The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton vibes. Sadness and anger, and what triggers the both of them, are very strong themes in this book, and it also depicts a very deep-felt insight about female rage, which I’m sure Taylor is also going to include in her new album.

 

 

 

Variant #3: “The Albatross”

This is maybe the variant I’m most excited about, will it be Coleridge adjacent, or will it be Baudelaire? And most importantly, will it have the same themes as the lyrical masterpiece that is Weight of Living (Part 1) by Bastille? We just have to wait and see. And for this one, given the sea vibes, the lighter aesthetic and the cover, I decided to go with one of my favourite novels of the last years: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. It’s such a tender depiction of youth, friendship and humanity and I recommend keeping a box of tissues next to you.

 

 

 

Variant #4: “The Black Dog” (The Sirius Black Variant)

In my eyes this is the saddest and darkest variant of them all, and I’m sure its bonus tracks will make us cry our hearts out, but going with the vibes alone (as that is the theme of this article) I think this one goes well with the book I’m currently reading, An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson. It’s a fantasy tale of vampires, lust, blood and wanting to be the best in every aspect of your life. It also deals with a poetry course at university, and you know, The Tortured Poets Department and all that, I think it’s quite fitting. I still haven’t finished it, but it’s an enjoyable read, even if it’s not blowing my mind.

 

 

 

Okay guys, these were my options for the four variants that Taylor announced for her upcoming album. I hope you enjoyed them, and please let me know your favourite variant. I think mine is a tie between The Manuscript and The Albatross.

 

Thank you so much for reading,

 

The Fairy Tale Book Tag

Hey guys, how are you? I haven’t done a tag article in so much time, so I felt like it was time to do so, and to unite two of my favourite things, fairy tales and books. There’s nothing I love more than a classic fairytale retelling, the tropes, the atmosphere, the drama of it all, everything just calls out to me.
This tag was created by Rachel Reads on Youtube and I will leave her channer here.
I hope you enjoy it and let’s get started.

1. Rapunzel – A long book you gave five stars (over 450 pgs).

This is very easy for me, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, one of my favourite books of all time, and the blueprint for the dark academia genre. It’s so compelling, you won’t even feel the 559 pages it is composed of. It’s a lyrical masterpiece, and a compelling story I will think about forever.

2. The Little Mermaid – A book that took your breath away

Literally The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. I don’t read a lot of mystery books but when I do, I try to search the ones that could appeal to me more, and I loved this book to pieces. Most of all, the plot twist really shocked me, as I didn’t see it coming at all. Sometimes I still think about it and how good it was. Really mind-blowing.

3. Swan Lake – A book with the theme of sacrifice

I literally don’t want to sponsor this author on this blog, so keep in mind I stand apart from everything J.K. Rowling says or does as I could not be more far from her way of thinking, but I can’t help but think about the Harry Potter series. What I want to get from these books, and what I want to remember them by are the mesmerizing acts of love that the characters put in act in order to save the ones they love. And that’s all I have to say.

4. Rumpelstiltskin – A book that changed you

This is a huge question to which I have a simple answer, since it can’t be everything else for me: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It mesmerized little 12-year-old me and made me see literature in a way I had never seen it before. I always loved to read and to discover new stories, but that one made me want to study this subject for real in my life, and I still think about the very gentle lady that recommended me this book in the bookshop. I hope she’s good and I’d love for her to know she changed everything for me, and I will forever be grateful.

5. Cinderella – A book with a self-sufficient character (but not snobby)

I’m not sure I get this question 100% but I’ll go with Feyre from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. She is used to do everything on her own and to provide for her sisters, she’s literally the rock in the family and she deserves everything.

6. The Twelve Dancing Princesses – A long series you love (or) a book with a lot of characters

Why not both? And why not another Sarah J. Maas book series? The Throne of Glass series is one of my favourites of all time and I grew so close to all of the characters (and they are a lot). They feel like real people to me and in those seven books I grew so attached to them, it’s insane to think about. I’d gladly read another seven books of their lives.

7. Sleeping Beauty – A book with a slow plot

For this one I for sure have to say one of my most recent reads: Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare. I usually love her writing, but this book was just too slow, and the plot really started at the 70% of the novel, and that is just too late in my mind.

