#Just to clarify: the book passages and songs are not chosen by me; I use bibliomancy and shufflemancy on my Spotify library.

[pressagie]

tw: homophobia

hello!! first of all i just wanna say that i love your blog (@/diospirando) so much. i found you through your uquiz (which was really helpful btw). i came here to ask about my love life. here is a little bit about me: my hobbies include learning about marine life and watching films. i am a lesbian and come from a pretty religious family and almost everyone i know is also very religious. i haven’t come out to anyone for obvious reasons except for a few really close friends. i myself am not religious and have left my religion last year, however i feel this overwhelming sense of guilt for leaving even though whenever i try to come back to my religion i just can’t get myself to believe in it again. sometimes i wish i could just go back to believing in it like i did before and try my best to start liking men because i really dont want everyone i know and love to hate me. all of my irl friends are homophobic and i feel a lot of guilt for what i am and after constantly being told my whole life that i will go to hell for simply loving someone i just dont know anymore what to do because i am really so lonely. a lot of my irls are in relationships and i just wanted to ask if there is someone for me as well? like someone who is able to understand me unlike all of the other people in my life and accept me for who i am? and is there a chance of that person being a guy? (i know this sounds bad of me asking since i just said i am a lesbian but i really am just hoping that there is some guy out there that i will like so i can continue to have a good relationship with my family and friends). i am honestly just really sick of being lonely and not being understood, i just want to meet someone who gets me well. i have a preference for tarot but you can decide which works best for my situation. i’d also like to request a book passage and song of your choice. again, thank you and sorry for this question being so long.

hi im so sorry im the person who sent the last anonymous ask (the one that mentions being a lesbian and having a very religious family). i forgot to add something to it and i have no idea how to unsend/edit an ask because im kind of new to tumblr but i just wanted to add something to my question. I'd like to know about future patner and the type of person they are (any information is about), it can be their appearance, personality, achievements, where I'll meet them or even how they're doing currently in life whatever you can channel I'll be happy with anything. thank you :D

Hey 🤎

I'm so sorry you're going through that.

(And thank you for the TW.)

Speaking as a queer person with christian and queerphobic relatives: please remember that you can't choose to like men, or anyone for that matter. Obviously, attraction is fluid – but let me ask you this (and tell me to fuck off, if it's not my place): even if you were to be with a guy, would that solve all the problems which the people in your life have?

I can't tell you what to believe, just as no one should. But if you need to hear this, and it helps in any way: I promise that you're not going to hell for being a lesbian, and you deserve so much better than the judgement and guilt from your family and other people. You deserve to be happy, be it single or otherwise. You deserve understanding, to feel connected – and not only acceptance, but FULL BLOWN RESPECT.

(I'm really glad that you liked the quiz! Guessing you meant this one?)

(Did I understand correctly that you follow me @diospirando? Either way, feel free to come say hello 🥰 I'm very curious to know if we've interacted before, but no pressure!)

(Oh and you can't unsend/edit asks.)

Note: I added some info to my pinned post, and I recommend (to everyone who sent in questions) giving it a read.

Now on to your reading... I did try Tarot first like you asked, but the Oracle's what you get today 🤠

This deck is based on animals at risk of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula (where I live) and others with relevant roles in our mythologies/religions... I included their names, in case they have any personal, special meaning for you – and there are some marine species :]

Spoiler alert: you only got birds 😂 but at least 3/5 (that I checked) are related to the sea!

Is there someone for me as well?

— Who is able to understand me unlike all the other people in my life and accept me for who I am?

ASCENSION & the pigeon Columba palumbus azorica (horizontal)

I take the terms the author of this deck uses with several grains of salt cause I don't buy into the common spiritual associations with, e.g., ascension (but that's a conversation for another time) so here I'm taking the card to mean distancing yourself, traveling... Flying, if you want to be more literal.

This species is endemic to basically one of the Azores islands only – meaning it can't be found anywhere else in the world. If you combine this information, I think it's fair to say that you can find someone (to have a relationship like you want) if you look somewhere you already expect to find them, such as a specific community (that could very well be online)!

