BAH HUMBUG CHRISTMAS TAG

Ooooh, this tag is right up my alley. Found it @ChloeMetzer. I love her answers! We feel the same way about love triangles and GR spelling strictness.

Anyway, I am more keen on celebrating New Year than Christmas since we prepare more food for that day. So check out my best Scrooge impression below:

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WHAT KIND OF COVER ART IMMEDIATELY TURNS YOU OFF OF A BOOK?

I am probably one of those rare MM readers who hates bare torso covers. Naked bodies do nothing for me. I always say this, beautiful clothes on beautiful people is my jam. Before I became a gay romance reader, I wouldn’t touch a bare torso cover with a ten foot pole. But ever since I was blown away by Cat Sebastian‘s brilliant historical The Soldier’s Scoundrel, I learned not to mind those kinds of covers too much.

WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ON A BOOK COVER (NOT RELATED TO DESIGN)?

I hate book jackets. They’re very pretty to look at but a hassle to handle. I don’t know what to do with them. I very much prefer paperback because I take immense pleasure in wrapping the covers with plastic. They do a better job of preserving the book.

WHEN READING A SYNOPSIS, WHAT COULD MAKE YOU WANT TO YEET THE BOOK ACROSS THE BOOKSTORE?

I really hate it when the synopsis is trying to be intriguing by mentioning a ‘beautiful woman this or that’ as some kind of hook. Something like this blurb from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell that had me nearly not read the book: “He goes to London and raises a beautiful young woman from the dead.” I wish they would use more creative descriptors because women characters deserve better.

WHAT TROPE MAKES YOU WANT TO SCREAM INTO THE ABYSS?

The ‘often forgets to eat’ trope. Mostly because I wish I was like this so I’d be effortlessly skinny.

WHAT BOOK INDUCES RAGE THE MOMENT IT IS MENTIONED IN YOUR PRESENCE?

I don’t necessarily hate it, I just think it’s overrated because I was bored, bored, bored by Call Me By Your Name. I think there are infinitely better books if you’re looking for a good gay love story. For example, K.J. Charles‘s fabulous historical series Society of Gentleman or N.R. Walker‘s moving contemporary standalone On Davis Row.

WHAT COULD SOMEONE SAY, WHEN RECOMMENDING A BOOK TO YOU, THAT COULD BREAK YOUR TRUST IN THEM?

It was recommended by so and so Hollywood celebrity or it’s on super duper mega famous best-selling celebrity author’s list. Blech!

WHAT AUTHOR YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIGHT?

I wouldn’t fight anyone, I just give them the freeze.

WHAT CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE TO DROPKICK?

Maltravers, Ash’s older brother from Society of Gentleman. The bastard tried to have Ash pilloried by exposing his relationship with Francis.

Also, Whyborne’s colleague who calls him “why-were-you-borne”.

IF GOODREADS WAS A PERSON, WHAT WOULD YOU BULLY THEM FOR?

Stupid search algorithm. One teeny tiny spelling error and all goes to shit.

IF YOU COULD BAN ANYTHING (TRIVIAL) FROM ALL BOOKS FOREVER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Love triangles. This is the very reason why I quit YA books. I know nowadays YA are better written. Alas, that ship has sailed for me.

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But enough of the bah humbugs. It’s Christmas Eve and it’s time to celebrate.