12 Days of Christmas Book Tag

Greetings everyone, and Happy Holidays! This week I was exploring some book tags, since you know I love them to pieces. I wanted a book tag inspired by Christmas and I found this one! The questions are cute and fun, therefore I'm going into them today. This tag was originally created by Lizzie Loves Books on YouTube, so make sure to check her answers as well. 

For this tag, I will be answering a list of quick twelve questions inspired by the classic Christmas song, "Twelve Days of Christmas". Each of the questions has a book motif, clearly, and I will try to answer them as honestly as possible. 

Let's get started!!! 

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 favorite stand alone? 

 

I have read many stand alone books, but I think my favorite one would be "Big Little Lies" by Liane Moriarty. This book shook me to the very core, and it made me confront many parts of me that had been hurt. I usually don't read contemporary, but I made a (happy) exception for this one.

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? 

My eternal OTP will always be Simon and Baz from "Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell. They were the first main LGBT+ couple I read in a fantasy book, and it was a huge thing for me. I will always love them to pieces no matter what. They're cute together and help each other grow, which is relationship goals through and through. Also, the romance between is worth a swoon or two. 

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? 

I had a couple of answers for this one, but I think I'll go with "The Magicians" trilogy by Lev Grossman. Even though I generally prefer series to trilogies, this one will always have a main place in my heart. This is one of the best magic systems I've read about, so I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the new spin-off comics! 

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? 

This question was particularly hard, since I love reading series and I have a lot of favorites. After thinking about it, I decided to just mention one, which is the "Disney Twisted Tales" series. These books have different authors, with each story covering a different Disney tale, giving it a unique twist. I know lots of people don't like them, but I do. 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: 

Five Golden Rings. 

One ring to rule them all! Who is your favorite villain/antagonist? 

Marisa Coulter is one heinous person that I hate to love, and love to hate. She is described as the mother of evil, and they are not exaggerating. She's cruel, vicious, manipulative, corrupted, and altogether a great villain to read about. 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: 

Six Geese a Laying. 

Creation is  beautiful thing. What is your favorite world/world-building? 

Again, I had quite a lot of options here, since I've read some very beautiful world-buildings. But today I think I'm going with "The Wicked Years" by Gregory Maguire. These books explore the life and death of the Wicked Witch of the West, and what came after that. The Oz Maguire created is quite complex, with its own politics, religion, economics, education and society standards. It's a very dark take on Oz, which is why I love it. 

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 favorite animal sidekick? 

For this question, I chose Pogo the monkey from the "Umbrella Academy" comics by Gerard Way. Pogo is a monkey that talks, dresses, behaves and thinks like a human. He always loved the Hargreeves children and took care them while they were growing up. His ending was too sad. 

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? 

This one is easy! For the eighth question I chose "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien. Anyone who has read the books, or at least seen the movies, knows that Hobbits are obsessed with good food and comfort. I mean, they have second breakfasts! If I could visit someone for eating, I would definitely visit a Hobbit. 

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 favorite kickass 

female lead? 

One of my favorite leading ladies is Bryce Quinlan, from the "Crescent City" series by Sarah J. Maas. We currently only have the first book in the series, but miss Quinlan managed to find a way into my heart from the book's very first page. I related a lot to her struggles with mental health, her love for her friends, her internal turmoil and pain, and also her courage. 

Credits to Ida V. on Instagram. 

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: 

Ten Lords a Leaping 

How about your favorite leading lad? 

HA!! Percy Jackson, hands down. No question about it. 

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: 

Eleven Pipes Piping. 

What is your favorite book or bookish thing with musical influence? 

I'd have to say the "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" comics by Bryan Lee O'Malley. I mean, the main character is in an actual band, which isn't the best one out there, but they still play some sick music. Aside from Scott's band, there's also his ex known as Envy Adams who is a rock superstar. 

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: 

Twelve Drummers Drumming. 

Drum roll please!!!

What is your favorite read of this year? 

Now this one was difficult to answer, especially considering that the year isn't over. But I believe it's "One True King" by Soman Chainani. This is the last book in the "School for Good and Evil" series. I'm currently still reading it; I'm a little over the book's middle. The story is brilliant and addictive, and it has redefined the concepts of friendship, fairy tales, love, good and evil in hundreds of ways. Already a lot of beloved characters have died, and I suspect that by the end of it many more will bite the dust as well. 

Alright, so that's all for today! Thank you for stopping by again and I'll see you guys next Sunday. I know this post was quite simple, but I do hope every one who reads it enjoys it at least a little.  

P.S. The pandemic isn't over just because you're over it. The Holidays shouldn't be an excuse for us to lose our guard and be irresponsible. Stay safe and keep your loved ones safe as well.

Christmas 2020: Tears, Friendship and Hope

These past few weeks, I've been having the same thought over and over: how is Christmas going to be like this year? Will it be terribly sad, or will we be able to adapt? Families won't be able to come together for Christmas as they used to, nor will friends- at least not the responsible ones. Will the virus go through a new phase? Considering that a lot of people are fed up with it and will probably meet in large groups, this seems likely. So, I wonder: what is there to expect from Christmas 2020? 

I know of a lot of people who are expecting nothing good from this Christmas. Many think it will be just plain sad and depressing, since they won't be seeing their families. Others think that considering all that has happened this year, there's nothing to celebrate for, that there's nothing good awaiting for us on Christmas. I can't say I blame them. 