8. Mulan – A book with a lot of action

I usually do not read a lot of action-packed books, so my first answer is for sure The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, a book I read when I was a teenager, and the most popular in that dystopian phase the editorial world had for a while. It for sure is full of action, and it’s never boring.

9. Aladdin – A book that transported you to a whole new world

Love the song reference in this question. And for this one I would say every Sarah J. Maas’ book, but for the sake of variety, I will say The Cruel Prince trilogy by Holly Black. I loved the fairyland, Elfhame, and its lush atmosphere, it really seemed to be there, and I love everything remotely folkloristic.

10. Alice in Wonderland – A frabjous book with a great cast of side characters

For this one I have to go with Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the main character is Daisy for sure, but it reads like a choral novel, where each and every single one of the other characters has literally its own voice and a great role in the overall plot. I will forever love this book with my whole heart.

11. Wild Card – Your favourite fairy-tale retelling couple

It is a mostly unknown book, but I’ll perish on this hill and say that Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge is the best Beauty and the Beast retelling to this day, so the main couple in this book is my answer for this. They are dark but fit to the story in the real way a fairy-tale couple should be, and the book per se is amazing.

Okay guys, these were my answers to this tag. Let me know if you enjoyed it and please let me know which is your favourite fairy-tale in the comments.

Thanks for reading,

If you like these singers, then read these books #1

Hey there guys, today I would like to introduce you to a new idea I had, and that is to give you three books to read that I think you might like if you enjoy listening to these artists. I will start with some of my favourite singers of all time, and if you like this format, maybe I will do others in the future.
I will say, buckle up and let’s get started!

 

Taylor Swift

Of course I had to start with my favourite singer of all time, Taylor Swift. She has such a vast catalogue, that it would be quite reductive to just offer you three books, but I will try for the sake of this article. If you would like more specific recs, I have various articles on this blog where I give a recommendation for every single song of various Taylor’s albums. For this time being, in honour of her career, I decided to split the recs as one for her country era, one for her pop era, and one for her indie folkmore one.
For the country category, what could be better than the Chestnut Spring Series by Elsie Silver? I think this romance series could really well reflect Taylor’s first albums, where romance was a huge part of the narrative. For her pop era, I decided to go with basically anything by Emily Henry, but in particular her book People We Meet on Vacation, it has that energetic and romantic vibe that Taylor’s pop albums tend to have, and a part of this is even set in New York, so win win. And for the folkmore era I decided to go with my favourite classic book of all time, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. The moors, the drama of it all, the big emotions, this book has it all. And also, a lot of rain. What better than that to associate with these albums?

 

Harry Styles

Here we go with another one of my favourite singers of all time. I’ve been a big fan of Harry for years now, I’ve seen him live a bunch of times, and his music really has got me through a lot.
The three books I would like to associate with Harry’s music are The Binding by Bridget Collins, Call Me By your Name by André Aciman and Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
“The Binding” is maybe the less obvious of them all, but in my eyes it really encompasses a lot of Harry’s mellower songs vibes, the imagery is quite beautiful and convoluted, and it reminds me for example of songs like Little Freak. “Call Me By Your Name” is a book I simply had to include because in my eyes it is really tight with Harry’s songs, there’s something about the poetry but at the same time the angst that both convey, that really makes these two pieces of media similar in my eyes. And I think Daisy Jones is quite self-explanatory, right? I mean, we could discuss that Harry is maybe the most rockstar-y pop-star of our time, and his looks and antics really resemble the ones of a 70s band.  That’s just how it is in my eyes.

 

 

Hozier

Listen, Hozier is per se maybe one of the best songwriters of our generation, so his lyrics alone are a work of art, but if you would like to associate his wonderful songs with some books, I will give you my recs.
In my eyes Hozier’s music encompasses three big macro-areas of themes/aesthetic and they are literature references, mythology (in particular Greek) and the folkloristic nature feeling of being in the woods with magical creatures. So I have a book for everyone of these categories.
Let’s start with the literature one: what better than a classic dark academia book? The staple of it all? The Secret History by Donna Tartt is the book for you if you enjoy talks of poetry, glory and a mesmerizing writing style. I swear I think about this book on a daily basis and it’s been years since I first read it.
For the mythology area I had of course to go with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, I think it is a staple in the Greek mythology retellings genre, and I think its lyricism and the way it’s written, with an otherworldly delicacy, really declares it the best in the sector.
And finally, for the folkloristic area, I think the best choice might be Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier, an historical fantasy novel where nature is its own character and the cottagecore vibes are very present and set the tone for the whole story.

