This Christmas was a time of literary indulgence. That is, I only asked for books because the small part of me that sometimes asks for other things like chocolate or a new cellphone cover was totally overpowered. Naturally, I just have to post my book haul because I’m unbelievably excited about the new additions to my bookshelf.
I feel like my book haul exposes the side of me that has turned into a total fantasy junkie. This year, with all the stresses of applying to uni and writing finals and pretty much just dying in general, I didn’t have the emotional capacity to delve into the complex worlds of fantasy novels. But now I’m on holiday and slowly working towards feeling vaguely human again. So what better way to tear myself apart all over again than become hugely emotionally attached to dragons and hobbits and ancient Norse gods, am I right?
I found these two beauties on my most recent Exclusive Books raid, and I just had to add them to my Christmas wish list. Admittedly, I’m probably more excited to read The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris. I love Loki. I love Norse mythology. And I love complex villains most of all. Not that The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman doesn’t look absolutely amazing. Books about fantastical libraries are my other guilty pleasure.
Ok, truth time – I haven’t ever read The Lord of the Rings. Or seen the movies. And I have been told that this is shameful behavior. BUT I got the whole box set for Christmas (including The Hobbit) and I am planning on ruining my own life by embarking on this wonderful adventure in the next month before I embark on my own (somewhat less wonderful but still unbelievably exciting) adventure at university in February. Ruining my life only in the best sense, of course. Because I might fall into the greatest reading slump ever recorded in modern history after finishing it.
The other two books under my Christmas tree were Antigoddess by Kendare Blake and Nelly Dean by Alison Case. I’ve actually read Antigoddess before, but I somehow lost my copy. It’s one of my favourite books of all time, so when I discovered that it had disappeared from my bookshelf I may or may not have cried just a little bit. Naturally, when I opened it up on Christmas day I cried again because the new cover is so pretty. Shoutout to my sister for finding me the perfect copy. She knows me so well.
Nelly Dean was a book my dad picked out for me. I’d never heard of it before, but it looks stunning. It’s a reimagining of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (which I’ve also never read before, but am planning on reading a.s.a.p.), described as “the story of a woman who is fated to bear the pain of a family she is unable to leave, and unable to save.” I’m desperate to find out if it’s as good as it looks. Apparently it’s absolutely beautiful.
Apart from all these stunning reads, my uncle also bought me a collection of over eighty short stories inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Given my unfailing love for all things Sherlock, I practically melted in a puddle on the floor when I opened it. It features stories from some of my favourite authors of all time, including Neil Gaiman, J. M. Barrie and Stephen King. Every time I think about it I start squealing internally.
I was really spoiled rotten this Christmas. I’ve said this like eight times already, but I’m super excited to read everything on this list (as well all the books my sister was given, of course. One of the many perks of having a sibling that reads incessantly).
(I went a bit wild when I was taking photos… BUT THEY’RE SO PRETTY.)
Feel free to link your own December book haul blogs below, or leave a comment about some of your favourite books that you received this year!
ALL THINGS AMY 