Around the World Book Tag! I wish I could actually travel the world like I do with the books I read, but sadly I’m stuck here. Even so, I’ve done quite a bit of traveling through my books and thanks to Nicolette over at A Little Bookish, A Little Writerly, who tagged me for this, I can share with you some of my favorite novels that take place across the world!
Japan
While ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ by Arthur Golden may be a work of historical fiction, I can’t help but be fascinated and mesmerized by the culture and lifestyle he creates for Japan in his novel. In this story, a woman recounts her life as a Geisha in Japan. A memoir doesn’t have to be true, or culturally correct, to be intriguing, which is exactly what this book does. It created a world of its own that enraptured me.
Ancient Egypt
‘Nefertiti’ is another historical fiction novel based in ancient Egypt about a young girl who becomes the sister of the ruler of Egypt when her sister marries into the royal family. As a result, she’s wrapped up in the world of politics. Even as she longs to protect and support her sister, she wants a quiet life away from the chaos and the games. If only it were that easy.
France
Another historical fiction novel, (because I was on a binge a few years back :p), starts in Italy, but quickly moves to France as Catherine de Medici is married to the King of France. There she quickly turns to dark magic to help secure her place as Queen of France, but at what cost? This was a gorgeous and conniving recount of Catherine de Medici’s life from a young girl to reigning Queen.
England
Now we have a far more familiar tale that’s perfect for this time of year because it’s about Christmas and the spirit of the holidays: A Christmas Carol. As a classic, many are familiar with this tale in one form or another. I know many forms and I love them all. They are great for the holidays and remembering what Christmas is truly about, plus it’s just such a great tale that it’s hard to resist.
Italy
Arguably the most well-known story in the world is ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare, which takes place in Italy. Rich in culture, dialect, faux pas, and humor that only those who understand Old English will get, this is such a good story. It took me quite some time to truly appreciate the wonders of this book, since it’s quite ridiculous to readers nowadays. Even so, it’s a classic, and a good story at that. Plus you never know when you’ll want to throw an Old English insult out or quote a monologue for the heck of it. ^.^
Narnia
Alright, y’all should’ve seen this one coming. ^.^ We travel not only across the world in books, but across universes and one of my ultimate favorites from a time long ago when I was but a child (or teenager. I don’t even know anymore,) I read The Chronicles of Narnia. The world enraptured me. It was such a unique story (all of them, not just The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.) In fact, there was this cul-de-sac when driving into my old neighborhood that was covered in pine trees and right, smack dab in the middle of the trees was a single lamppost. It was like my own little piece of Narnia. (It looked just like it in winter, too!)
Neverland
My next favorite bookish world is definitely Neverland! I mean, who wouldn’t want to never grow up, never have responsibilities, fight pirates, and just play games all day? That sounds like an awesome time to me! Only my imagination and happy thoughts are my boundary and the only thing required is a sprinkle of pixie dust. That’s what I’m talking about!
Nominees
1) Charley @ Books and Bakes
2) Kate @ Bookish with Me
3) Aimal @ Bookshelves & Paperbacks
4) Keri @ Never Enough Books
5) Samer @ Book Bubble Bee
Have you visited any of these places in real life or bookish form? Which one is your favorite?
Melanie Noell Bernard 
I loved this!! Your choices are so diverse it’s excellent! I wish I read more widely! (I saw that but the second I reach for a book that’s not YA I spontaneously combust, haha). Actually, that’s one of my resolutions for next year, (I just decided this right now so I need to write this down or both of us need to remember it) I want to read more widely/diversely next year.
Narnia totally counts, I binge read the whole series as a child from my library and a bookworm was born. LOL!
Also, sidenote, if you want people to be notified of your tags, link to their about page. If you have it set in your settings to notify others when you link (which you do because I get notified whenever you link to a page of mine) then the other person gets a notification in their updates bar. Otherwise, they have no clue that you’ve linked to them. It has to link to a page though, that’s the caveat. So linking to the about is the best bet.
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I know they don’t know. It’s why I tweet everyone. ^.^ Did you get a notify for the about page? I never know.
Oh man! RIGHT?! I totally need yo branch out more. This one genre stuff is gonna wear me out someday. I’ll be so sick of it!
(Haha! I had no idea this was a YA tag until after. :p) I’ll hold you to that resolution. You can use it in your post for my blog. ^.^
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I did get a notification! I get notifications if someone links to my about page or any of my posts. For whatever reason, it has to be a page that is being linked. Otherwise, wordpress people don’t get the notifications. IDK why.
I didn’t know it was a YA tag either, I just always read YA. LOL.
YES!! You WILL hold me to it, which is why I said it here and so you could remind me about it for when I write that post for you! ^.^
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That ia awfully strange and I’ve noticed the same thing. I suppose I can do that, but tweeting has worked so far, too. ^.^
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I tweet also, especially to the people I know who don’t have wordpress. (I wish everyone just had a wordpress though, make life so much easier, linking would be easier etc.) But whatevs, lol.
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I totally hear you on that one. Following blogs would be easier too.
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Yes! Lol!
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