Sidenote: it landed on my lap instead of the table, and I usually use that to signal if something/someone has tried to catch your attention, or is still trying – so pay attention.

I'd like to know about my future partner and the type of person they are.

— Their appearance, personality, or even how they're doing currently in life.

RECOGNITION & the falcon Falco naumanni (horizontal) AUTHENTICITY & the gull Ichthyaetus audouinii (upright) + VISION & the eagle Aquila adalberti (inverted) WISDOM & the eagle-owl Bubo bubo (upright)

You may recognize each other from somewhere, but not like you knew each other well before (there is a Reunion card to symbolize that kind of previously established contact/relation in a stronger way). This falcon is a summer migrant so that might point to when you first crossed paths and/or will cross again.

Their personality is authentic, but you'll have a hard time seeing that (at first). This could be related to your own interests and lifestyle, and the concept of individuality (refer to the gull's and the eagle's links for inspiration to think deeper about this).

Either they're being thoughtful regarding how they live, and making wise choices, they're a student/teacher – or both! The Bubo bubo (adorable name) being a species of eagle-owl can indicate some connection to the previous eagle card (individuality, perspective...).

This is getting a little long so I'm gotta let you take it from here 🐚🌊

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) Chapter III: A CAUCUS-RACE AND A LONG TALE

«They were indeed a queer looking party that assembled on the bank – the birds with draggled feathers, the animals with their fur clinging close to them, and all dripping wet, cross, and uncomfortable.»

Movement by Hozier in Spotify Singles (2019)

Thank you for trusting me to read for you. I would love to know what you think: if this resonates with your circumstances, and what comes of it. Don't be afraid to give me honest feedback and suggestions, after all, it'll help me become a better reader :]

Do you want to expand on this or have another topic to explore? Leave me a (follow-up) question!

You can always include the numbered tag associated with your reading(s), and I'll add it to the future posts as well, so they are identified as belonging to the same querent, and easier to find – check below, next to #OMEN DEAL.

For Ko-fi tips (zero pressure)

I honor the spirit who helps with my practice – for winding and guiding my path, learning how to sit with me, and being a light to read by.

Elioth Gruner's Milking Time / Araluen Valley

[angrylizardjacket]

ask your destiny to dance [18] {Roger Taylor}

[masterpost]

Ash doesn’t count the days, count the weeks, doesn’t let herself get caught up in the little milestones; if she starts counting she feels like it’s all leading somewhere, counting down to something and she doesn’t want to think about what. To her, the idea that people ascribe such meaning to the passage of time and to two people spending time together is weird, and to her relief, Roger agrees. Everyone around them, however, seems weird about it.

The question of ‘how long have you two been together?’ is met at first with a shrug, a ‘not too long’, but then it turns into ‘a few months’, or simply ‘a while’. Most people think it’s avoidance, they just hear how their bickering slides to bantering slides to flirting, and think it’s just a shallow fling, and their answers are an easy exit should they need it, that they can get out before things get serious.

Both Ash and Roger have described it as ‘essentially doing what they were doing before, just sometimes in the daytime’, except that’s not quite it; it stopped being just about sex when they went to the gallery. It stopped being about sex when Roger found himself as a mannequin for Ash’s projects on more than one occasion. It stopped being about sex when Roger go struck with an idea for a song whilst making out with Ash on his sofa, and instead of being irritated, she just grabbed a book and rested her head in his lap as he began jotting down ideas and humming to himself. 

But no-one else sees these moments. 

Except for Brian, of course, who was once making tea without realising they’d fallen asleep crammed onto the sofa together until he hears a thud, and when he looks, he sees Ash on the floor, blinking with bleary confusion where she’s rolled off. Brian goes to say something, but Roger just hums, still half asleep, and he shoves back as far as he can, making more room for her, his arms open in invitation. When she climbs onto the sofa and into his arms, smiling with sleepy satisfaction, Brian thinks - okay, first he thinks that they both need better sleep schedules since it’s three in the afternoon on a Tuesday - that it isn’t nearly as shallow as they like to pretend it is.

