♡ Anticipation – The Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating.
These are a few upcoming releases that I’ve come across recently and added to my TBR pile.
- Noteworthy by Riley Redgate
This is a contemporary YA so not my usual fare, but it’s basically Mulan set in the a capella music world and it sounds delightful. Also I have friends who are altos (I’m one of those sopranos who enjoys getting carried away on all the high notes) so I’m hoping I’ll be able to recommend it to those friends. - Long May She Reign by Rhiannon Thomas
Love the idea of a geeky scientist girl accidentally becoming Queen after the 21 people in front of her in line for the throne all end up dead. I’ve enjoyed Rhiannon Thomas’ other books, so I think I will definitely enjoy this one. - Hunted by Meaghan Spooner
I have tried reading Meaghan Spooner’s books before and not finished them, but this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and it’s another stunning cover and so I’m willing to give her writing another shot. - Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
I haven’t read any of this author’s other work but holy moly that cover. Also it’s a sort of Mulan retelling except in Japan (or a Japanese-inspired world. There are samurai). - The Dragon’s Price (Transference #1) by Bethany Wiggins
This is one of those “Princess either marries the prince or gets fed to the dragon and she chooses the dragon” type premises. Basically any dragon book that sounds mildly interested gets on my TBR.
Honourable mention to Release by Patrick Ness which doesn’t have a cover yet but it’s a new YA, so you bet I’ll have it pre-ordered.
♡ Christmas Songs & Carols – What book or author can you not help but sing its praises.
Patrick Ness! Marissa Meyer! Jonathan Stroud!
♡ Gingerbread Houses – What book or series has wonderful world building.
The Djinni and the Golem by Helene Wecker. At first it was a bit slow, but it builds up a beautiful magical version of turn-of-the-century New York City that I fell in love with.
♡ A Christmas Carol – Favorite classic or one that you want to read.
LOL, A Christmas Carol is actually one of my favourite classics. I’m more into classic plays than books; I love things like Much Ado About Nothing and The Crucible.
♡ Christmas Sweets – What book would you love to receive for Christmas.
Disenchanted: the Trials of Cinderella (Tyme #2) by Megan Morrison. For some reason this was only released in hardback in October, and an ebook (or even a paperback) doesn’t appear anywhere in sight. I could get it for a reasonable enough price on Book Depository but if someone gave it to me for Christmas, I wouldn’t complain. The first book in the series was so wonderful!
♡ Candles in the Window – What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne. I love the others as well, but I had a copy of this one at my grandmother’s house growing up, so I’ve read this one a lot more than the other three.
♡ Christmas Trees & Decorations – What are some of your favorite book covers.
Recently I was raving about the cover of Elenore by Faith Rivens. Stars Above is definitely my favourite of the Lunar Chronicles covers, even if I haven’t read the books yet. Digital versions of The Last Days of Magic and Rebel of the Sands don’t really do the covers justice, because they just don’t give you a sense of just how shiny they are. Ad Cinnamon Girl is just a perfect cover for a near-perfect book.
♡ Christmas Joy – What are some of your favorite things about Christmas.
The Doctor Who Christmas episode! Lol kidding. Mostly. Actually not really kidding. Loudly singing carols, and throwing in the descants and surprising the people next to me in church (see note about my soprano tendencies in the first question). Also fruit mince pies. And my mum’s Christmas pudding (seriously, no other Christmas pudding has ever lived up to it).
… is this the part where I’m supposed to say spending time with family and all that? Yeeaaah, let’s not go there. 😉
I’m not going to tag anyone, simply wish you a Merry Christmas if you celebrate that, and a Happy Holiday season if not. 🙂 See you next year!
A Keyboard and an Open Mind 