Just because my hosting days are over doesn’t mean I’m done with Bookending Spring! (If you’re new to Bookending Events, they’re quarterly (seasonal) events aiming to bring the book blogging community closer together; this spring, the optional theme is organization and cleaning. 

If you’re new to my blog — hi, I’m Isabelle and it’s nice to meet you! If you’re a returner — welcome back, friend!)

Choose any 5 flowers to be your guiding prompt, and according to that, take a picture of three books placed in a stack whose covers are the colour of the flowers, preferably the books being – one book that you loved, one book that you didn’t and one that you want to read soon.

This post is part of Bookending Spring 2020, which is organized by Sam & Clo!
Today’s prompt, “Flowers Book Tag,” is hosted by Jayati @ It’s Just a Coffee Addicted Bibliophile.

NB: I was limited to my book collection at home, all of which I’ve read and most of which I enjoyed — the ones I didn’t were relegated to my brother’s bookshelf or donated — so I modified the prompts to a book I’ve outgrown, a book I still love, and a book I acquired [relatively] recently.

Hibiscus – Red

Okay, I’ll be honest, for this one I started with the color rather than the flower because I have probably more red books than any other color. But hibiscus flowers are pretty if a bit phallic.

.

Book I’ve Outgrown Never Enjoyed Much

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The main reason this is still on my shelf is that it’s very thoroughly annotated (since I read it for a class) and weirdly beat-up considering I only read it once, so it didn’t seem right to get rid of it. 

Book I Still Love

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I first read this in the second grade (age 7 or 8) and gave myself nightmares for months, but I’ve revisited it several times over the years and still really, really enjoy it.

Book I Recently Acquired

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler. “Recently” might be a bit of a stretch since it was two years ago, but Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) gave a talk at my university over winter break and I bought myself a ticket as a birthday present. This book was included in the ticket price; I didn’t get it signed because the line was way too long.

Sakura – Pink

I’ve never gotten to see the cherry blossoms bloom in person and obviously this wasn’t the year to make it happen. Still, you can see how pretty they are in pictures; I’m sure someday I’ll get to see them.

.

Book I’ve Outgrown

The Wedding Planner’s Daughter by Coleen Murtagh Paratore. This book was a present from well-meaning family friends who had no idea what I like to read. I actually quite liked it at the time, but it’s really nothing super special among MG contemporary books.

Book I Still Love

The Mother-Daughter-Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. I actually bought this copy for my mom, but she never had time to read it so I “borrowed” it for my own collection 😅 Anyway, it has books and tasty treats and friendship, and I think it’s aged reasonably well.

Book I Recently Acquired

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki. A birthday present from the wonderful Clo! The color scheme is lovely (it’s black-and-white-and-pink inside), the story has strong WLW energy, and I adore the QPOC rep. 

(Golden) Poppy – Orange

Since I’m home in California, how could I pass up the opportunity to include our state flower? (I’m pretty sure that picture above isn’t actually a golden poppy, but all the other images I found were more red than orange.)

.

Book I’ve Outgrown

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. Never my favorite of the series, though I’m also kind of over the series as a whole. 

Book I Still Love

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater. Again, this book is more of a series stand-in (since CDtH just came out last November!), but I’ve loved the Raven Cycle since early high school and Maggie’s books even longer. I love reading about the Lynch brothers just as much I love having adventures with the Gangsey, and I’m sure the Dreamer trilogy has more heartbreaks in store.

Book I Recently Acquired

Stargazing by Jen Wang. Shenwei was kind enough to pass along an advance copy, and I really enjoyed the story.

Orchid – Yellow / Cream

I had a bit of trouble matching this one, so I settled for books that pass as cream / off-white / yellow / something in that general color range. Orchids are lovely flowers that come in a lot of colors, so I think it’s forgiveable.

.

Book I’ve Outgrown (?)

The Magic Half by Annie Barrows. I’ve put it on my to-reread list because I haven’t picked up this one in years, so I actually don’t know how well it’ll hold up.

Books I Still Love

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. This one I did reread recently (I did a full-series reread, actually!) and I enjoyed it — not quite as much as the first few times, but still a lot.

Going Solo by Roald Dahl. Also one that I’ve reread several times over the years and still like very much.

Iris – Blue

Blue has long been my favorite color, so I certainly had to include it even though it’s a rarer natural color for flowers (a lot of “blue” flowers tend to look indigo or purple, depending on lighting and growing conditions).

.

Book I’ve Outgrown

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. Well, not this book specifically as much as superhero stories in general. Although I was really into the Justice League growing up, these days I just keep up with the latest MCU releases and a handful of DC shows.

Book I Still Love

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois. A fascinating study in storytelling and worldbuilding. Not the most action-packed, but sometimes you just gotta … go where the wind blows.

Book I Recently Acquired

Anna Undreaming by Thomas Welsh. Last year Kal @ Reader Voracious recommended this one, so I jumped on the chance to pick up a review copy. (And isn’t the cover absolutely stunning?)

• What are your favorite flowers?
• Have you read any of these books? Did you like them?