The End of the Year Book Tag

[@themusicsnob]

My two cents: I would love to see videos on this channel where you talk about childhood favorites and/or reread books you’ve loved before

[@thisisveryannoying]

Oh, rebuying books that I loved as a child and when I was younger - I just started doing that and it gives me such a pleasure!

[@af598]

I watch so many booktubers, and your taste in books is so perfectly up my alley it feels like such a gift to have stumbled on your channel! Cheers! 🥂

[@jillellert3319]

I would love to hear about the books you are rebuying from your childhood! Those memories are so important.

[@jessk7240]

Grumpy/Sunshine is the trope you were mentioning for the Secret Society of Irregular Witches! 😊 I must read that - sounds good. Until a couple of years ago I read only either literary fiction or fantasy but then I read an article about valuing romance more. They made the point that our patriarchal society teaches us to look down on romance because it is a genre where ‘good things happen to women’. So I thought then that reading romance is my feminist duty 😀 I love it.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

That's the one! That sounds like such an interesting article. I think what I struggle with it that lots of romance novels seem to reinforce stereotypical gender roles. So I'm always on the hunt for ones that don't!

[@stalkingkafka]

I can't believe it's End of The Year Book Tag season! Oooo I have The Damages on my shelf! I meant to read it last winter and you've reminded me that I do want to read it. I sometimes watch Lucy Jane Wood's youtube videos so it's nice to see her book is being well received. She seems like a lovely person. I had not heard Tanya Talaga so thank you so much for putting her on my radar. Claire Chambers has a new book out! excited. My library doesn't have it so I am guessing I will have to request it. I think you have great instincts - those ideas - re-reading and revisiting your childhood books woould be great projects and would make fantastic content! Love your channel.🥰

[@MercysBookishMusings]

I know, right?! It's come round so quickly! The Damages is definitely a great winter read as it's set during a snow storm. Ohhh, I didn't know she had a channel so I'll have to check it out! I think the Claire Chambers book may have a slightly later release date in North America. I've read it now and I really enjoyed it :) It felt very gentle and cosy yet sad. Thanks so much :) xxx

[@Ali-AvidReader]

I’ve just finished Shy Creatures, I absolutely loved it. I was worried it wouldn’t be as good as Small Pleasures but it was even better. Enjoy! Have added the Niall Williams book to my list, sounds good.

[@teneshaanderson4761]

We are together because reminded me of leave the world behind

[@deeingram3595]

It was the grumpy /sunshine trope that stopped me completely enjoying the Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Probably my therapist brain over thinking things, but I see this trope as quite toxic and a way of eroticising bad tempered men, often in positions of power so we don't have to fear them and so we can gain power over them. I don't know if it still plays out this way when the grumpy character is a woman. I know those books exist but haven't read any.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

That's so interesting! I know what you mean. I have read a few romance books where I don't understand the attraction to bad/moody men.

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

Rereading is always one of my goals although it has fallen by the wayside over the last few months. I'm going to try to fit a few in before the end of the year.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

You're much better at rereading than I am!

[@nadiazeemeeuw8650]

I watch your channel because I got attached to you through the years - I simply like you and I am interested in everything you have to say. I would love to see you do what you want to in your reading life because you are the most interesting and passionate doing so. (Don't we all.) Personally I love re-reading and I would love to know how your re-reading goes, what changes and what stays the same. And childhood books project sounds fascinating. I am here for it - no matter a result. Big hug!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Awww, thank you so much. That's very kind. xxx

[@sleepwellbeast]

I'd love to hear about your childhood books! I donated most of my mine a few years ago but now I kind of miss them. I kept the ones I'm really attached to but if I had to do it now I would probably keep much more.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

1. Martyr! 2. Currently listening to James Held Creation Lake Intermezzo 3. ( trying to remember question three?) books looking forward to? Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst 4. I’ve made a list of books to be read . My TBR is currently 88! I’m hoping to read 32?? before 2025 5. Maybe Creation Lake? Shy Creatures is on my TBR 6. No plans . My mum would have said “ if God spares us”.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

I haven't read any Alan Hollinghurst and I feel like I need to fix that. Hahah, I like your mum's saying!

[@amandaskelton2132]

I loved The Lake of Dead Languages. I read it YEARS ago would have to reread to see how I feel now. I have read a few by that author. She is hit or miss for me.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Ohhh, that's made me even more excited to pick it up!

[@PatriceVC31]

Have you read all the colors of the dark by Chris Whitaker yet??? I don’t see many people talking about this book, and I’ve been absolutely loving it.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

No but I've been interesting in picking up his most recent book.

[@karenmoore4430]

Hi Mercy I have read a couple of short story collections this year and wonder if you have any recommendations.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

@karenmoore4430 yes, definitely! I loved Seeking Fortune Elsewhere by Sindya Bhanoo, Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine and Sweet Home by Carys Bray.

[@karskel]

Listening to This is happiness just now and couldn't recommend it more! It is delightful!! Note it is also set in Faha, so maybe you need to read it before Time of the child 🤔