Look at me, actually doing tags.
Okay, actually, I’ve neglected all the tags and decided to do one that I wasn’t actually tagged for (because I’m ridiculous like that). But I mean… how can I resist this tag?? It’s a mashup of two of my favorite things ever???
I found this tag on Aimee’s blog and you should definitely check out her post (and her amazing blog as well!). I’m so glad to see that a lot of bloggers are fans of B99 because the show is truly amazing and I genuinely love it.
JAKE PERALTA
a character who lives to be the hero
I think it’s pretty well-known from history that Achilles LIVED to be the hero, and in The Song of Achilles, he chose the short life of a glorious hero over the long life of a “nobody”. And he turned out to be known as one of the greatest warriors in Greek mythology. And… that’s all I can say without crying.
AMY SANTIAGO
a character who empowers you
I could name so many for these, but I’m going to go with a character who is personally so empowering and inspiring to me: Lei from Girls of Paper and Fire. I love this sapphic Asian girl so much and she is so fierce and strong. This whole book is about girls reclaiming their identities, and it means the world to me when she’s sapphic and Asian.
CAPTAIN HOLT
an amazing diverse character who breaks stereotypes
First of all, I don’t really like calling a PERSON “diverse” so I’m just gonna… say marginalized all right?? Second of all, the “breaking stereotypes” thing is just really weird… like what stereotypes are there to break? Why is it for Captain Holt? Is it because he’s a black gay man? Is this supposed to be a thing where “black people aren’t supposed to be gay” or “gay people aren’t supposed to black”?????
Anyways I really don’t like this prompt so, for me, I’m just gonna change it to: an amazing marginalized character who defies societal expectations. Maybe that’s what the prompt was trying to say, maybe not? But I like it.
(And clarification: I don’t mean, for example, to name a queer character and then be like YOU DEFY SOCIETY BY BEING QUEER. I just mean a marginalized character who defies the expectations put on them because they’re marginalized, because those expectations are very real and prevalent today.)*
There are a lot of books/characters I could put for this one, but I’m going to go with a book I finished last night: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, specifically the character Xifeng! I ADORE her so much, and she definitely defied expectations of her being a poor lowly girl. Instead, she’s powerful, ambitious, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal, even if it’s morally wrong.
*Even with a fun, simple tag, I manage to go into a lengthy rant.
ROSA DIAZ
a badass female character you’d hate to mess with
I would usually go with Inej or Nina from Six of Crows (would you expect anything else), but I’m going to stick with books I’ve read this year only and say: Evelyn Hugo from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I love Evelyn SO SO much, and she’s a bi Cuban woman who had to erase her own identity to succeed and she is so fierce and strong. LOVE HER.
CHARLES BOYLE
an awkward, but oh-so-lovable character
Honestly? I really can’t think of a book with an awkward character. The best I can think of is like… Jimmy from I Was Born for This but he’s awkward because of his anxiety??? I don’t know. SKIP.
TERRY JEFFORDS
the big guy who looks tough with a soft heart
This is a really weird prompt but I think Moss from Anger is a Gift fits it pretty well! He’s described as a big, tall guy (not to mention that he’s black, which means he gets racially profiled all the time), but he’s so soft and caring and kind and sweet and I LOVE HIM. Talking about this book makes me want to cry so I’m just going to stop now.
GINA LINETTI
a book or series on your TBR that has a massive fanbase
Oh god, I’m DEFINITELY going to go with The Cruel Prince for this one. I wasn’t super excited about this one until it got SUPER hyped up in January, and this month I’m planning on finally reading it (with my favorite, Emma!). I have so many friends who are huge stans of this series that have been dying for me to read it*, soooooo I’m doing it!! Nervously!!!
*Hi Mel, Elise, Em, Ju, Ilsa.
SCULLY & HITCHCOCK
an iconic fictional duo
I really want to put Percy and Annabeth for this one but… I will resist… If you didn’t think I would include Girl Made of Stars in this post, then you don’t know me at all. This is more an iconic fictional trio but you know, whatever works?? I love Mara, Charlie, and Hannah’s relationship more than anything and they are all so powerful and inspiring and FIERCE.
ADRIAN PIMENTO
a loose canon of a character
Neil from The Foxhole Court is very shady. And so is Andrew. And so is Renee. And so is literally everyone else in the book. BUT I LOVE THEM ALL and I can’t talk about this book/series for too long lest I run back to the fanfiction/fanart/tumblr posts obsession hole I just escaped from.
