The Joy of Christmas Book Tag

“City sidewalks, Busy sidewalks, Dressed in holiday style, In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas” ~ Silver Bells

It’s that time of season where all I feel like doing is cozying up in front of a fire,  with a cup of vanilla coffee in hand, while being surrounded by fairy lights and belting out holiday carols. Christmas is such a joyous time of year and it is quickly approaching (really fast!). So, I decided to do one last holiday book tag before the Christmas spirit is gone. I found “The Joy of Christmas” book tag on Go With Flick’s YouTube channel and I automatically knew that I had to do this tag!

This tag was created by Samantha over at Sam’s Nonsense! I couldn’t find the exact original video but, feel free to scroll through Sam’s videos to find it. Now, let’s get straight into the tag!

ANTICIPATION: THE CHRISTMAS EXCITEMENT IS REAL, WHAT BOOK RELEASE(S) ARE YOU MOST ANTICIPATING?

I really can’t wait for Carve The Mark by Veronica Roth to come out. I really enjoyed the Divergent series (aside from Allegiant…) and I have been waiting for her to release something new. I always dislike when authors publish one super popular series and then never come back for more. Those are what I call one-hit-wonders, a.k.a. Suzanne Collins. But now we are finally getting another book from the author who brought us the wondrous Tris Prior and Tobias Eaton. I probably won’t buy this book the day in comes out, which is in January 2017, but I definitely plan to buy it sometime next year!

“On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.”

CHRISTMAS SONGS & CAROLS: WHAT BOOK OR AUTHOR CAN YOU NOT HELP BUT SING PRAISES FOR?

Ahhhh…. I can’t decide. My two favorite authors are an equal tie! Well, I guess I’m just gonna go with two answers. The two authors that I would sing praises for (which I actually have done..) are Jennifer L. Armentrout and Sarah J. Maas! Jennifer is the lovely author of a bunch of YA paranormal series including Lux, The Dark Elements and The Covenant. As most of you may already know, Obsidian is my favorite book EVER and Jennifer is the amazing author behind that masterpiece! My second choice was the queen of fantasy herself, Sarah J. Maas! I wasn’t a big fan of hers when I first started the Throne of Glass series but as I read on, I was so pulled into her writing. She is seriously the goddess of literature! Sarah is the awesome author behind both the Throne of Glass and ACOTAR series, which are both phenomenal!

GINGERBREAD HOUSES: WHAT BOOK OR SERIES HAS WONDERFUL WORLD BUILDING?

Since I already talked about some of Sarah J. Maas’ books, I’m going to have to give this to my second favorite world; the lands of Idris. The Shadowhunter world is filled with intricate bits and bobs but my favorite part of it would have to be the whole concept of Idris. I remember starting the series over a year ago and was so intrigued by the fact that the book took place in New York. it’s one of my favorite places to look at so I couldn’t help but pick up City of Bones. But once I got all the way to City of Glass, I became mesmerized by the closed-off lands of Idris. The way Cassandra Clare describes them is so beautiful and lush. It kind of sounds like Scotland in a way, although I’ve never been there!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: FAVORITE CLASSIC OR ONE THAT YOU WANT TO READ:

Well, to be totally honest, I’ve only ever read half of a classic. Back in 2015, I borrowed a copy of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte from my school’s library but never ended up finishing it. My birthday came around when I was halfway through it and I ended up receiving a whole bunch of books and I couldn’t help but start some of those books. But, I own my own copy of Wuthering Heights and I can’t wait to start reading it! I remember being so mesmerized with Emily’s writing and cannot wait to dive into the world of Catherine and Heathcliff again. Some other classics that I can’t wait to read include Pride and Prejudice, To Kill A Mocking Bird and The Great Gatsby!

CHRISTMAS SWEETS: WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU LOVE TO RECEIVE FOR CHRISTMAS?

I really, really, REALLY want a copy of Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas! I recently finished the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, Queen of Shadows and absolutely loved it! The climax of this series occurred in Heir of Fire and I’ve heard very mixed reviews about Empire of Storms but still, I can’t let this series go! Sarah’s writing is so good and Rowaelin is my total OTP. Rowan is so protective and Aelin is so fierce that they are the perfect mix. That is my most anticipated book that I asked for Christmas and if you would like to see all of the books that I asked for Christmas, stay tuned for my post on either the 23rd, or the 24th!

CANDLES IN THE WINDOW: WHAT BOOK GIVES YOU THE WARM, FUZZY FEELING?

This answer is quite funny but I think I have to go with After by Anna Todd. Although it isn’t my favorite book ever, I still thought it was decently written and had a great amount of unique characters. But, the part that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling is how relative I am to Tessa. She is an 18 year old, freshman in college who loves to read and listen to The Fray and Bon Iver. I am a 14 year old, freshman in high school who loves to read and listen to The Fray. See some similarities? Although After is quite the mature read, I’ve read it 3 times just because o how it makes me feel. Having a character be almost an exact replica is pretty insane. But, you go Tessa, because The Fray are AH-MAZE-ING!!!

CHRISTMAS TRESS AND DECORATIONS: WHAT ARE SOMEOF YOUR FAVORITE BOOK COVERS?

Omg, I have so many. Well, we might as well start this long list now: Obsidian, Sweet Evil, ACOTAR, Crown Of Midnight, Heir Of Fire, City Of Bones, Since You’ve Been Gone, These Broken Stars, Cinder, The Secret Diamond Sisters, Ink, An Ember In The Ashes, Illuminae, The Fill-In Boyfriend, Weird Girl And What’s His Name, Pushing The Limits…… I could probably go on for a lot longer but I think Y’all got the gist of it.

CHRISTMAS JOY: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS AND/OR SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES?

I think my favorite thing about the Christmas season is how it brings people around the world together to celebrate. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there are so many different religious festivities occurring around the world during December that we all end up being brought together! I also really love all of the Christmas decorations! People decorate the outside of their houses, string lights around Christmas trees and display little bits and bobs around their houses. It’s all so lovely!

That’s it for today! I tag anyone who comes across this post to do this tag. I hope you enjoyed!

Happy Reading!

~Alaina