I’ve been debating on posting this cause as of right now my dad is in the hospital and he just went in today and I just it feels so arbitrary to do this, but I promised myself this is a tradition of joy and my dad is going to be ok and I think I need to do this for the sake of normalcy.
So here are the lovely books I got for Christmas this year:
The birthday book:
Jackpot
“
Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas ‘n’ Go, who after school and work races home to take care of her younger brother. Every. Single. Day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she–with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate Zan–can find the ticket holder who hasn’t claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite…or divide?
Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author ofDear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money–both too little and too much–and how you make your own luck in the world.”
I’ve wanted to read a book by Nic Stone for a long while now. I’ve loved her talks on Instagram and she seems like such a genuinely awesome person and I’m really happy to have jackpot on my shelves now.
The Christmas Books:
Becoming
“In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.”
This book has been on my wish list for ages. I’m happy I get to learn more about the First Lady who I always looked up to when I was in middle and high school while she was in office. I’ve always wanted to learn more about her.
Catwoman
“When the Bat’s away, the Cat will play. It’s time to see how many lives this cat really has.
Two years after escaping Gotham City’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, the city looks ripe for the taking.
Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove that as Batwing he has what it takes to help people. He targets a new thief on the prowl who has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Together, they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman is clever—she may be Batwing’s undoing.
In this third DC Icons book, Selina is playing a desperate game of cat and mouse, forming unexpected friendships and entangling herself with Batwing by night and her devilishly handsome neighbor Luke Fox by day. But with a dangerous threat from the past on her tail, will she be able to pull off the heist that’s closest to her heart?”
My mom got me this book off my wishlist and I’m so excited cause I’ve always had a crush on Catwoman and I love her so much. I was so excited when I saw a book come out about her as a part of the dc icons series.
The Hate U Give
“
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.”
The Hate U give has been a phenomenon. I am very much excited to read it. It’s been a long time that this book has been on my wishlist and it’ll be so good to finally read the story for myself.
Burn Our Bodies Down
“Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother, struggling to get along. But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she may have just found the answer: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for.
As soon as they see her face, everyone in town knows who Margot belongs to. It’s unmistakable–she’s a Nielsen. And when a mysterious girl who could be Margot’s twin is pulled from a fire, Margot realizes that her mother left Phalene for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there?
The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape.”
I’m so damn happy to have a physical copy of this book. I got an e-arc of it that I’m still reading, but I just want to own all of Rory Power’s books. Wilder Girls was so amazing and I just love this author so much.
The Hazel Wood
“Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother’s stories are set. Alice’s only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”
Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother’s tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.”
I have read and loved The Hazel Wood. I’m so happy to have a physical copy of it for my shelves. It is such a great story.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I have not posted since November, but I do not give up on my Christmas traditions and it’s no different for my blog. So here it is the annual books of Christmas Past, Present, and Future!
Without further ado, my 2019 Christmas books:
The Miseducationof Cameron Post
My best friend Marble got this book for me last year and I’m reading it now. I have been reading it on and off for a while now because it’s so sad. It’ll take me a while for me to read this.
Books from my family:
Wayfarer
Can’t read this one because I still don’t have Passenger, but eventually I know I’ll read it and love it.
The Tiger and The Wolf
Still have not read this one. I haven’t read much at all this year. It’s been a whirlwind of a year. But I look forward to one day reading this.
Furthermore
God this is one of the most beautiful hardcovers I own. Still have not read it just cause it’s been one insane year, but god I know I’ll love this one.
The Walls Around Us
This book is Magical realism and I adore magical realism. As with the others I haven’t gotten to this yet, but I hope to soon!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Will there be hearts coming together in spite of it all?
Will there be cyber bodies risking it to the end?
Will there be magic with a reality twist?
Will there be horrors to celebrate? Or will there be trips to the past that we can’t escape?
Will there be stories of contemporary connections?
And will there be other points of view to consider?
I know that whatever it is to be the case, I will love all the books that come my way!
Christmas time is a magic one.
You never know what will come to be until it’s all done!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! This post is a day late. I got a little sidetracked yesterday, but I hope you all enjoyed it anyway!
This year I’ve had a wonderful Christmas! I got a myriad of presents that I really love and that I’m excited about using. My sister loved all the presents I got her and that was an awesome gift in itself.
