Worlds Unlike Our Own

It’s Day 24 of Blogmas 2021, and I have my final festive book tag for this year! I’m doing The T’was The Night Before Christmas Book Tag today which I came across on And On She Reads. I do have a post scheduled for tomorrow, the last day of Blogmas as well, but I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas in advance!

“‘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

This actually goes for most of the thrillers or mystery novels that I read, because I have to finish reading them once I start, but one of the most memorable ones is the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson, which really had me turning the pages late into the night.

“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

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. When I can’t figure out head or tail of what’s going on in a book, it typically makes me very sleepy, not to mention annoyed.

“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 climactic scene of House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas, from Bryce fighting Micah through when she makes the Drop still has me in awe. I was glued to my seat the first time I read that scene and I still go back to read those chapters alone when I don’t have the time for a reread!

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

Enchantee by Gita Trelease is definitely a magical read, and I love how it is entwined with real historical events.

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.

Magnus Bane from Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters verse has always been a favorite character of mine, and there is always some humor to be found when he is on page.

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 Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad had world building so rich in detail that made it easy to imagine and it was like the story was playing out right in front of my eyes.

“And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof,”
A book creature you love.

I adore most of the fantastical creatures in books, but I’m in the middle of a Throne of Glass binge read at the moment, so I’m going with something a little more ordinary and choosing Fleetfoot, Celaena/Aelin’s dog.

“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

The Hawthorne brothers from The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes are intriguing characters and I’m still figuring them out, even two books later since they are all still so mysterious and their motivations unclear.

“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

My Lady Jane is one of the few books to date that had me in stitches of laughter from beginning to end.

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.

I’m not exactly sure what this means, but I’m interpreting it as a feel-good read, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is probably the biggest comfort read on my shelves.

“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)

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, while a wonderful read, really required me to focus due to the plot not being in chronological order.

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
A book with a magnificent ending

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan was such a beautiful conclusion not only to The Trials of Apollo series, but to the Percy Jackson verse as a whole.

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I’m not going to be tagging anyone, but feel free to do this tag if it interests you – I’d love to hear your answers for these questions! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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