Bookmas 2021

Merry Bookmas Day 8 – 8th December – Cosy Books to Read At Christmas

Happy Wednesday bookish people! And Merry Bookmas day 8! I can’t believe it’s already the 8th of December. Today I want to share some books that I think would make cosy and Christmassy reads. I have read one or two of the books but not all of them, the ones I haven’t read are ones that I have read the synopsis and thought they were right for this list or I’ve heard other people talk about them.

First up is…

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

In a Holidaze: Amazon.co.uk: 9781982163631: Books

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol (Puffin Classics) : Dickens, Charles, Horowitz, Anthony:  Amazon.co.uk: Books

‘If I had my way, every idiot who goes around with Merry Christmas on his lips, would be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Merry Christmas? Bah humbug!’

Introduction and Afterword by Joe Wheeler
To bitter, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas is just another day. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner appears, warning Scrooge to change his ways before it’s too late.

Part of the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, this abridged edition features an in-depth introduction and discussion questions by Joe Wheeler to provide greater understanding for today’s reader. “A Christmas Carol” captures the heart of the holidays like no other novel.

Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens

Mistletoe and Murder: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery (A Murder Most  Unladylike Mystery, 5) : Stevens, Robin: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas hols in snowy Cambridge. Hazel has high hopes of its beautiful spires, cosy libraries and inviting tea-rooms – but there is danger lurking in the dark stairwells of ancient Maudlin College.

Two days before Christmas, there is a terrible accident. At least, it appears to be an accident – until the Detective Society look a little closer, and realise a murder has taken place. Faced with several irritating grown-ups and fierce competition from a rival agency, they must use all their cunning and courage to find the killer (in time for Christmas Day, of course).

The fabulously festive fifth mystery from the bestselling, award-winning author of Murder Most Unladylike.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.

It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with “woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the “girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Dr. Seuss) : Seuss, Dr., Seuss, Dr.:  Amazon.co.uk: Books

“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.”

Dr. Seuss’s small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps of all time. For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His “wonderful, awful” idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.

Looking quite out of place and very disturbing in his makeshift Santa get-up, the Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos’ presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. He takes the ramshackle sleigh to Mt. Crumpit to dump it and waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they wake up and discover the trappings of Christmas have disappeared. Imagine the Whos’ dismay when they discover the evil-doings of Grinch in his anti-Santa guise. But what is that sound? It’s not sobbing, but singing! Children simultaneously adore and fear this triumphant, twisted Seussian testimonial to the undaunted cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy, and of course, the growth potential of a heart that’s two sizes too small.

This holiday classic is perfect for reading aloud to your favorite little Whos.

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot's Christmas (Poirot) (Hercule Poirot Series Book 20) eBook :  Christie, Agatha: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

In Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, the holidays are anything but merry when a family reunion is marred by murder — and the notoriously fastidious investigator is quickly on the case. The wealthy Simeon Lee has demanded that all four of his sons — one faithful, one prodigal, one impecunious, one sensitive — and their wives return home for Christmas. But a heartwarming family holiday is not exactly what he has in mind. He bedevils each of his sons with barbed insults and finally announces that he is cutting off their allowances and changing his will. Poirot is called in the aftermath of Simeon Lee’s announcement.

Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle

Let It Snow: Amazon.co.uk: Green, John, Johnson, Maureen, Myracle, Lauren:  0000141349174: Books

A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

My True Love Gave To Me Edited by Stephanie Perkins

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories: Amazon.co.uk: Perkins,  Stephanie, Black, Holly, Carter, Ally, De La Pena, Mathew, Forman, Gayle,  Han, Jenny, Levithan, David, Link, Kelly, McEntire, Myra, Rowell, Rainbow,

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or New Year’s there’s something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

That’s it for today’s bookmas post, I hope you all enjoyed it!

Monthly Wrap Ups

November Wrap-Up!

