It wasn’t until a few years ago that I really got into Hallmark Christmas movies. Now, I watch them practically 24/7 during the holiday season. There is something so comforting about knowing exactly what is going to happen. I’m a tad obsessed… So, of course, I had to merge two loves of mine, books and Christmas movies, to create The Hallmark Christmas Movie Book Tag.
Hallmark movies watch like your classic romance novel, and that’s because a lot of them are based on books! They are full of wish fulfillment, cheesy tropes, and a lot of Christmas decorations. What else could you ask for? (Diversity and lgbt+ inclusion of course, but that’s a whole other conversation)
Hallmark actually starts playing Christmas movies in October, can you believe it! In 2021, the premier of the first Hallmark movie was October 26th! I don’t tend to watch them that early, but as soon as November hits, all my background noise is Hallmark.
I have only created one original book tag before, The Halloweentown Book Tag, so I am very excited to do it again! It is so fun to use my creativity to make these questions, and I look forward to seeing everyone’s responses!
These prompts in The Hallmark Christmas Movie Book Tag are going to be based on classic tropes you find all the time in Hallmark movies. The tropes that allow you to guess the ending of every movie.
So, enjoy The Hallmark Christmas Movie Book Tag!
1. Leaving the big city and heading back to small town life: Name a book that takes place in two or more different locations?
One of the best books I read this year, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang largely takes place in two different locations. First is the academy in which Rin trains for years, Sinegard. Second is Khurdalain, where much of the book is spent defending the war front. There are other settings throughout the story, but these are the two that stick out to me as a reader because the characters spend the most time there.
Now that I have brought this book up, I just want to recommend it to anyone and everyone reading this post. If you haven’t read The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang… read it! I was intimidated by the size when I first saw it (a lot of pages, small text), but it goes by in a breeze. The writing is incredible, the characters are real, and the plot is energetic. I highly recommend it!
You can check out my full review of this book here!
2. Christmas is my whole personality: Name a character who makes their hobby/interest take over the entire story
Eliza’s art and comic creation in Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia are the base of this entire book. In this novel, Eliza is the anonymous creator of an incredibly popular online comic called Monsterous Sea. This is how the character spends all her time, and a lot of the problems that come up throughout it story are caused by this webcomic.
This was another top read for me this year! If you would like to read my full review of Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia, click here!
3. The main character has a relentless boss and must work on Christmas Eve: Name a book that made you want to read right through a holiday?
Having picked up this book on a whim because it was available at my local library, I was not expecting how much I was going to love One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus. This book was full of so many twists and turns, I was not expecting anything that was coming. McManus knows how to write a mystery novel, and the sequel to this book, One of Us is Next was just as exciting.
I did not want to put this book down! To read my full review of this book, click here!
4. The main character is already in a relationship at the beginning of the movie, but their partner is uncaring and cold: Name a fictional relationship you don’t think would work in real life?
Now, this one I can’t really explain in words, but I just get the feeling… the vibe… that Addie and Henry from The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab would not last in real life. I don’t know, maybe I didn’t feel any chemistry between them but I just wasn’t excited about their relationship. I think the only reason they are together is convenience.
5. Things don’t go exactly as planned for the main character: Name a book where the plot twist actually surprised you?
Of all the things I thought were going to happen while I was reading Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, what actually happened threw me completely off. I was not expecting the ending to this book whatsoever. There is this big debate over Riley Sager’s books right now on Tik Tok, but for me, Sager knows how to write a good horror novel. I was certainly surprised at the end of this novel.
But maybe I am just an easy reader. You can shock me with pretty much anything, I don’t pay that much attention to what I am reading.
6. Miscommunication leads to a break-up: Name a book where an overused trope is done well?
You know, that classic trope in royal stories… “I’m not in love with the person my parents picked, I am in love with this commoner I have known my whole life.” It is probably in every single royalty-based story out there and American Royals by Katharine McGee is no different. Except with this book, I wasn’t rolling my eyes as much!
I am planning on reading the sequel to this American Royals this month! I can’t wait to see where this story ends up.
7. Turns out, the main character is in love with their childhood crush: Name a book that made you rediscover/discover your love for a specific genre
This was more of a discovery than a rediscovery, but The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern is the reason I call dark academia one of my favorite genres. This book was so cozy, fantastical, and adventurous.
Erin Morgenstern is one of my favorite writers of all time, so anything they write will be a favorite. I am just sitting here waiting for another book!
8. The main character discovers secrets about their family that their parents were keeping from them: Name a book where secrets played a huge roll in the plot?
I only started reading mystery novels this past year, but secrets have a lot to do with each and every mystery novel I have read. This is especially true with The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. The plot of this story would not exist if Owen hadn’t kept so many secrets from the main character, Hannah, who was essentially in the dark about a huge chunk of her husband’s life.
You can check out my full review of this book here!
9. There is a little bit of magic in the town of (insert generic small town name): Name a fictional setting you wish you could magically visit?
Ignoring all the evil beings and scary events that took place in this book, I would love to be magically transported to the inn in Havenfall by Sara Holland. There is something so comforting and cozy, reading about an inn. The big hearth with a roaring fire within. The cozy chairs in front of it, perfect for reading a good book. Heaven! Bonus, Havenfall was a place where magical beings can come and be themselves without fear of being caught my mortals! How fun!
I wasn’t too excited about this book, but it was alright! It ended up being a solid three-star read for me.
10. It wouldn’t be a romance story without a “happily ever after”: Name a book you wish has a “happily ever after” ending
The ending of The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo wasn’t exactly SAD sad, but it was definitely unfinished. I felt incomplete. And I know a sequel is on its way, but for now, I just feel empty. I just wanted all these characters to find joy and happiness. And I want Darlington to have a happy ending as well! Please?
But then again, the saddest books are my favorite books so… would this still be one of my favorites if it had a “happily ever after” ending?
I’ll be honest, I was watching a Hallmark Christmas Movie the entire time I was creating The Hallmark Christmas Movie Book Tag. It was way too fitting not to!
Because of all the Hallmark movies I have been watching, I have even thought about adding some romance to my December TBR! Grabbing one of those mass-marketed paperbacks of a Christmas romance! I think it could be fun. But only for a little while, I do love my fantasy and adventure novels!
I would love to read your answers if you choose to complete The Hallmark Christmas Movie Book Tag! Comment below if you do and I will check it out!
Thanks for reading!
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I love this tag. I might give it a go later today if I have time.
Yay! Looking forward to seeing your answers! I had so much fun creating this tag!