Christmas books recommendations

Hello, beautiful people!

Wow, December definitely flew by, we're three days away from Christmas Eve and four days away from Christmas, how did that happen? I am SO LATE for Christmas shopping, you have no idea, oops. But anyway, I thought that it would be fun to recommend you four books that I've read that are set during Christmas, whether you want to get in a Christmas mood or read them at Christmas.

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings, by Charles Dickens

Genres: classics, short stories

Of course, I had to start with this classic, you know how much I love Charles Dickens. We all know A Christmas Carol, the story of the awful Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, but it's always great to revisit it during Christmas. The Penguin Clothbound edition not only is stunning, but it includes some of his other Christmas writings, so I'd recommend you to check that out as well! I recently saw my friend Fatima talking about Neil Gaiman's reading of A Christmas Carol and I intend to listen to it this year, it must be amazing. You can find that there if you're interested.

Hercule Poirot's Christmas, by Agatha Christie
Genres: mystery

I got back into Agatha Christie's mystery novels last year and of course I had to read this one over Christmas. In Hercule Poirot's Christmas, it's Christmas Eve and the Lee family is having a reunion in their mansion for the occasion... Until it goes horribly wrong, because the tyrannical Simon Lee has been murdered and Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate. This one is a perfect cosy Christmas murder mystery (if I dare say so) and I loved that it was centered around family dynamics! As always, Agatha Christie's characterization is on point and I loved the resolution! I still have The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding to read this year and I'm excited!

The Afterlife of Holly Chase, by Cynthia Hand
Genres: young adult, paranormal, retelling

Cynthia Hand has been one of my favourite YA authors for a long time, so of course I was delighted to get to this one, for it is a retelling of A Christmas Carol. It's about Holly, who was visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve five years ago. They tried to convince her to mend her ways. Only, she didn't... and then she died. But it wasn't the end for her, because she's now stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge, as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past. Every year, they save another miserly grouch, while Holly stays frozen at seventeen and her loved ones continue living without her. But this year, everything is about to change... I adored this novel, it has a wonderful message and it got me so much. I might even reread it this year!

Mr. Dickens and His Carol, by Samantha Silva
Genres: historical fiction

Last, but not least, I recently read this historical novel which is a reimagining of how Charles Dickens came up with A Christmas Carol. A lot of it is fictionalized of course, but reading about Charles Dickens and his struggles was wonderful to me, because I've always been curious about him and it motivated me even more to read a biography about him. It was a lovely and heartwarming read, reminding us of what's important in life and what the Christmas spirit is about. I would have loved to stay with Charles Dickens a bit longer and all the references to his works made me so happy!

So that's it for my books set during Christmas recommendations! I'd love to discover more books set during/about Christmas, so if you know any, please give me your recommendations! I also read Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, which I liked, but didn't adore, so that's pretty much it.

Thank you for reading and I hope you'll have wonderful holidays if you have some,

Lots of love,

Lucie

The Joy of Christmas | Book Tag

It's Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you all have an amazing day  full of happiness with your loved ones!

To celebrate Christmas, I decided to do a book tag, which was created by Samantha @ Novels and Nonsense. She tagged everyone and I am everyone, right? Let's do this!

1) Anticipation: The Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating?

I actually have a post coming on that subject Tuesday, so yeah... To name those from January: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine, The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman... So many great books are coming out next year, it's so exciting.

2) Christmas Songs & Carols: What book or author can you not help but sing it's praises?

Victoria Schwab. I've read all the YA and adult books she wrote so far, and loved them all. I read The Archived last year and loved it, it was such a great premise, I'm really excited for the next one! Vicious was so unique, but I don't know what to think about the upcoming sequel (even if I'm sure it'll be great). And finally, A Darker Shade of Magic... I'm sure it's my favourite by her. This author has such interesting ideas and it makes me looking forward to each of her books. I'm really excited about This Savage Song!

3) Gingerbread Houses: What book or series has wonderful world building?

Of course, I have to mention a high fantasy book, because it is the best. The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson had an amazing world-building, I felt like I knew the culture of the characters, I could have lived here without making mistakes or looking weird, haha.

4) A Christmas Carol: Favorite classic or one that you want to read

I feel like I always say the same one at this question *sigh* So we'll go with one I want to read! I'd love to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, because it's Christmas and I've seen the Mickey movie so many times! I love this story and I'd like to see it into words.

5) Christmas Sweets: What book would you love to receive for Christmas

Let's go see my Amazon wishlist! Well, most of the books aren't released yet, But for the released ones, I'd love to receive:

- Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

- Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

- Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes

6) Candles in the Window: What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling

Harry Potter obviously! Just thinking of this book makes me full of love, because childhood memories.

7) Christmas Trees & Decorations: What are some of your favorite book covers?

8) Christmas Joy: What are some of your favorite things about Christmas And/Or some of your favorite Christmas memories?

Making the Christmas tree is my favourite thing ever! With my family, we used to do it the first Wednesday of December, but since I'm in Paris during the week, we did it the first Saturday of the month this year! Since I'm the elder, it's my role to put the star in the tree (and I'm contesting loudly if someone tries to do it!). Opening/Giving presents is also great of course!

For the memories, when I was three or four, I was with my cousins and we had to go upstairs to put our pajamas on. When we get back, there were Santa Claus' footsprints everywhere, with candy along the way, and it led to our presents! I want to do that for my children in the future.

What about you? What do you love about Christmas? What were your best memories? What are you doing for Christmas this year?