The Nutcracker Book Tag

Because I’m in the middle of work and life stuff and don’t have other posts ready, I’m going to take the opportunity to do this fun new book tag by Becca @ Words and Other Malarky. I love me some Barbie and the Nutcracker. And it brings back fond memories of the magical night in 2017 when I went with all my siblings to see the ballet performed.

1. Obviously, The Nutcracker takes place on Christmas Eve. Choose a book that takes place during Christmastime or that gives you those magical yuletide vibes! // I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

2. In the ballet, an epic battle takes place between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Choose a book that has great action and/or adventure! // Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini

3. The Nutcracker wouldn’t be the same without Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Choose a book that involves music, musicians, or dancers! // The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

4. The ballet changes locations when Clara and the Nutcracker travel from her bedroom to the magical Land of Sweets. Choose a book that transports the characters to a magical or unfamiliar realm! (Think portal fantasy, though not exclusively!) // Reckless, also released as Reckless 1: The Petrified Flesh, by Cornelia Funke

5. Upon arrival in the Land of Sweets, their first destination is an enchanted snowy forest. Choose a book that has a snowy, wintry atmosphere! // Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

6. Clara and the Nutcracker present themselves before the court of the Land of Sweets. Choose a book that involves a royal court setting or that follows royal characters! // The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whelan Turner

7. One of the most memorable parts of the ballet are the series of dances representing different countries (Spain, Arabia, China, Russia, etc.) Choose a book that takes place in a country far away from your own! // The Brothers Karamazov by Fydor Dostoyevsky

8. However, most people know these dances by the various treats they represent (Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, Peppermint, etc!) Choose a book that involves food, baking, or cooking! // Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

9. At the end of the ballet, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince dance an achingly romantic pas de deux. Choose a book that has a beautiful, slow-burn romance! // The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

And that’s all for me! Check out Words and Other Malarky’s original post and try the tag to get into the seasonal sprit!