As for their working relationship, well apart from Roger being her model, there isn’t much of one yet; she’s designed a good deal of things, but until she has the resources, she’s mostly clothing them from thrift stores or their own wardrobes.

“I’m never letting you pick your own costumes again.” On the set of Top of the Pops, it’s all Ash can do to roll her eyes at Roger, who does a little spin for her in the outfit he chose. “Denim on fucking denim? You’re ruining my reputation here.” She sighed, but Roger was grinning, adjusting his sweatbands.

“Come on, it looks good, you just don’t want to admit it because you didn’t pick it.” He smirked, and Ash watched as he pushed up his sleeves before tucking in the shirt. Maybe he had a point. “And anyways, do you care to explain everyone else’s outfits?”

“I’m playing to their strengths and my budget.” Ash said dismissively, stepping towards him to join him by the drums, looking out over the others. With her arms folded, Ash lets Roger lean on her shoulder as they watch the others for the moment.

“Deaky looks like a bloody professor.” Roger mutters, small smile on his face as he looks at the bass player in his beige suit and silky shirt.

“Playing to his strengths.” Ash reiterated, but she wasn’t smiling, she was watching Freddie talk to a man with sandy hair, who she thinks she recognises. “I do like the stripes,” changes topic suddenly, still speaking to Roger, “have I seen you in these before?” And she’s got a hand coming to gently brush at the side of his thigh where a set of white stripes ran down the length of his jeans. Her eyes never leave Freddie and the man, and the fur coat she’d found a few days ago.

“I’ve had them for a while.” Is all Roger offers, before he sighs and sets about tweaking the drumkit to what he assumed would be his liking, and Ash makes a beeline for the singer. 

“And I’m sorry, Freddie, but who is this? The producers don't want us having people just wandering around set.” At the sound of the man’s accent, Ash feels simultaneously like she’s home, and like she wants to bolt.

“Paul, darling, this is the designer I was telling you about; Ash, our Pocket Rocket.” Freddie introduces Ash pointedly, and the man, Paul, goes from hostile to accommodating in an instant.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that rudeness, I’m Paul Prenter.” He holds out his hand, and Ash shakes it, forcing a smile on her face.

“He’s part of our management team.” Freddie clarified, and the tense set of Ash’s shoulders eased; of course she knew of Paul, Roger and Freddie had mentioned him a few times, and when he smiled at her, complimented her on her choice of jacket for Freddie, Ash smiled back, genuinely this time.

“Freddie never mentioned you were...” she pauses after a squinting for a moment, “You’re not Scottish, are you?” She asks, making polite conversation when the singer in question makes his way back to the band when he’s called.

“Northern Irish, but I see where your confusion comes from,” he laughs kindly, “there’s about fifty different accents in London alone, it’s gets tricky to pick them sometimes.” There’s an easy familiarity in Paul’s tone, a sense of camaraderie over their shared heritage, “where abouts are you from?” Crossing his arms, he casts his gaze over to the band, brow creased with slight concern before he looks back at her.

“Fife, you?” She asks, watching as they’re all trying to warm up, though they all seem unhappy with the sound of their instruments.

“Belfast,” Paul mused, regarding her with a half smile, “so not exactly neighbours.” 

“If you’re half-decent and gonna be sticking around, you’re already better than the actual dickheads I lived next door to back home.” Ash snorted, rolling her eyes.

“Ain’t that the truth.” He agreed with a surprising sincerity, and a moment of silence stretched between them, Ash and Paul wearing almost identical sour expressions as they contemplated their own less than pleasant experiences back home, before Paul turned, breaking the moment. “Well it was lovely to meet you, Ash, I need to have a word with the producers.” And with that he was off, frowning in the direction of a bearded man with a clipboard who was talking to one of the cameramen.

Things have taken a turn for the worse when Ash returns to the band. John stands patiently as she fixes his collar and fiddles with his hair, but she can hear Roger complaining loudly.