 

 

Phoebe Bridgers

And last but not least for this article we have a singer that also doubles as my therapist lol. Phoebe Bridgers is one of the best singers/songwriters of our generation, and I think she so well encapsul the struggle of being a woman in her twenties and thirties. For this reason, if you like Phoebe I can only recommend a bunch of books from the “hot girl literature” trend of the last few years:
First and foremost, a book I truly think well encompasses Bridgers’ lyrics is Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews, a coming-of-age story, a love story and an ode to Europe all in one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend it. If you want something more glamorous, I could recommend you Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. This story is set in New York and it follows a girl in her twenties as she struggles with friendship, love, and a sadness that never seems to go away (like Phoebe perfectly says: “Jesus Christ, I’m so blue all the time”).
And last but not least, I think really resembling some of Phoebe’s earlier stuff, Bunny by Mona Awad is a very fitting choice. It’s something a little bit more unhinged and over the top, with some dark academia vibes and a deep dive into womanhood.

 

Okay guys, these were my book recs if you like the same artists I listen to. Please let me know your advice and recs, and if you liked this kind of article. I could always do more with other singers.
Thank you for reading and for your time.

Top 5 Books I Would Like to See Adapted

Hey there guys, since “Red, White and Royal Blue” came out yesterday, one of my all-time favourite books, I began to think about books I really love that I would adore to see adapted into a movie or a TV show. These ones have not yet been optioned or on their way to an adaptation, as far as I know, so let’s see which five books I would love to see on the big or small screen.

 

1. From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

   Rom-coms are the next big thing right now and I couldn’t be happier about it. Romance is an awesome genre that deserves more recognition, and From Lukov with Love is one of my favourites that I read in the last few years. I think it has the potential to become a comfort movie for many, and given the length of the book this could also be adapted into a mini-series.

 

2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

 Very different in tone, but a book that I’m honestly shocked it hasn’t still been adapted is “The Secret History”. It is a literary masterpiece and the dark academia genre owns everything to this literary piece of fiction. I think it could translate wonderfully into a movie, imagine the atmosphere, the soundtrack, the vibes. It would be immaculate. And I also have quite some ideas for the casting.

 

3. The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

 Okay I know what you’re saying, this is a 30-page-long short story, I get it. But this would translate in an amazing way into a six-episodes mini-series. I know that should be longer and maybe some plot points should be added, but this is my favourite short story of all times, and it has nothing to envy to full-length books in my opinion. It also depicts a very interesting concept, so it could be really fun to watch.

 

4. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Speaking about crimes against… me. The fact that this book has not yet been adapted or optioned is a crime in my eyes. And if you’re asking, yes, I like sad stuff and I cannot lie. I know that the story of Achilles and Patroclus has yet been depicted in a movie I won’t mention, but they were cousins in that one. COUSINS. This book has to be adapted because we have to do right to this at least. Think about the media effect this could have. Just think about it.

 

5. Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Bridgerton, but fantasy, what could you want more? This is a series of three books and each one of them follows a different couple (with very different tropes) in Regency England, and each one of these couples has to deal with magic, fairies and spells. This is a very cozy series that I think would work so well in a Bridgerton style fashion where every season follows a different couple. I would love to see it.

 

Okay guys, these are five books I would love to see adapted into a movie or tv show. Which are some books you would love to see on the big or small screen? Let me know and thanks for reading.

Talk to you soon,

The Winter Essentials Book Tag

This lovely tag was created by taylor reads on Youtube (you can find it here), and I decided to do it because it’s quite cold where I live, and it really feels like Winter. In these days I just want to read curled up under a blanket, with a hot beverage on my bedside. So, let’s get started.

1. Crackling Fire – Who is your favourite cold character who warmed up towards the end?

There is only one answer, and that is Baz from “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell. Baz is simply one of my favourite characters of all time, the complexity Rowell used to depict him simply astonishes me. Baz is a wonderfully layered character, who comes across as cold, but has a heart of gold.

2. Snowflakes – What is a book that was full of unique characters?

For sure, “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. The characters are what makes this book so great. They are all so different from each other, in particular Henry is a character that I consider one of a kind, I’ve never read anything like him before or after I read this novel. I still think about him sometimes.

