Since 2019, I made it a resolve to do at least one book tag per month. Whilst browsing me fellow book blogger’s pages, I came across Ancient History Book tag which was originally created by Books Michelle. Perfect timing! History has always been an object of fascination to me. It was also my favorite subject when I was still studying. So here goes my version of this very interesting book tag.
The Stone Age: one of the first books you remember reading.
Before I began my journey into the world of fiction, I’ve been an avid reader of magazines, encyclopedias and other media. In terms of reading fiction, my first literary work is Mary Higgins Clark’s Before I Say Goodbye. Back then, I had no interest in reading and I just read it because we were required to submit a book review. It happens to be my first ever book review as well. This was about 15 years ago.
Ancient Greece: your favorite myth-inspired book (doesn’t have to be Greek mythology), or retelling.
Circe was my first Madeline Miller as I have been ambivalent on whether I should read Song of Achilles or not. However, after reading Circe, I knew I have to dip more into Miller’s body of art. I loved everything about the book, especially how Miller treated Circe. She gave a different peek into her character. Yes, she is Circe the enchantress but she is also Circe the woman, and above all, Circe the mother.
The Roman Empire: a book featuring an impressive empire or kingdom.
What a coincidence! My high school research paper was about the Rise and Fall of Empires. Unfortunately, I haven’t read much fiction about empires or kingdoms so I am naming the one that I think is closest to the description – Ken Follett’s masterpiece, The Pillars of the Earth.
The Middle Ages, (or the Dark Ages): a book that is an absolute bummer.
I had so much hopes for this one as I was one of those who were entranced by Lang Leav’s poetry. I thought that she’d successfully cross the line from being a poet to a novelist. Sadly it is not the case. Everything about Sad Girls is literally sad – the characters, their development, the story itself and the writing. There is nothing much to be gained from it.
The Renaissance: a book that you’ve learned a lot from, or that made you think.
Nobel Laureate in Literature Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude was, admittedly, one of my most challenging reads. The imaginative and surrealistic writing, the vivid and diverse characters were so overwhelming. But if there is one good thing I gained from the experience – I learned about the ins and outs of the world of magical realism. It made me appreciate the different artistic views in literature, that it is not as simple as one thinks it is. It has curves. It has contours. It has different shapes and colors that make it all the more interesting.
The Industrial Revolution: a book featuring an invention or concept that you would love to have in your own life.
JK Rowling’s magical masterpiece, the Harry Potter series, is a perfect shoo-in for this question but, as always, I want to give an unusual answer so I am choosing Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife. Although the story is actually a sad one, I think the idea of time traveling is cool. Or not really. Nonetheless, who has never dreamt of time traveling?
World War I & II: your favorite historical fiction book about the World Wars (or if you don’t have one, your favorite historical fiction book in general).
With a whole phalanx of historical fiction to my name, I think this one is the most difficult question to answer. Of all the literary genres, bar mystery fiction, historical fiction is my most read genre, especially in the past four years. World War II was the most recurring theme and of all these books, Dasa Drndic’s Trieste just stands out. It was the most memorable as well.
Present day: a book everybody should read in present day according to you.
I don’t know. I am uncertain on how to answer this question so I picked my most recent favorite read. But it is not without any reason. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a heartwarming tale. It teaches us to be kind and loving, even in a world that is getting treacherous. The kindness and love we show the world will always be repaid, maybe not in the form we expect to be but the laws of Karma will ensure that from your goodness a wealth of positive energy will flow.
And…
I tag everyone who loves history and everyone who is interested in doing their own version.
Happy reading everyone!
The Pine-Scented Chronicles 
It’s a fun Book Tag. I have too many unwritten billets about books to do this one but it’s tempting.
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Hi there! Interesting to see your picks. I am definitely putting The Time Travelers Wife on my TBR list.
Here’s my post: https://matfiction.home.blog/2020/07/02/book-tag-ancient-history/
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