THE VULTURE
the antagonist that steals the show
AIDAN from the Illuminae Files (specifically Obsidio, since that’s the book I read this year). It’s not the MAIN antagonist of this book but it’s super morally ambiguous and god I LOVE IT. What AIDAN did in this book was just like… shocking. I think I put the book down and just stared at the page for a full minute.
THE PONTIAC BANDIT
the antagonist you can’t help but love
Just um… going to change this to… morally shady character you can’t help but love… and cry about Andrew Minyard from The Foxhole Court… okaycoolbye.
I TAG…
Even though I know I wasn’t actually tagged, I’m still going to tag some friends I know watch and love B99!! Sorry if you’ve already done it! (Hopefully all of you who HAVEN’T watched B99 will take a hint and WATCH IT.)
- Elise @ The Bookish Actress
- Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams
- Beth @ Reading Every Night
- Dezzy @ The Thoughftul Voice
AHHH I love this post and your answers to all of the prompts!! Thank you so much for tagging me, May; I’m so excited to do this tag. 💞 Omg I can’t think of TSOA without wanting to cry, either. 😭 And omg YES I love Evelyn Hugo; she’s such a strong and dazzling character!!
I agree, everyone who hasn’t watched B99 yet should stop what they’re doing and WATCH IT. It’s honestly the best show ever and I love it with all of my heart. (SO excited for season 6!!) 💙
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Of course, Dezzy!! I knew that this would be the perfect tag for you 💖 And oh god, I get tears in my eyes when I think of TSOA for more than 10 seconds 😭😭
I am so so glad I decided to watch it in August!! It’s made me so happy and I love the characters so much! So excited for s6 as well though it’s…so far away 😭
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Netflix added season five of Brooklyn Nine Nine last week just as my two week holidays started so you bet I’ve already finished it! And yes B99 is so good and I’m so glad they’re making s6 and they’ve lengthened it to 18 episodes (who knows, maybe by the time it actually runs we’ll get 22?) this tag is awesome!!
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Omg really!! Is this Netflix US? Because I know other countries’ Netflix have B99 but the US’ doesn’t! (I’m glad the other countries have it though 💗) And yesss I was so happy to hear they were adding more eps! Feel free to do the tag as well if you’d like ☺💕
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I might just do that if I get around to it 🙂 and no this is Netflix NZ
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psst love love love the new profile pic! <33
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psst love love love you!! <33
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I love Brooklyn 99 too oh my god – I’m starting the 3rd season now. I’m also torn between binging the whole thing and having an even longer wait for Season 6 or by stretching it out. Great post though!
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Aahh, I watched it all in about a month and I’m sad that it’s over, but it was so so good! The wait is going to kill me though 😭
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I’m so happy Brooklyn 99 was picked back up! My husband and I would watch it together all the time. It’s a fun show to just sit and watch, but we also enjoy having it on in the background while we cook or clean. I thought this was a really interesting tag!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
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Yes I’m so glad it was picked up as well! It’s such a fun, hilarious show. And yeah I watched the whole thing with my sister and we both loved it!
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Lovely answers for this tag, May! ❤ ❤ I agree with you about Xifeng, she defied expectations for sure and she was just overall so, so great to follow. Oh and I can't wait to read Evelyn Hugo, hopefully soon? 😀 ❤
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I loved Xifeng so much!! I don’t know how Julie C Dao managed to pull off her character so well, but it was amazing! And yesss I’m 100% sure you’re going to love Evelyn Hugo, it’s absolutely amazing ❤
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Thank you so much for tagging me for this tag sdnfjdsjdf I LOVE U 💖
Look at your brilliant formatting, my eyes are blinded by this gorgeousness?? AND YOUR NEW PROFILE PIC. 💗💗 This post is so wonderful, both aesthetically, and in terms of content (+ your choice for Jake is brilliant).
Hopefully (if everything goes as planned), I’ll be able to read Girls of Paper and Fire soon as well, I’m Dying of anticipation.
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LOVE U MORE!!
omg what are u talking about it’s simple formatting (actually no it wasn’t it gave me nightmares) and STOP BEING SO NICE TO ME!!! and god I wish I hadn’t had to pick TSOA because I can’t bear to think of it but it fits so well
oh my god if you hate GOPAF……..
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Love this tag, and great choices! Brooklyn 99 is the absolute best.
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Thank you!! Totally agreed, B99 is absolutely amazing 😍
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Oh yes! What is Brooklyn nine nine all about! Heaps of people love it!