I got five wonderful books this year! All books that I know I will one day enjoy reading.
Here they are:
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
“
The acclaimed book behind the 2018 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning movie
“LGBTQ cinema is out in force at Sundance Film Festival,” proclaimed USA Today. “The acerbic coming-of-age movie is adapted from Emily M. Danforth’s novel, and stars Chloë Grace Moretz as a lesbian teen who is sent to a gay conversion therapy center after she gets caught having sex with her friend on prom night.”
The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a stunning and provocative literary debut that was named to numerous best of the year lists.
When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief they’ll never know that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.
But that relief doesn’t last, and Cam is forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth and her well-intentioned but hopelessly old-fashioned grandmother. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and leaving well enough alone, and Cam becomes an expert at both.
Then Coley Talor moves to town. Beautiful, pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. She and Cam forge an unexpected and intense friendship, one that seems to leave room for something more to emerge. But just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to “fix” her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self—even if she’s not quite sure who that is.”
My friend at work Daisy got this book for me. She had read it and enjoyed it and hoped that I’d enjoy it. I knew about this book previously and had wanted to read it so I’m exited to do so and share with her my thoughts.
The rest of the books I got were all from family:
Wayfarer
I’m not going to say what this book is about because it’s a second book and I have not read the first and I don’t want to spoil it for myself or anyone. I guess this means I’m buying Passenger sometime in the near future.
The Tiger and The Wolf
“Maniye’s father is the Wolf clan’s chieftain, but she’s an outcast. Her mother was queen of the Tiger and these tribes have been enemies for generations. Maniye also hides a deadly secret. All can shift into their clan’s animal form, but Maniye can take on tiger and wolf shapes. She refuses to disown half her soul, so escapes, rescuing a prisoner of the Wolf clan in the process. The killer Broken Axe is set on their trail, to drag them back for retribution. Maniye’s father plots to rule the north, and controlling his daughter is crucial to his schemes. However, other tribes also prepare for strife. Strangers from the far south appear too, seeking allies in their own conflict. It’s a season for omens as priests foresee danger, and a darkness falling across the land. Some say a great war is coming, overshadowing even Wolf ambitions. A time of testing and broken laws is near, but what spark will set the world ablaze?”
I know nothing about this book. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it does look interesting. It will be a wonderful surprise to read.
Furthermore
“Inspired by her childhood love of books like A Secret Garden and The Chronicles of Narnia, bestselling author Tahereh Mafi crafts a spellbinding new world where color is currency, adventure is inevitable, and friendship is found in the most unexpected places.
There are only three things that matter to twelve-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. The day Father disappears from Ferenwood he takes nothing but a ruler with him. But it’s been almost three years since then, and Alice is determined to find him. She loves her father even more than she loves adventure, and she’s about to embark on one to find the other.
But bringing Father home is no small matter. In order to find him she’ll have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. It will take all of Alice’s wits (and every limb she’s got) to find Father and return home to Ferenwood in one piece. On her quest to find Father, Alice must first find herself–and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.”
I’ve been wanting to read some good middle grade and I don’t even think my mom realized that. I think she picked based off the cover which to me was a wise choice. The second I laid eyes on Furthermore I knew I wanted to read it! I’m so happy to have it on my shelves.
The Walls Around Us
“A #1 New York Times Bestseller “With evocative language, a shifting timeline and more than one unreliable narrator, Suma subtly explores the balance of power between the talented and the mediocre, the rich and the poor, the brave and the cowardly . . . To reveal more would be to uncover the bloody heart that beats beneath the floorboards of this urban-legend-tinged tale.” —The New York Times The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices–one still living and one dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old ballerina days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries: What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve–in this life or in another one?”
This books is MAGICAL REALISM!!! One of my absolute favorite genres. With every magical realism ya book I own I get happier. There’s only so many out there and I want to read them all!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I hope you all received all you wished for and more this Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone!
Last year, I did not receive any books for Christmas. Typically this boat talks about just that, but last year was a tough Christmas for me, but all that happened then has turned into a blessing for me.
