Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas everyone! Okay, it’s too late for that now but I’m sure you all had a fabulous Christmas – I know I did! I went to midnight mass with my family this year and amidst yawns and my off-key singing it was amazing! There was a stunning choir singing all the hymns and one soprano in particular had every jaw dropping.
So that of course meant that we all rolled out of bed at a startling 8am (we’re usually up by 6am, mostly because I forget I’m no-longer 5 years old on Christmas morning and run around jumping on everyone’s bed screaming IT’S CHRISTMAS!). We have our stockings to open from ‘Santa’ (not because myself or my siblings are young, we just can’t kick the habit) when we get up and later we do presents from under the tree from family and friends. 10 points if you can guess what presents I got
BOOKS! Hooray! I had a very awesome haul of books which I would like to share with you today. There is also one other important thing that Christmas means . . . . I CAN BUY BOOKS AGAIN. For those of you that don’t know, I placed myself on a book buying ban since August (bleh) and did pretty well (I only broke it 4 times #winning). Christmas was the deadline, so now nothing can hold me back – no I’m kidding, I learnt the important lesson of self control (I’m sure it won’t last). Did this ban help my TBR? Well . . . I now have 158 books to read, so I guess it’s a matter of perspective (or a flat out ‘no’).
Anyway. I believe I received 12 books (I’m too lazy to count) and I think I may also have a few more sailing over from the land of tea (England) from family. I’ll do a separate haul for those. So buckle up kiddos, let’s do this.
According to Yes
by Dawn French
I love Dawn French (I think everyone does) – I watched a lot of Vicar of Dibley when I was younger. I’ve not actually read one of her books before but when I found out about this one I decided I needed it. I don’t actually know what it’s about, and to be honest, I don’t even care. I shall read it, and I shall love. Thank you Dawn French for existing, you amazing person you.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Say, Kirstie, why this particular classic? I hear you say. The answer is, why not! It’s a really short little book and sounds pretty fabulous so I’m quite excited to read this. Want to know what the most exciting part is? My parents remembered I collect this edition of the Penguin Classics, 10 points to Gryffindor, indeed.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
by J.K. Rowling
[illustrated edition by Jim Kay]
That’s right people! I am now the proud owner of the most beautiful book on this planet. I cannot express how EXCITED I am to run my fingers all over this (that sounded creepy), *squealing*. If you haven’t heard/seen this book yet, then the question is: what rock are you living under? This is pure magnificence, I tell you.
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined
by Stephenie Meyer
I may have pestered my dad about this an extreme amount so that when he went, hmm what books should I buy? He’d immediately remember this one. Call me a twihard, but I loved this series. Why do I use past tense? Because I haven’t read it since I was, like, 13. So maybe I’ll hate it now, but I sure hope not. I hate the movies, but I loved the books – so I won’t give up on you Meyer! Not to mention, have you even HEARD the premise of this book? *faints*
The Martian
by Andy Weir
I have been so excited to get my hands on a copy of this, but the movie came out during my book buying ban, so I couldn’t buy it, so I couldn’t watch the movie so ARGH. Finally, I can jump on the band wagon! I’ve actually already started this one, one word: AMAZING.
In The Heart of the Sea
by Nathaniel Philbrick
I’m not going to lie, I asked for this one because of the movie, and I’m 60% interested in the movie because of Chris Hemsworth (the other 40% being Moby Dick). I love the cover, and I cannot wait to dig into this one. I feel like this one needs to be read at night, with hot chocolate, and possibly under the covers (why I don’t know).
After the End
by Amy Plum
I have been wanting to read an Amy Plum book FOR SO LONG now. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t just buy one for myself (book buying bans, probably). This book is set after WWIII that involved destructive nuclear stuff and takes place in Alaska. There’s also wolves on the cover. Call me shallow, but I’m sold.
Legacy of the Clockwork Key
by Kristin Bailey
I can’t remember where I heard about this book – I think it was from the Goodreads recommendations (you know that dangerous section where it suggests similar books and then 20 books later you’re poor? Yup). This book genuinely sounds amazing, in a nutshell a girl loses her home and parents but finds a pocket watch that is more than it originally seems to be and then there’s a whole lot of adventure. I think it’s steampunk (it certainly looks like it) and I’m a real sucker for steampunk – I’ll let you know when I read it.
Unbroken
by Laura Hillenbrand
So this year I read The Railway Man (you can see my review HERE) and that got me really addicted to reading War time memoirs – I’ve got my eye on The Testament of Youth. When the movie for Unbroken came out (directed by Angelina Jolie, woo) I decided I needed to read this one. But, again, book buying ban (and it’s a pretty huge book which sort of scared me) so alas, I had to wait. I’m really excited to read this one!! Although I think it’s going to be really sad.
The Looking Glass Wars
by Frank Beddor
One of my friends recommended this book to me and I’ve been itching to read it ever since. It’s a spin off Alice in Wonderland which, if you don’t know, is my favourite story to read retellings of (did that make sense?). I adore adaptions of it and am so excited that my parents got me this! Looks like they do listen after all!
Wolf by Wolf
by Ryan Graudin
This is an alternative history story – what if Hitler won the war? It also has a pretty cover. I really don’t need to say anything else.
Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard
I’m sure you’ve heard of this book by now and I’M SO EXCITED TO HAVE A COPY. Thanks to my book buying ban (geez, I’m never going on one of those EVER again) I haven’t been able to buy myself a copy. Thankfully, I have very kind and thoughtful friends who bought it for me. My eternal gratitude to them. I CAN’T WAIT TO GET STARTED.
And with that we reach the end! I think Christmas was an awesome bookish success. So many of these books I desperately wanted to read and now I can. Beware though, now I can buy books again I’m sure you’ll find yourself inundated with my book hauls, *evil laughter*.
What books did you get for Christmas – if you’re a blogger too link below, I’d love to see your haul!
~~ Kirstie ~~
Upside-Down Books 
That is a pretty sweet Christmas book haul that you got! Wolf by Wolf and Red Queen are SO good! I have had a copy of the illustrated HP ordered on Amazon since Black Friday, but they haven’t gotten anymore in stock. I emailed them and they suggest canceling and ordering from another Amazon verified seller, but fat chance, my order is for $7.84 with the Black Friday coupon. No sir. Everyone seems to think that The Martian is awesome, but I don’t think I could read that. Outer space scares the crap out of me, I don’t know why, but I could never read or watch that. Also, I can’t kick the habit of having a stocking either. I fill everyone else’s on Christmas, but no one fills mine and then they feel bad and I get more presents after Christmas. 😉
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I don’t blame you not cancelling with that price! Hopefully they get some in soon for you 🙂 I just finished The Martian and it was pretty fabulous, it’s shame you won’t be able to read it. And aww that’s so sad about your stocking – thank goodness they buy you more after 😉
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