‘Tis the season to be jolly and to write many tag posts! Today I’m bringing you a book tag that Morgan @ Morgan Is Reading Again tagged me in, so thanks Morgan because I really liked writing it. This one is all about the Christmas cheer, but it’s quite a fun one even if you don’t celebrate it. It was originally created by Sam @ Sam’s Nonsense. So let’s jump straight into the questions!

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

I’ve been super excited about Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li ever since I first learnt about it.
A heist story about a group of Asian college students that deals with topics such as colonialism is something that sounds right up my alley. I’ve seen so many people getting ARCs and truly enjoying it that I can’t wait for next April when I finally get to read it.
Christmas Songs & Carols: What book or author can you not help but sing its praises?

Recently, it’s definitely been A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson. I’ve told anybody who will listen to read this book.
A gorgeously written reimagining of Dracula—or Dracula’s brides, to be more accurate—that I truly haven’t been able to stop thinking about ever since I read it almost a year ago. It deals with important themes such as toxic relationships and manipulation in a perfectly crafted gothic atmosphere.
Gingerbread Houses: What book or series has wonderful world-building?




I have to be biased for a second and go with the Shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare. This world has been built throughout the years, and I’ve been reading about it as the books were being published, so it’s a very special one for me.
A Christmas Carol: Favourite classic or one that you want to read

To no one’s surprise at this point, it’s Maurice by E.M. Forster. I went into this expecting to like it, expecting it to be a 3-star book for me, but I was totally wrong. This ended up being a shining 5-star read and possibly a new all-time favourite—something uncommon for a classic for me.
It’s definitely another book I have been unable to stop thinking, and talking, about ever since I read it. For more of my thoughts on this amazing book, check out this post.
Christmas Sweets: What book would you love to receive for Christmas?

I’ve been eyeing These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever for the longest time, so I’d love to get that.
I love everything I know about this book so far. The cover is gorgeous and exactly the type of cover I’ve been drawn to lately. The plot sounds crafted to fit my tastes to a tee. And the author seems like the nicest person. Everything surrounding this book calls to me.
Candles in the Window: What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling?



The one I keep going back to for comfort has to be Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen. These characters, and this specific series, have been a source of happiness for me for many years, so they always leave me feeling fuzzy and warm. Last post I wrote all about how much these characters and their stories mean to me, if you want to learn more.
Christmas Trees & Decorations: What are some of your favourite book covers?




Lately, I’ve really been enjoying the simplicity of some covers like The Secret History or The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara or The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but there’s something about them that I feel drawn to.
Christmas Joy: What are some of your favourite things about Christmas?
I have to admit I haven’t been feeling too festive this year—or the last, for that matter—but what I enjoy the most is eating good food and spending quality time with loved ones over the holidays. My favourite day is probably Christmas Eve, where all the family gathers to have dinner together and exchange presents, and it’s usually quite a nice night.

I Tag:
As always, don’t feel pressured to do it, you don’t have to. But, I would like to read your answers!

If you celebrate Christmas, what are some of your traditions? What is the best gift or best experience you’ve ever recieved or had during the holidays?

Christmas Eve is also my favorite day of the year 🥰 My siblings and I always decorate the tree in the morning, and then we spend the majority of the day eating more food than should probably be humanely possible 😂 And in the evening, we get presents! Before that, though, we gather around the tree and sing carols, which is probably my favorite tradition ever 😊🎄
So thank you for spreading the Christmas cheer and tagging me in this (and for reminding yet again that I need to pick up Maurice already)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, that sounds like a lovely day!! And yep, totally relate on the eating more food than it humanly possible…
You’re very welcome, and reminding people to read my favourite books is a full-time job at this point, I don’t know how I’m not being paid 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, I agree with the shadowhunter world! Cassie has taken so much time to bilid the books through a really long series of books but they just keep getting better! Which is your favour book (that might be a little hard, so which is your favourite trilogy otherwise?) Happy holidays 🎄 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
build* favourite*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really am super attached to The Infernal Devices and Clockwork Princess might be my favourite! I haven’t read them in a while if I’m honest, but there’s just something about that set of characters that I adore. What about you? And happy holidays to you too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the tag, Maria 🥰 I’ve been on the lookout for a Christmas tag so this is perfect!
I’ve added Maurice to my TBR because I think I’ve learned to trust your recommendations now 😉 And I also love a book that gives you something to think about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me sososo happy 🥰 It was definitely an unexpected favourite, but here we are hahaha
Can’t wait to read your answers!
LikeLike
A Dowry of Blood is one of my faves too! And I can’t wait for Portrait of a Thief!! It looks so good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Dowry of Blood is such a gorgeous book!! Like, I was expecting to like it, but it surpassed my expectations which were already quite high. And yep, I can’t wait for Portrait of a Thief, it sounds absolutely fantastic!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you love A Dowry of Blood too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just sososo good!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
portrait of a thief sounds soooo good! i’m excited to hear your thoughts on it 🙂 loved this tag so much, it really got me in the festive mood!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a really fun one to write, that’s for sure! I can’t wait to be able to read Portrait of a Thief, I have quite high expectations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also feel drawn to the cover of The Atlas Six, but somehow less to the one it’s getting now that it will be traditionally published. I can’t exactly pinpoint the reason though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel the exact same way!! The new one isn’t bad but it somehow looks more generic? for lack of a better word. I do wish they had stuck to the original one and maybe tweaked it a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maurice has been on my TBR for a while so seeing that you enjoyed it so much has made me anticipate it even more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yay! I hope you like it as much as I did!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tag, I really want to pick up The Atlas Six and Dowry of Blood both sound so good. Thank you for tagging me 💜😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had lots of fun reading both, so I hope you get the chance to read them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simplistic covers are wonderful too! Also, coincidence that 3/4 covers you showed are dark academia? 😂
Hope you had a great Christmas! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoops??? I simply cannot escape the dark academia pull 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person