Blogger Book Nook #5 // Judging a Book by its Cover

Here we go, another month means it’s time for January’s Reading Challenge for the Blogger Book Nook. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this reading community as it’s really pushed me to read each month! Before I wanted to read but I just haven’t had the time, with this community though they are all supportive and it’s a great motivation to read.

This month’s Reading Challenge is Judging a Book by its Cover. Challenging us to pick up a new book purely based on the cover. We receive our monthly Reading Challenge from either Abbey or Tabitha, two of the kindest girls, on the Facebook page. Here we have some great conversations and are able to talk books! This is also the perfect opportunity to get to know new bloggers, ones that have a similar interest, books and reading.

Right, let’s get on with January’s Reading Challenge.

If you missed my Introduction to: Blogger Book Nook you should definitely check that post out here, before reading January’s Reading Challenge! I don’t want to fill this post up with too much of that as it’s all there for you to enjoy. For each Reading Challenge, Abbey and Tabitha come up with five questions for us to answer in relation to the prompt.

1. Which book currently on your shelf has the most beautiful cover?
I feel this is tricky as there’s definitely a lot of beautiful books on my shelf currently, but I would have to say Snow Like Ashes. The cover drew me in while browsing Twitter as it’s soo pretty and enticing. The colours are gorgeous and if you could see imagination, I feel this would be it.

2. Is picking a book based on its cover something you do regularly?
I would say yes as I don’t really browse through a bookshop or library anymore, I follow a lot of authors and publications who share their books. The cover is always the first thing I see if I’m intrigued I will dig deeper to see if it’s a book I would be interested in.

3. If a book was written about your life, what would be on the cover?
This is an interesting question, don’t most autobiographies feature the person on the front cover? Maybe an image of me in my typical position, something that screams, this is Gemma! Or cute illustrations of things that mean something to me.

4) Do you prefer hardback or paperback covers? Why?
Hardback 100%! They look a thousand times better on your shelf and are harder to ruin their spine. The only downside, they’re heavier and cost that little bit extra.

5) What draws you in most to a book cover? Stunning illustrations? Pretty lettering? Interesting textures?
Interesting textures are definitely a positive, I love when books are imposed, so the title or certain images stand out a little. It’s definitely a great feeling, illustrations are also a must as this illustrates the story for you, gives you a little taste of what your imagination could take you.

Of course, we couldn’t have January’s Reading Challenge without indulging in a book where I judged the cover! This month I’ve picked up Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. I fell in love with this cover as it sparked my imagination and wanted to know what it was about. It definitely gives me a few questions in my head that I hope to get answered in the book. Let’s chat a little about Snow Like Ashes.

Snow Like Ashes? Let me tell you a little bit about it;

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee.

Training to be a warrior, she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics—and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

This is the first book I’ve picked up from Sara Raasch and let me just say how much I love her writing! She has done an amazing job at sucking me into this book, from the very first chapters I was hooked. I nearly read this book in one sitting, for me that’s pretty special. This is definitely my kind of book, I love the uncertainty of everything, will the survivors be able to rebuild their kingdom.

Of course, like most things, there are obstacles that keep getting in their way but Meira doesn’t let this stop here, she doesn’t want to sit back and watch those around her fight for their kingdom. She wants to be apart of this fight, I love her strong character, at the end of the day she doesn’t want to be a typical woman figure. When you think they are close to their end goal, everything shifts and it becomes harder to achieve.

Finishing the book was great as it’s answered some of the questions I’ve had in my head, including will Meira go through her arranged marriage with Theron or will she get a chance with the future King of Winter, Mather. I love the massive twist at the end, this is something that keeps me reading, I had when books go quiet. So it’s nice having a plot twist that makes you want to continue reading.

The ending left me at the end of my chair, normally I’m not one for endings, as I hate it when books end but knowing there are two more books in the series, I am very happy. Now I can not wait to get my hands on Ice Like Fire to see what is in store for Winterians’ future. Surely everything cannot go back to how it was for them, it wouldn’t make for a good story and Sara would have left it with Snow Like Ashes.

I hope I haven’t given too much away for Snow Like Ashes, there’s definitely a lot more I can speak about but it would be too spoilerific. I would love to know if this is a book you would consider picking up or even if you have, what are your feelings on it?

I hope you have enjoyed this post! Let me know in the comments one book you’ve judged by its cover. I am always on the search for new recommendations. Just maybe I’ll add them to my Goodreads Bookshelf.

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