Today is my birthday! Last year, I celebrated by completing The Birthday Book Tag after seeing it on Celeste’s blog. It was so much fun that I’m hoping to make it an annual tradition.

The Birthday Book Tag was created by Antonia at Always Books, and it provides birthday-related prompts to complete with a book recommendation that fulfills it. Without further ado, here we go!

Birthday Cake

A book with a plot that seems cliché but you adore it anyway

To be clear, I really loved SUNRISE ON THE REAPING and getting to experience Haymitch’s story first-hand. It had some unique elements and explored some timely and important themes. However, the competition aspect of The Hunger Games is a trope that’s been done to death even if it is one that I love reading. This specific series alone has done four different iterations of it. So, I feel like it’s a good fit for this prompt.

Party Guests

Your most anticipated book release for this year

My list of anticipated releases for this year is staggering, but THE LAST CONTRACT OF ISAKO was the first book that came to mind for this prompt. I’m always going to go nuts for new Fonda Lee. 😊

Birthday Presents

A book that surprised you with how much you loved it

CINDER HOUSE was a pleasant surprise. I usually enjoy Marske’s work, but I was skeptical about a Cinderella retelling, especially a novella. The spin on this story really made it unique, though, and I ended up really loving it.

“Happy Birthday” Song

A book that certainly deserved all the hype it got

HEATED RIVALRY has received so much hype recently because of the release of the TV adaptation. So, I decided to start reading the series. Thankfully, the hype is deserved. I’m on book four right now, and they’ve all been great so far.

Happy Music

A book with some very beautiful and truly memorable quotes

I’m still terrible at keeping track of quotes. lol. However, I do remember that KATABASIS had a lot to chew on while reading it. I think that I even highlighted and annotated some stuff in my copy, which I almost never do. Also, yes. I am too lazy to go pull out the copy to provide some quotes here. 🤣

Getting Older

A book that you read a long time ago, but you think you would appreciate more if you read it as a more mature reader

I read THE LORD OF THE RINGS back when I was in middle school. I loved it then, but I’m sure that I’d probably get more out of it now. It’s a pretty dense read, and I’d like to think my adult brain would pick up on things that young me did not. Maybe I’ll do a re-read soon?

Sweet Birthday Memories

A book that kept you incredibly happy during a sad or demanding period of your life

THE GOOD VAMPIRE’S GUIDE TO BLOOD & BOYFRIENDS was so hilarious and entertaining. If you are looking for a pick me up during a rough time, this book might just do the trick.

Well. That’s it for The Birthday Book Tag. I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve loved putting it together. I’ll be spending the rest of my birthday curled up with STRANGE ANIMALS by Jarod K. Anderson. I’m also impatiently waiting for my birthday king cake to come in the mail straight from Lafayette, LA. You can take the boy out of Louisiana, but you’ll have to pry my king cake from my cold, dead fingers. 🤣 As always, happy reading!