3. Gingerbread Family – Which fictional family would you want to be a part of?

 The Blackthorn family from “The Dark Artifices” by Cassandra Clare. I just think it’s one of the best families I have ever read about. It is not the happiest family for sure, but the love between them is just so special and I get tears in my eyes when I think about what Julian Blackthorn did for his family.

4. Blizzard – What is a book that had you confused the whole time?

“The 7 and a half deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton. I’m not the biggest mystery girl out there, but this book just left me confused, and maybe it was a me thing, but I also think it was a book thing. It is actually too long, in my opinion, and the ending not quite so satisfying after what it put me through the whole time. Personal opinion, of course.

5. Gift Giving – What is the last book that was gifted to you?

I received a lot of amazing books for Christmas from my wonderful friends, they would be too many to list, I’m that lucky, but just to say some of them, “Her Majesty’s Royal Coven” by Juno Dawson, “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas and “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner.

6. Snowball – What is the biggest book you’ve ever read?

I think to this day it still is “Kingdom of Ash” by Sarah J. Maas, but it was so worth it to be honest, it’s one of my favourite last books in a series ever.

7. Wrapping Paper – What is your most beat up book?

I would have to say “The Nowhere Girls” by Amy Reed. I only read it once, but I was drinking hot chocolate while reading it, and it did not end well for the poor book, I’ll be honest.

8. Christmas Lights – What is a book you own that has many colours on the cover?

I think “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson, a wonderful book with a wonderful cover, that I highly recommend.

9. Ice Skating – What is a book that had a plot that was all over the place?

“This is How You Lose the Time War” by Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladstone. It was not at all a bad book, but the plot is convoluted, and sometimes it left you wondering where we are and what we are talking about. I would have liked maybe a bit more pages, so the plot could have been better explained.

10. Christmas Tree – Who is your favourite character of all time? Yes, you can only choose one.

I don’t even have to think about it one second, it’s Will Herondale from “The Infernal Devices” trilogy by Cassandra Clare. Will for me is a real person, I know it’s crazy, but I grew so attached to this brilliant and complex boy, that I will always think about him as a person I really know, a friend almost. Will is an amazing character, I have never read about anyone that could compare to him after these books.

11. The Star – What’s a book you look forward to re-reading each year?

 I don’t re-read books, almost never, but this year I re-read “Daisy Jones and the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid in anticipation of the TV Show, and this book held up so freaking well for me. It’s just an amazing novel, one of my favourites of all times, I just think the characters feel so real, the format is really strong, and this story touches my heart every time.

Okay guys, we have come to the end of this tag. Let me know down below some of the answers you would give to these questions, if you want, and I’ll talk to you soon,

5 Dark Academia Books I’d Like to Read

Dark Academia books seem to have everything that I look for in a reading, and there are especially 5 among them that I would like to read ASAP.
Do you want to find out which ones? Let’s dive into them together!

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Synopsys (from Goodreads): Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her? Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

Ninth House is a book that I’ve been dying to read for ages, so I’m pretty sure it’ll be among the ones I’ll read first once I’m back in Italy. The plot sounds dark, sinister, and really promising!

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

Synopsys (from Goodreads): Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he’s released, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago. As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.

I love how Shakespeare is used in this novel; I couldn’t be more interested in the plot. I think If We Were Villains is one of those books that I’m pretty sure will conquer me completely.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Synopsys (from Goodreads): Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last – inexorably – into evil.

I received a copy of The Secret History as a gift and I’ve heard so many good things about it. Its plot sounds captivating and it gives me Dead Poets Society vibes. I so hope I’ll be able to read it in the next few months.

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Synopsys (from Goodreads): Our story begins in 1902, at The Brookhants School for Girls. Flo and Clara, two impressionable students, are obsessed with each other and with a daring young writer named Mary MacLane, the author of a scandalous bestselling memoir. To show their devotion to Mary, the girls establish their own private club and call it The Plain Bad Heroine Society. They meet in secret in a nearby apple orchard, the setting of their wildest happiness and, ultimately, of their macabre deaths. This is where their bodies are later discovered with a copy of Mary’s book splayed beside them, the victims of a swarm of stinging, angry yellow jackets. Less than five years later, The Brookhants School for Girls closes its doors forever—but not before three more people mysteriously die on the property, each in a most troubling way. Over a century later, the now abandoned and crumbling Brookhants is back in the news when wunderkind writer, Merritt Emmons, publishes a breakout book celebrating the queer, feminist history surrounding the “haunted and cursed” Gilded-Age institution. Her bestselling book inspires a controversial horror film adaptation starring celebrity actor and lesbian it girl Harper playing the ill-fated heroine Flo, opposite B-list actress and former child star Audrey Wells as Clara. But as Brookhants opens its gates once again, and our three modern heroines arrive on set to begin filming, past and present become grimly entangled—or perhaps just grimly exploited—and soon it’s impossible to tell where the curse leaves off and Hollywood begins.

