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Sunday, September 7, 2014

The Bookish Seven Deadly Sins Tag

The Homunculi from one of my favourite animes, FullMetal Alchemist
I've been tagged to do the Seven Deadly Sins Questionnaire Tag (created by BookishlyMalyza)! Three different times, actually. First by Christina and Sarah of Between Bookends, then by Preethi of Time Turning Reads, and finally by Janhvi and Sarika of The Readdicts. Woo, thanks ladies!!

1. Greed - What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive book?
Second-hand bookstores are dangerous places for me. While I can usually restrain myself from buying new books that will just sit on my shelf unread for months (or years!), the same cannot be said when it comes to cheap books. It’s just so easy to justify buying a book that I have a passing interest in if it’s only a couple of bucks! So my most inexpensive book would be from one of these impulsive used book buys.
My most expensive book that I own has got to be the collector's edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling. It comes with a fancy cover, a handwritten introduction by Jo, and Jo's illustrations of the tales as well. It was a Christmas gift and it's very special to me! All net proceeds go to Jo's charity Lumos.

2. Wrath - What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
I would probably have to say Cassandra Clare. I do love her books for the most part – specifically her characters and her humour – but part of me is getting a bit tired of the Shadowhunter world. It’s getting to be a bit overdone. She’s been able to keep it fresh by introducing new characters (I LOVED The Infernal Devices and I’m pretty excited for the new Dark Artifices), but I wonder how much longer she can keep this up. Surely she is going to run out of ideas for romantic complications and other ways to torture her characters soon!

3. Gluttony - What book have you devoured over and over with no shame?
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy!! Jokes, jokes. But it seemed like a more interesting answer than the blatantly obvious one that you know I’m going to say – Harry Potter, of course! Though I’ve actually only read the Harry Potter series three times (which may surprise some people, but I have a pretty great memory so even at that low number, I have my favourite scenes memorized by heart), I feel absolutely no shame whatsoever in rereading neither the series, nor the countless of fanfics I’ve read. In fact, I feel like I’m overdue for another reread sometime soon…

4. Sloth - What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?
Most classics, sadly. I DO want to get to a lot of them someday, but they’re just not a priority of mine at the moment. Nor do they draw me in the same way the newest hyped YA reads do. I would also say A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – both chunky reads that I have been meaning to read for years and years now, but have been putting off in favour of current slimmer reads.

5. Pride - What book do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?
Hmm, can’t think of any. Possibly because there are no books that I’ve read that might make me seem smarter, possibly because I don’t try to sound smart in front of people. Either way, I guess that’s not really a good thing…

6. Lust - What attributes do you find attractive in male or female characters?
With males, I always fall the hardest for the sweetest, most kindest, and most earnest guys. I’m thinking of Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door, Jem from The Infernal Devices, and Levi from Fangirl.
With females, I admire brave heroines who speak their mind and stand up for their morals. Maybe it's because I’m totally not like that myself, but I wish I was!

7. Envy - What book would you most like to receive as a gift?
Oh boy, of course I have my eye on those beautiful new – but pricey – Harry Potter editions (the pretty white ones, the gorgeous new US ones, and the cute new UK ones), but they’re certainly not a must because I love my original Canadian editions dearly and I’ve kept them in excellent shape. But I would LOVE to own my own copy of Anne of Green Gablesafter falling head-over-heels-in-love with it a few months ago – particularly a pretty bind-up version of all the Anne of Green Gables novels in one, if such a thing exists!


Now it's my turn to tag some people!
Alex of A Girl, Books, and Other Things
Ambur of Burning Impossibly Bright
Lauren of Shooting Stars Mag
Mel of The Daily Prophecy
Micheline of Lunar Rainbows
Sara of Just Another Story
Zahida of Musings of a YA Reader

Just the first seven bloggers that popped into my head, but of course I would love to read other people's answers so consider yourself tagged by me if you want to participate!

36 comments :

  1. Oooh thanks for tagging me hun :D I'm working the next few days but I'll whip up my post some time this week for sure!!

    I am insanely jealous of you Tales of Beedle the Bard edition ♥ Wow, is it ever gorgeous!! I definitely understand your wrath pick, though for me she tips the scale a bit more on the hate side of things >.< Harry Potter series rereads, of course. I'm currently at 7 rereads myself (LOL) but I haven't read the series again in a few years now so I've been craving ANOTHER reread! We're also in the same boat when it comes to Game of Thrones and Outlander too. I have good intentions but I can never seem to fully commit and read those suckers. And I definitely get you on your lust answer too ;-) Oh and I don't think I've ever seen the bind up of all the Anne of Green Gables books in one volume but it's ok cause I have a soft spot for my boxed-set with all the books in different pretty pastel colours! Loved reading your answers for this ^^ fun fun!

