The Enola Holmes Book Tag

That’s right, folks – you’re in for another book tag! And quite a fun one, in my opinion. Many thanks to Leah of Big, Bad & Bookish for tagging me for the Enola Holmes Book Tag! Leah’s blog is always a fun place to hang out, so I hope you’ll go explore for yourself. I’ll confess, I have not watched the Enola Holmes movie yet, but… I haven’t watched a lot of movies from recent years, so that really shouldn’t surprise anyone! Thankfully, the tag’s questions don’t require intimate knowledge of its inspiration.

The Rules:

1. List the rules and the prompts of the tag in your post
2. Thank the person who tagged you and pingback to their post
3. Give credits to the creator of the tag, Bellerose Reads, and pingback to her post
4. Tag at least 5 people to do the tag

And now that that’s done, let’s dive in, shall we?

ENOLA HOLMES: An independent and smart female protagonist

Right off the bat, I’m having a hard time choosing – there are so many great choices! But one who immediately comes to mind (because I just read the book) is Fatma from A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark. I really enjoy how bold and competent she is – without being unrealistically perfect. Seeing her struggle with her blind spots and inherent biases in relation to the other women around her (and their differing ideas about religion, gender identity, etc.) was fascinating and also just really refreshing. I feel like we don’t spend enough time exploring intersectionality in books, especially in terms of women and intersectionality – at least, not in a way that isn’t heavy-handed and disheartening. So, if anyone has more recommendations for books that dive into that and do it well, please let me know!

SHERLOCK HOLMES: Your favorite mystery/thriller book

For today, I think my answer is The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. It’s smart, funny, and, in an age when cynicism is lauded, wonderfully compassionate and kind. But as far as classics go, I’d say The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, which is an early mystery novel and has one of my favorite female characters from 19th century literature, Marian Holcombe.

EUDORIA HOLMES: A character that defies the rules of their society

Aunt Dottie from Anne Gracie’s “Marriage of Convenience” series! She’s an unapologetic “spinster” who lives life to the fullest and on her own terms. Her defiance might be subtle (and sometimes even hidden), but it’s there, and you’ve gotta admire her for not bending to the expectations of others. Plus, she’s funny, kind, and just wonderful. My latest role model!

MYCROFT HOLMES: The most annoying character you know

Almost anyone from Amanda Bouchet’s “Kingmaker Chronicles” but especially the heroine, Cat. You know the brother who decided she was the cause of all their trouble and tried to kill her? HE WAS RIGHT. I don’t remember his name, but justice for him, the one sane character in that whole mess.

LORD TEWKSBURY: A character you want to protect at all costs

I don’t even know how to pick just one. I mean, you know I get emotional over books, so…. *gestures to vast pantheon on fictional favorites*

INSPECTOR LESTRADE: A loyal side character

My girl Maeve Smith, from Victoria Thompson’s “Gaslight Mystery” series! Maeve is smart, tough, and unflinchingly loyal to her friends. And you know I love a woman of hidden talents. 😉

MISS HARRISON: A book that aged like milk

So, I don’t know how well it was received at the time it came out, but Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins can only get worse with age.

LINTHORN: A character you hated from the very beginning

The Count from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins!! Gah! Just thinking about him makes my skin crawl. *shudder*

EDITH: Your favorite book with Black rep

Well, I’ve talked about Talia Hibbert’s “Brown Sisters” series recently, so that, of course, but also anything by Alyssa Cole. And I just started Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson, which promises to be very good. Going a little further back in time, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is an all-time favorite. Truly, one of the most beautiful books about resilience, self-worth, and black womanhood. For nonfiction, I love Elizabeth Alexander’s The Light of the World: A Memoir, which is a moving reflection on family, loss, and enduring love.

As usual, I’m opening up this tag to anyone who wants to join in – if it looks fun to you, consider yourself tagged! I hope you’ll have as much fun thinking over the questions as I did.

–b