Plain Bad Heroines sounds really exciting and fascinating. I love this intertwining between the present and the past. Can’t wait to find out more!

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Synopsys (from Goodreads): Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens. Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge. Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld? When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.

Expected publication: June 15^th, 2021.

This book! I can’t really wait for its publication. It really does seem to have everything I love to read about: a murderer, a secret female society, Greek mythology. Wow. I have so high expectations.

So, guys, these were 5 of the dark academia books that I’m dying to read! Have you read any of them? Or do you have other suggestions? Let me know in the comment section down below!

The Spring Has Sprung Book Tag

Hi guys, today I’d like to do a tag, and what better than a Spring vibes book tag? I mean, I can only get vibes, since today in my country it does not feel like Spring at all, but yeah, a girl can dream. Also Spring is my absolute favourite season (minus my allergies) so I thought it would be a great idea to do this tag.
The original was created by The Naughty Librarian on Youtube, if you want to check it out.
So yeah, let’s get started.

1. Flowers: All the flowers we remember are blooming again. Pick a book that’s a fresh take on a retelling.
I think my favourite retelling to this day is Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. It’s a Beauty and The Beast retelling, and I liked it a lot because it has some of the most classic twists and turns of the original fairytale, but it’s also completely different and it has elements of Greek mythology, too, which for me is always a plus in a book. It’s very dark and mysterious and I really enjoyed it.

2. Mini Eggs: Obviously the superior springtime candy of choice. Pick a book that you consider to be a sweet treat.
For this one I think I have to go with By The Book by Amanda Sellet. I read an ARC of it last year, and for me it really captures the definition of “warm and fuzzy feelings”. The literary component is adorable, and in addition to first loves, first crushes and wonderful friendships, it makes for a lovely book.

3. Allergies: Seasonal allergies often make your eyes water. Pick a book that made you cry.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller made me cry. Like a lot. Like in public. In a university classroom. It was not fun. But this book is amazing, one of my favourites of all time. If you like Greek mythology and epic (also romantic) stories, this is for sure the book for you. You will fall in love with it, I can guarantee that.

4. Spring Cleaning: Out with the old and in with the new. Pick a book to unhaul.
As soon as I can I will unhaul Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I honestly did not like this book, and I have no intention to continue this series, so yeah, I will say goodbye to it very soon.

5. Spring Break: It’s the perfect time for an adventure. Pick a book involving a road trip.
How can I not feature Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell? This is the sequel to Carry On and it features our main characters on an amazing road trip through the USA. I did not like this book as much as the first one, but I knew that as soon as I picked it up. Nothing can compare to the first one for me. But it was fun and entertaining and the road trip part was cute and enjoyable.

6. Mating Season: It’s that time of the year in the animal kingdom to make some babies. Pick a book with smutty delights.
I seriously love this question oh my God ahahaha. One of the cutest but at the same time smuttiest book I’ve read in the last few months is The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare. If you like historical romance, this is the book for you. I really love how Tessa Dare writes love stories, they’re so fun, cute and adorable. This in particular has a bit of Beauty and The Beast vibes, so that’s also something I really enjoyed. Also yeah, smut on point.

7. Rainbows: Spring is made of rainbows! Pick a book featuring LGBTQ+ character(s).
Let’s change up a bit and instead of always saying the first books that come to my mind, I will go with The Binding by Bridget Collins. I won’t say much because everything could be a spoiler, but just know that I loved this book with all my heart. I didn’t expect to love it so much, but I did. It was absolutely amazing, mesmerizing, and with so much angst. I love angsty books, what can I say?

