2021 Book Tag

Here we are at Day 2 of BOOK TAG WEEK!!

For today’s tag, I’ve decided to go with the 2021 Book Tag, since I’ve wanted to do it since January when I saw it over on Corner of Laura. The tag was created by Phoenix at Books With Wings.

The categories for this tag all relate to events that took place in the U.S. in 2021, but don’t expect the books I mention to be ones I read then.

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General 2021: A sequel that did not live up to expectations

The Fall by Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan

It’s the second novel in the Strain trilogy, a horror trilogy about a vampire apocalypse that begins in New York City as a virus. I liked the TV show and really enjoyed the first book, but the second one just didn’t work out for me. I guess it’s because I was too hooked on the characters in the TV show. I wanted the ones in the book to match up to them (since I watched the TV show first).

Attack on the U.S. Capitol: A book where everything immediately went badly

Amulet, Vol. 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi (illus.)

I couldn’t think of an answer that best fits this category, so I went with the first volume of the middle grade graphic novel series Amulet since it begins on a fateful note. It’s a fantasy series about a brother and sister who visit a portal world to rescue their mom. The story is entertaining and I like the art.

President Biden’s inauguration: A book where things seemed to change for the better

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol (illus.)

I haven’t thought about this graphic novel in a long time. It’s YA paranormal about a girl named Anya from a Russian immigrant family who’s haunted by a ghost. It’s about her learning about and becoming more comfortable with herself, her background and identity. It was a good read and the artwork was good too. I think I like it more in retrospect. I should probably give it a reread.

Vaccines: A book where science/some kind of sci-fi thing plays a major role

Pisces, #1 by Kurtis J. Wiebe, illus. by Johnnie Christmas

I’m still checking out the comics/graphic novel part of my blog as I do this tag, so again I chose a comic book I haven’t thought of in a long time — Pisces. It’s probably pointless that I did so because I don’t remember anything about it except that I liked the art. I know some sci-fi stuff happens, though. I think there’s time travel and some sort of first contact thing going on. I should really return to this series.

General/middle of the year: A book where the characters get a reprieve

Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey

— Since the book is already on my mind (meaning I’d love to spend the day reading it so I can finish it soon). It’s the third novel in a fantasy series and apparently before this book began, the characters living in Terre D’Ange had 10 years of peace. Considering all that came before and what follows in this book, that’s a nice long time of rest for Phedre and Joscelin.

2020 Summer Olympics in 2021: A book about sports/centered around competition

Home and Away by Candice Montgomery

It’s the only novel I’ve read that contains a sport (that’s not quidditch) in it. It’s YA contemporary about a Black teenage girl named Tasia who learns a secret about her identity that her mom was keeping from her. I believe it was a debut novel, and it was actually pretty good. I liked it. As for the sport component — Tasia plays on her high school’s football team and is the only girl on the team.

Delta variant: A book with a terrifying plot twist

The Wicked + the Divine by Kieron Gillen, illus. by Jamie McKelvie

My brain is tired and can’t quickly think of a suitable answer for this category, so I’m just gonna go with the WicDiv comic book series, which is fantasy set in the present day except it’s about gods who are reincarnated as pop stars. It’s a fantastic read and the artwork is gorgeous! The plot twist isn’t terrifying, but it surprised me.

Thank you, essential workers: A book with awesome behind-the-scenes characters (e.g., side characters)

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh

It’s the second novella in the Greenhollow duology; however, this one focuses on Silver, following the incidents in the first novella. I’m specifically thinking of Silver’s mom in answer to this question because I still would love to read a book from her POV.

Supply chain backups due to Covid: A book where there are HUGE consequences to an event/action, etc.

Witcher

I chose the Witcher TV series since it remained stuck in my head since reading the category. I guess it fits, since there are several HUGE consequences in it for actions characters take, one of which is what led to Gerault having Ciri as his “child of surprise.”

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And that’s it for this brief lookback on 2021 via book tag.

Let’s continue hoping for a better 2022 despite wars, corona rampaging still, increasing cyber attacks, fights over everything that has become politicized, and everything else.

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