The challenge is to post some books that I loved and some books that are still on my TBR (please TBR, don’t hurt me), corresponding to each letter of the alphabet.
Personally, I found this challenge on A Book. A Thought. Go and check this great blog!
Please remember that maybe some books will be in Italian. I will write the English title too.
La mummia (The Mummy or Lot 249) is a collection of short stories by Conan Doyle, and Il mago di Oz, as you can imagine, is The wizard of Oz, one of my fave classics. Mirror mirror is a great horror short story, and A monstrous place a very well written middle grade with a wonderful cover.
And On She Reads has made this beautiful tag and graphic (look how cute!!) for Christmas, and I decided to do it. All credit goes to her. I’ve tried to nominate only books I’ve read this year.
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 favourite stand-alone?
My first read of 2021 was a stand-alone: Allowed to grow old tell us the story of farm animals free to live their lives without fear or pain, all of them allowed to grow old in peace.
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?
Byron and Mira from Constantine Capers! I don’t read a lot of books with romance in it, it’s not my genre, but I really like if historical fiction has some romance. Byron suffers from amnesia, it’s painful and bittersweet to see him fall in love with Mira.
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?
This year I’ve read a lot of series with more than 3 books, or standalone! Ra the Mighty Cat Detective is the first of a trilogy I already own.
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’ve read a lot of new favorite series this year, but I think The Time Hunters was the one I enjoyed the most.
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS. One ring to rule them all! Who is your favourite Villain/Antagonist?
The dragon from Guards!Guards! by Terry Pratchett!
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SIX GEESE A LAYING. Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favourite world/world-building?
Empire of ruins has the best world-building this year: a steampunk world, travel around the world (this volume is set in Australia), evil villains and spies.
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 favourite animal sidekick?
Khepri is the beetle friend of Ra, the cat detective, so is an insect sidekick of a pet! But they are hilarious together!
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 beverages/food to a whole new level?
It’s impossible not to mention here the famous Beresford’s plum jam. Read this series, you won’t’ regret it!
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 favourite kickass female lead?
Lady Darby was my favorite, with her tragic past, painting skills, and Scottish setting. Love it.
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING. How about your favourite leading lad?
Captain Redmond from the Redmond and Haze series is my fave, alongside Lord Beresford from The Lady Jewel Diviner. Redmond is an American heir of a fortune and a noble title in the UK with a tragic past and medical knowledge, together with Haze they made a great couple of detectives.
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: ELEVEN PIPES PIPING. What is your favourite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)
I can’t think of a book with music in it! Maybe A ghost in the theatre, but I can’t remember!
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING. Drum roll please… what is your favourite read of this year?
Basically, all the books mentioned above are my favorite this year!
Feel free to consider yourself tagged if you liked it!
Hello readers! Some months ago I did the Back to the 90s book tag, and it was so fun! Then I found this tag made by And On she reads, and I said: going back to the 90s again!!!
What’s My Age Again- Blink 182:
At what age did you discover your love of reading?
I’m a late reader, I had to admit. During school, we were forced to read some kind of books, and I, as a girl, was obliged to read “books for girls” like The secret garden or Pollyanna. I hated them, preferring much more Goosebumps or crime books. When I was 8 I began reading the Goosebumps series.
All Star- Smash Mouth:
What is your favorite genre?
Definitely historical fiction with some gothic, maybe crime, and a touch of paranormal.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something:
What’s your go-to reading snack/drink?
When I read in the evening I drink a cup of chamomile, usually I don’t eat when I’m reading.
Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers:
What book do you ALWAYS recommend to people?
I always talk about the same books, but it also depends on the people who ask for the recommendation: I wouldn’t recommend historical paranormal fiction if someone doesn’t like the genre. I tend to suggest The song of Achilles and In The shadow of blackbirds.
…Baby One More Time – Britney Spears:
A book or series you have read more than once?
I have too many books on my TBR to reread a series!!ç___ç In the past I’ve reread Undead by Stoker/Holt at least a couple of times.
Tearin’ Up My Heart – N’Sync:
A book that broke your heart to finish?
The lovely bones broke my heart several times during my reading, particularly in the beginning and the ending.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana:
A book that you read as a teen that you still love today?
As a teen, I was in the vampire mania: from Anita Blake to Anne Rice, but today I still love the Gardella Chronicles from Colleen Gleason.
