Bookish tags are one of my guilty pleasures, and I’ve always found it impossible to resist their lure: in this particular case, instead of finding an intriguing challenge while browsing, I’ve been directly tagged by fellow blogger Lynn: how could I resist such an invitation? 😉
So here it goes – let’s start with the questions!
Exercise more : This is a book that is a real chunkster, in fact you will need help to even pick this book up:
BOOKBURNERS – Volume 1 (Various Authors)
From the first time I’ve seen the synopsis for this collection of stories from various authors I’ve been curious to read it: a series of novels about a Vatican-backed black-ops anti-magic squad, defined as a cross between Supernatural and The Da Vinci Code, does sound like a good premise, doesn’t it? What kept me from starting it, so far, has been the page count which amounts to 700, give or take a few, and that always made me think twice before committing. But maybe 2022 will be the year I finally take the plunge…
Lose weight : A book that is not a chunkster; a short story or novella. A book you could probably read in one sitting:
PENRIC AND THE SHAMAN (Penric and Desdemona #2), by Lois McMaster Bujold
I’ve read only the first novella in this series by one of my favorite authors (probably I mentioned her Vorkosigan Saga once of twice in recent times… 😀 ), but never moved beyond that: it’s high time I do something about it, before Miles sends some ImpSec operatives after me!
Eat healthy : A book that is good for you. This is a book that made you feel so happy that you wanted to give it a big hug:
THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET (Wayfarers #1), by Becky Chambers
It’s no mystery that I prefer stories where conflicts spice up the plot, but now and then we all need a breath of fresh air, a ray of hope – particularly when troubled times are upon us – and the first Wayfarers novel from Becky Chambers provided exactly that, a sense of family and deep caring for each other that made the crew of the titular ship and their interactions a real joy to behold.
Fulfill your ambitions : A book that has a lot going on. Plenty of different threads, points of views and action but everything eventually comes together in a very satisfactory fashion:
THE ILLUMINAE FILES trilogy, by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
This space opera series combines a great number of intriguing elements: nasty corporations that don’t flinch at genocide to further their goals; a ship filled with refugees on the run for their lives; a very advanced A.I. whose decisions can have horrible consequences and whose personality is a mix of high intelligence and childish naiveté; and a group of young protagonists whose courage and inventiveness made me change my attitude toward YA characters. And much, much more – all combined into an electrifying story…
Spend more time with the family : A series of books that you love and that has developed more than you ever anticipated:
THE EXPANSE, by James S.A. Corey
I stumbled on the first volume of this series, Leviathan Wakes, by accident and now, some 10 years later, this amazing space opera saga reached its end with book 9: this is one of the cases in which I’ve waited with increasing expectations the publishing of each new book, while the crew of the Rocinante transformed from “mere” characters into people I perceived as real and three-dimensional. And now that the TV show inspired by the series has also reached its final season, I know I will miss this story and and its protagonists, but I also know it’s been a fantastic journey.
Tick off an item from your bucket list : Reduce the tbr. Choose a book from Mount TBR that you would like to read this year:
Not one, but rather two:
RUIN and WRATH, books #3 and #4 in John Gwynne’s The Faithful and the Fallen


I discovered John Gwynne’s works through the first volume of his second saga Of Blood and Bone, and after enjoying it immensely I decided to backtrack to his previous series, The Faithful and the Fallen, but there has been a long hiatus between the second book and the next one in line – my fault, I am far too easily distracted! – and I need to complete the task because there is a new series out and it deserves my undivided attention.
Save money : A book that was an absolute bargain – you would have to be crazy in fact not to have bought this book:
To be truthful, I cannot think of any book to mention since to me books don’t represent an expense, but rather an investment – and one whose value often increases with time…
Get Organised : A book with a glossary, maps, useful words, lists of people – this book is one helpful book, it wants you to know ALL the things and it’s not afraid to use footnotes and other devices to help you do so:
The best example would (of course!) be Tolkien’s THE LORD of THE RINGS – one book to rule them all…
Enough said 😉
Start a new hobby : A book that is outside your comfort zone. Perhaps everyone was raving about this book, maybe it was over-hyped, you hesitated to pick it up in fact, but when you did – you loved it:
BECOMING SUPERMAN, by J.M. Strackzynski
As I wrote in my review, I rarely read biographies, but I was intrigued by this one because of my admiration for the writing skills of the author, the creator of the SF series Babylon 5 (for me, the best EVER) and wanted to know more about him: what I discovered was the tale of a terrible childhood and the way in which stories and imagination kept JMS sane throughout it all, turning him into one of the best creative minds I ever encountered.
What are your good intentions for 2022? Don’t be shy, let us know! 😉
I love this tag! I think I was tagged by Lynn too, so I should sit down and figure out my answers. Which shouldn’t be too hard 😁
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Lining up good intentions is very easy, what’s hard is the follow-up process: with books it’s easy to get distracted by other “shinies”…. 😉
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This feels like a workout of a tag!
and I’m hungry now too. Where’s my pizza?
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I think there’s one in my freezer: just let me check… 😀 😀
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Oh what fun! Right now I don’t have the energy to sift through my reading logs to figure out my answers – but I hear you regarding The Expanse. I read the first two books ages ago – but then simply didn’t continue with it as it seemed very bleak. It’s one of the series I’ve promised myself that I’ll try again once I’ve recovered:)).
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When I tried to steer a couple of friends toward the TV version of The Expanse they reacted the same way: they spoke of the underlying bleakness of the story. And of course that’s one of the elements, but (IMHO) it’s not the main one: what I love to focus on is the found family aspect of the Rocinante’s crew and the other amazing characters that are introduced along the way. But I’m also aware that I’m just a tiny bit biased toward this series… 😉
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I saw Lynn’s original post and it’s a great tag, I will try to do it before it’s too late, I don’t want to have to wait one year to do it! 😛
“To be truthful, I cannot think of any book to mention since to me books don’t represent an expense, but rather an investment – and one whose value often increases with time…” what a beautiful way to put it!! 😀
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Thanks! It’s also a way for me not to feel guilty about the money I spend on books… 😀 😀 😀
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I love your answers and so happy to see you take part. Of course, Tolkien – I very nearly used the same answer but decided to step out of character for a moment or two.
I’ve not gone back to the earlier Gwynne books and thought that maybe I wouldn’t – but – I have returned to the earlier Abercrombie books so never say never.
Lynn 😀
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Never say never indeed! With Abercrombie I read only Best Served Cold many, many years ago and then nothing else: once again I have to thank the blogging community for my renewed interest in this author so… there might certainly be some more Gwynne in your future! 🙂
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This is a lovely tag! And your selection of books is, as always, interesting!! 😍
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Then my job is done! 😉
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Great answers!
Illuminae gets moved on and off my tbr list so often – it sounds really good, and I like the way it’s told through lots of different documents, but then I think it’s probably too good to be true … 😂
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If it’s any help, I’m usually wary of YA characters because of the unavoidable tropes they bring about, but with the Illuminae series I just *loved* the youngsters portrayed in the story and rooted for them from start to finish 🙂
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That is a big help. There is an element of suspicion in my reluctance to pick it up – because of the whole YA thing. But if they’re good characters as you say – then maybe it’s time I finally read it! 😆
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I look forward to your take on it, but I’m sure you will love it 🙂
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I trust your judgement in this! 😃
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