Unscripted Book Tag: My Favorites, DNFs, and Unfiltered Thoughts
Hey, hey y’all! Welcome back to the blog! Today we’re keeping it chill and chatty with an old-school book tag—no script, no prompter, just me pulling titles straight from my bookshelf and giving you my honest thoughts. This post is for the readers who love unscripted conversations, impulsive book recs, and raw reflections on what’s hot (or not) on the shelf.
Let’s get into it!
How Many Books Are Too Many in a Series?
Honestly? I love a long series—as long as I’m invested in the characters. Some of my favorite reads are part of lengthy sagas, like:
The Riley Page Series by Blake Pierce
A fast-paced psychological thriller series following FBI Special Agent Riley Page, whose haunted past and sharp instincts make her a force in solving grisly murders. I’m on book 12, and I’m still hooked. If you’re someone who loves character-driven crime fiction, this is one to try. StoryGraph | Goodreads | FableThe Jesse Hunt Series by Blake Pierce
Jessie Hunt is a criminal profiler with trauma in her past and danger in her present. I’m on book 24 in this series! It’s intense, thrilling, and character-centric. StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
Even though I love a long-running story, my comfort zone is around five books. It gives time for proper character growth without overstaying the welcome. Duologies and trilogies are fun, but five feels like the sweet spot.
How Do I Feel About Cliffhangers?
This is a two-sided coin for me:
As a reader: I’m not a fan. Cliffhangers drive me wild—especially if the next book isn’t out yet. I get emotionally invested and then bam, I have to wait a year? No thank you. However, if the full series is published, I’m fine with binging my way through.
As a writer: I see the appeal. A well-done cliffhanger leaves readers itching for more. But being an indie author with a smaller audience and writing across genres, I hesitate. What if readers don’t come back? What if I don’t get to the sequel right away?
Cliffhangers can be powerful, but timing and audience trust matter.
Hardback or Paperback?
This one’s easy—paperback all the way.
I know hardbacks are beautiful and sturdy, but they’re also expensive. Paperbacks are more budget-friendly, lighter, and easier to toss in a bag. I’m a practical reader, and paperbacks just fit my life better.
Current Favorite Books (Top 3)
1. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
This book caught me off guard in the best way. I borrowed it from Libby purely because the cover intrigued me—and then I couldn’t stop reading. It’s horror meets fantasy, dual POV (past and present), and follows two girls connected to a haunted mansion.
In the past, Daisy has the ability to see ghosts. In the present, Britney runs a YouTube series that investigates forgotten Black girls, leading her straight to Daisy’s chilling history. The story unfolds across timelines, revealing secrets, trauma, and a few wild twists.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
★ 4/5 stars | Spooky, emotional, and beautifully written.
2. Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
Chloe is a freshman in college, part of a secret clinical study for diagnosed psychopaths. She’s also planning to murder the guy who wronged her in high school. Casual, right?
This book is genius in how it portrays Chloe’s detached mindset. Written in third person, the narrative mirrors her emotionless perspective. You’re reading about insane things—yet it feels like you’re checking off a grocery list. It’s thrilling in a completely fresh way.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
★ 5/5 stars | Sharp, twisted, and absolutely addictive.
3. Metal Slinger by L.A. Goff
Bren has always dreamed of attending the annual market on land—a right of passage for young warriors like her. But things don’t go as planned. What begins as a trading mission turns into a political and magical mess involving broken treaties and hidden identities.
This is a fantasy with slow-burn romance, enemies to lovers, and multiple POVs. It took me a few chapters to figure out who was narrating, but that was intentional and masterfully done.
★ 4.75/5 stars | Deep worldbuilding, high stakes, and incredible twists.
Least Favorite Books on My Shelf
1. And Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Laurel’s daughter disappeared ten years ago. Now, she meets a man—and his daughter looks eerily like her missing child. Sounds intriguing, right? But for me, the suspense fell flat. I didn’t feel gripped. It reminded me of books like The Silent Patient where you’re supposed to be shocked, but I felt… meh.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
2. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
This was one of those viral thrillers I picked up out of curiosity. The premise is that nothing is what it seems with a woman, her ex-husband, and his new fiancée. It’s supposed to be full of twists, but I didn’t connect with it. I never finished it.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
Love Triangles: Yay or Nay?
I’m Team Yes! Love triangles can be so much fun when they’re well done. I love the “Team A vs. Team B” debates and seeing characters navigate messy feelings. They can fall flat when forced, but when layered and authentic? Chef’s kiss.
Most Recent DNF
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
Set during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, this coming-of-age novel follows Ashley, a wealthy Black teen coming to terms with her identity. The writing is solid, and the themes are timely—but it’s very introspective and slow, which didn’t fit my reading mood.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable
What I’m Currently Reading
A Beast of War by Ayana Gray
Book three in the Beasts of Prey trilogy. Kofi and Ekon’s journey reaches its climax in this fantasy filled with monsters, divine legacies, and soul-deep character arcs. I love how this series balances action with emotional growth.
Start from the beginning:
Last Book I Recommended
Ashes of Gold by J. Elle
Rue, a powerful teen caught between two worlds, must fight for justice and reclaim her power. This is the sequel to Wings of Ebony, and it’s packed with magic, identity, and resistance.
I loved this series so much that I handed my copy to someone at church and immediately bought a new one. Enough said.
Newest Book I’ve Read (By Pub Date)
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Book three in the Empyrean series. Violet and Xaden return for another battle through betrayal, power, and politics. While I loved Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, this one left me a bit confused at first. It took about 10 chapters to feel grounded in the story again.
Once the island-hopping action kicked in, I was hooked again. Still not my favorite of the series, but definitely worth finishing.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for today’s tag! I know this was a little chaotic (no script, no prep!) but I hope you enjoyed the honesty and spontaneity. If you made it this far, you’re a real one.
What’s your comfort zone for series length? Are you a cliffhanger lover or loather? What’s your current read or favorite DNF?
Drop a comment and let’s talk about it. Until next time—read what you love, and love what you read. 