Hurt- Nine Inch Nails:
What book do you love that deals with heavier subjects?
Boo seems an innocent book, with its bright green cover, but it deals with bullying, teen suicide, and the tragedy of firearms in schools.
Tag done, hope you have fun going back to the 90s with me!
Hello readers, it’s been a while since I’ve made a tag! I found this tag on A little but a lot, please go and read Steph answers!
POKEMON: THE AUTHOR YOU NEED EVERY BOOK FROM.
Dacre Stoker
Cat Winters
Gareth P. Jones
Neil Gaiman
AIM: BOOK THAT CONNECTED YOU WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND.
We used MSN messenger when I was a teen, but I need to say there’s a substantial gap of age between me and my best friend (17 years). We became friends because we both like Kuroshitsuji(Black Butler) and the Harry Potter series.
FURBY: BOOK THAT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA BUT WAS ACTUALLY A MONSTER.
The song of ice and fire series? Alaso called A Game of Thrones? I love this GIF btw. XD
N’SYNC: A BOOK YOU HATED TO SAY BYE, BYE, BYE TO.
Recently I finished The anatomist’s wife, and it was hard to say bye bye to those characters. Fortunately it’s only the first in a series!
SLIMED! A BOOK EVERYONE LOVED BUT YOU HATED.
Raven boys. But I didn’t like most of the hyped books.
OREGON TRAIL: A BOOK THAT MADE YOU WISH YOU DIED OF DYSENTERY.
ahahahahahaha Probably 50 shades of grey.
MIXTAPE/CD: 3 BOOKS YOU RECOMMEND TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE, NO MATTER WHAT.
The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
In the shadow of blackbirds by Cat Winters
Lamb by Christopher Moore
DIAL-UP INTERNET: A BOOK THAT TOOK FOR FREAKING EVER TO READ.
I’m still at page 282 of Gone with the wind after months!!
KENAN THOMPSON: THAT BOOK YOU SEE REFERENCED EVERYWHERE AND IS IN EVERYTHING, BUT THAT’S OKAY BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME.
I always see reference of A throne of glass, but I don’t think is awesome.
THUMBS UP, SEVEN UP: BOOK WHERE YOU PEEKED JUST REAL QUICK AT THE ENDING BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE GUESSING GAMES.
The truth about Harry Quebert’s affair because my patience is low. I’ also one of those stranger people who doesn’t care about spoilers.
DUNKAROOS: YOUR IDEAL BOOKISH SNACK
Pop corn with butter and salt!
SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK: A BOOK THAT KEPT YOU UP ALL NIGHT.
Shutter Island isn’t a horror book, more thriller, but that plot twist…
BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY: A BOOK THAT TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING NEW.
The uninvited by Cat Winters taught me a lot about the condition of German people during the first world war, together with the devastating effects of the Spanish flu.
That’s all, feel free to do this tag if you like it!
Hello readers! I’ve found this great tag on And On She Reads, and I’ve decided to do it even if I’m not tagged!
Questions:
Favourite Male Character Of The Year: My choice is not the best looking, sexy or similar character, no, my choice is Uncle Percy from the Time Hunters saga. An uncle sweet and caring, with an enormous manor house and who is a time traveller. Love him.
Favourite Female Character Of The Year: Charley Steel from S.C.R.E.A.M. series and Amelia Fang are my choices for favourite female of the year. The first one is a disabled MC really strong and brave, the second is sweet, caring and I love the illustrations!
Couple Of The Year: I don’t usually read romance, so between Middle grade books and horrors is difficult to find a couple… but Parish Constable Daniel Haze and his wife (obviously I can’t remember her name) from Murder in the crypt are a couple that I really liked.
Villain Of The Year: Well, this is easy: the vampires from Dracul by Stoker/Barker. I can’t write the names because they’re spoilers, but rest assure they are scary and evil vampires.
Most Disliked Character Of The Year: Everyone and everything in Il Diavolo ai giardini Cavour (The devil at Cavour’s gardens). It’s a crime/supernatural set in my city (Torino, Italy) but every citizen is portrayed so bad! One is super arrogant, another is a liar… I can’t stand them.
Royal Of The Year: Again, not a lot of royals for me… The one that is nearly royalty is Seth deMage, the new Duke of Leithfield from Ella, The slayer, a retelling of Cinderella.