Happy Monday bookish people! It is getting to the end of November and it is time to share my November wrap-up with you all. This month has gone by so quickly because I’ve had so much to do. This month has been for getting everything ready for Christmas and at last it is all done, prepared, ready. I’ve also been making all my posts for December because as I announced last week I will be trying to post every day in December, it has been fun but a lot of work. I haven’t finished them yet but I’ve done most and I am attempting to finish them today. On top of that I’ve been unwell for at least half of November and that has left very little time to read.

So, let’s talk about what I did and didn’t read and what I thought of the books!

  • A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas – I did not read this book this month, I wasn’t in the mood for a long fantasy book but I have moved this book to my December TBR
  • Vampire Brat by Angie Sage – one of the books in the Araminta Spook series and I did read this book. I liked it but it isn’t my favourite of the series.
  • Truthwitch by Susan Dennard – I did not read this book but I have moved this one to my December TBR
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – I did not read this book
  • These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan – I did not read this book, it’s another fantasy that I just wasn’t in the mood for this month
  • The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson – I didn’t read this book
  • The Howling Hag Mystery by Nicki Thornton – I did read this book, it was interesting but not all that enjoyable for me
  • The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – I did not read this book
  • The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino – I did not read this book
  • The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – I didn’t read this book either
  • Take A Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – I did read this book! and it surprised me, I have posted a book review for this book if you are interested in my full thoughts
  • The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson – I did not read this book
  • Shadowscent The Darkest Bloom by P M Freestone – I did not read
  • Rose by Holly Webb – I wanted to get around to this book but in the end there wasn’t enough time
  • Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch – I am currently reading this book and I will finish it before the end of the month and I am enjoying it a lot.
  • Pages and Co by Anna James – I did read this book and I enjoyed it so much I want to get the rest of the series.
  • Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T A Willberg – this is another book I wanted to get to but in the end I didn’t
  • Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey – I did not read this book
  • Ghostsitters by Angie Sage – another book from the Araminta Spook series and I did read this
  • Fable by Adrienne Young – I did not read this book
  • Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody – I did not read this
  • Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare – I did not read this
  • By the Book by Amanda Sellett – I did not read this book
  • Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert – I did not read this book either

So I ended up reading five books off my TBR and I am in the middle of a sixth book from my TBR, outside of my TBR I read You’ll Be The Death of Me by Karen M McManus for a book tour so that makes my overall total for the month 7 books which I’m pretty pleased with.

I hope you enjoyed reading my November Wrap-up!

Monthly Wrap Ups

September Wrap-Up

Happy Friday everyone! I’ll be putting up three posts today and this is the first of them. It’s a day or two late but I’m finally getting around to doing my September wrap-up.

So, the month of September was super busy for me and a lot of things happened. First, I moved in with my partner on the first of September and it has been quite the month getting used to living with someone new and learning how they are. This month I also found out that I have gotten onto the PhD that I wanted and now I’m just waiting for when I’m going to start. And finally, I found out that I got a distinction on my Master’s Dissertation.

As I said last month, I’m very surprised I read as much as I did this month, the only problem is that hardly any of the books that I read were from my TBR…. I’m sure you can guess that I didn’t finish my TBR. So, let’s get straight into what I did and didn’t read this month.

September TBR and Thoughts:

  • A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson – we are starting off well, I did read this one and I have posted my review of it.
  • All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace – I did not read
  • Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb – I did not read
  • Lore by Alexandra Bracken – I didn’t read this one either
  • The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I wish I had gotten around to this one but unfortunately I didn’t
  • Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty – I did not read
  • Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim – I did not read
  • Six Tudor Queens Katherine of Aragon by Alison Weir – I did not read
  • The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – I did not read
  • The Switch by Beth O’Leary – I did not read

So… I only actually read one book from my TBR but I did read these nine other books:

  • Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
  • The Woman in the Wood by M K Hill
  • The Crime Archives
  • The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • The Chateau by Catherine Cooper
  • The Curry Compendium by Richard Sayce
  • Stalking Shadows by Cyla Panin
  • The Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin

That’s it for my wrap-up for September! I managed to read ten books which I am pretty happy with. I hope you all enjoyed it!