8. Spring Awakening: An amazing musical even though it’s filled with completely dysfunctional characters. Pick a book that’s also filled with completely dysfunctional characters.
I mean – is this question about The Secret History by Donna Tartt? Because I feel like it is. That book is honestly amazing, one of my favourites of all times, but the characters in that one are dysfunctional to say the least. You will want to scream at them, but you will also love them a lot, believe me.

9. In like a lion, out like a lamb: Pick a book series that didn’t get better as it progressed.
I will go with a classic answer, but it’s just the truth. Freaking The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The first two books were just very good and then? What was that third book? 16-year-old me was pissed. That ending was just not good, guys. We don’t talk about that book in this house, sorry. What a disappointment.

Okay, guys, we have come to the end of this tag. I hope you enjoy, if you want to answer some of these questions feel free to do so in the comments, I would love to hear your opinion.
Talk to you soon,

 

If you like this TV Show, then you should really try this book – Part 2

Some time ago I wrote an article about some TV shows and some books that I think go well with them. I haven’t read all of these books, but the vibes and the atmospheres I really think are quite similar to the TV Show in question. And the ones I have read, well, I think they are pretty similar in content or for the themes to the series I’m talking about.

If you have some recommendations, let me know in the comment section.

Hope you enjoy!

• Warrior Nun/The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
  If you like badass characters fighting demons, these are the books and TV Series for you. I had so much fun while watching this TV show. Don’t get yourselves fooled, these nuns are the best ever. They fight demons every day and they are part of a secret Church order.
  In the same way, I guess you know what Shadowhunters is about, but if you don’t, let’s just say that there are a lot of guys and girls (inexplicably all very hot) that fight demons for a living. If this sounds like something you might like I suggest giving both the books and the TV show a chance.
  
  
  

 

• High Seas/The Deep by Alma Katsu
  This Spanish series is so entertaining. It follows two sisters on a ship that goes to Brasil and during this journey really bad things happen. This book seems like the perfect cup of tea if you like something along those lines. In this case the Titanic is being haunted, and mysterious disappearances are taking place on the ship. The novel then shifts and follows one of the main characters years later, during the war, while she’s being haunted by some demons of the past. High Seas is also set after the Second World War, this book is set after the First, so I think it could be the perfect choice.
  
  
  

  

• How To Get Away With Murder/The Secret History by Donna Tartt
  One of my favourite shows (at least the first seasons) with one of my favourite books of all time.
  Okay, the setting is quite different, but they’re both murder mysteries (more or less), they both follow deranged and mostly crazy people (but genial in their own way), and in both of them you’ll find yourselves rooting for “the bad guy”. I highly recommend watching this series or reading this book, they’re both so good, you won’t regret it.

  
  
  
  

  

Books as Songs from Folklore by Taylor Swift

Guys, Taylor Swift decided to release her eighth studio album without warnings, and let me tell you, it is amazing. It’s probably my favourite Taylor’s album ever. So I decided to match every song with a book, as I did for her previous album Lover.
Hope you enjoy, I always have so much fun writing this kind of articles.

1. The 1 – The Regrets by Amy Bonaffons

“But we were something, don’t you think so?
Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool,
and if my wishes came true,
It would’ve been you.”

Thanks to a friend’s suggestion, I decided to go with this book. I still have not read it, but I really want to, it seems so eerie and fascinating. From what I could get this story talks about a girl who sees a boy at the bus stop (I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn’t though), but he’s well – a ghost, so he could never have been the one.
This seems so good, I can’t wait to read this one for myself.

2. Cardigan – The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

“But I knew you’d linger like a tattoo kiss
I knew you’d haunt all of my what-ifs
The smell of smoke would hang around this long
‘Cause I knew everything when I was young.”

This book has the same vibe as this song feels. I love how sweet but at the same time sad it is, and this song particularly reminds me of a couple in this book. I can’t go into which couple it is because I don’t want to spoil, but this book is actually the sweetest ever. Lydia has to deal with her husband’s passing, and she starts to feel a bit like an old cardigan until someone says to her that she’s still his favourite person ever. I cried so much, it’s so good. Josie Silver has the magic touch.

3. The Last Great American Dynasty – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

“There goes the last great American dynasty
Who knows, if she never showed up, what could’ve been
There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen
She had a marvelous time ruining everything”

If you’ve read this book you can see the big similarities between this story and this song. It was one of the easiest to pick, because this song really seems to be talking about Evelyn. This multi-divorced, crazy, and very very talented and independent woman will always have a special place in my heart. Even though she’s a fictional character, she truly feels like a real person to me. She’s honestly a force of nature, and I love her so much. Here goes for the maddest woman this town has ever seen.
Who knows if she never showed up what could have been?

