So I read A Court of Thorns and Roses this past weekend. And it was just as amazing as I knew it was going to be. More so, even. I read it in one sitting. Like I didn't move. I didn't eat lunch. I didn't even get up to pee. I'm not kidding. I sat on the couch for like 5 straight hours just reading. I regret nothing. I wrote my review right after reading which was probably mostly incoherent fangirling, sorry not sorry, and then I was faced with the arduous task of selecting a sacrificial book.
What do I mean by a sacrificial book? You all know.
When you read a book as good as ACOTAR, a book that just completely sweeps you away, a book that owns your heart and soul, you just know that the next book is never ever going to live up to your newfound expectations. Normally when I read a five billion star book, I try to go for the exact opposite genre next. So if I read fantasy, I go for a contemporary and vice versa. But even then, I feel like whatever book I pick up next will be the sacrificial book. Poor thing. It didn't do anything wrong.
There, there book.
But when it's a review book I pick up next, I wonder if I'm being unfair. I mean, the publisher gave me the book to review, but they had no idea that I would be reading it after reading a book that ripped my soul out of my chest, somehow made it better and then shoved it back inside. So is it really fair for me to read that book next and then send my review into the publisher? Is it fair to the author? To the book? But what am I supposed to do? Somebody's got to be the sacrificial book. So I try my damn hardest to just compartmentalize and forget about the epicness that was the last book I read. (Haha I know, I'm laughing to. How can I possibly forget about Tamlin and his beautiful body?)
Do you guys find this happens to you to? How do you choose what the sacrificial book will be? Do you avoid review books? Do you pick opposite genres?
Oh man, this is so true- that book that you read after an amazing one is never going to be as good as you want it to be. I mean, I guess it's a little unfair, but you gotta do what you gotta do haha. Although sometimes, what I do is do a reread of a book that I've loved (though I guess then the next book after that one would then be the sacrificial book lol)
ReplyDeleteRight? You just have to be ruthless and choose that sacrificial book. That's a good idea, but also true, the next book will still be the sacrificial one... lol bookworm problems right?
DeleteSometimes I take a little break between books (like, one day, because I can't go on too long without reading :p) It's just too clear my mind a little.
ReplyDeletehaha yes, one day is a break for all of us. But sometimes I have to do that too if I'm super book hungover.
DeleteYeah, it's tough. I definitely try and pick a different genre. That usually helps. And because it's so different, I don't think it becomes the sacrificial book for me. Looking back at my goodreads and my star ratings, I do have some five star reads in a row. But they were very different books. And I tend to compare genres when I'm rating and reviewing. How do I compare Throne of Glass with Anna and the French Kiss? Impossible. But I can compare Anna and the French Kiss with The Fill-In Boyfriend. Does that make sense? I am a mood reader, though, so I hate when I'm not in the mood to read a review book but I feel like I have to. Then I'm probably not going to like it as much and I feel like that's unfair.
ReplyDeleteLoved your dog and cat gif by the way.
Great topic! ~Pam
Very true. You can't compare fantasy to contemporary. But even though I'm not really comparing the two books I still find myself maybe not enjoying it as much. It's just missing that magic that the last book had you know?
DeleteHaha thanks, I died of cuteness when I saw it. :D