Bookish Randomz: Moulin Rouge Book Tag

If you're reading this and are you're super confused on what Moulin Rouge is and why we love it so much, then let me fill you in! So basically, it's one of the best films of all time... It's a movie musical that is brilliant in every single way. This is one of those films which I would recommend to a fellow theatre lover because I feel like you'd understand since it is such a unique film. However I'm sure there are non-theatre fans as well. I would just personally recommend it to someone who loves theatre.

Things that are great about Moulin Rouge:

It's very unique.
The soundtrack.
The storyline.
The blend of comedy and darkness.
EWAN MCGREGOR'S VOICE!

If you're interested in actually knowing what this is about, I'll have the Wikipedia Synopsis below...

A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet (Ewan McGregor), who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club's most notorious and beautiful star (Nicole Kidman).

So, Hannah from aBiblioTopia and I have created a book tag! Moulin Rouge is one of our favourite movies. So one day, we both just decided to create a book tag, and it resulted in this! We both came up with 5 question like things that we will answer. I hope you enjoy reading this tag, and if you feel like it you can do it as well.

Let's get on with the tag!

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The book I chose for this was the UK edition of Throne of Glass. I only got this book because I think that this is the best cover for this series. I own the original hardback with the girl who looks a little bit like Sarah J. Maas. The whole story behind this is that I was in the Philippines and I wasn't able to get a book that I could get here in Canada so I chose this! Not gonna lie, part of me really wanted to get all of them but that wouldn't be practical would it? I was really happy when I got this because I had been eying these editions for SUCH a long time.

Honestly, if you're a fan of high fantasy or just magic and epic fights in general, you either have already read this or you haven't and are missing out on the fun! Sarah J. Maas just added more books to the series, so you still have time to join in and be a hipster. The only thing I don't like about this book is that there are so many love interests... #TeamDorian.

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.' to

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The book I chose for this is... The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken.. I remember really wanting to read this when it blew up in the book community, and I wouldn't say I hated it but I didn't enjoy it. The horrible thing is that I have a review on this book, and every word I said was a lie! I wanna punch my fourteen year old self in the face... Honestly, I've had really bad luck with Alex Bracken books. I haven't found one that I've enjoyed... I really want to since she's so admired in the book world but I just can't do it.

With this book, I really liked the storyline and the characters but if I thought about the book in general, I didn't like it.

This was/is a really popular futuristic dystopian and the only reason why I picked this up was because it reminded me of X-MEN. Part of me really wants to give this another chance considering it was confirmed to be a movie and now I feel like I have to love it.

Four minutes changes everything. Hadley Sullivan 17 misses her flight at JFK airport, is late to her father's second wedding in London with never-met stepmother. Hadley meets the perfect boy. Oliver is British, sits in her row. A long night on the plane passes in a blink, but the two lose track in arrival chaos. Can fate bring them together again?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next book is... The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. Before this, I'm not gonna lie I had a certain opinion on contemporary novels. Thinking about it now, I can't remember what that said opinion was but it doesn't matter now because now I love contemporary. Not all contemporary, but I do love certain books that fit into the genre. Another reason on why I think this appealed to me so much was because I was in a major reading slump.

However, on a side note I'm really excited because this book is also being turned into a movie! I think? I can't remember the last time I read an update for the film, but if it is going to happen I am definitely going to see it.

If you're looking for a really fast and cute read, you should definitely check this one out!

In a kingdom by the sea…

In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.

A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.

Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.

Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?

The darkly magical world of Shadowhunters has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe. Join the adventure in Lady Midnight, the long-awaited first volume of a new trilogy from Cassandra Clare.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now a days, I feel like I have trouble finding books that give me "the feels". It usually only happens with authors that I've read in the past. For example, if there's a really popular book that gave others "the feels," I most likely did not.

I had to kind of sit back and think about this one for moment because it's been a really long time since a book has it me in "the feels." Lady Midnight is probably my favourite Cassandra Clare novel, but I feel like I say that with every new book she releases. I can't help it, they just keep getting better!

Anyway, the reason why I chose this is because so much stuff happens in this book! If you've read and loved the book, you probably would understand why I chose this book. This is a book that will take you on a really thrilling and mind blowing roller coaster. Another great thing about this book is the fact that it has little moments with characters with The Mortal Instruments, certain things happen with them and my inner thirteen year old fangirl will just come out.

Honestly, if you've never heard of Cassandra Clare's books you're probably very new to the YA book community. If you haven't read them, I would urge you to do so. Another thing is that if you're a fan of the TV show adaptation of The Mortal Instruments Shadowhunters, you should try and read the books. I'm not here to force you to read them, I just want to recommend them to you!

ONE CHOICE.

TWO REALMS.

NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision…

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Really random note is that the song "The Show Must Go On" in the film is really good and INTENSE!

The book I chose for this category is... Firstlife by Gena Showalter. This was the first book I've read in a while that I really didn't like. Of course, I was attracted to the really pretty cover. I hate to say it but I think the cover was the strongest part of the book. I am not exaggerating when I say that there was absolutely nothing about this book that I enjoyed.

Don't get me wrong, I am sure there is someone out there who has read this and loved it. However I just didn't like it. It was one of those books were had a really interesting concept that had potential but in the end it fell flat.

I just remember really hating the pacing, the plot and the characters. I honestly can't believe that I actually finished it considering how much I disliked it.

Alright with this one, I have two. I couldn't just pick one!

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the "Harry Potter" series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first book is Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling! That's right you Americans, it's PHILOSOPHERS. The title being changed for the states has always bugged me for some reason. I think it's because the philosophers stone is an actual myth and stuff but whatever.

