Can you believe that December is here already? I know I can’t! This year has both dragged on and flown by. Since December is here, I’ve decided it’s time to do some holiday-themed book tags. I discovered this week’s tag over at Finding Wonderland. It takes a perennial holiday classic and connects it to books. Are you ready for the 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag? Let’s go!
I will try to answer using only the books that I have read in 2021.
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 favorite stand alone?
Out of the more than 80 books I’ve read this year, I have a few stand alones that I loved and think others should read. I have to say We Are Not Free by Traci Chee and Five Little Indians by Michelle Good for historical fiction for historical fiction for historical fiction. I have a couple of contemporaries, The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin.
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?
In 2021 I have read many Agatha Christie books, one a month at least, and I have found a pair of her characters that I love seeing their relationship unfold. That couple is Tommy and Tuppence. They are a pair of detectives that appear in a few of Agatha Christie’s books. This year I read their first and last books. And their relationship is such fun.
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?
Please don’t hate me, as I have only read the first book in either of these trilogies. That said, I do have plans to read the other two books soon. Those trilogies are The Bakery Series by Gaile Parkin and The Class Mom Series by Laurie Gelman. I am assuming these are both trilogies as there are only three books published in both series.
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?
As I have opted to answer these questions with only books I’ve read in 2021, I will go with the series I completed this year. And that series is The Trials of Apollo Series by Rick Riordan. Ironically, this series is the final series in a trilogy of series. Haha! The Trials of Apollo series is the last series in the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles that introduced us all those years ago to Percy Jackson.
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’m not one to typically love a villain, but I have to make an exception for Anna from Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots. Anna isn’t a traditional villain, as she is just a henchperson for hire by supervillains. But after being seriously injured and ignored by a superhero, she turns the tables and tries to bring them to justice.
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SIX GEESE A LAYING.
Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favorite world/world-building?
I don’t tend to read a lot of fantasy, which I typically associate with the phrase world-building. But I do enjoy reading books with some magical realism. And with that, I will have to go with the series Pages & Co by Anna James. The main character, Tilly, lives with her grandparents and spends much of her time with them in the family bookstore. One day she discovers the ability to speak with fictional characters, to pop in and out of books. What reader wouldn’t love to have that ability?
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 favorite animal sidekick?
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan has a few awesome animal sidekicks. There is Socrate, the dolphin, who always has Ana’s back. Then there is The Great British Bake Off and Mary Berry loving orangutan named Jupiter.
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?
I’m not sure I would say The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan takes food to a whole new level, but it is a great look at what it was like to try to make something special with the rationing during the war years.
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 favorite kickass female lead?
While not a traditional kickass female, I have to say that Pheby Brown from Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson is pretty kickass. In the years leading up to the US Civil War, Pheby finds her life turned upside down. Alone, and pregnant, she fights for survival for herself and her kids.
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING.
How about your favorite leading lad?
One of my favorite male characters of the year has got to be Arthur Pepper from The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick. He was a man trying to find out more about his wife’s past, and who he is along the way.
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: ELEVEN PIPES PIPING.
What is your favorite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)
Keeping with the theme of books I’ve read in 2021, I will have to go with The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton. The book follows a reporter with a connection to rock stars Opal and Nev, as she discusses their past and what caused them to break-up.
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING.
What’s your favorite book ending?
I won’t pick a specific book. Because there are too many that I like, and I don’t want to give spoilers. So in general, I like book endings that are perfectly wrapped up. It doesn’t have to be the perfect and “they lived happily ever after.” I prefer books that wrap up the endings, I hate loose ends in books other than in series.
And that is the 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag! What would your answers to these questions be? I would love to know, let me know below.
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my book reviews and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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This was a lot of fun Pam! Great post.
SO fun!! Glad you enjoyed seeing this tag and you put it together here. I love Tommy and Tuppence. I’ve never read the books but in the British adaptations they’re great. 🙂