The Meaning of Colour Book Tag

The pile of work to do has become so big that I can’t even look at my computer without freaking out, but I really want to be lazy today. Procrastinating is fun, after all. So, instead of being reasonable, I decided to look around for nice book tags. When I found this one on Lynn’s Book Blog, I knew it’d be challenging enough to keep me entertained for a long time.

Here’s my take on The Meaning of Colour Book Tag, a selection of some of my favorite novels.

RED – The colour of Passion (love and hate) – could be a book filled with love and hate or a book that inspires one of those emotions in you

Okay. The book I’ve picked for this one is incredibly sad. I know, it might seem counterintuitive, but trust me when I say this story is so full of love it will make you heart melt. Oh, it will also make you cry, a lot. I’m talking about History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera.

ORANGE – warm and uplifting – a feelgood book

Yes, I realize we might have a different definition of warm and uplifting, but Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is so surreal! It cracks me up every time I read it. This is such a fun and entertaining book, I think everyone should read it at least once in their life.

YELLOW – Fun and Joy – put a smile on your face

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is another YA book, I know, but listen to me. Simon and Blue are A-DOR-A-BLE together. The Harry Potter references make me happy, and all the banter in this book is just too.freaking.cute.

GREEN – Harmony and Health – a book so good it made you feel in perfect harmony

I’ve spent at least a couple of hours staring at this definition. Books that make you feel happy are not exactly my thing, so I was about to give up and move to the next when this idea stroke me. Charles M. Shultz‘s Peanuts have been (one of) my (many) obsession(s) since I was a little kid and they never fail to bring a smile to my face.

TURQUOISE – Calm clarity – a book that made all the cogs of your brain work together to create a clear vision

Reading this one felt like watching an episode of Veronica Mars, one of my favorite TV shows as a young adult. The plot? Five students end up in detention. One of them dies, the other four claim their innocence. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a brilliant novel with one of those I-would-have-never-guessed-it endings that will leave you open-mouthed.

BLUE – Peaceful – so easy to read that the pages turn themselves

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio was one of my favorite reads of 2018. I still remember being beyond desperate to know the ending. The characters were intriguing, and let’s be frank, a college where everything’s about Shakespeare? I wanted to visit, if only vicariously.

PURPLE – Imagination – no explanation necessary for this one. Something that is super creative or maybe unique

When I moved in with my father, I took the habit of stealing random books from his office. I’d read them and then put them back unnoticed all the time. Problem was, most of them were not age appropriate: I was 13 when I read Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh for the first time and, shock aside, even at that young age I could sense it was one-of-a-kind.

PINK – Kind and Comforting – a comfort read, something you can fall back on and know you will love

While I wouldn’t define this novel comforting, I do enjoy rereading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes every now and then. Both fascinating and depressing, this is a journey through the human brain and the feelings linked to being neurodivergent. I recognize this could easily be considered an ableist tale, but it is my favorite book of all times nevertheless.

BROWN – Dependable – an author or series that you love

Have I ever mentioned how much I love The Hollows? Yes, you say? Well, Kim Harrison managed to keep me glued to all the 13 books –which I read in one week while my family cursed at me for not giving them attention– despite a character I hated and a major death in book 5. Rachel Morgan is cool, and Al the demon is my favorite character ever.

BLACK – Powerful and Sophisticated. A book that is stylish, polished, clever and packs a punch

I usually avoid historical novels like the plague, but then I stumbled upon The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey and everything changed. This story is so bittersweet that I spent half of my reading time crying. What I got from this novel? Following your heart might take a lot of courage, but not following it will lead to heartbreak.

GRAY – Compromise and Control – use your own definition for this one

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is disgusting. Why did I like it? First of all, the original title means Men who Hate Women, and this is exactly what this story is about. And it is raw and brutal. Second, representation. Lisbeth Salander has Asperger’s syndrome, and while there’s been a lot of complaints regarding her characterization, it’s always great to read badass aspie characters.

WHITE – Purity and Innocence – a children’s book that you loved or a book about the loss of innocence.

How many times have I read this book to my son when he was a sweet, curious toddler? So many that I still know every rhyme after more than three years. Room on the Broom is my favorite children’s book ever.