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    1. You're welcome! Would love to see your answers :D

      My special Tales of Beedle the Bard - it is my baby <3

      Thankfully I'm still on the CC love train, but I do worry that at some point I'll end up disliking her stuff due to overexposure. And that would be sad.

      Oh, but 7 is just such a perfect number of rereads for HP! ha. But I definitely need a reread too. I'm thinking audiobooks finally, but I also want to read the print.

      I would definitely settle for the box-set because they would look quite nice on a shelf as well! Either way, I want them all!

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  2. 1. That Tales of Beedle the Bard is BEAUTIFUL!
    .
    3. I have a horrible memory when it comes to books which is one of the main reasons I love rereading Harry Potter so much. I did find out that I remember a lot more of the books than I think I do, but there's still something fresh about the series every time I return to it.

    4. My dad keeps trying to get me to read nonfiction and the main reason I don't is because I can read a fiction book SO much faster. It's hard to put so much time into one book when you could read three instead.

    6. I completely agree with you. Oh my gosh, I fell in love with Cricket Bell. LOLA is not one of my favorite books, but Cricket makes it worth reading <3

    7. I really love the new US additions of HP, but I can't justify getting them when I have multiple copies (all the same edition) of the books at home. I'm just hoping they'll start turning up at used bookstores for cheep.

    Great answers :)

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    1. 1. Ain't it though?! :D

      3. It's true, there is always something fresh about rereading HP because there are just so many layers to it!

      4. Truth. Although I have had luck with nonfiction in audio. Or else I'm sure they would take me a long time to get through as well!

      6. Awww, love him!! He's maybe my fave.

      7. Ooh, oh yes! Maybe if they do turn up at a used bookstore... then again, I can't imagine why anyone would want to get rid of those pretties after paying so much for them.

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  3. What a fun tag! I'm really hoping to get to Game of Thrones this winter.

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    1. Awesome! I would hope to get to Outlander sometime this year, but I'm not sure I'll have time. I feel like GoT would involve an even greater level of devotion!

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  4. That Beedle the Bard book is absolutely gorgeous and I too have a problem with buying to many books at second hand shops. I just can't help myself so it is a very bad thing that I have so many close to me. I am also getting a little bit tired of the Shadowhunter world and I affirm that the Mortal Instruments should have stayed a trilogy. Why you gotta ruin a good thing Cassandra Clare, why?

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    1. I used to have a ton of second hand stores close to me, but thankfully no longer. (Although I do very much miss browsing their shelves). Well I suppose the money and popularity maybe convinced her to continue on... or less cynically, maybe she honestly enjoys writing about those characters and didn't want to let them go!

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  5. First, thanks again for the tag, Eilidh! I'm gonna try do to my Seven Deadly Sins Book Tag post tomorrow because I've been doing discussions for my online courses today and I'm feeling burned out when it comes to actually thinking of answers! haha I started it though, so I should have it up tomorrow after I'm home from work. I'll make sure to tweet it to you. :)

    Second, I love all of your answers! :D

    1. I love, love, love your copy of Beedle and the Bard....so much pretty! :D That would totally be one of my valued book treasures, too! :D
    2. I have to admit that I'm so not even close to being sick of Cassandra Clare's shadowhunters! haha I just love how she writes her male love interests so much! :P I wouldn't mind reading different things from her though, and I'm definitely looking forward to the series she's cowriting with Holly Black...the first book The Iron Trial comes out tomorrow, too...so excited! :D
    3. I'm gonna have to think long and hard about the gluttony one. I haven't done as much rereading as I used to before blogging. :P I think I've read HP twice all the way through, but I know I read Goblet of Fire more than the other...that one was always my favourite. I've really been meaning to do a reread from the start though. ;D If you're ever up for a buddy reread, I'd be up for it!
    4. Also, you totally need to read both Outlander and Game of Thrones...I would LOVE a buddy to talk about the books with! ;D
    5. I don't do the pride thing either....I think if I brag about anything it's how many books I read. :P haha
    6. I LOVE CRICKET AND LEVI! I also love Jem, but I still have to admit that I loved Will more. Will. *dreamy sigh* I like those traits in male and female characters, too...but I must admit to being a bit shallow about guys, too. I also love it when they're described attractively. I blame the part of me that loves romances. Abs, biceps, a nice rugged jaw, a nice smile---possibly as a smirk or crooked grin at times, and great eyes or hair usually has me swooning pretty quickly. I blame TV and movies---I like the pretty. Add in a great personality and I pretty much fall in love with the character. :P
    7. YES, THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS! I want! I'm not picky though. I usually just treasure book presents no matter what book they are. :)

    Great answers, Eilidh!!! :D Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're welcome! I'm interested to see what you come up with tomorrow (or whenever, really - definitely no rush to get a post up!)!