The reason why I chose this is because this is probably the first fandom I ever came apart of. You guys, I'm about to get super cheesy--haha anyway I would say that the entire Harry Potter franchise (books + movies) formed some of the best friendships I've had. Even if we're not friends anymore, it's kind of nice to look back at remember what brought us together. Another thing about this is that I think it kind of glued me to certain people if that makes sense. I became closer with people I never thought would be as meaningful to me today.

I just remember Harry Potter completely taking over my life when I was eleven. It honestly just makes me smile just thinking about that summer when I became obsessed with Harry Potter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah I know... The Hunger Games. I feel like if you're not part of the hype of The Hunger Games you would think that this is so "basic". I don't know about you, but I feel like The Hunger Games is viewed as sort of a Twilight. Whenever something is compared to it, people just eye roll. Maybe that's just with what I've experienced.

Whatever... I am a proud fan of The Hunger Games. I read this after the movie came out and once I finished the series I was basically thrown into the world of YA. This is a book that definitely changed my reading life. This series is probably right below Harry Potter because this is the second fandom that I became obsessed with. It's quite funny, I feel like we should congratulate Raquel for predicting that I would get obsessed with this series.

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This one was super hard. I've come across a lot of books that I disliked but it's rare to find a book I thought I was going to love but in the end was disappointed. Then I remembered Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard!

So let me explain, I rated this a 4 out of 5 stars but that was completely based on the structure of the novel. As a whole, I was kind of like this was okay... It was definitely a book that I thought I was going to love. For the first 70-100 pages I was completely enthralled in it but in the end I was let down. I honestly found it very predictable and there were other factors too but I just can't remember what they were.

It was one of those books where as I read, I kind of just told myself that I was enjoying it when in reality, I really, really wasn't. Honestly, I have had really bad luck with over-hyped books because I just feel like a lot of them are just too hyped.

I don't feel like continuing on with this series. If I were, it would have to be because of a movie being released or something. Maybe in the future I will pick up the sequels but right now I can't see myself doing it.

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

** A thought-provoking love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns and - with David Levithan - Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

** John Green has over 2.6 million Twitter followers, and over 2.1 million subscribers to Vlogbrothers, the YouTube channel he created with his brother, Hank.

** 'Electric . . . Filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy' - Jodi Picoult

** 'A novel of life and death and the people caught in between, The Fault in Our Stars is John Green at his best. You laugh, you cry, and then you come back for more' - Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I mean....who didn't read this to join in on the hype?

There was this one year where this book BLEW UP along with all of John Green's other books. For me, I feel like I should've put all of John Green's books on this list because I was totally only reading them because I wanted to be included.

I will say this, John Green's books are really entertaining but I don't think that they're the best books in the entire world. In my opinion, I found most of his works to be a little generic, unrealistic and repetitive.

With The Fault in Our Stars, so many people were crying. It's very rare for me to cry in books. So when the big thing happened, I didn't cry. Near the end, there was a letter that did make me tear up--but here's the catch. I forced myself to cry and let the tears fall. The tears welling up in my eyes were definitely real but the tears falling were definitely not. I just wanted to be like "I CRIED TOO!" Silly, silly Faith...

Honestly, I think Clockwork Prince made me cry more...

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was another difficult one because I don't really laugh in books. Gosh, in this post I'm making myself sound like a robot...

The Sword of Summer was one of the first books to have me full on laughing while reading. I just remember having a really good time while reading this. It was such a fun read and is one of my favourite Rick Riordan books. Honestly, most of Rick Riodan's books make me laugh. I feel like Rick himself is just really funny in general and there is no effort to try to make people laugh so it's just naturally funny. Magnus Chase is one of the most funny characters I have read about.

Rick Riordan is another one of those authors whose work just keeps getting better and better with each novel, especially with his recent books!

Human rights activist Park, who fled North Korea with her mother in 2007 at age 13 and eventually made it to South Korea two years later after a harrowing ordeal, recognized that in order to be "completely free," she had to confront the truth of her past. It is an ugly, shameful story of being sold with her mother into slave marriages by Chinese brokers, and although she at first tried to hide the painful details when blending into South Korean society, she realized how her survival story could inspire others. Moreover, her sister had also escaped earlier and had vanished into China for years, prompting the author to go public with her story in the hope of finding her sister.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This one was SUPER tough if I'm going to be quite honest.

With In Order to Live, I just remember being absolutely blown away and I just found myself recommending this to as many people I could. I succeeded with one person but one is better than none. This book was honestly so breathtaking, it made me cry and I learned so much just from reading it. It's incredible to compare your life to someone else's, especially when they live or have lived in another place in the world. It's so eye opening and it changes your view and perspective.

Another thing is that I feel like this memoir changed my view of memoirs. Obviously not all memoirs are very good, but there definitely a few out there that are worth the time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's the tag! If you're interested in doing this tag, I encourage you to do so! Make sure to tell Hannah and I because we would love to see what books you chose for the tag!

However, I am also going to tag a few people to do this. The thing is, I don't even know if they read my blog but I'm going to take my chances. The people I tag are Raquel who is the other blogger here on Bookish Randomz (I'm curious to see if she'll actually do this), the next person is Cait over at PaperFury and then finally Sabrina from Beyond The Book Reviews.

I hope you enjoyed reading this!

Make sure to check out Hannah's blog, aBiblioTopia.

Check out our SOCIAL MEDIA for updates!

Feel free to follow our blog!