Christmas Songs Book Tag!

Happy Christmas Eve!

I feel like this tag is the most appropriate for today’s post considering Christmas is tomorrow. Also, how is it already Christmas?? This month I have not been feeling particularly festive so it seems the day has snuck up on me.

Anywho… This tag is one that makes it’s rounds this time of year over on Booktube so I wanted to share it with you on here and using only books I read in 2021 as answers.

So without further ago, on to the questions!

1. "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch"

Name a villainous character you couldn't help but love.

This is a very hard one but I have to say Hakaimono from Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa. The demon who lives inside of Kage Tatsumi’s sword is such a well-done ‘villain’ for the trilogy as a whole but the way he was done in this final installment was extremely interesting.

2. "All I Want for Christmas is You"

Which book do you most hope to see under your Christmas tree?

I’ve been slowly collecting the Seasons Editions of classics and, by far, the hardest to find is Little Women. But since it is on eBay for over $300, I cant’s expect that haha. I would also love to see this edition of Anne of Green Gables. My copy from childhood is in storage at the moment and I have been really wanting to do a re-read but I also just want this beautiful edition.

3. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

Name a character that overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves.

I have read SO many books this year that have this element so it is really hard to pick just one. One that really stands out though is New Girl in Little Cove by Damhnait Monaghan. Rachel leaves her world behind due to circumstances beyond her control and moves to a tiny fishing village to teach at the local Catholic school. She has to contend with locals that don’t want her, a school system that does not match her beliefs, as well as trying to live in a place that is so beyond what she has known before. It is a great story of growth and learning to depend on ones self.

4. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

a) Which character do you think would be on the top of the naughty list?

This one is a tie that I can’t choose between because they have such similar negatives for me. Christian from The Devil and the Heiress by Harper St. George and Lucian from Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore . Even though they are both love interests, I feel like each went about things in a very sketchy and manipulative way that I just can’t get on board with.

b) Which character do you think would be at the top of the nice list?

This has to be Marianne from Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. She is genuinely sweet and pure and just wants what is best for her family.

5. "Frosty the Snowman"

Which book just melts your heart.

Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey is just too adorable not use for this answer. It is witty and offers some action but also has just a sweet, swoony romance.

6. "Feliz Navidad"

Choose a book that takes place in a country other than your own.

This is far too easy because most of what I read is not set in Canada (not by choice though haha). I'm going to pick The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake for this one because it is one of the books that has stuck with me throughout the year.

7. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

Which holiday themed book do you use to spread the Christmas joy?

I haven’t read many ‘holiday themed’ books this year but I will always recommend Little Women by Louisa May Alcott as a Christmas book.

8. "Sleigh Ride"

Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with (doesn't have to be a love interest!)

I know we don’t have to choose a love interest for this but if I can only pick 1 character, I would have to say Roane from Much Ado About You by Samantha Young. And we’ll just forget about Evie (even though she is great!) haha. He has a farm and lives next to a small English village on the coast, the village has a ton of interesting residents and BONUS there’s a bookstore. I think that sounds like a perfect holiday.

9. "Baby it's Cold Outside"

Which book that you didn't like would you sacrifice to a fire to warm yourself up in the cold?

Oh this is a cruel one but I am going to go strategic here too. The Two Swords (Volume 1) by K.J. Parker. It is over 500 pages so it is big-ish to provide more pages and hopefully warmth, plus it is so unbelievably slow that I am hoping it will translate into burning slowly as well which also means a longer fire… kinda haha.

10. "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Which book do you think everyone should read?

It has to be Extraordinary Canadians by Peter Mansbridge. It is a non-fiction that I think everyone can appreciate. It is a series of interview essays with various Canadians and tells their stories whether they were born here or immigrated. This is such an uplifting and eye-opening book that was just a genuinely great read.

11. "Where Are You Christmas?"

A book you want immediately that isn't out yet.

The Albion Initiative by George Mann is the first one that pops into my mind. It is the final installment of the Newbury and Hobbes Investigations series that was supposed to have been released in late summer 2021 but has now been pushed to July 2022. After a lackluster previous installment, I need this final one to be amazing and give a great payoff to the series as a whole so there’s a lot riding on it for me haha.

12. "Last Christmas"

A book you started out loving but didn't end up liking.

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn started out as such an enjoyable read. I loved the family dynamics the most but then a certain something happens in the second half and everything after that was just a mess of disappointment which has ruined the whole thing for me.

13. "Blue Christmas"

A book that made you cry.

Oh this is easy - Soulswift by Megan Bannen. Any time I read one of her books, I know I am in for heartbreak but I am always so happy to read them.

14. "A Marshmallow World"

A fluffy book.

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker is a fluffy book in the best of ways. I love the banter between Amelia and Peter and just the general sweetness of the whole thing. I’ve re-read it a few times this year and I have no shame about it haha.

Which books would you use as answers to these questions?

Until next time, keep reading and Happy Christmas!