See I was in no position to even really feel enjoyment with books or much of anything in general. The contrast to how I feel now in this moment is incredible. I have changed so much this year and I achieved the ultimate goal that I’ve had for the entirety of my life. Which is to no longer have depression or anxiety way on me. Especially the last three months, I’ve felt free of any sort of Depression or Anxiety.
I’m at a point where I’m happy all the time. I find enjoyment everywhere and life is wonderful all the time for me. After my birthday, I set out to write the best things that happened each day and I was so surprised and delighted to find these past 8 days have been absolutely incredible! I look back on this week and I think that I’d want to fill my life with as many wonderful and unique moments every single day into the future. It’s been incredible.
Mainly, what has changed is my beliefs about life. Which sounds bigger then it really is. I’ve just discovered that I can and should be responsible for my own happiness and that I’m good at it. I’m good at keeping myself happy. I’m good at finding things to think about that bring me joy. I’m good at allowing myself the things that create greater joy in my life. It’s an incredible thing.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas everyone!
I need to get my hands on some Christmas themed novels. The only book I’ve ever read even remotely related to Christmas is “A Northern Light” by Jennifer Donnelly. It looks like it would be a Christmas Novel, but it isn’t. However, I loved every moment of reading it!
Now on to the books I’d love to read!
In no particular order:
Decked With Holly by Marni Bates
This one is endorsed by Julie Kagawa, one of my favorite authors ever, so it’s a no brained that I would want to read this one!
My True Love Gave To Me by Various Authors
So many great short stories by so many incredible authors! I’d love to read them!
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
I didn’t realize this was a Christmas book. I wanted to pick this one up anyway, but now I love the idea of it all the more!
‘Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances’ by John Green, Maureen Johnson, & Lauren Myracle
You gotta have John Green in here. You just gotta.
‘Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe’ by Melissa de la Cruz
This is both a cover love thing and the fact that it’s Pride and Prejudice although I still haven’t read it yet. It looks adorable!
Well that’s all! I hope you enjoyed this list!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season and that you all receive all that you hope for.
I have been pretty good about shopping for gifts for everyone I love this Christmas season. Mostly, because I haven’t shopped last minute. However, things happen. Sometimes, your just busy and you haven’t gone out to shop. Some of us are motivated by the last minute madness. So, if your having a hard time figuring out what the heck your going to buy your friend when Christmas is only a week and a half away!
Buy them a book: I mean this one should be obvious. Books are great! Know a friend that likes Karate? buy them a book about it. If they like cooking, there are tons of fantastic cook books. Also, whatever genre of movies they like there are tons of great fiction to pick from and even if they don’t like to read, you can give them the gift of opportunity and who knows? Maybe you’ll save a life.
A Nice Mug: Mugs are versatile and necessary. There is a mug for every life situation. There are beautiful mugs. There are meme mugs. There are mugs for every hobby out there. Never underestimate the power of a good mug.
Some nice treats: Have a foodie in your life? Get them some good snacks. I have a friend that straight up told me they are getting me treats for Christmas and I’m 100% happy with that. I love a good snack. Many of your friends probably feel the same way.
A Quick Charging Charger: This is a gift idea I found from Molly Burke’s list on YouTube that I really love. It’s something that most don’t typically buy for themselves, but its something they would use all the time and that will 100% be appreciated.
Some nice socks.I don’t know about everyone else, but socks disappear all the time on me. My dog destroys them, the washing machine eats them up, the universe steals one half of a pair into the black hole of pair-less socks. I would be so grateful to receive a nice pack of socks for Christmas.
Coffee/Tea: Most of the world runs on these two staples. I am personally in love with both of these drinks. I got a thing of tea from my boss one year and I still enjoy a cup of that type of tea now. It can last a long time and it’s just nice to have.
Also, A BOOK: Just because I have some other great ideas on this list doesn’t mean this one isn’t the most important. I don’t see enough book giving to just random people for Christmas and honestly that’s sad. There are millions of great books in the world. Play matchmaker with a book to a friend or loved one. Have them talk about the book with you after. Increase your level of friendship. It’s the best gift ever!
A Curated playlist on a DVD: I really wanted to do this for a loved one, one year and I never got the chance to do it, but its a really cool gift. Put together songs that remind you of them. Songs you know they love. Songs you love they haven’t heard. Whatever feels right. There is effort in this that shows how much you care and I think its one of the most adorable gifts ever and if you pair it with a book…then it is perfect!