4. Exile (feat. Bon Iver) – Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

“I think I’ve seen this film before
And I didn’t like the ending
You’re not my homeland anymore
So what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I’m in exile, seein’ you out.”

Don’t read if you have not read the “Throne of Glass” series, but this honestly screams Chaol and Caelena for me. If you remember the last scene of this book, with Caelena’s revelation and her going away on that freaking boat (I still cry), you can totally see it. You have to know I’m a Chaol stan and I will forever cry about this scene. The boy was so in love, but she honestly gave so many signs.

5. My Tears Ricochet – Medea by Euripides

“I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace
And you’re the hero flying around, saving face
And if I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet”

This song for me will always talk about a woman who was badly hurt and now thinks about her relationship with the person who did her wrong. And this classic has it all. “I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace” for me is really the best way to describe the main character of this tragedy, one of my favourites from Greek literature. I think it fits very well.

6. Mirrorball – The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern

“And they called off the circus, burned the disco down
When they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns
I’m still on that tightrope
I’m still trying everything to get you laughing at me
I’m still a believer, but I don’t know why
I’ve never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try”

Okay I admit it, all of these circus references make me think about one of the most famous circus stories of the last few years. I really enjoyed this one (the song is better than the book lol), even though I still don’t quite get all of the hype. It is very lyrical, just like this song, and I think Mirrorball is quite fitting with the character of Celia. She’s quite the believer and she believes in love above all. She was my favourite in the story.

7. Seven – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

“And I’ve been meaning to tell you
I think your house is haunted
Your dad is always mad and that must be why
And I think you should come live with
Me and we can be pirates
Then you won’t have to cry
Or hide in the closet
And just like a folk song
Our love will be passed on.”

I’m so happy that I can feature a book by an Italian author (I’m Italian if you didn’t know). I’m sad to say I still have not had the chance to read this one, but here in Italy is quite the phenomenon, and the story is pretty well known. One of my friends suggested this choice to me, and I’m very grateful.
I think the two girls that are the main characters in this book can sadly relate to Seven, but this song in my eyes still has a lot of hope and it depicts so well the frail feeling of childhood friendship, and how important it is. I will forever be grateful to Taylor for writing this song. To my favourite childhood friend, wherever you are, I really hope you know I still got love for you and I love you to the moon and to Saturn. I’ll always keep in my heart these days when I wished that we could be pirates and we could go on adventures together. This song makes me so emotional, I really have no words.

8. August – Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman.

“Back when we were still changin’ for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Canceled plans just in case you’d call
And say, “Meet me behind the mall”
So much for summer love and saying “us”
‘Cause you weren’t mine to lose.”

I think I really don’t need to explain this one. It is probably my favourite on this album beside Invisible String, and now that I thought about it I forever will think about Elio and Oliver. I think Elio could be the narrator of this song. I mean “back when I was living for the hope of it all”, “you weren’t mine to lose”. This is a song sung by a teenager toward their Summer love, and I can totally see them being Elio and Oliver. The frailty and the volatility of first love are so well described in this song, it honestly brings tears to my eyes. Taylor Swift will forever be the best songwriter of her generation in my eyes.

9. This Is Me Trying – Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“They told me all of my cages were mental
So I got wasted like all my potential
And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad
I have a lot of regrets about that”

Yet another Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book, but I just can’t help myself, I love her latest works so much. “Daisy Jones And The Six” is my favourite book I’ve read this year, and this song perfectly describes in my eyes Daisy’s character. She was so underrated by one character in this book (or was she?) when in reality she was an amazing woman, full of ideas and potential. If you like stories about wonderful women, bands and music, this one is the book for you.

10. Illicit Affairs – Normal People by Sally Rooney

“And that’s the thing about illicit affairs
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
It’s born from just one single glance
But it dies and it dies and it dies
A million little times”

I think now this is a truth universally acknowledged in this fandom that this song goes so well with “Normal People” (the first part at least), but I have to say that I totally agree. The book is a masterpiece, and this song really matches well with the vibe of it. “You taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else.” I mean, should I say more? I think this line fits perfectly with Marianne and Connell. Also, if you haven’t already please watch the Hulu adaptation, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal are amazing in it.