      1. Thank ye - it's very special to me with good reason!
      2. haha, well I'm definitely way more LOVE Cassandra Clare than I am hate. And I already can't wait to read more of Emma and Julian! She does write some pretty swoon-worthy love interests, agreed! The Iron Trial will definitely be different from anything she written before though if it's MG - I have to imagine there will be less romance and romantic drama.
      3. Oh me, too. I used to do a ton of rereading pre-blogging before my tbr grew a hundred-fold. I miss it! And I miss HP, not having the chance to reread for so long. I would totally do a buddy reread! I don't know if it could happen anytime soon though :(
      4. I'll let you know what I think of both when I do eventually get around to reading them! And when I get around to seeing Doctor Who...
      5. Oh, I guess I do do that too sometimes! I'm proud to have reading as a hobby :)
      6. Okay, I'm with you for sure. I mean, some authors are just especially talented when it comes to describing male love interests just so well physically that you can't NOT swoon over them. I would say the guys that get to me the most are the especially sweet ones though :)
      7. Ha, same! If someone is thoughtful enough to give me a book as a present, then of course I treasure that always ^^

      Thank you for this amazing comment, Ambur!

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    2. Working on it right now! :)

      1. As it should be! :)
      2. well that's good! :D I can't wait for more Emma and Julian, too! I love their relationship, and I'm already excited to see how they deal with the parabati/being-in-love issue since it's pretty clear that's going to be a bigtime problem in their story. ;D Yes, she does! And I think so, too. It'll be interesting to see how she writes MG, and how her writing meshes with Holly Black's! :D
      3. That's exactly it! My TBR is so big that I feel almost guilty rereading some. That's fine with me, I've already read them all, so it's not like there's a rush for a buddy reread. :) We'll have to chat about it and see when we could squeeze it in. :)
      4. Yay! Yay! Yay! Even you just saying "when" gets me all excited!!! *jumps up and down, sharing the fandom love and feels!* <--I'm not even sure what that was, but I'm leaving it in. :P
      5. Me, too! :) I think it's the one time a bit of bragging is okay for me. :P
      6. You've got that right. ;) I do love the sweet ones, too. :) And thank you for making me feel better about my vanity. ;P
      7. Exactly! :) Especially if they pick one that's just perfect for you! :D

      You're welcome, Eilidh! And thank you for your fantastic response! ;D

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    3. Yes, agreed - I am very curious to see how her MG book turns out, especially because it's being written with Holly Black as well. I love both authors so what could go wrong? That's my hope anyways - I haven't actually read any reviews for it yet!

      Buddy read- yeah totally! I'm definitely in whenever I am able to find time. It's always a great experience discussing books and shows with people, and I especially enjoy it with you ^^

      Ha!! Hey, I feel you! I get crazy excited when it comes to certain fandoms and you can't help but be a cheerleader for them!

      Woohoo, looking forward to reading your response!

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    4. haha that's my hopes, too...I've avoided reviews! If I'm already interested in reading a book, I actually don't usually read reviews because I feel like it might cloud my judgment. If I'm already unsure of a book though I love reading the reviews! :D

      Sounds like a perfect, indefinite plan to me! ;D It is a great experience, and I always love discussing things with you, too, Eilidh! :D

      haha I was never a cheerleader in high school, but if books and fandoms had cheerleaders, I would soooo be one! :P

      Just posted!!! :D http://burningximpossiblyxbright.blogspot.ca/2014/09/the-bookish-seven-deadly-sins-tag.html

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  6. Eek, I know, I know I shouldn't be put off by length, but I just can't help it! X)

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  7. What a fun survey! I may have to do it myself. I've always meant to read War and Peace, by the way. I read some short stories by Tolstoy in college and loved them. Much more the Dostoevsky.

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    1. Yeah definitely, I'd love that! haha, I couldn't say the same to be honest - doesn't exactly sound like my kind of thing.