Sidekick / Non-Main Character Of The Year: Samira and Blitzen from Magnus Chase and the Sword of summer! I love every side kick character in Riordan books, they are unique and great as the MC!
Siblings Of The Year:
Again I need to say The Time Hunters saga, because there are Becky and Joe, who apparently doesn’t get along well but are always there for each other, for their Uncle Percy and for thier friend Will.
Favourite Friendship:
I added this question because, for me, friendship is just as important as love, and there are a lot of books with great friends. Modo and Octavia from The Hunchback assignments are an unlikely couple of friends; Sophie, Hattie and Owen from A New Friend are adorable and perfect for children; Redmond and Haze are first collagues then friends, both likeable and kind characters.
That’s it!
Have you done this tag? I will love to read your answers, so feel free to do this tag if you liked or to leave a link to your post!
Hello readers! I haven’t done a Tag in a while, but I had to do this, because GBBO is one of my favourite shows! This tag was created by Zaheerah, but I found it on Life of a literary nerd.
Amateur Bake: A self-published book
Dead school
I’m not really sure if this is self-published, usually I don’t give attention to this detail. Anyway, Dead school is funny!
Soggy Bottom: A book with a great start and a disappointing ending
The lost history of dreams
The most disappointing ending of all the time.
Bingate: A book you got frustrated with and had to DNF
Lumière
This is my last DNF: I couldn’t stand the whiny main character.
Junior Bake Off: A children’s book
Charlie and the chocolate factory
A classic!
A Hollywood Handshake: A book that impressed you
This is going to hurt
This book has impressed me because it was funny, and sad and comical, but it has impressed/shocked me also with all the medical procedures!
Signature Challenge: A book you recommend to your friends and family
The one and only Ivan
My parents couldn’t read long books in English, so I bought an Italian copy!
Technical Challenge: Books you read without knowing much beforehand; rank them from worst to best
The worst: The case of the green dressed ghost.
The meh: The boy from tomorrow.
The best: Fever.
Showstopper Challenge: A book or series that’s your all-time favourite
In the shadow of Blackbirds
I know, it’s a surprise, I never mention this book! (the sarcasm here is real)
The Finalists: A favourite trilogy
The Stoneheart trilogy
I read a lot of standalone and series with 5 or more books, and Stoneheart is an underrated trilogy.
Extra Slice: A favorite companion book
Arbrook Huxley & the miraculous confection
A short story companion of The Electrical Menagerie. Love it.
Hello readers! I’m back today with a new post because today is my birthday!! I will thank Soph @BookBlog&Candle for the tag!
Sorry for the lack of posts this month, I’m constantly worried about the health of one of my cats, Gomez. Now he’s slowly improving, we pray for the better.
E-Book or Physical Book?
Physical!! I like e-books because they don’t take up a lot of space, and when I finished or DNF and e-book I can simply delete it, but I’m frustrated when I want to read and I forgot to recharge the battery.
Paperback or Hardback?
Totally agree with Soph here, I’m a paperback girl! Hardback books are difficult for me to carry with me and to handle them in my hands.
Online or In-Store Book Shopping?
Online when I made shopping from my country, because 85% of my books are in English, and I live in Italy, so the bookshops/bookstores don’t sell English books here.
When I am on holidays, usually in the U.K., I love to visit every bookshop/Waterstones /charity shop I can find.
Trilogies or Series?
Uhm, it depends… This time I will say series, because my favourite series, like The Ministry of Curiosities or Harry Potter are composed of more than 5 books.
Heroes or Villains?
A great hero against a great and complex villain. But I prefer the villain. (And they slowly fell in love)
A book you want everyone to read?
The nowhere emporium because it’s so underrated but it was just magical to read it, you really fell to be in the emporium. I love it so much.
Recommend an underrated book?
I read a lot of underrated booksXD (and then her mind goes puff, totally blank) Constable & Toop is really underrated, but recently it goes to reprint, so now you can easily find it on Amazon or Book Depository!!
Creatures of Will and Temper and I’m totally in love with the cover!!
Weirdest Thing You’ve Used as a Bookmark?
An oven mitt. I was cooking.
Used Books: Yes or No?
Yes, they are cheaper! But they need to be in excellent/good condition, not covered with highlighter or drawings or missing pages.
Top Three Favorite Genres?
Historical fiction
Gothic
Steampunk
Borrow or Buy?
Buy! I don’t use the library, and I don’t have friends to borrow books from.
Characters or Plot?
