I was inspired to write this blogmas post by Meghan at Got Meghan, who wrote her own version of the book tag last Christmas. Like Meghan, I’m tagging anyone who’d be interested in doing this blogmas tag on their own sites or social media platforms.
1. “You’re a mean one Mr Grinch” – name a villainous character you couldn’t help but love
My favourite villainous character has to be the death eater Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter. She has all the qualities of a pure evil witch and she shows confidence in causing so much death and destruction.
2. “All I Want for Christmas is You” – Which book do you most hope to see under your Christmas tree?
I would love to get the third instalment of The Book of Dust series by Phillip Pullman, the follow-up series of his best-selling series His Dark Materials. Sadly, there is still no release date.
It has been more than three years since the second book, The Secret Commonwealth, was released and with such a big cliffhanger, in which grown-up Lyra gets separated from her daemon Pan into a different world, I’m eager to find out what happens next and if they get reunited.
I did tweet Phillip Pullman back in January 2022 asking if there would be a release date in sight and he actually responded, which was a real honour, but disappointingly not with the news I hoped.
3. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Name a character that overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves
This is probably such an obvious and common answer, but it has to be Harry Potter. He overcame a poor lonely childhood at the Dursley’s, had to come to terms with the news he is a wizard and that his parents got killed by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort and then spent seven years trying to defeat Lord Voldemort.
In addition, Harry has to deal with all the everyday teenage challenges such as schoolwork, exams, detentions, bullies, friendships, crushes and competitive sports, but just with a bit of magic thrown in.
4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Which characters do you think would be on the top of the nice and naughty list?
I would say the two teachers in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. On the nice list is Miss Honey, who is a kind, caring lady “who appreciates every single child for who she or he is”.
On the naughty list is Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress who despises all children, physically and verbally abuses them in the school and was Miss Honey’s wicked and cruel Step Auntie.
5. “Frosty the Snowman” – Which book just melts your heart?
I love reading autobiographies and this one – How (Not) to Be Strong by former footballer and broadcaster Alex Scott – was such a beautiful, heartfelt, powerful memoir.
Alex was honest about her difficult childhood with her abusive father, her challenges in becoming a female footballer, the discrimination she received when training to be a broadcaster, her mental health struggles, her love life and her close relationship with her mother, plus much more.
Before reading her book, I always thought she was an amazing person, but now I have even more admiration and love for her.
6. “Feliz Navidad” – Choose a book that takes place in a country other than your own
Most books I read are based in the UK but I do read many stories in the USA too. One book that sprung to mind, which I read is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.
It was suggested by fellow blogger Caz at Invisibly Me. With the first few chapters, I was unsure but by Part 2 I was hooked.
It was filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. I won’t give too much away but the main character Jude had a difficult childhood that left him with lifelong physical and mental trauma.
Then after 40+ years of hurt, he thought he had found happiness with his close friend turned boyfriend Will when at the end more tragedy struck. I was partly expecting the tragic ending as the happy period was too good to last forever but still had a heartbreaking ending.
7. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Which holiday-themed book do you use to spread Christmas joy?
I haven’t read many Christmas books but the last one I remember was Christmas Angels by Nadine Dorries. It is part of a book series called Lovely Lane, which is about a group of young girls training to be nurses in the mid-1950s.
Christmas Angels is book four in the series. I don’t remember the full story but essentially we follow the four nurses working at the hospital during the Christmas season.
8. “Sleigh Ride” – Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with (doesn’t have to be a love interest!)
Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter. He is by far my favourite fictional character in the whole wide world. Dobby is so cute and friendly and I’d love to treat him to a mountain of festive socks and enjoy Christmas dinner together.
9. “Baby it’s Cold Outside” – Which book that you didn’t like would you sacrifice to a fire to warm yourself up in the cold?
Despite this being written by JK Rowling, I found The Casual Vacancy to be the most boring and slowest book ever. I hardly remember anything about it and couldn’t even finish it.
JK Rowling – please stick to the Wizarding World and Cormoran Strike stories!
10. “Do you hear what I hear” – Which book do you think everyone should read?
To all music fans, rock fans, Foo Fighters fans and just anyone who loves reading an autobiography by a talented, humble, incredible man, father, husband, son, friend and bandmate, you need to read The Storyteller: The Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl.
It is so interesting reading about Dave Grohl’s musical career and all the incredible people he got to meet and work with. Plus, his love and devotion to his family and friends is just so strong and wonderful. Just an epic read!
Have any of these titles caught your eye? Whare your favourite books and characters? Let us know by taking part in The Christmas Song Book Tag on your blog or social media.
