We’re eleven days into the Festive Fortnight, so it’s high time for a book tag! I went in search of a fun Christmas-themed one and Google brought me the Twelve Days of Christmas Book Tag via XingSings. I’ve been reminded once more of how bad I am at making choices; picking books for the answers to these questions was so hard. But I did, so let’s get into it straight away!
The Twelve Days of Christmas
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.
The partridge stood alone in the pear tree. What is your favourite stand alone?
Man, we’re jumping straight into the deep end, aren’t we? This question tore me up inside, but in the end I’m going for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. I might change my mind again tomorrow, but that’s okay. This is one of my favourite books ever! It’s got so much love and heart and it’s just wonderful. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve recommended it to.
ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TWO TURTLE DOVES.
Love is in the air! Who is your one true pairing?
I don’t really do OTPs. Not that I’ve got anything against OTPs, but it’s just not really my thing. I think loads of pairings are super cute and I root for them while reading, but I tend to forget about them afterwards. Plus, it’s pretty difficult to go into this without giving away any spoilers for some of the books I’m thinking of. Let’s think… I can only think of a certain couple from The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater that I’m not going to directly mention because of spoilers. Those of you who’ve read the entire series will probably know who I’m talking about, though!
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 read?
Hmm, I’m going back and forth between The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. I absolutely loved reading The Hunger Games, but it’s not really a trilogy that’s stayed with me or made a particularly big impact on me. His Dark Materials blew my mind in terms of scope and imagination, but I wasn’t a fan of the ending at all, which was a pity. I also just realised I haven’t really read that many trilogies, because I can only think of one or two besides these two that I’ve read in their entirety.
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 favourite series?
We all know the answer to this. It’s Harry Potter and it always will be. The end.
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS.
One ring to rule them all! Who is your Favorite Villain/Antagonist?
I really loved to hate Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. She was proper evil, but not one dimensionally so. There was a lot of depth to her, although I think that mostly became clear in Fairest instead of the main books of the series.
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SIX GEESE A LAYING.
Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favourite world/world-building?
I don’t know if it’s my favourite, because I’m only about 50 pages into the book, but I’m really enjoying the world-building in Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. The world’s so rich and full of history already! I’m really enjoying that, and I can’t wait to read on to find out even more about Weep and the rest of the world.
ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING.
Who needs seven swans when all it takes is one good animal sidekick? Who’s your favourite animal sidekick?
Wow, I had a tough time with this one. I don’t think I really read that many books with animal sidekicks? I could go for the obvious choice and say Harry Potter’s owl Hedwig, but that just seems too easy. So, instead, I’m going to say Maggie the dog from The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. She’s such a sweet dog and I loved how much love everyone had for her and vice versa.
ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING.
Milk is so 18th century. Which book or series takes beverages/food to a whole new level?
Is there a different answer to this question than Chocolat by Joanne Harris? My mouth is starting to water just thinking about her descriptions of everything Vianne makes in her chocolaterie. Every time I read that book or one of its sequels I long to start my own chocolaterie or bakery. Maybe one day…
ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: NINE LADIES DANCING.
Dancing is just one skill of a Lady! Who is your favourite kickass female lead?
Ooh, that would be Kady from Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I read it recently and Kady just blew my mind, man. She’s got mad skills, but she’s also super brave. A true hero if ever I saw (or read about) one. Her antics (if I can call it that) made me grin with its kickass-ness more than once while reading.
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING.
How about your favourite leading lad?
I’m going to say Kaz from Six of Crows. It might just be because that’s the most fresh in my mind as I only recently finished Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, but he’s awesome. I mean, he can be mean and kind of evil, but he’s also so cool. Plus, I’m convinced his heart is in the right place. I can’t wait to read Crooked Kingdom to read about all the other tricks and heists and plots he’s got up his sleeve.
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: ELEVEN PIPES PIPING.
What is your favourite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)
At first, I couldn’t really think of something for this one. I mean, I’ve read books that heavily feature music, but none of them could be particularly called a favourite. But then I thought of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell! Eleanor and Park talk about music a lot and it’s an important part of their relationship. I remember really liking that when I read it!
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING.
Drum roll please…what is your favourite read of this year?
Ugh, I’ve been thinking about this for weeks and I can’t make up my mind! I think my ultimate choice is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, but it’s closely followed by Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. In fact, I don’t think I can really choose between those two. But I’m going to resists backspacing and writing this again. We’ll just go for THUG! There, I said it!
That was fun! Do you agree with my choices? What would have been some of your answers? Let me know in the comments!
Books Baking and Blogging 
A. Ari&Dante won’t be a standalone for long, because BAS is working on a sequel as we speak.
B. I thought you were going to mention The New York Trilogy.
C. I loved to read your list.
I forgot about the Ari & Dante sequel! Thank you 🙂
I feel the same way about otps and fangirling in general, honestly. I’m so happy in the moment, but afterwards is like “oh yeah, they were cute.”
You also just reminded me that I haven’t finished the Raven cycle series 😥
Exactly! That’s how I feel as well.
Ooooh, but it’s so good! 😀 Or didn’t you like it that much?
I liked it, but I was starting school right around when I started the 3rd audiobook and I just never picked it back up. Didn’t really read much at all this semester unless it was for a class.