Happy Christmas Eve Bookish Friends! It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a book tag and I thought it would be fun to do a Christmas-themed one with ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas Book Tag. Thank you to Fi and Erika for bringing this tag into my life.
My family is starting a new tradition this year that I learned about from my great friends from The Write Reads gang. Our new thing will be participating in the Icelandic traditional Christmas Eve event called Jolabokaflod. My Secret Santa sent me a book I’ve long wanted to read, The Devil and the Dark Water, so that will be my Christmas Eve read. The kiddos are reading graphic novels.
The ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Book tag was originally created by Aoife from Fred Weasley died laughing.
Questions:
“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,”
A book that kept you up so late, everyone else was asleep:
The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda Dobbs kept me up all night. Once I started this awesome middle-grade novel, I couldn’t stop until I finished. The message of hope against all odds changed my life.
“And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,”
A book that made you fall asleep:
Marjorie Hart and the Tree of Life by Amanda Vink made me fall asleep every time I picked it up. Though I couldn’t tell you why because it is a great book. The adventure and fantasy elements were exciting, but each time I picked it up I was snoozing after a page or two.
“When out on the roof there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter,”
A book, or a book scene that made your heart race:
The Wilderness Between Us by Penny Haw kept my heart racing all the way through. This novel takes place in an African forest with flooding, wild animals, and all sorts of drama. I couldn’t calm down at all. This one was one of my favorites this year.
when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,”
An object in a book that was utterly magical/ Or a magical book:
The Book of Uriel by Elyce Hoffman is full of a special kind of magic. It’s not your traditional magic, but the magic of a believer. There is a heavy Jewish religious impact in this book, but that is where the magic comes from and it is a beautiful rendition.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick,”
A twinkle-eyed book character that made you happy:
This one might be cheating, but whose eyes twinkle more than Santa? Goodness Gracious Golly Gee: I Forgot My Christmas Tree! by Carol and Cori Burcham is the most adorable children’s picture book, and Santa and the reindeer have a special message for this family.
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too,”
A book that made you fly to another land:
The Girl of Dorcha Wood by Kristin Ward had me smack dab in the forest of the fae. The forest itself was like a living breathing entity. I want to join these characters in Dorcha Wood. The mythology lit up my mind.
“And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof,”
A book creature you love:
George the Orphan Crow and the Creatures of Blossom Valley by Helen Fox has nothing but creatures, and they are awesome. I really enjoyed the little toad friend who loved George unconditionally. The butterflies are very special creatures, and that is a fun reveal.
“He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot,”
A character that proves to more than his / her first impression:
Vince from Perfect Little Flaws by Jennifer Ann Shore seemed like an arrogant jerk at first glance, but he was really a great guy with a whole lot of family drama and big goals.
“He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly,”
A book or book character that made you laugh:
Rejected Goddesses by Nina Holmes and Natalie Watson had me cracking up! The bestie main characters are hilarious! I swear, I laughed so hard I had my daily Dunkin’ squirting out my nose.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread,”
A book that makes you feel safe:
Love and Lavender by Josi S. Kilpack made me feel so safe. Every character in this book went out of their way to protect each other. Our hero and heroine plus the extended family worked tirelessly to protect the quirks and disabilities that made them different from the rest of society, and I felt safe in the little cocoon of their protection.
“He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,”
A book that put you to work (a book that you felt you really needed to concentrate on):
The Chronicles of Iona: Exile by Paula de Fougerolles really made me work hard to read. The prose is a bit dry and hard to take in large doses. The book was good but took a bit to chew through.
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
A book with a magnificent ending:
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams had the most satisfying ending of any book I’ve read this year. It’s not big and flashy, but it made me feel calm and comfortable after the big drama of the rest of the book.
And that’s it friends. Merry Christmas! I hope this holiday brings you joy.