“Listen to this!” He groans, tapping the symbol and hearing only a dull clang where he’d wanted something far crisper. “Bloody atrocious.” He’s the most vocal, of course, but Freddie’s mic’s not plugged in, and neither are the guitar or bass.

“Is there anything we can do to help, Roger?” John calls, and the drummer huffs out a sigh, simply asking for a better drum kit. 

When Paul comes back with the producer telling them it’s going to be playback rather than live, Ash thinks she feels the temperature of the room rise out of collective frustration alone, and she’s pretty sure she’s never seen Roger so blatantly apathetic to a performance before.

“That’s your best performance yet.” It’s hard for her to be too sympathetic when they are on television; she can’t help but be amused at their annoyance. Well, almost all their annoyance.

“Thank you, I thought so.” Deaky plays along with a smug smile, his eyes crinkling in the corners when he an Ash share a look. 

“Shut it.” Roger snaps, at the exact same time as Freddie rolls his eyes at them.

“Cruel, my dear.” He adds, and Brian just shakes his head as Mary joins them. “We should go celebrate this momentous occasion, and also immediately forget this travesty - playback -” his lip curls in disgust at the very mention of the concept; “who’s in?” 

They all end up at Freddie and Mary’s flat, the only place with lounges enough for the lot of them, and Ash cradled her vodka and orange juice for the better part of an hour before it was warm and only half finished. They’re all still mostly wearing their outfits from the taping, and there’s a little spark of pride that flares to life in Ash’s chest as she realises that they actually like what she’s chosen.

“Deaky! Did you give her the thing? Give Ash the thing!” Freddie has downed two shots and half a pint and is at the very least tipsy where he’s got Mary in his lap. She’s using his fur coat as a blanket since Freddie’s changed into just a woolen jumper that is far more comfortable than the jacket actually is. John, to his credit, seems to know exactly what Freddie’s talking about, and starts patting down his pockets as Ash, squished on the loveseat between him and Roger, just seems confused.

“That’s right, we got this for you.” Deaky grins brightly, pulling out a small wad of notes out of his pants pocket.

“We can’t officially pay you yet,” Brian chimes in from beside Freddie, “but it’s for all the hard work you do for us.” 

“I told you I’m happy to do it for free until EMI puts me on their books,” Ash flushes as John presents her with fifty pounds, which all the band members chipped in for. “You really didn’t need to do this-”

“Well then count it as a graduation present.” Freddie adds, cutting off her protest, and Ash sighs, before her expression turns thoughtful. None of them dwell on it; Freddie proposes another toast to the night, to Ash, to being on Top of the Pops, and they all start another round of cheering and chattering, and the moment passes.

“What are you going to do with your hard earned cash?” Roger asks later that night, he’s pulled Ash into his lap, and the others aren’t paying them much attention. Freddie’s playing the piano with wild abandon and Deaky’s watching him, curled up on the mattress on the floor that Freddie calls a bed while Mary and Brian are deep in conversation on the other lounge.

“I don’t know,” Ash says quietly, taking a sip of her soda, “was thinking about looking for a place of my own.” She admits, and Roger grins, raising an eyebrow at her. “Since I’m finally graduating they’re kicking me out of the uni housing.” She explains with a chuckle, but she’s not looking at him, though Roger’s just amused.

“I’m surprised they didn’t kick you out sooner for noise complaints.” He smirks, and Ash gives him a gentle shove, and he squawks in protest as she almost spills his beer. 

“That’s half your fault.” She bites back, reaching out to take a long sip of his beer so it wouldn’t spill when she gave him another shove, grinning, eyes shining with mischief. 

When they talk about it, at first in the hypothetical, and then when she actually starts looking, it’s always Ash’s place. Ash’s furniture, Ash’s decorations, Ash’s sewing equipment occupying almost half of the shoe box living room in her mind, and Roger’s the same. Surprisingly, Deaky’s the first to catch on that there might be something more to that.

“Rocket, may I ask you something?” He’s the only one who uses the nickname with anything resembling consistency, and Ash likes how it sounds when he says it, so she’s not complaining.