Plot. I love when I can connect to a character, or when there is a great cast of characters, but if the plot is boring, I’ll totally lose interest in the book.
Long or Short Books?
Again I agree with Soph: short books! I need time and the right mindset for long books.
Long or Short Chapters?
Short chapters! I usually read in the evening, and my eyes are already tired because I work at the pc all day, so I prefer short chapters.
Name The First Three Books You Think Of:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Time stops for no mouse by Michael Hoeye
The cure for dreaming by Cat Winters
Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry?
Laugh!
Our World or Fictional Worlds?
Fictional worlds! I mean, Middle earth, you know?
Audiobooks: Yes or No?
No: I listen to a couple of audiobooks in Italian, and they were pretty boring, but in general I’m easily distracted or I fell asleep. Shame on me.
Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover?
Of course. I’m a really bad person.
Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?
Tv adaptation, I think they have more time and more episode to better develop the story, like Good Omens.
A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book?
The Maze runner. I can’t stand the book, but they made the Maze really well in the movie.
Series or Standalones?
Standalone, if they had a good ending.
And that’s the tag, everyone who wants to do it is welcome!
Hello readers! I’m coming back with this lovely recap tag made by Faith. Go and check this great blog!
Like Faith, I will count books read from September to the end of November, feel free to adjust it.
Just a little note: I will be in London for my Christmas Holidays until the 30th of December, so I will post all my “best or worst of” in the new year!
The Questions
Which book can you not stop thinking about?
This book was so good, adventurous and heartwarming. I also love the interaction with the author on Twitter.
Which book would you rather have not read?
Circe was a big no for me, and this experience has ruined a little my memories of The song of Achilles.
What genre did you read the most?
I’ve read lot of horror during autumn, thanks to Halloween.
Which book surprised you the most?
Mirror Mirror is a short horror story that has creeped me out. Just what I want from a horror book.
Which book disappointed you the most?
I waited months for reading Island of the dolls, I was so curious about this creepy island, but this series is really disappointing.
What was your favorite cover?
What was your favorite fall/autumn release?
I don’t follow the new/recent release, so I really don’t know.
Which books did you plan on reading, but you never got around to?
I really wanted to re-read Harry Potter (the illustrated version), but I didn’t find the time! ç__ç
Which books do you plan on reading in the winter?
The cover of Greenglass house is perfect for winter, right?
Tag done! What are you planning on reading in winter?
Tell me in the comments, and a Merry Christmas to all of you! ❤
I loooove Halloween songs, so this is the perfect tag for me! I will include some of my favourite songs!
1. Thriller: A book that was an absolute page-turner
Despite the ending, that I hated, The Lost History of Dreams is the perfect book for this prompt.
2. Somebody’s watching me: A book that gave you the serious creeps
I recently finished this short story (about 50 pages), and I’m not easily scared, but something in this book, with a cursed mirror really has given me creeps.
3. Vampire: A book you hated so much it was soul-sucking i.e incredibly tedious to get through
I chose this book only for the Vampire of the prompt, because there are a lot of books that I hated. I hated this “feminist retelling” of Dracula for the disrespect of the author against Stoker, the errors and typos, and the stupidity of Mina, the main character.
4.I put a spell on you: A book featuring witchcraft or magic
I’m still reading this cozy mystery ( I think is my first in this genre!) and look at the cover! So witchy, perfect for Halloween!
5. This is Halloween: Your favourite treat/ snack to eat while reading
I don’t drink or eat when I’m reading, unless I’m reading my e-reader when I’m dining alone.
6. Timewarp: “Let’s do the time warp again” What book/ or books do you like to return to at this time of year?
In fall and winter, I prefer to read horror (obviously) and classic books.
7. Hungry like the wolf: A book you loved so much, you devoured
I devoured The Ugly Princess, and it makes me so sad to know that is an underrated book!
8. The Addams Family: A book featuring a dysfunctional family
The family of Edgar Allan Poe was dysfunctional, and The Raven’s tale shows it very well.
9. Scary monsters (and super creeps): A book genre that you are scared or intimidated to pick up
Any Russian classic, like War and Peace, or Anna Karenina, I’m sorry.
10. the twilight zone: A book with a completely different and unique premise
Isn’t the title itself unique and original?
And we are at the end of this tag! I tag everyone who wants to do it, but now, here’s my favourite Halloween song!
Fortunately, the book 