I think Becca’s BookoplAthon is my most successful readathon ever. I didn’t manage to complete all the prompts but the three books that I did read covered most of them. But what really put this readathon above all others, is that they were all five stars and one of them is going to be near the top of my best of the year list. In fact, it might be one of my favorite books of all time. First, I’m going to list all 16 of the prompts and then we will get into the wrap up and what prompts fit for each book. My goal was to complete all the 2020 board rolls which I did, which I’m glad I decided on since I didn’t read anything that works for the 2019 board rolls!
Roll #1
2019 board: paranormal or magical realism
2020 board: chance card (Randomly choose a book)
Roll #2
2019 board: culturally diverse
2020 board: Viewer recommends (my book was recommended by the hosts of Romanceoploy…. it’s like monopoly inception!)
Roll #3
2019 board: mystery/thriller
2020 board: a book you have been gifted (I used an ARC)
Roll #4
2019 board: YA Fantasy
2020 board: contemporary or romance
Wrap Up
Chance card/ Romance
This is just as amazing as everyone says it is. I was not expecting such an emotionally impacting story. I knew that it was going to be a cute romance but it went so much further than that. January and Gus might have my favorite literary romance of all time. I was so invested in the characters and their relationship, which is really a testament to what an incredible writer Emily Henry is. Beyond just being a romance, this story is also one about grief and shows what living with grief is really like. Honestly, there is just so much goodness wrapped up in this one book and I found myself relating to so much of it. This book also has the bonus of mentioning port wine stains. Of course, I wish that it had been more prevalent in January’s story, but I always appreciate when books talk about vascular birthmarks because it helps to normalize them. There is also a cult aspect of this book that I found interesting. This book is incredibly emotional, filled with humor, lots of insight into what it is like to be a writer, and when I finished all I could think of was how absolutely perfect it is.
“That’s the key to marriage. You have to keep falling in love with every new version of each other, and it’s the best feeling in the whole world.”
“I always liked that thought, the way two people really did grow into one. Or at least two overlapping parts, trees with tangled roots.”
“I’ve never met someone who is so perfectly my favorite person. When I think about being with you every day, no part of me feels claustrophobic.”
Viewer recommends/ romance
The setup for this story is ridiculous. In fact, a lot of this story is ridiculous and I loved every minute of it. Alex and Chase had such a fun relationship. It was very much a back and forth, sweet and salty type of romance which made me swoon when they were being sweet. I also appreciated that since this book was set in 1817 Tessa Dare used the setting to talk about gender roles. The theme of toxic gender roles can also be seen in Rosamund and Daisy, the two young girls Alex is hired to teach. They brought a lot to the story and I love that so much of this book centered on them. This is very much a girl power series wrapped up in a captivating historical romance and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books.
“She’d help them become women who couldn’t be ignored.”
a book you have been gifted/ romance
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
I’m so sad that this is the final book in the tea dragon series. These graphic novels have the most stunning artwork. It is whimsical, gorgeous, and showcases an incredible use of color. The story in this one does a great job of connecting the first two stories together. Overall, the story is filled with beautiful lessons about life and also grief. Interspersed throughout the story are sweet moments of romance that are so heartwarming. It is amazing all that O’Neill was able to pack into this graphic novel.
“It’s amazing what cages the mind can build for itself!”
“It sounds strange, but I feel homesick for the person I used to be…”
Books With Cassie 
I’ve just bought Beach Read and you’ve made me even more keen to read it, I’m bumping it to the top of my TBR. 🙂
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