It’s my birthday (yay!) — or rather, it was on Sunday — so I thought I would do The Book Cake Tag, originally found on Morgan’s blog and inspired by GBBO! Because cake. (And also because Morgan tagged me almost a year ago and I still haven’t done this yet!)

LOL OMG LOVE

SELF-RISING FLOUR: A BOOK THAT IS SLOW TO START OFF BUT REALLY PICKED UP AS YOU WENT ALONG

Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell I’m recalling starting off a bit slow but I absolutely loved as it gained momentum. Honestly, really great historical fiction can sometimes be like that. It takes a bit to immerse yourself — but once you’re in, you’re in.

BUTTER OR MARGARINE: A BOOK WITH A RICH, GREAT PLOT

The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty. I promise I’ll post my review of it soon! I PROMISE.

EGGS: A BOOK YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE BAD BUT TURNED OUT TO BE QUITE ENJOYABLE

It’s not that I thought it would be bad, but I was wary of First & Then by Emma Mills. I’m so glad I loved it, because she’s now an auto-buy/auto-read author for me!

SUGAR: A SWEET BOOK

Disclaimer: the whole book is not sugary sweet, but the sibling relationship portrayed in this book is possibly the sweetest, kindest, and yet most authentic sibling relationship I’ve seen for MG readers in ages! The Silver Gate by Kristin Bailey is a must-read.

CHOCOLATE/FRUIT FILLING LAYER: A BOOK THAT SURPRISED YOU OR A CHARACTER WITH HIDDEN LAYERS

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton has all sorts of threads and layers, and when a book club member suggested a Fight Club-like scenario that completely blew me away, I can’t look at this book without wondering “what if…?” and assuming that theory is true. Because if it is…damn. Those are some intense layers.

BAKING TIME: A SLOW-BURN ROMANCE

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (ha! Another tag to put this book in. I LOVE IT TO PIECES.)

ICING: A BOOK THAT COVERS ALL THE ELEMENTS YOU ENJOY IN BOOKS

Ohhhh this is difficult. The biggest thing for me in books is voice, followed by writing style, setting, and pacing. So with those in mind, regardless of genre, it’s probably The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

SPRINKLES: A BOOK YOU CAN TURN TO FOR A PICK-ME-UP

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. It makes me laugh and smile and really puts things into perspective!

On the other hand, Harry Potter never fails. Sometimes you gotta go in for a bit of childhood nostalgia.

CHERRY ON TOP: FAVORITE BOOK SO FAR THIS YEAR

Definitely The City of Brass. I’m a bit behind on reading this year, but I’m super pumped about the books on my nightstand right now (Between Two Fires, Tess of the Road, Children of Blood and Bone, Blood Water Paint) so hopefully I’ll catch up soon!