Ella x
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Oh Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a comedy about a group of police! It’s super funny and all the characters are amazing ❤
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OH HECK I love B99!!! This is an amazing book tag, and I loved reading all your answers! I definitely agree with Achilles for the Jake Peralta question, and Girls of Paper and Fire is next on my tbr so now I’m gonna be thinking about Amy Santiago while reading it! (Not that it’s ever a bad thing to be thinking about Amy Santiago 😉)
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Yesss I love B99! And aaghh I wish I hadn’t picked TSOA because it makes me relive the pain but Achilles fits so well! And oh my god I hope you love GOPAF, it’s one of my favorites of the year 💕
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Yesssss I’m halfway through GOPAF now and loving it!!
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I love Brooklyn 99!! My husband and I have watched every episode out at least twice! It was a lot of fun seeing your answers to these prompts – a lot of these books are on my wishlist and they just bumped up a few notches. 😉
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Aahh I’m so glad you love the show! I wish I could rewatch it but my Hulu subscription’s canceled now 😥 And yay, I’m so glad I could promote some amazing books!!
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oh my god i’m hyperventilating and dying because THE FOXHOLE COURT AHHHHHH I’M SO HAPPPPPPYYY c: c:
I’ve only met TWO other bloggers who love that series?????? AND IT CRUSHES MY JOY. I just want to obsess over it and reread it and add to my Andreil shrine ❤ ❤
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aahhh I know of some other people in the book community who love TFC but there aren’t that many bloggers, yeah! I’m so glad you love it too, like it’s not even the best book ever written but I’m forever obsessed with it oh my god
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omg TO THIS DAY the most romantic line ever is “yes or no”
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SHFHSHF PLEASE DON’T REMIND ME I FEEL LIKE CRYING NOW
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Great p ost, May 💕 I have never heard of Brooklyn Nine-Nine before… Lol
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Thank you! and haha, it’s a great show!
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Oh my gosh, this is the best tag in the world, love! Seriously! Also… YOU ARE GOING TO DISLIKE THE FIRST PART OF THE CRUEL PRINCE, but you will like the ending. Oh my gosh, I am hyperventilating trash picturing you reading it! Ahhhhh! Happy reading and i love you! 💛xx
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May, casually reminding me how much I need to watch Brooklyn 99. But seriously, I am SO IMPRESSED that you only used books that you’ve read this year! I don’t know if I would be able to do that, especially when it comes to not including any of the Dregs or Percy and Annabeth.
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wow THREE of my favorite things!!! b99 AND books AND you. what a goddamn treat this is.
thank u for tagging me!! what a squad this post is. (squad/police squad pun not intended…or was it??)
also holy formatting batman look at you and your symmetrical images
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Love your answers!
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THIS TAG WAS THE BEST TO READ. EVER.
I always love your posts May, can’t wait for the next tag! xo
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Ahh this is an amazing tag, and thanks so so much for tagging me May. Like you my love for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and books combined makes this perfect for me to take part in. 😀
You also picked some great answers for these questions. AIDAN is the only answer I feel like you could choose for the The Vulture’s prompt, he steals the show in every possible way in the whole series I think, not just Obsidio, and I really enjoyed The Cruel Prince so I hope you do too.
I’m going to be starting The Foxhole Court tomorrow, and seeing it featured as two of your answers for this tag just makes me all the more excited to start it (I’ve been seeing that series around so much I feel like I’ve been brainwashed into picking it up.)
Great picks, and again thanks so much for tagging me. 😀 ❤
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ahhhh b99 + books = perfection. loved reading this AND your new profile pic, May! Life right now is just so stressful with school and all that for me, but reading this just made my day so much better 🙂 Right now I’m just waiting patiently (not) for season 6, and I am so freaking excited *screams* Oh my goodness did you hear about the news about Chelsea Peretti on S6? 😭
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omg *tumbles over to flail with Foxhole court appreciation and then falls on face* EVERYONE IS SO SHADY THERE THOUGH I AGREE. Like by book three, literally anyone could’ve pulled a knife and announced they’d trained for 7 years with ninjas or had a castle in switzerland or were secretly royalty and everyone would’ve been: “Well figures.” And shrugged and kept playing their stick ball. I LOVE THEM. SO DYSFUNCTIONAL.💖
And I have Girls Of Paper And Stars on reserve at the library finally!! And I looove Moss. He is so soft and kind, which is exactly the kind of boys we need more of in YA. *tosses the aggressive entitled ones*
(Also agreed some of these prompts are awkwardly worded.😬
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Brooklyn 99 is the freaking best heart-tugging no chill having FUNNY sweet fab character development show to ever. I love it so. And this post and your answers are so great! (But yeah that Holt question was rather awkwardly stated.) I’ve read Girl Made of Stars and love those girls so much. And The Cruel Prince which is pretty solid! Everything else you mentioned is on my TBR and BLARGH I hope to read them all soon (we shall see muahaha).
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