Happy Barbie Day Bibliofriends!
Whilst trying to come up with a monthly outline for my blog posts, I discovered that March 9th is Barbie Day owing to the fact that on this day in 1959, Barbie made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York! Fast forward 65 years and Barbie now has a major cult following and an Oscar nominated film to her name. I was originally going to today as a prompt to pick out my favourite pink book covers on my bookshelves, but then I came across this Barbie Book Tag on the Buzzy Book Blog and I just had to have a go – you know how much I love a good tag!
Barbie is everything: the most amazing protagonist you’ve ever read?
It is so hard to pick just one from the whole ream of amazing protagonists that I’ve ever read… this was by far the most difficult prompt selection. However, without inciting too much violence, if you pointed a you-know-what at my head the first protagonist I would be screaming out would be Aelin Ashryver Galathynius from the Throne of Glass series – hands down. It’s no secret that I adore these books and I love every single fibre of this character’s existence! The journey that she goes on is immensely epic!
This Barbie is a mermaid: a book with magical creatures?
Last year, one of my school pupils brought Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell into the classroom. The bestiary of magical creatures transported me right back into that childish sense of wonderland that I had to get myself a copy. It was really enjoyable to be surrounded by Sphinxes, Griffins, Ratatoskas, Krakens and even more magical creatures. The illustrations were also divine so this would have to be my pick!
This Barbie is a doctor/lawyer/diplomat: a book with a female protagonist that takes place in a work environment?
I am currently reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and it feels like the perfect pick for this. It’s not exactly your traditional office-based tale, however the references to the working world of the publishing industry make it feel like it fits this prompt well.
This Barbie is a celebrated author: a book by your favourite author?
Again, I don’t have one particular favourite author, however Carlos Ruiz Zafôn ranks incredibly high on my list! His tale Marina is a deliciously gothic and macabre YA story about a mysterious shrouded woman encountered in a graveyard.
This is Midge: a book about motherhood?
I saw Ruth Jones (Nessa of Gavin and Stacey fame) at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in 2023 and although contemporary fiction – especially one so outwardly ‘woman-centered’ – isn’t really my cup of tea, Ruth Jones absolutely sold me on this book. The fact she narrates the audiobook was what really swung me into the Audible purchase to be honest. Love Untold centres around the narratives of four generations of women within the same family. It is a tale filled with love, humour, compassion and about the ultimate bond between mothers and daughters. I loved it so much I gave it 5 stars!
There’s only one Alan: a book with friends to lovers?
Every time I have the friends to lovers prompt, there’s only ever one book on my mind – and that is You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry. It has such a special and poignant significance in my heart!
He’s just Ken: a book with a trash boy
If I’m being perfectly honest, I’m not entirely sure on the actual meaning of a trash boy – however I choosing Damian Venturi from Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb. His was a character that I could not warm to in the slightest. It wasn’t that he had any majorly negative traits or off-putting qualities. He wasn’t a villain, he wasn’t exactly a hero either – he just made me feel a little… indifferent?!
If tags are your thing, then consider yourself tagged and have a go yourself! Don’t forget to share your links below so I can visit and see your prompt selections! No I’m off to celebrate Barbie Day by rewatching the movie! As always, drop me a comment to chat!
T xx
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