Bookish Christmas Book Tag

Well hello, beautiful people! And how was your holiday? Was it filled with family and friends? Or was it relaxing and calm? Mine was great! I’m still not ready for it to be over, so I went on the interwebs and searched for a fun and festive book tag. I found this one on Meghan M Blogs but its original creator has removed it from their blog. Oh, bother.

On to the tag!

Father Christmas: Name a book you received as a child that you treasure to this day.

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

It’s all the Nancy Drew books I received as a child, really. This was just the first one. Plus, she was a 1930s feminist icon! I Loved, loved Nancy Drew.

The Ghost of Christmas Past: Is there a book or series you like to revisit each year at Christmas time?

The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn

No one should be surprised by this. I may not be reading this particular book this year, but I am hoping to get to the sequel before the end of the year.

Christmas Tree: Name a series that reaches new heights with every entry.

The In Death Series by J.D. Robb

Yes. I will take all of this, always, all of the time. I love the rich character dynamics, the mysteries, the settings. It all makes for a spectacular 50 plus book series. I have already pre-ordered the next one!

Friends and Family: Name a book with fantastic characters.

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

While this book had great world-building and an amazing story, I was really blown away by the characters in it. I want to be friends with Susan and Merlin and Merlin’s crazy family!

Decorations: Name a book with a gorgeous cover you would proudly display on your shelves.

The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien

I do proudly display this. It’s a gorgeous edition with loads of beautiful illustrations inside. It’s also a souvenir from when the Hubs and I took our engagement photos many eons ago.

Christmas Cards: Name a book that carries a great message.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

A story about it never being too late to change yourself for the better. There are also some other messages in this book, but you’ll just have to read it to find out for yourself.

Ice and Snow: Name a book that you were hoping to love but which ultimately left you feeling cold.

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

Sometimes, a book just doesn’t make you happy. This was one of those books.

Christmas Lunch: Name a book that was big and intimidating but oh so worth it in the end.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I’m not sure if this was exactly worth it. I only gave it three stars, but I did find the size of it (864 pages!) intimidating. The Hubs laughed at me. He’s been reading Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive. Zeesh.

Mince Pies: Name a book you found sweet and satisfying.

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

I just finished this one earlier this month. I found it was a cute and cozy holiday read that I very much enjoyed.

Presents: What book do you wish you could give everyone to read?

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I want everyone to read this story. It’s so expertly told. And Addie’s life is fascinating. Just fascinating. And that ending! Oh, that ending!

Spreading the Festive Cheer: Tag some friends to help spread the festive bookish love.

You. I don’t usually tag people to do these things. But yeah. Why don’t you give it a try and let me know how it went!

The Festive Christmas Book Tag

We lookie here. Another Christmas book tag. I may love Christmas so festive book tags seemed like the perfect way to express that. I found this one through Jenniely, but it was originally from booktuber GirlReading.

It’s just so cool!

Get it? Cool? Cause winter is cold?

A fictional family you would like to spend Christmas dinner with?

Well this ones easy. The Weasleys of course. Does anyone else what to give them muggle gifts and watch as Arthur tries to steal everyone’s presents to figure out how they work and what the point of them is? Just me then?

A bookish item you would like to receive as a gift?

Well that’s easy, a Book Nook! I wrote about the beautiousness of the Book Nook here. This one by Scrapbookstickers on Etsy is fantastic!

A fictional character you think would make a perfect Christmas elf?

Well this is easy. Pick a house elf. Any happy house elf. I know we all love Dobby (see gif below) but all the house elves at Hogwarts work to make the school look super festive.

Match a book to it’s perfect Christmas song.

Why was this so difficult? I mean, it was just so difficult. So I settled.

The book is To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers and the Song is Star to Follow by Trans Siberia Orchestra.

Bah Humbug. A book or fictional character you’ve been disappointed in and should be put on the naughty list?

John Farrell from the Postmortal. That guy was all kinds of screwed up. He made lots of bad life choices. And for a book about a guy with the potential to live forever, well. I still gave the book 4 stars though.