11. Invisible String – Beach Read by Emily Henry and This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens.

“Time, mystical time
Cutting me open, then healing me fine
Were there clues I didn’t see?
And isn’t it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?”

This is my favourite song of the entire album, so it seems only fair that I use not only one book but two for this one. This song talks about destiny and fate tying you to “the one” before you even met them. In both these books destiny is a very important part. Both these couples have strings that tie them to each other, in “Beach Read” the couple attended the same course at Uni and in “This Time Next Year” the two were even born on the same day. These are both two amazing stories (especially Beach Read) and I can’t recommend them enough.

12. Mad Woman – Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

“Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy
What about that?
And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry
And there’s nothing like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman”

This may seem like a “mad” choice, but I can totally see that. Catherine Earnshaw has always been seen like a mad woman over the centuries, and I can totally see why, but at the same time I find her to be a well rounded and very complex and interesting character. Wuthering Heights is my favourite novel of all time, and this is also because Catherine is so different from all of the other “heroines” from her time. I have a lot of admiration for some of the things she does, even if I don’t condone others. But I find her to be completely believable, and this song is so good for her.

13. Epiphany – A Bend In The Stars by Rachel Barenbaum

“Keep your helmet, keep your life, son
Just a flesh wound, here’s your rifle
Crawling up the beaches now
“Sir, I think he’s bleeding out”
And some things you just can’t speak about”

I’m sorry to say that this is the only song in the album that I actually skip. I recognize its importance, but it just doesn’t resonate with me somehow. But this one talks about Taylor’s grandfather who fought in the war, and at the same time she does a comparison with the nurses and the doctors who worked so hard in this pandemic, and to whom we will forever be grateful.
The first book that came to my mind was “A Bend In The Stars” by Rachel Barenbaum because the main character in this book was a doctor and also because this book is set completely during WWII. It is an amazing read if you like historical fiction books. The story is really good, and the romance is over the top.

14. Betty – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

“You heard the rumors from Inez
You can’t believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you”

This song is truly a gem, it takes me back to Taylor’s first albums, the country sound is very present and I could not thank her enough for that.
This song also talks about a high school romance, and what better than the popular series from Jenny Han? James really has Kavinsky vibes, and all the drama with Peter’s former sweetheart, it just reminds me of that. Ah, young love, so overrated, so dramatic, but we’re all still suckers for it.

15. Peace – Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

“As long as danger is near
And it’s just around the corner, darlin’
‘Cause it lives in me
No, I could never give you peace”

Okay, you have to bear with me for this one. I’ve just finished reading Midnight Sun and all I can think about now while listening to this song is Edward thinking that he will always be a danger to Bella, that they can never be together, and that basically he could never give her peace. But at the same time I can’t stop thinking about Bella saying the lyrics “family that I chose now that I see your brother as my brother.” I mean, I can totally see it, sorry. If you listen to it, I hope you’ll see it too.

16. Hoax – Atonement by Ian McEwan

“Stood on the cliffside screaming, ”Give me a reason”
Your faithless love’s the only hoax I believe in
Don’t want no other shade of blue but you
No other sadness in the world would do”

Don’t know why, but this song really screams to me about the period of time when the protagonist of this book goes to war in Dunkirk. His love for Cecilia, our main character, might be in his eyes seen as a hoax, and I have to say I’m very biased by the scene in the movie at the beach (you know which one I’m talking about).
Also, if you’ve seen the movie or read the book there is a sentence in this song that’s too spoilery to write down, but for those of you who know the story, let’s see if you can find it out.

17. The Lakes – The Secret History by Donna Tartt

“Take me to the Lakes, where all the poets went to die
I don’t belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I’m setting off, but not without my muse”

“Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die”, if this does not scream Dark Academia to you I don’t know what will. And “The Secret History” is still to this day the absolutely best Dark Academia book I’ve ever read. I can totally see Henry talking about Wordsworth, and going to the Lakes to write poetry, and now I thought about this wonderful character again and I can’t help but be in awe of him. What a book, what a song. The perfect way to end this album.

Okay guys, I had so much fun writing this article. I hope you enjoyed because I love doing this article format. And this album is honestly so amazing. Let me know your favourite song if you’ve listened to it, or if you liked any of my matchings.
I’ll talk to you again very soon,