The Dark Academia Book Tag

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Hello Hello! How are you today?

I decided it was high time for another tag on my blog, and I picked the Dark Academia Book Tag that I was tagged in by the lovely Livy from Shelves of Starlight. You should definitely go check out her blog, she writes some great posts on Ancient History, loads of great reviews and is a lovely person. Don’t forget to go check out her post, she had some great answers! So thank you so much for the tag, Livy!

This tag was originally created by CarolynMarieReads and Emmie on YouTube!

Now it’s time for the tag!

Favourite academies or dark book/movie:

I have a few things in mind for this question and the first is Ninth House (#1) by Leigh Bardugo. I read this book in January or February 2020 and I have to say, this book is dark, and I loved it. It was a very different book for me and since I read it, I want to devour everything and anything that comes close to the dark academia vibes I got from it, so I highly recommend it and please let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations similar to this book!

The other things I had in mind were Supernatural (the TV show) and Dead Man (the film). They aren’t dark academia, but they definitely give off dark vibes and I actually really like both. Dead Man is a film with Johnny Depp that I watched for high school and I adored it, completely obsessed and I have no idea why because it’s weird, like really weird. And I haven’t watched all of Supernatural yet, but I think we can all agree that it’s dark!

What dead poet would you like to have a drink with?

This is a bit of a weird question for me because I don’t like poetry much, but I think I would have to say either Victor Hugo… and I don’t think I can think of anyone else aha! I love Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, it is one of my favourite books and I’ve been obsessed with him ever since I first read it, I think he would be an interesting person to speak to.

What is your favourite painting and/or sculpture?

Again, I don’t really have a favourite painting, but I discovered an artist about a month ago for an assignment, and I’m now in love with all her artwork. Her name is Dimitra Milan and she paints the most beautiful and spellbinding paintings. She also sells prints and phone cases on her website! So I think my favourite painting by her would be either Arrival (which is the one I used for my assignment), Fortress or Sovereign.

What is your favourite architectural marvel?

I don’t really notice much architecture to be honest (I’m kind of awful at this tag ahaha) but I really like the beauty of the Louvres, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, la Sagrada Familia and the Colosseum. I think these are all such unique buildings, they all have their own beauty, and I definitely want to visit them all one day.

What Shakespeare play would you like to be the lead in?

I actually did Shakespeare plays when I was in high school and the one I like the most was Macbeth, and I actually was the lead in that play, so I will just have to stick with that because I don’t really know any other Shakespeare plays. Oh, I actually really enjoyed watching an adaptation by a fabulous theatre company of a mash-up of Timon of Athens and Titus Andronicus. It was incredible and I adored it, so I would also like to be the lead in that I suppose.

How many languages do you speak and which language would you most like to learn?

I speak English (my native language) and French fluently, and a little bit of Spanish and German. I would love to also be fluent in German, and Italian is a beautiful language, so maybe that too!

What is your favourite quote?

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Need I say more?

What fictional character’s death is your ideal way to go?

Uhm…. Well, this is a strange question and I have no idea how to answer it, but I think maybe the way two of the characters (won’t say who) die (won’t say how) in The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. But I read a lot more fantasy and historical fiction with very dramatic and painful deaths, so I’ll just have to stick with that one.

What university/college would you like to attend?

When I was in high school, my dream university was Oxford. My mum even got me a University of Oxford tee-shirt that I still have today aha! I actually adored my time spent at the University of Stirling, and it was much better than my time at the University of Limoges, so if I had to pick one, it would be Stirling for sure.

What is your murder weapon or murder method of choice?

I think I’m going to have to steal Livy’s answer and also say poison because it seems like the less violent method. I’m not a violent person and I would not have the guts to kill someone.

What mythology would you like to be a part of?

I’m also going to steal Livy’s answer here and say Greek mythology. I adore any mythology, any legends and folklore, but there is just something about Greek mythology that is fascinating and spell-binding to me. There are so many amazing stories, which reminds me I need to read more of them aha!

If you had a PHD what would you chose to do it on?

I think either English Literature or History, which are two subjects that I adore. I wanted to do a PhD when I started university, but let’s be honest, my university is *bad* and I do not want to be stuck there longer than I have to, even though I adore learning, which is kind of sad, but that’s what it’s like in France. So maybe in a few years I might change my mind and go back, and maybe do one of those two subjects!

Which fictional character would you die for?

Oohhhh, this is a tough question, but after some thinking, I can’t even find one character, so that’s not great but I suppose I wouldn’t have to die then aha!

Time for some quick-fire questions!

Leatherbound or clothbound books?

Clothbound books for sure because they are beautiful and for some reason, I’m not a fan of the feel of leatherbound books, they make my finger feel so weird.

Dogearing or highlighting pages?

To be honest, neither. Unless it’s a book for an assignment or my thesis. I just don’t like doing either if I can help it.

Sculptures or paintings?

I think paintings, I seem to enjoy and understand them better than sculptures.

Piano or violin?

Piano, although I do like violin too, I just think piano is more soothing and relaxing.

Films or theatre?

Definitely the theatre. I am not a big films person, but I adore going to the theatre and once the world has gotten back to a kind of “normal”, I’m going straight to watch a play!

Poetry or prose?

I have to say prose because I’m not a great fan of poetry and just don’t seem to connect with it at all.

Museums or bookshops?

Ohhh, this is a really really tough question… and don’t hate me, but I think I’ll have to say museum! Although, let’ be real, I want to say both.

Smell of books or coffee and tea?

I think I will go with smell of books.

Fountain pen or typewriter?

Typewriter for sure, I just adore how fantastic they look and have always wanted one.

New or used books?

New books! Always! But I don’t mind getting used books if I have to.

I’m tagging …

Noly, Holly, Stephen, Candyce & Isabelle, Leah, Erika, Sammie and Leelynn.

As usual, if I have tagged you in this post and you do not want to do the tag, that is perfectly fine, don’t feel obliged to do so. And if I haven’t tagged you but you would like to do this tag, feel free to do so, and link back here so I can read all your answers!

That’s all for now, this was such a fun tag and I’m glad I got the chance to do it! See you soon, stay safe,

Ellie xx