Monthly TBRs

September TBR

Happy Thursday bookish people! It’s september already, this year is moving so fast. So, this month I’m adjusting to living in a new house and I’m hoping to get onto a PhD course still but we will see and I’m hoping to just make a bit more time for myself and to see friends and generally have a nice time.

As for my actual reading this month, I’m taking part in Becca’s Bookopolathon by Becca and the Books on YouTube, and I’m hoping to take part in the Magical Readathon by Book Roast on YouTube but I haven’t worked out what books will go with which prompt yet.

For September once again I have a large TBR even before any commitment reads so this will be a difficult month to complete but I’m optimistic. Let’s see what is on my TBR:

  • The Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb – I’m so excited and nervous to read this book, I think it will be a five star read.
  • Six Tudor Queens: katherine of Aragon by Alison Weir – I think I will enjoy this book because I love the Tudors though my favourite queen is Anne Boleyn.
  • Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty – I’ve heard mixed things about this book so I’m hoping I will still enjoy it.
  • All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace – There’s a pirate in this book. I don’t need to say anything else.
  • A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson – I’ve been putting off reading this book but no more, I have to get to it this month.
  • Lore by Alexandra Bracken – I’m in the mood for a bit of Greek mythology so hopefully I will enjoy this book.
  • The Switch by Beth O’Leary – I’m torn on this because it sounds so good… but I so rarely enjoy contemporary/romance books.
  • The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – this is another book I think will be a five star read because I love Erin Morgenstern’s writing.
  • Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim – this book sounds fantastic.
  • The Guinevere deception by Kiersten White – I enjoy the myths of Arthur so I’m hoping this will be a good read.

That’s it for my September TBR, come back at the end of the month to see how I did!

Book Quotes

Favourite Book Quotes 50 – 41

Happy Friday bookish people! I’m back with my next installment of my favourite book quotes top 100. We are getting so close to finishing this list. I’m probably more excited than anyone reading this and I know what the top ones are because I chose them. We are past the halfway point and getting into some of my absolute favourite quotes, but some of them are coming from books I haven’t read yet.

Lets get into the quotes!

Up first is a quote from a book I’m very excited to get around to reading..

And I Darken by Kiersten White

50. “her spine was steel, her heart was armour, her eyes were fire” – this is such a lovely quote, it just feels very powerful, which is how I’m imagining the whole book will feel.

Up next is a quote from a book that I gave three stars…

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

49. “I want revenge and then I want my crown” – this quote is actually said by one of my favourite characters in this book.

At 48 is a quote from a little mermaid retelling…

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

48. “In my heart I’m as wild as the ocean that raised me”

At 47 is a quote from a book I’ve already mentioned in this list…

And I Darken by Kiersten White

47. “she wanted a garden of evergreens, a garden of stones, a garden of swords” – this quote is just beautiful, the calmness of the garden and evergreen language compared to the stones and swords.

Up next is a quote from a book about witches…

Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

46. “I am fearful and something to be feared” – I can’t wait to get to read this book.

At 45 is a quote from a book that is on my July TBR..

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

45. “you will burn for you are an ember in the ashes” – fun fact I have a cushion cover with this quote on, it does not currently have a cushion in it but soon!

The next quote is from a book that has one of the most beautiful covers on my shelf…

Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim

44. “until the fire in the sun grows cold and the light of the moon is no more, until time blots out the stars” – MAIA AND EDAN!! that’s all I’m going to say about this.

At 43 is a quote from a very unique book…

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss

43. “with pockets women could conquer the world” – yes, yes we could.

Up next is from another book on my TBR for this month…

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

42. “death incarnate, night triumphant”

And the final one for today’s list is from a very popular series…

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

41. “she had often wished for adventure, for old spells and wicked kings” – me too.

That’s it for this week’s list and I’ll be back next Friday with the next ten, I hope you all enjoyed it!