12 Days of Christmas Book Tag: 2021 Edition

Yep, it’s official: this is now an annual thing. 😆 I did this tag in 2019, and then in 2020. I attempt to keep it limited now to just what I read this past year – which will make this year’s a little difficult. 😅 I was *cough* a little busy *cough* with grade 12 and then working and writing and doing lots of life stuff *cOuGh* soooooo not much reading happened.

But! I am going to try it and see what happens, anyway. 😜 Let’s do this!

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 favourite stand alone?

The Murder on the Links probably was my favourite one this year. Agatha Christie has a whole series about Hercule Poirot, dedicated to him and his little grey cells; but each book can also be read as a standalone, so I’m putting it down in this spot this year. 😉 This story in particular had me continually guessing, and then question my guesses, and watching things both slowly come together and fall apart. While I don’t agree with the language she uses sometimes, from a writing perspective, this story was fantastic.

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?

How about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice? XP Yes, I read it yet again this year. And yes, I still adored it. These two are just a classic pairing, okay? 😆

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: three French hens.

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

I… did not read any new trilogies this year?? 😅 I don’t like to reuse an answer, but the only trilogy I read this year was a re-read of the Half Upon a Time trilogy. Which was my answer last year. *huffs* Oh, well.

But anyway! It’s a fun trilogy, filled with lots of humour and banter. James Riley’s books have the tendency to get better the further into a series you get, so then while the first is like, okay, that was fine, by the time you hit the last book, it gets really awesome. *rubs hands together gleefully*

Also, it’s a fairy tale retelling. And I adore those. So there.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: four calling birds.

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

I… didn’t read any series at all this year. 😂 SO I’m going to cheat. Just slightly.

I read the first book of the Anne of Green Gables series, which spans 8 books. So, I’m going to use that one! 😆

Also, the link is kinda wrong?? I couldn’t find the exact series I’m reading, which is paperback, with there right covers. They’re ones my mom has had for years, which is probably why, so the link below leads to some kindle edition. But the right covers are in the picture! So… I don’t know what else to do. 😂

Also, now I’m super frustrated that I can’t even find the correct image on Google. Some of the covers are different. *huffs indignantly*

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: five golden rings.

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

I began listening to the first Harry Potter book. I haven’t finished it yet, and probably won’t this year. But that’s about close as I’m going to come to getting an answer for this question. 😂 But, come on! It’s Harry Potter! The first book is so sweet an innocent, full of mischief, mystery, sass, and the beginning of epic friendships, enemies, and an amazing plot that spans seven books. *chefs kiss*

I really didn’t read any books with great antagonists this year. Mainly, I was just doing some rereads and a smattering of books. I really want to read more new books next year 😂

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: six geese a laying.

Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favourite world/world-building?

How about this: I listened to the audiobook of The Sign of the Beaver this year! It’s more historical fiction, so the world-building is more reliant upon actual facts than making up of a world. But it still is impressive when something based on the past feels immersive and show you what the world was like at the time.

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’s your favourite animal sidekick?

Can I choose the moose from The Night Before a Canadian Christmas? 🤣 ~~Does that show exactly how little reading I got to do this year?~~

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: eight maids a milking.

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

Another historical book here! Mara, Daughter of the Nile. It describes food a lot in this book, and it’s historical – so, it’s the stuff Egyptians actually would eat. A lot of it sounded really good 😆 I’m thinking of a specific scene right at the start of the food concerning some stolen food, if anyone here as read it. 😜

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 favourite epic female lead?

I’m really tempted to choose Mara from Mara, Daughter of the Nile, or Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. 😂 BUT I’ll take a different route: Louisa from Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women.

Yep, that’s right, I’m choosing an author of one of a beloved classic who actually existed. Try and stop me. 😈

Louisa had a rough life, and I can admire how she always was trying to make enough money to help her family, much like Jo did in the story Little Women. She didn’t slay any dragons, and while this book wasn’t the most engaging in the way it conveyed the story of her life, I still consider her an epic female lead. 😉 (Funny thing, I also chose a book based on a real person’s life last year for this question 😆)

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: ten lords a leaping.

How about your favourite leading lad?

I’ll go with Remy from The Mysterious Benedict Society. No, not the one from the TV show. The one in the book has a deep love of truth, is kind, and smart.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: eleven pipers piping.

What is your favourite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot, etc.)

I am cheating again: I’ve only heard part of this book read to me, but I’m including it. Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas.

This has 31 stories: the stories behind the songs! It’s basically about the creators of the songs, though I think one in here at least is more about the meaning of a song. Don’t quote me on that, though. 😆 But anyway, as a singer, I got really excited by this book.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: twelve drummers drumming.

Drum roll please… what is your favourite read this year?

Not gonna lie: Pride and Prejudice probably still holds that spot in my heart.

I know, I know! I chose it last year! But, come on; it’s Jane Austen. It’s Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The annoying Bennet family. The groan-worthy Mr. Collins. The horrible Mr. Wickham. The character arcs of both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The awesome side characters of Jane and Mr. Bingley. This book is a classic for a reason.

Also, there are some really funny lines hidden in here behind all the elegant-sounding writing. 😆

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done any posts on just book recommendations alone! Probably since… *scrolls through posts* …when I did this tag last year. 😂

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! You can definitely expect to see a lot of new books on my list next year that I just received. 😆