From a personal point of view, I wasn't looking forward celebrating the holiday this year. What for, I used to ask. My job has been taking a serious toll on my mental health, to the point where I'm considering going back to my psychologist. I feel my depression growing worse by the day, and I might be developing anxiety. My mom has been very supportive every day, but other relatives have been exhausting to deal with. My classes have been extremely hard, and I'm talking about the courses I'm studying; my time to rest and disconnect has been cut terribly short, my assignments are getting longer and harder, and I'm not getting enough sleep. My house has been running through a lot of problems, I'm struggling with some finances, and everything just seems to be getting out of my control- and that is terrifying for me. 

I was really looking forward to something I could hold on to. Something that I could grasp and I wouldn't feel as if I was drowning by the second. During this process, I did find some things that helped: I read my books little by little, because now I don't have as much time as I used to before; I started trying new things such as television series I never saw before, such as "Supergirl", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Titans", "The Boys" and "True Blood"; I've kept in touch with my three friends, sharing our tears, frustrations, struggles and the little hope we have left; and I've grown a little closer to my mom, because she's my rock and the one who holds me (sometimes literally) when my whole world is coming to pieces. 

To summarize it, it hasn't been easy finding a little spark day by day. But then November arrived, and I saw all the Christmas decorations everywhere. Something sparked inside me then; I didn't know what it was then, but now I know it was related to Christmas. 

I started planning something. I wanted to decorate my house this year, as I have never decorated it before. Nothing too fancy or extravagant, just something that felt nice and comfortable for me. I started looking more seriously at my expenses, so I could save some money for what I was planning. Just the idea of buying my own things for my house felt incredibly exciting. I got a small Christmas tree, some decorations (of which there will be more later), and a stuffed Grinch which I love to pieces. Today I'm actually planning on setting up the tree, which I admit makes me very happy. 

So, what is it with Christmas and this tiny spark rising inside of me? It could be the pretty lights and beautiful decorations. Maybe it's about the joyful music all around me. Perhaps it's about the gifts, but not really; I don't care much about presents for myself. No... I think this spark is just for the pure joy of Christmas itself, and the promise of happiness that comes with it. The idea that everything will turn out alright, no matter what. 

Christmas is about joy, peace, happiness, sharing and being grateful for our lives and every small blessing we have. Even though most things in this year have been pure trash, I still have some things I am grateful for: 

1- My friends, whom I love with my life. 

2- My mom, who has been there from the start and is one of the main reasons why I'm still here. 

3- The fact that my family and friends have stayed safe from the virus. 

4- I am still healthy as well. 

5- I have found ways to increase my self esteem, little by little. 

6- Despite how hard it has been, I am still here. I am still breathing. I haven't done anything to harm myself in any way. 

7- I have learned and discovered new things, which is amazing for me because I love to learn. 

8- I am looking for smarter ways to handle my finances. 

9- I got some new books! Yay!!! 

10- I am alive. 

Being grateful every day is something new to me. I'm more used to complaining and sulking, which I'm not proud of but it's the truth. But I'm trying a new perspective now, and I think it suits me. 

Back to my main point though, Christmas this year is going to be hard on us all. Everyone will be going through it in different ways, but it will certainly be difficult. Does that mean it will all be bad? I don't think so. 

Today, while I put up my tree and decorate it, while I sing (horribly) to my Christmas music playlist, I'll be thinking of everything that Christmas brings, everything that it promises. We might not be able to be physically with everyone we love this year, and that hurts a lot, but that doesn't mean that same love is not present. 

Speaking of love, I think it comes wrapped in many ways. Yesterday, I met with two of my best friends again. One of them I haven't seen since December 2019, and it felt like a full life had passed for how much I missed her. I know we shouldn't have, but that hug we shared was inevitable. Breathing suddenly became easier, smiles came more naturally, and some other sparks ignited in me. I didn't know just how I missed her till I saw her. She was my first real friend, and thanks to her I met my two other friends. I am eternally grateful for yesterday; I got to see her, hear her laugh again, share our day like we used to, and be happy together. We talk every single day, no exceptions, but I did need to see her. It's the first time since we met that we have spent so much time apart. So, if she's reading this, please know that I love you with every part of my soul, that I missed you terribly, and that I'm grateful for you every day.

I missed days like yesterday. I missed us, the three of us. I missed that love, that happiness. The three of us together felt right, perfect, as if time had never passed. I know that no matter what happens now, no matter the difficulties the three of us might go throw, we'll always stick together. Distance and time is nothing for people who love each other. 

Love, no matter how it comes, will always be stronger than hate. Hope will always be stronger than fear. Yes, I am terribly afraid of everything that is to come; the future isn't written in stone, and this year is not over yet. And who knows what might happen in 2021... Today though, I choose to focus on the blessings I have. Today I choose to feel hopeful despite the circumstances. Today I choose light over darkness once again. With friends who love me by my side, my faithful cats, my books, my mom and a Christmas tree, this holiday season won't be as depressing as I thought it would be. 

This Christmas, be grateful for what have and you don't. Love deeply, no matter what, and remember the true meaning of this holiday. Take care of yourself, and be gentle with your own process; your mental health is important, now more than ever. Take deep breaths and take time for yourself, it's important and it's going to help you- believe me, it will. I hope this Christmas is gentle for you, and that you may find happiness in whatever form it comes. 

Have you ever struggled to find your house keys? Have you grown desperate with the search because you can't find those damn keys anywhere? Have you then realized you had them in your hands all along? Well... the same thing happens often with happiness. 

Sending everyone a huge hug, and may the holidays begin!

P.S. I'm a cold hearted b**** when I want to be, so don't be fooled by all this loving thing.