“Of course.” She’s a little distracted, tailoring a shirt for him, not a costume, just something he’s asked her to do, it’s for a date with a girl he’s been seeing for a few weeks, Veronica.

“Okay, can I ask you something personal?” He amends, since she’s currently placing pins in the shirt near his side and he’s a little afraid that if he says the wrong thing she might start jabbing him. Catching his meaning easily, Ash steps back, nodding after only slight hesitation, and John lowers his arms. “Are you moving in with Roger? Into your new place, that is.”

She’s been living in Roger and Brian’s flat for about three days now, her things in boxes near the door, submitting applications every other day hoping to hear back from real estate companies. Both Brian and Roger were out, Brian getting groceries and Roger off at the markets with Freddie.

“No, that’s ridiculous.” She scoffs, and John frowns at the way she crosses her arms and her face reflexively scrunches up into a defensive scowl.

“Didn’t mean to offend you.” He placates gently, raising his arms as a silent invitation for her to continue. After a beat of uncertainty, Ash moves back in to finish her work. “You two have been together for a while, haven’t you?” He asks, and Ash hums in agreement, but doesn’t say anything until the silence becomes uncomfortable.

“It’ll be easier if it’s just my place.” Her voice is so quiet that he barely hears her.

“Oh,” and it dawns on him.

“It’s-” Ash cuts herself off before she speaks, biting her tongue as she finishes pinning and gestures for him to take off the shirt. “Whatever, John, it’s just easier, okay?”

He’s sitting on the sofa, watching Ash quietly stew over her thoughts as she spooled a bobbin of white thread to use on the shirt.

“People need to stop telling us to move in together; Brian’s bad enough.” She mutters, and John raises his eyebrows.

“What are you worried about, if you don’t mind me asking?” And his words make Ash give pause. She turns to him, a pin in her mouth, after a moment of analysing him, she takes the pin out so she knows he’ll understand her through her accent.

“I’m trying to focus.” Is all she says, and puts the pin back between her lips before turning back to her sewing machine. John nods in agreement, and when he switches subjects, she visibly relaxes. She’s almost back to normal by the time she finishes his shirt, and Brian’s home but Roger’s still out. Presenting him with the shirt, she takes a quiet moment before she apologises for snapping at him.

“It’s okay, I understand.” John assures her, pressing a fond kiss to her forehead before he leaves in time to pick up Veronica.

“Do you think it’d be a bit fast if we moved in together?” Ash asks in the shower later that evening, purposefully not looking at Roger where she’s washing her hair.

“What do you mean?” Roger asks, turning to grab the soap and smacking his elbow on the wall in the enclosed space. “Like both of us moving into your new place?” He takes a moment to consider it as he scrubbed the soap down his arms. “I-” he hesitated, “what do you think?”

Ash hasn’t stopped thinking about it since Brian brought it up, but her mind’s been on overdrive since John had mentioned it. In all honesty, it doesn’t feel too fast, but she’s terrified of how real it would make things; it feels like she’s constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, and she doesn’t want it to happen if both their names are on the lease. If his name’s on the lease, she has to admit to herself that they’ve been dating for almost four months, and seeing each other after everything with August and Kristin happened, for almost double that, and it’s not the longest she’s been with someone, but it’s the longest she’s felt like someone’s cared for her like this. She wasn’t used to it at the start and she’s not used to it now, and she doesn’t want to admit it. Part of her is terrified, looking for an out, waiting for one of them to fuck up bad enough for the other to leave-

They’ve already been together a while, Ash thinks that she needs to stop worrying and just accept that there’s still potentially a while to go.

“It would mean I could finally look Brian in the eyes again.” She mused with a half smile, turning and nudging him out of the water to wash the suds from her hair. “We could give it a shot at least.” She offers, and when she opens her eyes, Roger’s biting back a laugh, looking at her with surprisingly unguarded affection.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind giving it a go.” He agrees, and Ash is quiet for a long moment before the words bubble out of her before she can stop them.