A book or a fictional character you think deserves more love and appreciation and deserve to be put on the nice list?

Anything by Mercedes Lackey, but more specifically, Vanyel from The Last Herald Mage trilogy. These books have everything. Plucky animal sidekicks, queer rep, a great magic system, good world building, compelling characters, sadness, happiness. Everything!

Red, Gold and Green. A book cover that has a wonderfully christmasy feel to it.

I reviewed this book and I just happen to think it’s so cute! The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guin. It’s exactly what it says on the cover. The perfect warm hearted Christmas time read.

A book or series you love so much, you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it and love it too?

The Dragon Prince Trilogy by Melanie Rawn. I love this book series and I think everyone should read it. It has dragons, obvs, a strong female protagonist, a strong male protagonist, compelling villains, an interesting magic system, and fantastic world building. Did I mention the dragons? Plus, look at that beautiful Michael Whelan cover art!

What would your answers be to any of these questions? Do the tag and let me know!

12 Days of Christmas Book Tag

‘Tis the season…for a holiday book tag!

Yup, I decided to try my hands at a book tag. So I set to the Googles and stumble across this one on The Sassy Book Geeks page. It loosely based on this one from Lizzie Loves Books.

A 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag! As a Christmas enthusiast I had to do this tag.

Without further ado, let’s go!

On The First Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree.

The partridge stood alone in the pear tree. What is your favorite stand alone?

Sherlock Holmes as a woman…and a sorceress. I reviewed this one back in February and I loved it! Also, I don’t read many stand alones, and this was one of the few I did read that I loved.

On The Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Two Turtle Doves

Love is in the air! Who is your one true pairing?

Rohan and Sioned of The Dragon Prince trilogy! Their relationship is fire, quite literally.

On The Third Day Of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me: Three French Hens

In the spirit of threes, what is the best trilogy you have ever read?

I couldn’t think of anything more timely, because I have just recently started reading the newer releases. This trilogy, released back in the 90’s, has everything, romance, political intrigue, fight sequences! Love it!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me: Four Calling Birds

Since series usually consist of four or more books, what is your favorite series?

The Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliot is equal parts amazing world building and fantastic character development. I need to re-read these.

On The Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Five Gold Rings!!!

One ring to rule them all! Who is your favorite villain/antagonist?

The scariest villains are the one’s that could exist in real life, and since Voldemort was essentially Hitler with magic. Yeah, scary dude.

On the Sixth day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Six Geese a Laying

Creation is a beautiful things. What is your favorite world/world building?

The Perilous Order of Camelot series has some of the best world building. I mean, it literally starts with the creation of the universe. Gotta love that!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Seven Swans a Swimming

Who needs seven swans when all it takes is one good animal sidekick? Who is your favorite animal sidekick?

Yfandes is one of my favorite sidekicks. She is a steadfast and sure, which is exactly what Vanyel needs in his life.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Eight Maids A Milking

Milk is so 18th century. What book or series takes beverages/food to a whole new level?

I love the way the hobbits love food and drink. Mushrooms! Second breakfast!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Nine Ladies Dancing

Dancing is just one skill of a lady. Who is your favorite kickass female lead?

Sarra from Exiles is a fantastic leading lady. She is intelligent and strong willed, but not unwilling to accept help from others.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Ten Lords A Leaping

Who is your favorite leading lad?

Rohan loves books and really hates the High Prince. Not that he doesn’t deserve it. Did I mention he is also a prince?

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Eleven Pipers Piping

What is your favorite book or bookish this about music? (It can be about music, reference music a lot, etc.)

Vanyel wants nothing more than to be a bard and escape his father’s keep. Music is his life. His whole life. Here’s hoping he actually has the bardic gift.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Drummers Drumming

What is your favorite book of the year?

This was by far my favorite book this year. And that ending. Oh my goodness that ending! This is a must read for anyone for sure.

How would you answer any of these questions? Let me know!