I last did this tag in 2019, so it is about time I did it again. This is my favorite Christmas Carol, so I might even make it a tradition and do it every year. As this is the first day of Christmas it seemed only fitting to post it today. I am sticking to only using books that I have read this year for the prompts so this is more or less an end of year recap. I recently saw this on Janette’s Wicked Witch’s Blog. You should check her blog out, she reads some great books.
As usual the books with asterisks are linked to my reviews. All others are linked to their Goodread pages.
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?
*Not Quite Dead Yet was one of the best books I read this year. I still think about and recommend it to any one who asks me for a good mystery thriller.
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?
*Lady’s Knight was one of the funniest books I read this year and I just loved the romance between Gwen and Isobelle. So looking forward to the next one.
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?
The Winter Sea trilogy concluded this year with *Red Tempest Brother. I actually reread the first two before picking it up. One of the best trilogies I have ever read and certainly the best one of this year.
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?
I was so excited to receive an ARC for this long awaited 18th book in the series. *Twelve Months was everything I was hoping for and well worth the wait.
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?
Osric might not be your usual villain, but I just loved this book and had to include it. He is pretty villainous as he is an assassin. But he also has a sweet and sassy side to him that I just adored. If you haven’t yet read *The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, you really should add it to the top of your list.
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 think you could find better world building anywhere else. *A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the *Shadow of the Leviathan series and it was just as good as the first. Rich in it’s detail of this fabulous world, unlike anything else I read this year.
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?
Kingsley is the best sidekick around. I just love his little snide remarks that he seems to capture in just a couple of words. *Accomplice to the Villain was a great addition to this series and I am so looking forward to the next one.
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 food to a whole new level?
I mean even that cover makes you hungry, right? I would love to eat noodles made by a group of autonomous robots. Automatic Noodle was a fun little novella and the food sounded delicious.
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?
Una Everlasting was perhaps the most kickass female lead ever. I just loved *The Everlasting. Part fantasy, part time travel, it was a book that just blew my mind.
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING.
How about your favorite leading lad?
Kel Sarin is a great leading man. Very smart, able to kickass when needed but has a good and gentle soul. I just love him and he really shone in *The Ragpicker King.
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.)
*Vice and Virtue wasn’t the only music theme book I read this year but it was my favorite. I loved the good old rock and roll nostalgia and the mystery was pretty good too.
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING.
Drum roll please…what is your favorite read of this year?
I just couldn’t pick just one, and so here are twelve of my favorite reads from the year that didn’t make the cut for one of the other prompts. These are not in any particular order.
*The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love
*I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom
*Everyone in This Bank is a Thief
*A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
*Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate. I hope you are having a wonderful day. And to those of you who don’t celebrate, I hope you are having a wonderful day too. Until next time ….
Confessions of a Serial Reader 