Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh, o’er the fields we go, laughing all the way…
Am I the only one who has christmas jingles stuck in my head since the past couple of days? I mean I literally cannot seem to get rid of them and my mind unhelpfully supplies them at the oddest of times. Trying to recall the periodic table? “jingle bells jingle bells” Trying to square 33 mentally? “we wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year” See what I mean?
I’m also eating plum cake as I type this, so the conclusion is that the christmas vibes have totally settled in over here.
Anyway. We’ve got a very appropriate tag for this wondrous occasion – The Christmas Song book tag! I saw this tag on Maddie’s blog, and it looked fun so here we are!
“You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch“
~ Name a villainous character you can’t help but love ~
Kaz Brekker, though I’d never for the life of me call him ‘villainous’. And also Nasir Ghameq (i’m sorry but he’s an assassin so… but I love him okay?)
“All I Want For Christmas Is You“
~ Which book to you most hope to see under your Christmas tree? ~

I’m surprised by how easy this was to answer. The book I’m craving most at the moment is Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong (under a metaphorical tree because we don’t really celebrate christmas that much) because of obvious reasons that I dare not elaborate without bursting into tears all over again.
“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”
~Name a character that overcomes major obstacles and learns to believe in themselves ~

Um okay literally almost every main character? But since I’m bound by the unwritten rules of book tags, I’ll pick Archie from This Last Adventure by Ryan Dalton. It’s about how he handles his grandfather’s growing memory loss due to Alzheimer’s so obstacles? There’s a lot of them. (but more about that in my review later)
“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
~Which character do you think would be on the top of the naughty and nice list?~
Naughty list, let’s see. The Darkling? I mean, I finished King of Scars yesterday so he’s the first one to come to mind, and rightfully. (*wagging finger* no gifts for you kirigan)
Look there are a lot of competitors for the nice list okay? But again, remember the unwritten rules of book tags? Yeah, i thought so. Once again I’d pick from King Of Scars, and it’d be Matthias. (i thought i was over him, but then Bardugo had to go write this duology)
“Frosty the Snowman”
~Which book just melts your heart?~

To answer your unasked question (but you were going to ask, hmm?), no it’s not a contemporary. The House In The Cerulean Sea seriously has so much feeling; believe me when I say Klune’s a magician.
Klune: *writes House In The Cerulean Sea*
Me: *while reading it* omg so adorable, my heart *eyes well up*
Klune: oh you think i’m only good at making people cry? challenge accepted *writes the Extraordinaries trilogy*
Me: *while reading it* omg. omg. what. wh- *undignified giggles and snorts*
Klune: the show’s not over yet! *writes Under The Whispering Door*
Me: *buys a copy as soon as it is out but is too afraid to read it and have her heart shattered* (don’t worry I’ll get to it. eventually.)
“Feliz Navidad”
~ Choose a book that takes place in a country other than your own ~

Yeah no this is too easy, hardly any book I read nowadays is set in India. Let’s go with We Are Not Free by Traci Chee, which is set in America after the bombing of the Pearl Harbour.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”
~Which holiday themed book do you use to spread the Christmas joy?~

I haven’t read a lot of Christmassy books, but The Miracle Of Ebenezer Street is one I distinctly remember. There’s so much christmas merriment! and joy! and cheer!
“Sleigh Ride”
~Which fictional character would you choose to spend the holidays with (doesn’t have to be a love interest!)~
I’d love to have some cheerful and sarcastic characters around so – Aideen (from Not My Problem), Jesper (Six of Crows), Nikolai (King of Scars) and such would be my top picks.
“Baby its cold outside”
~Which book that you didn’t like would you sacrifice to a fire to warm yourself up in the cold?~

As much as I would like to gasp and say “oh no i’d never do that to a book!!”, I unfortunately have had the (dis)honour of having read The Young Elites by Marie Lu, and I despise it with all my heart so into the flames it goes. (it’s probably best that I don’t own a physical copy of this)
“Do you hear what i hear”
~Which book do you think everyone should read?~
Now that. Is. Hard. You want me to rattle off a list of my favourites? Or recommend a book that will magically make non-readers readers? (it doesn’t exist sorry) Or maybe a book that people of all ages, and fans of all genres will love? (that doesn’t exist either)
So very graciously, we are going to skip this question and not talk about it. (and yes I run away from problems instead of facing them) don’t tell a soul.
i tag…
Amber @EscapeLifeInThePages || Georgia @Lost In Neverland || Saima @Stories With Saima

Which book do you hope to see under your Christmas tree? Which is your favourite Christmas-themed book? Let me know in the comments!!
~ Rachel
Loved reading your answers to this tag!! I love Kaz as well, I can’t help but love him too. Thank you for tagging me 💛
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Thank you Saima, glad you enjoyed it! of course, Kaz tops my list of favourite characters.
you’re welcome, i’d love reading your answers if you decide to do it!!
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Aw, thanks for the tag, Rachel! ❤
I need to read The Cerulean Sea! It sounds amazing! I have it on my kindle but I haven't gotten to it yet 😦 I hope I can get to it somewhat soon! I've heard nothing but amazing things. I also hope you get your book for Christmas! 😀
-Amber
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You’re most welcome!
Ahh please read it asap it’s seriously so good!!
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Rachel! Nasir? A villain? Ngl tho I loved the Lion 😅 Also Kaz! Loved reading your answers Rachel, and I’m living for all these WHTF mentions 💙
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Ah Cherry, in my defense, the prompt said “villainous” so I am not guilty of calling them downright villains haha. (see how I got myself out of a difficult situation there?)
Thank you so much!!
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Kaz is so amazing, I could never stop loving him 😭😭 Great post! 💗
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Of course he is lovable. More like a lovable lion who could eat you whole rather than a lovable puppy but anyway.
Thank you suhani 💙
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KAZ AND NASIR??? VILLAINS??? …You’re not totally wrong😂😂 I love this post so much!!
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NO not at all but I needed SOMETHING for the prompt didn’t i? haha but the fact that I love them so much probably justifies it.
thank you kaya! ❤️
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This was such a fun post to read through! I really need to pick up The House In The Cerulean Sea in 2022, I have extreme FOMO from not reading it yet hahaha.
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oh yes please do read it, it’s so heartwarming!
thank you for the comment!!
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I’ve totally been singing Christmas songs nonstop for the past couple of days (or, in other words, for at least the past month 😁). And strumming along on my ukulele, which is driving my youngest brother nuts, but I’m obviously not stopping 😇
And OMG, RACHEL, I FINISHED THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA AND AM ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY IN LOVE WITH IT 🥰 THAT BOOK IS JUST THE MOST WHOLESOME THING EVER AND YES, MY HEART IS MOLTEN, TOO!! 😭
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yes that’s truly called the christmas spirit haha! (also my condolences to your brother lol)
AHH NAEMI! YOU DID IT!! I’M SO HAPPY YOU LOVED IT AS MUCH AS I DID!!!
thank you for the comment 💙
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I HAVE NEVER READ ANYTHING BY TJ CLUNE, BUT IF THIS POST DID ANYTHING, IT HAS MADE ME UNDERSTAND THAT I NEED TO READ ALL THEIR BOOKS, SO THANK YOU! Loved reading this!
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YES PLEASE BECAUSE ALL THEIR BOOKS ARE *CHEF’S KISS*
(and when you do, make sure you scream about them with me)
Thank you Anoushka!!
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that commentary for The house in the cerulean sea is so amazing and so so accurate
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haha thank you! are you a tj klune fan too?
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im reading under the whispering door and yes yes yes
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EEEK I hope you are loving it!!
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