I’m not the biggest Christmas person, but I do find my friends’ and family’s excitement for it infectious. So, I want to thank Caro for tagging me for the Joy of Christmas Book Tag! It was originally created by Sam @Sam’s Nonsense back in 2015 and has therefore been around for a bit. I’ve decided to not personally tag anyone, but if you want to do this tag yourself, please do go ahead!!! Also, I hope no one expects me to answer the prompts with Christmas-themed books, because I’ve maybe read about two or three set around that time only …

1) Anticipation: The Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating?

I’ve talked about these books before, but I cannot stress enough how excited I am for their release. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (this is obviously not the final cover below, but it will be revealed soon) is an adult romance book about a ghostwriter, who has some literal ghosts! The author described one of the characters being inspired (looks-wise) by Lee Pace and I’m here for it! Also, Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li is SO high up on my list of most anticipated books of 2022. I’m here for all the heists and taking back what has been stolen.

   

2) Christmas Songs & Carols: What book or author can you not help but sing its praises? 

I’ve gotten absolutely OBSESSED with The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. I don’t know what happened exactly, but that book came to me and hasn’t let me go since. I purchased some official character art prints, which are hung up in my childhood bedroom (haven’t gotten around to bringing them to the new flat yet) and I keep waiting and hoping that the sequel will be just as brilliant and this book was. The characters are just complex and impeccable and intriguing. I just need more of them.

“Funny how that worked; the innocent fragility of being human. There were so many ways to break and so few of them heroic or noble.”

3) Gingerbread Houses: What book or series has wonderful world-building?

I can’t help but gush some more about Soulswift in this department. For a standalone Fantasy novel, it never felt overwhelming or too confusing in the world-building department. It was a great mix of magic and religion and I sometimes wish I could read that book with fresh eyes again.

4) A Christmas Carol: Favorite classic or one that you want to read

I’m not big on classics and there are very few I want to read. In fact, I’d say the only ones I really enjoyed were Jane Austen’s Persuasion and the Russian madness that is The Master and Margarita! I’m really struggling to think of much more …

5) Christmas Sweets: What book would you love to receive for Christmas

I actually, maybe already know that I’m getting it. But maybe I won’t. Although, I’m pretty sure my parents already ordered it. No clue when this started, but I’m a huge Stanley Tucci fan and I have his cookbook already (The Tucci Table), but now I’m (hopefully) about to receive his memoir called Taste!

6) Candles in the Window: What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling

This was a very recent read, but Love, Lists & Fancy Ships was really cute and heart-warming. The romance was absolutely precious, but even more than that, I cherished the family moments. There are some sad scenes too, but when you leave that book, it’s definitely with a smile.

7) Christmas Trees & Decorations: What are some of your favorite book covers?

I’m just gonna drop some … I have no consistent taste, but click on the covers to read my reviews!

8) Christmas Joy: What are some of your favorite things about Christmas?

Again, I’m not a big Christmas person, but I do like getting together with my family. I like wearing lots of layers, hot chocolate or loads of tea. I like bundling up with my blankets and watching some snow fall. I like the smell of cinnamon and sugar in the air from all the sweets and cookies. I like the deep green color of a lot of the decorations!

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I hope you enjoyed this tag! Again, feel free to consider yourself tagged, if you want to take a shot at it too! What did you think of my answers?