“I love you.” She doesn’t regret them, and to her surprise and relief, Roger doesn’t seem phased.

“I love you too.”

Her hands don’t shake when they finally sign the lease to a shitty, little two-bedroom flat at the edge of town, her voice is bright and excited as they plan how to set up a drum kit and a sewing studio in the second bedroom, and when Roger points out that they probably need to go buy some curtains if they’re gonna keep making out on the kitchen counter by the window, Ash laughs, loud and bright, and agrees. She doesn’t let herself get caught up in the big milestones either, but god if she doesn’t treasure the little moments.

the ususal suspects: @deakydickfanpage @hollyissuchahoe @laueecakee @smittyjaws@crystalshines2909 @i-am-sarah @legendsaresooftenwarnings @2ptonpt @benhardy24-7@maiilovely @mickey-yr-a-goner @butter-times @heyyouitskay @tired-eyes-fairy-lights@yepimthatperson @missieluvsmurder @ironqueen98 @ceruleanrainblues @banhbao329@fantasticchaoticwho @ko-kitty @seven-seas-of-hi @mimisfangirlfantasy @aadjuric @rogmobile@cardybenhardy @snacfu @perriwiinkle @the-strange-fan-girl @finite-incantatem-7 @tapetayloe @florencewelchismybiggod @happy-at-home

[living-the-fastlife]

Another year has come and gone and what better way to wrap up the year than with this End of Year Survey, created by Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner. 

Number of books I read:

Number of rereads: Sadly I only managed to fit in one reread, A Darker Shade of Magic.

Genre I read the most from: Contemporary (a surprise since Fantasy has always been my most read genre in years past)

1. BEST BOOK I READ IN 2016:

Top 3 A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo The Hard Count by Ginger Scott. 

2. BOOK I WAS EXCITED ABOUT AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOVE MORE BUT DIDN’T

Riders wasn’t a pure disappointment but I did expect more. The book served as a nice introduction to the world and I’m hoping it’s sequel can elaborate on some aspects. 

3. MOST SURPRISING (IN A GOOD OR BAD WAY) BOOK I READ

The Weight of Feathers. I knew it was a Romeo and Juliet inspired magical realism tale but I wasn’t expecting it to be so beautiful. The writing was captivating, the characters were fascinating and the book really explored the beauty in the simplicity. 

4. BOOK I PUSHED THE MOST PEOPLE TO READ (AND THEY DID)

I’ll Meet You There is the one book that I will always push onto people and I am happy to see that some people have picked up this beauty of a book. 

5. BEST SERIES I STARTED IN 2016? BEST SEQUEL OF 2016? BEST SERIES ENDER OF 2016?

Best Series Started: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff Best Sequel: A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab Best Series Ender: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

6. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR I DISCOVERED IN 2016

Sarina Bowen. I completely devoured her True North series. Great characters that I could easily realate to, swoony romances and a great exploration of multitude of themes e.g. drug addiction.

7. BEST BOOK FROM A GENRE I DON’T TYPICALLY READ/WAS OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

This was the year for Sports Contemporary books. I’m not one to read a lot of New Adult books but the little corner I’ve discovered in Sports contemporary novels has provided some of the funniest and addictive books I’ve ever read. I’m definitely a fan of this genre. 

8. MOST ACTION-PACKED/THRILLING/UNPUTDOWNABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR

Crooked Kingdom. Can I just use this book for every question? This book was so worth all of the sleep I sacrificed. Filled with an intricate plot, unpredictable plot twists and incredibly character insights, Crooked Kingdom was hands down the most addictive book I read in 2016. 

9. BOOK I READ IN 2016 THAT I’M MOST LIKELY TO REREAD NEXT YEAR

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin. While I’m still heartbroken over the events of it’s sequel, Wolf by Wolf was another addictive read. I love the cross continental setting and the underlying themes of identity and fascinating characters were an added bonus. 

10. FAVOURITE COVER OF A BOOK I READ IN 2016

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Nevernight. I loved the book and the cover, red sprayed edges and just the entire design of the book is beautiful. The maps are my favourite part though.

