I did this tag last year and wanted to do any updated version for 2020 and seeing as it’s Christmas Eve it seemed like the perfect time to do it! 🎄

Which book is refreshing and vibrant, both inside and out?

The first book that comes to mind is The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta. It’s one of the few novels in verse I’ve seen really celebrated by people that don’t normally reach for poetry. There are some harder parts but I think, ultimately, it becomes a celebration.

The next thing you see is a bag of chocolate coins. Which book have you recently bought that was expensive, but totally worth the high price.

Ok, so I didn’t buy it myself BUT I did receive a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone illustrated and created by Mina Lima which comes in at £30 and it is stunning. I prefer it to the illustrated editions and I think they’ve just sucked me in if they do the whole set. Oops.

You also pull out a bath bomb. Tell us about a book that had explosive action scenes.

I don’t really read books with big action themes but I think Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson should get a shout out here for a particular chapter although I can’t really say much because of spoilers.

Next is a pack of playing cards. Which series won you over?

Wayward Children and Serpent & Dove were both knock out series for me this year. I listened to the entire Wayward Children series in little over a month back in April and then devoured the first 2 books in S&D quite quickly too.

They both have new books coming out in 2021 and I can’t wait.

You also get a candle. Which character is a symbol of hope in their story?

Eve from The Eve Illusion and Eve of Man. Not only is she the first girl born in 50 years but she also will think for herself.

There are socks inside too. Is there a book that you think really encompasses all the distinctive tropes of its genre.

I think there are so many tropes that can be used per genre so nothing especially springs to mine.

There’s also a notebook. Which author’s writing process do you find most interesting/inspiring?

Victoria Schwab is Queen. Not only do. I really enjoy her books, I also like following her thoughts and processes via Instagram – especially with her sticky note plans.

To go with the notebook, there’s a fancy pen. Is there a book or a series you’d change if you’d written it yourself?

I think I would have made Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo part of a duology. I really want to know what happens after the end.

There’s also a small bedside clock. Which book took you a long time to pick up but was worth it in the end?

Serpent and Dove!!! I got this for Christmas last year and didn’t get to it until this year, on the one hand by leaving it until just after the second book came out I could read the second straight away, on the other I went a long time without reading an amazing book.

Your pile is getting really big. You reach in to pull out the last gift and it’s…a lump of coal? You’re a little disappointed. But you look closer and realise there’s a seam running through the coal. You crack it open and sitting there inside is a tiny golden snitch. Tell us about a book that surprised you in some way.

I went through a little phase of reading romance books while in the first lockdown and I found that I really loved the story in Roomies by Christina Lauren. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did but it’s probably my favourite romance this year.

Want to share? Then consider yourself tagged!