An Experience: Another gift idea from Molly’s list. Pay for an experience for you and your friend or loved one to do together. Maybe its something neither of you have done before or something they have mentioned wanting to do like a workout class or a painting lesson or going to customize their own sneakers or something like that. Another good one is a VR experience or to go and enjoy a laser tag hang out thing. The possibilities are endless!
Something they have specifically asked for. Sometimes, to me this feels like cheating. I tend not to like doing this, but you’ll know they love what they get when its something that they have been wanting for a while.
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season and that you all receive all that you hope for.
I watch a lot of horror movies. Horror is one of my favorite genres and I don’t know why, but looking at the darkest part of what humanity could be is fascinating to me. However, I had never really watched a Christmas horror film. Mostly because that feels like betrayal to the essence of what Christmas is. But, this year, Friday the 13th happened to land in December and so, a Christmas horror film is what I wanted to see.
I choose to watch Pooka!
Pooka! is your Gremlin come to life worst nightmare. (An aside, I have seen Gremlins many a time, so I guess I have seen a Christmas horror film. I don’t know why that didn’t seem to count in my head). A toy that repeats what you say, but only what it feels like repeating. Yet it’s not the toy itself that is what makes this film terrifying. It’s the man who becomes Pooka!
Wilson is a struggling actor who gets a job to be Pooka! In person encounters, commercials, and any promotion is done with him being the sole actor behind the mask. But, quickly you come to understand that there is something off about Wilson. He’s strange. With strange inclinations and an oddly normal way of speaking that somehow doesn’t take away from the oddness.
This is one of those films that is made so much better by the ending. The ending shapes how you think about the beginning and makes you wonder what was really going on all along. The ending made this film well worth the watch for me.
There is a lot of stylization to the film that I really appreciate. The flashing of very specific colors. How it all comes full circle to what the ending is. How things unravel and come together very specifically just by the way the story was shown visually. That part for me was really cool.
I can’t talk about much else without spoiling the story. But, I if you enjoy horror and are looking for an interesting Christmas horror film Pooka! is definitely worth the watch!
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Alone in the twilight between night and day the green and blue hew of Christmas Lights danced along mixing hews with the starry sky. From afar a young girl of five watched them flicker from the window of her home.
She should have been sleeping, yet some great pull of excitement pulled her to look out that night from her window. It was Christmas Eve, but for her it was just another night. Her family didn’t celebrate Christmas. Didn’t bring her up to look forward to decorating a tree and awaiting Santa’s gifts the next morning.
Yet as she peered out of her room that night she saw the most beautiful sight. Santa flying way up high in the sky. A silver sleigh lead by a team of Reindeer tapping their feet in unison leading him to the next home to stop by.
She felt a feeling of wonder light up her heart. Knowing that the myth was real made her smile really bright. Down into her parents room she ran. To wake them up and let them know the truth of magic she’d witnessed.
They awoke and hurriedly she explained, “Santa’s real! I saw him outside! There’s a sleigh and Reindeer and they really really fly!!!”
“Baby please go on back to sleep. Stop playing around. You know mommy has work tomorrow. We will talk about it in the morning, ok sweetie?”
Discouraged she ran back on to bed, but that morning a miracle just for her appeared. A Christmas gift by her bedside. One that opened up to be a Christmas Ornament of glittering gold that seemed to jingle when she shook it and a notch to open on the side of it.
The little girl didn’t notice the notch that year. She hid her present away and as years went by she’d take it out to remember. That magical Christmas night that one cold December.
As years past the little girl grew up she was now a woman of age 23. It was Christmas once more and she revisited the ornament of her past. This time she noticed the small little latch.
She opened it up and was surprised to see a little button on the inside of it. She pressed the button and was surrounded by snow. Then, when it all cleared she found herself at the North Pole.
There she met Santa and all his elves. He asked her if she’d help him making toys for all the Christmas’s to come.
She excitedly accepted and every November after, the girl who’d never celebrated Christmas became one of Santa’s sweet helpers.
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I had to rewrite the second half of this because it deleted itself somehow and I couldn’t get the original version back, but this story really got my creative juices flowing so I’m still really happy with it!
The Book Raven 