11. MOST MEMORABLE CHARACTER OF 2016

The Bastard of the Barrel aka Dirtyhands aka Kaz Brekker. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this man. He is ruthless, greedy and has a penchant for violence and chaos. However, he’s also a man full of grief and complex layers and would crawl to the edge of the earth to get his Wraith back. Every single character in this series were an absolute delight to read about. 

12. MOST BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK READ IN 2016

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta. It doesn’t have a flowery prose or anything fancy. Most wouldn’t name this book as their most beautifully written but the simplicity of the book is what makes it so effective in portraying the affects of depression on a family. 

13. MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING/LIFE-CHANGING BOOK OF 2016

I wouldn’t call it a life changing book but Salt to the Sea definitely had a huge impact on me. To think that this maritime tragedy has gone overlooked when an estimate of 9000 lives were claimed by the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is unbelievable. It definitely sheds a light on such a monumental event and further highlights the horrors of war.

14. BOOK I CAN’T BELIEVE I WAITED UNTIL 2016 TO FINALLY READ

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. This is my kind of fantasy. The plot follow the typical fantasy trajectory but its the characters that makes this book so incredible. This is the ultimate underdog story and the representation of women is phenomenal.

15. FAVOURITE PASSAGE/QUOTE FROM A BOOK I READ IN 2016

“Maybe there were people who lived those lives. Maybe this girl was one of them. But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.” – Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo

16. SHORTEST AND LONGEST BOOK I READ IN 2016

17. BOOK THAT SHOCKED ME THE MOST

Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin. I should have seen this coming but it doesn’t mean I wanted it to happen. This event was shocking and gut-wrenching and I’m still so bitter about it. That moment hurt!

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP!)

Shazi x Khalid, The Wrath and the Dawn duology. This is my kind of romance. The swoon levels were off the charts in this series. Why? Because of the respect shown between Shazi and Khalid. They are equals in every possible way and the maturity of their relationship was incredible.

19. FAVOURITE NON-ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP OF THE YEAR

Kate and August, This Savage Song. A most unlikely friendship but one that definitely kept me on the edge. These two were on the run for most of the book and along the way they both learn to embrace parts of themselves they’ve tried to deny for so long. 

20. FAVOURITE BOOK I READ IN 2016 FROM AN AUTHOR I’VE READ PREVIOUSLY

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. My go-to contemporary author. Her books always deliver and as always the delicate balance between the friendship, romantic and family dynamics were greatly established.

21. BEST BOOK I READ IN 2016 THAT I READ BASED SOLELY ON A RECOMMENDATION

Air Awakens by Elise Kova. I love the cover but at the time it wasn’t enough to sway me. Then I read all the glowing reviews for the series and had to check the book out.

22. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH FROM A BOOK I READ IN 2016

Garrett Graham, The Deal. This man, oh how he makes me swoon. I didn’t really like him at first but as his friendship with Hannah developed and blossomed into a beautiful romance he also managed to steal my heart in the process. He’s an incredibly supportive friend and boyfriend and I would snatch him up in a heartbeat. 

23. BEST 2016 DEBUT THAT I READ

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet. Again, I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I loved the incorporation of Greek mythology and the camaraderie between Griffin, Cat and the rest of the company was hilarious.

24. BEST WORLDBUILDING/MOST VIVID SETTING I READ THIS YEAR

Nevernight. Despite my qualms with the footnotes, I must admit they did ultimate help clarify some things about the world. Do I remember every detail, no, but I did finish the book with a clear understanding of the type of world this book is set in.

25. BOOK THAT PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE/WAS THE MOST FUN TO READ

The Deal by Elle Kennedy. Hilarious, addictive and swoony. The banter between the guys and Hannah was on point and there were plenty of laugh out loud moments in this book. 

26. BOOK THAT MADE ME CRY OR NEARLY CRY IN 2016

Crooked Kingdom is the only book that succeeded in making me cry this year. I won;t spoil the moment but it was soul-crushing and happened at the moment I dared to hope that everyone was out in the clear. 

