March is about to draw to a close and I still haven’t done one book tag. It was part of my New Year’s resolution to publish at least one book tag per month. For March, I have picked the Easter Book Tag. This is also to align with this week’s celebration; the Christian world is observing Holy Week which will conclude with Easter Sunday (yes, Easter Egg Hunts) tomorrow. I can’t recall having ever done this book tag so this should be interesting. The Easter Book Tag, by the way, was created by book vlogger Rosie the Reader.

Without more ado, here’s my version of the Easter Book Tag. Happy weekend and happy reading!

RABBITS – A book that you wish would multiply (a book you wish had a sequel)

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

There are several standalone books I want to have sequels. However, my mind is blank and the only title that comes to mind is the Booker of Bookers, Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children. I loved the book when I read it over six years ago and I still love it despite the passage of time. I do, however, hope that I can get to meet Saleem Sinai again.

EGG – A book that surprised you

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

When I first encountered The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois back in 2021, it was through positive feedback from literary pundits and book lovers alike. Nevertheless, I was still a little ambivalent about the book. This did not stop me from wanting to know what the book had in store. This finally materialized this year. Lo and behold. I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I was riveted from the onset. It is, easily, one of my favorite reads of the year.

HUNT – A book that was hard for you to get your hands on

Sugar Street by Naguib Mahfouz

Back in 2015 (or 2016, I can’t really remember) when I obtained a copy of Nobel Laureate in Literature Naguib Mahfouz’s Palace Walk. I was about to read it when I learned that it was part of a trilogy, the Egyptian writer’s renowned Cairo Trilogy. As such, I had to push back reading the book until I completed all three books of the trilogy. In 2021, I was finally able to obtain a copy of the last book of the trilogy, Sugar Street, after years of searching for it. Over a year later, I read the first book of the trilogy and last year, I was able to finish reading the last two books in the trilogy.

LAMBS – A children’s book that you still enjoy

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I will never stop talking about how much I love Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. It has been nearly one and a half decades since I read the book but its message still resonates with me. It is a book that I recommend because although it is marketed as a children’s book, the messages it carries are messages adults can relate to.

SPRING – A book with a cover that makes you think of spring

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Spring reminds me of flowers and vibrancy, both of which are exemplified in the cover of Ann Patchett’s latest novel, Tom Lake.

JESUS – A religious or spiritual book that you love

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

I am not really a fan of religious or spiritual books. Meditative, yes, but nothing very religious. With that being said, I opted to feature a book that explores religion of which I have read some. Among these books is Jonathan Franzen’s latest novel, Crossroads.

RISING FROM THE DEAD – A book by a deceased author

Ulysses by James Joyce

With a reputation that precedes it, James Joyce’s (1882 – 194) Ulysses is easily one of the most recognizable, and also most controversial titles in modern literature. The reason I am featuring it here is because it is the 1,000th novel I read and the 500th book I reviewed. It is also one of the most complex and challenging books I read, all time. Nevertheless, it was a memorable experience and it was a pleasure immersing myself in the world of Joyce’s fiction.

BASKETS – A book that is in your Amazon cart or wish list right now

The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

I have already read an abridged version of Lady Murasaki’s The Tale of Genji, widely regarded as the first if not one of the first novels published in history. There are several translations of the book – each with a different strength – but Royall Tyler’s comes in as highly recommended because it preserves the essence of the original text.

CANDY – A book that is sweet

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

I wouldn’t say that Hwang Bo-Reum’s debut novel, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is sweet; it tackles real-life subjects such as career burnout and societal expectations. However, there is something leisurely and perhaps even sweet in pursuing something that one is passionate about, learning its nitty gritty, and learning more about it to succeed.