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  8. The collections edition from Tales of Beedle the Bard is GORGEOUS. I'm a bit tired of Cassandra Clare to be honest. I will try her Infernal devices series, but I think it's time she let's go of her previous series and comes with something new. A game of thrones is a huge dedication, but I would say they are worth it. I've read the first three books now and they are so detailed and complex (but secretly I enjoy the TV show more, ssssst, don't tell anyone)

    Thanks for the tag, my post is written and waiting to be published!

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    1. Yay!! Very curious to read your answers :)

      And I agree about CC - I want to see her branch out more and I'm glad she's doing that now with her Iron Trials series.

      (I have a feeling I might like the TV show more too because I saw it and fell in love with it first). ^^

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  9. Thank you so much for doing this, Aylee. I loved reading all your responses. It was so much fun. i'm glad you took the time out to make this post because it even helps in us getting to know each other better. And yes, once a Potterhead, always a Potterhead! Great post!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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    1. Oh yes, you're welcome and thanks again for tagging me because this was really fun! And yeah, it really is a great means to get to know each other better :)

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  10. Ah Aylee! I love your answers. I reread Harry Potter every year and my love for this fantastic series just grow each time. I wish I have your memory but it's actually a good thing I have fish memory because it feels like I'm reading Harry Potter for the first time with every reread. Come to think of it, I don't own any of the HP companion books but your The Tales of Beetle the Bard copy looks lovely. I know what you mean with CC. So many books in the Shadowhunter world. I wonder how long she could keep up with this. She really needs to set off in a new path but I think I'm saying that because I stopped reading her books after Book 2 of the TMI series. I've been meaning to read GoT and Outlander, too, and while I vow not to watch the TV adaptation of Outlander yet without reading the book, I am going to push through with the GoT TV show before reading the books. Heh. So so love your answer about your preferred male and female characters, although I'm more of an Etienne fangirl myself. :P

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    1. Haha, a fish memory! I'm sure your memory is a bit better than that. But ohh, that actually sounds SO wonderful - I would love to get to experience HO like it's the first time again and again and again.

      I guess The Iron Trials is CC's way of breaking out, testing the waters with something new. But it's clear she's definitely not ready to leave her Shadowhunter world yet... and you know, I'm still excited for them mostly.

      Oh, I DO love Etienne as well <3

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  11. Haha. This was fun. I loved your answers. Thanks for tagging me. I think it's going to be tough for me to answer some of these. we shall see. I'll get on it soon.

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    1. I thought it would be tough to answer these questions at first too, but I found myself getting into it. No pressure though if you decide not to participate!

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  12. I really like your answers for this, particularly number 6. Those are attributes I really love in characters too, especially the ones you pinpointed for females! It's kind of like Luna Lovegood, Celaena Sardothian, Lyra Belacqua, Anne Shirley. All my favourite characters have those traits!
    This seems like a really fun tag!

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    1. Awww yes, exactly. Absolutely love those characters <3

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  13. Thanks for tagging me, Aylee. I'll see if I can brainstorm some answers soon for a post.

    'm totally with you on numbers 4 through 6. I can't believe that you've only read HP three times though; I'd have expected it to be a lot higher!

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    1. Yay! This excites me. And yup, most people expect the number to be much higher! But at the time, I was filling up all my free time with HP fanfics instead.

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  14. What a fun post! I was tagged for something else recently, so I'm going to try and do both of these ASAP. I love all your answers, and I totally agree about loving sweet and earnest boys in novels. I also really like musical guys...and honestly, geeks of any kind, even if I'm not into their obsession. It's just cute.

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    1. Woooo, excited to read your answers!! ^^ AND YES, totally YES on liking all kinds of geeks and nerds. They just speak to me.

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  15. Ok, you and me both! I want to read Song of Fire and Ice desperately. The length and dedication needed to finish this series has always put me off!.

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    1. Yes it's a MAJOR time commitment. And at the moment, I feel like my Game of Thrones fix is enough through the TV show, which I love. So maybe I'll get to it many, many years from now after the show has died down, who knows.

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  16. I promise I will do the tag in the tomorrow, ;) I totally agree about The Anne Books, they look so totally adorable and to have a whole set *happy sigh*
    :D

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    1. Yayy :D:D And OMG those new covers for Anne of Green Gables?! IN LOVE!

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  17. I've seen a few of these posts and they are so fun! I think a lot of people can't help rereading Harry Potter and procrastinating on Game of Thrones and Outlander. I am probably going to re-read Harry Potter so many times in my life, it's kind of insane to think about. Thanks for sharing this awesome post!

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