27. HIDDEN GEM OF THE YEAR

Rites of Passage by Joy. N. Hensely. I would not be able to survive a military academy. I was exhausted after 5 minutes. The intensity levels are taken to new heights in this book and I definitely appreciated Sam’s determination to prove to everyone that she belonged.

28. BOOK THAT CRUSHED YOUR SOUL

Blood For Blood: See no. 17.

29. MOST UNIQUE BOOK THAT I READ IN 2016

Something  Real by Heather Demetrios. Reality TV is not something I follow but this book did an excellent job at exploring the dark side to this world and how manipulative and damaging it can be for someone so young to have her identity carved out by the producers of the show.

30. BOOK THAT MADE ME THE MOST MAD

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry: I loved this book but Breanna’s parents drove me absolutely insane. The way they treated her was horrible and I hate how they thought that years of neglect could be pushed aside the moment she finds happiness in someone they disapprove of.

1. FAVOURITE BOOK BLOG I DISCOVERED IN 2016

I don’t know if I discovered them in 2016 but some of my favourite blogs are Nick and Nereyda @ Nick and Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist, Aimal @ Bookshelves and Paperbacks, Richard @ The Humpo Show, Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse. These are just a few of the amazing blogs I’ve come across and I’m hoping to up my blog hopping game in 2017 cause I have been slacking as of late.

2. FAVOURITE REVIEW THAT I WROTE IN 2016

I have two; the first one is my review of The Hard Count by Ginger Scott. The second is my review for Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys 

3. BEST DISCUSSION/NON-REVIEW POST I HAD ON MY BLOG

I’ve not done many discussion posts but I was quite proud of my post on the ways to beating a reading slump

4. BEST EVENT THAT I PARTICIPATED IN

Again I’ve not participated in many of these because events like the twitter chats and such take place at 2am UK time. Time zones suck. On top of that when it comes to book signings, the closest one to home would be a good 2 hour drive away.

5. BEST MOMENT OF BOOKISH/BLOGGING LIFE 

My one year blogiversary. I gave myself a hefty pat on the back for reaching that milestone. 

6. MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT BLOGGING OR MY READING LIFE THIS YEAR

Keeping up with comments and blog hopping. I’ve been slacking on that front as of late and it is something I plan on improving on this year.

7. MOST POPULAR POST THIS YEAR ON MY BLOG

My most popular blog post was the Bloggers to Follow Top Ten Tuesday topic. My most popular review was A Gathering of Shadows

8. POST I WISH GOT A LITTLE MORE LOVE

My TV Talk for Mr. Robot and my review for The Hard Count.

9. BEST BOOKISH DISCOVERY

Bookstagram. I might not be the most active user but I love all the bookstagram accounts that have popped up over the year or so.

10. DID I COMPLETE ANY READING CHALLENGES OR GOALS THAT I HAD SET FOR YOURSELF?

1. ONE BOOK I DIDN’T GET TO IN 2016 BUT WILL BE MY #1 PRIORITY READ IN 2017

Where do I even begin. There are a lot of books I failed to read in 2016 and plan on reading in 2017. These include; The Winner’s Trilogy, Gemina and Outrun the Moon.

2. BOOK I AM MOST ANTICIPATING FOR 2017 (NON-DEBUT)

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

3. 2017 DEBUT I AM MOST ANTICIPATING

Wait for Me by Caroline Leech

4. SERIES ENDING/A SEQUEL I AM MOST ANTICIPATING IN 2017

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

5. ONE THING I HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH OR DO IN MY READING/BLOGGING LIFE IN 2017

Comment/blog hop more. Write more discussion posts. I’m also considering writing some TV/Film reviews but I’m not sure if anyone would be interested in that. 

6. A 2017 RELEASE I’VE ALREADY READ AND RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE

Sad news. I’ve not read a single books since the first week of December. I hate this slump.

That was my reading year. How was your 2016 reading year?

      2016 End of Year Survey Another year has come and gone and what better way to wrap up the year than with this End of Year Survey, created by Jamie…