Book Tag

I will admit, I do not read nearly as many books as I would like to. Nonetheless, I cannot reject being challenged! My wife, Sarah, has challenged me to this book tag and I happily/begrudgingly accept. Her original post is here. She herself was originally challenged by a writer in her writer's group, The Write People. Nerisiren, thank you for inspiring us all.

The rules are simple and you can read them on both of their posts. The core of it is taking 12 tags and picking out both a DRINK and BOOK/CHARACTER that fits the tag. Let's dive right in! The prompt also called for a favorite selfie, good timing as I just took this FRESH new portrait last month. Last, as Nerisiren puts it - HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY GOOD TIME!

Eggnogg: The quintessential Christmas / winter book- Revelation

It was tough for me to find seasonal books I have read, but this cover clearly shows snow, so it counts! This entire series by Carol Berg is a MUST read and one of my top five series to recommend. I don't want to spoil anything, but there is a realm of ice so that is certainly wintery enough!

Drink Choice: Obviously seasonal but I vote it be always available!

Horchatta: A book that’s sweet and spicy- Wizards First Rule

Again a challenge as I don't read romance, but this entire series is ALSO easily in my top five recommendations. It has magic, mystery, and yes it does have enough romance to count. I will warn, it can be a dark series as well, portraying detailed levels of evil.

Drink Choice: An amazing creamy mexican drink made from rice, with spicy cinnamon throughout and on top.

Coffee: You either love it or you hate it- The Da Vinci Code

I haven't read this in ages, but recall enjoying the mystery. Books are meant to transport you to another world, and I am not bothered by any implications. However, it is clearly a controversial book for many.

Drink Choice: I don't like coffee, sue me!

Arnold Palmer: A seasonal twist OR cultural fusion - Pendragon

A bit of a stretch perhaps, but this series builds off of our world and then further expands into multiple worlds and timelines; some very different and some similar to our Earth.

Drink Choice: A mix of lemonade and tea, two classics fused together!

Chocolate Almond Milk: A book or character who’s sweet, but a little nutty - Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander

Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander from Wizards First Rule is my character of choice. He is an extremely powerful wizard who is both extraordinarily kind AND the right amount of nutty you expect from an old wizard.

Drink Choice: A soothing drink with just that slight nutty flavor of almonds. You can go with vanilla, but why do that when chocolate is an option?

Coca Cola: A book that still makes you salty - Lord of the Rings

So I want to first say that I do enjoy this series, but I love The Hobbit (as a book) so much more. It is more condensed and focused. My issue with this series, like many, is simply the overwhelming unnecessary details that can go on for pages.

Drink Choice: I have selected this as a filler for all soda, which with overwhelming levels of sugar, make me very salty about their very existence.

Alcoholic Cocktails: That one element that bugs you about an otherwise good story- Ready Player One

I do absolutely love this book and the movie. One small element that bugs me is the concept that if you die IN the game Oasis, you loose ALL of your progress. Considering how in depth the game is, and with in game purchasing, it doesn't seem like this sort of thing would be tolerated. Imagine playing for years and spending thousands of dollars, just to loose it all? You would have NO players if it was built that way.

Drink Choice: A broad choice but basically, I don't drink or like alcohol. However, what bugs me then about this is that it seems all the FUN drinks have to be alcohol based. So many fun cocktails and such, which yes, I do often order "virgin".

Mango Juice: A book that’s soothing after a rough day/week/month/year- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

This is my favorite book of all time. Stop reading this blog. Go read it now. It is both hilarious and deep thinking at the same time. Perfect for unwinding in my opinion.

Drink Choice: Something smooth, soothing, fruity, creamy; seemed to fit!

Wendy's Vanilla Frosty: A delightfully frosty character - Marvin The Paranoid Android

Marvin The Paranoid Android is the character of choice. He is frosty at - well - the entire universe! But he is delightfully hilarious about it.

Drink Choice: No explanation needed. Disregard my previous comment about why you would pick vanilla if chocolate is an option. Don't judge me!

Hot Chocolate:  A book that’s cozier than your favorite fuzzy pink unicorn socks- So You Want to Be a Wizard

A tough one, and I haven't read this in some time, but my fond memories of it are of two kids discovering the existence of magic on their own and the wonders it brings. Yes, it does go from there into a fantastic series that does not stay peaceful. But book one - pretty cozy :)

Drink Choice: Hot chocolate is for sure a classic cozy drink for winter.

Punch: A book that’s totally out-of-season but you don’t give a flying reindeer - Inkheart

This book is now aging a bit, but still a great read. The movie does a good job as well.

Drink Choice: With so many drink choices always coming out, don't forget about the classic Punch!

Root Beer: A book so dark it fits the coldest nights of Winter - 1984

Ok, so this is the one I changed to my own :) With winter being cold and dark, I thought one book tag should match. 1984 was a dark book to read when I first read it, and has become darker every year since, it seems. One news story after another will make you start to think this could be the future if we aren't more careful!

Drink Choice: Tough choice but root beer is a literally dark drink so that is all I got.

Thanks again NeriSiren for tagging Sarah, who in turn has tagged me! Anyone who reads this - feel free to feel CHALLENGED yourself.