·

Books On My Christmas Wishlist // Bookmas Day 5

0 Comments

For today’s Bookmas, I’m sharing a few books on my Christmas wishlist. Time’s running out to send those letters to Father Christmas!

This image shows a flat lay of a cozy writing setup, perfect for writing holiday letters or cards. A blank sheet of white paper is centered on a wooden table, surrounded by festive elements. To the left, a green envelope and two pens rest against the wood grain. To the right, a red and white checkered paper adds a touch of holiday cheer. Small green and red paper cutouts of holly and berries decorate the corners of the sheet of paper.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The cover features a painting of a lush forest with a large tree in the center. A pink liquid is dripping down the cover, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The title, author's name, and a description of the book are displayed in a clean, white font.

Synopsis: “Some said it was tragic, what happened to the Van Laars. Some said the family deserved it. That they never even thanked the searchers who stayed out for five nights in the freezing forest trying to help find their missing son. Some said there was a reason it took the family so long to call for help. That they knew what happened to the boy. Now, fifteen years later, the Van Laars’ teenage daughter has gone missing in the same wilderness as her brother. Some say the two disappearances aren’t connected. Some say they are.”

The 2024 Goodreads Mystery & Thriller winner has been on my wishlist for months. I remember seeing it in Book of the Month hauls and on American BookTubers’ channels. I can’t recall why I didn’t buy it then, whether it was a delayed UK release or out of stock. So, I added it to my Christmas wishlist.

This might sound a bit odd, but I’m particularly drawn to missing persons mysteries. This one intrigued me, and now that it’s won a Goodreads award, I hope to find it under my Christmas tree.

Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives by Alice Loxton

The cover features a large, ornate number "18" in turquoise with gold accents. The title, author's name, and a quote from Dan Snow are displayed in a clean, white font. The overall design is elegant and eye-catching.

Synopsis: “What happens if the First World War breaks out while you’re at university?
How does a young woman born without arms or legs make a living in Georgian London?
What turns a rugby-obsessed teenager from a Welsh mining town into Richard Burton?
In this witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain’s past, exploring the country through eighteen inspiring figures at the formative age of eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor facing deadly intrigue at court to Empress Matilda already changing the fate of nations, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history.”

I’ve been following Alice Loxton on TikTok for years, and I know I don’t read enough non-fiction. This book immediately caught my eye. Following people’s lives at the age of 18, as they transition into adulthood, is a fascinating premise. When it comes to non-fiction, I don’t want to learn something negative about someone I admire that might tarnish my perception of them. For example, I love Miriam Margolyes’s memoirs because she’s authentic and genuine. However, Alan Rickman’s memoir has been on my TBR since its release because of conflicting reviews.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

The cover features a light blue background with the title "Sense & Sensibility" written in elegant gold script. Below the title, there is an illustration of two bonnets connected by a ribbon, symbolizing the contrasting personalities of the two main characters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The author's name, "Jane Austen," is written in gold script at the bottom.

Synopsis: “Sense and Sensibility is a delightful comedy of manners in which the sisters Elinor and Marianne represent these two qualities. Elinor’s character is one of Augustan detachment, while Marianne, a fervent disciple of the Romantic Age, learns to curb her passionate nature in the interests of survival.”

I want to start off by saying, I have read this, over a decade ago. But recently, I’ve wanted to delve back into the classics.

I chose Sense and Sensibility because Jane Austen is a favourite author of mine, and I love the film adaptation with Emma Thompson. Rewatching the film recently reignited my desire to read the book.

I added it to my Christmas wishlist because Wordsworth has been releasing these beautiful editions (pictured left). I already have Pride and Prejudice and Emma, so this will match perfectly.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

The cover features a black background with a gold ornate frame. The title "Rebecca" is written in a large, elegant font. Below the title, there is a cluster of vibrant red flowers. At the bottom of the cover, a quote from Sarah Waters praises the book as "One of the most influential novels of the twentieth century... A stunning book."

Synopsis: “On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband’s home, Manderley, a change comes over Maxim, and the young bride is filled with dread. Friendless in the isolated mansion, she realises that she barely knows him. In every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, and the new Mrs de Winter walks in her shadow. Not since Jane Eyre has a heroine faced such difficulty with the other woman. An international bestseller that has never gone out of print, Rebecca is the haunting story of a young girl consumed by love and the struggle to find her identity.”

Our school year divided the curriculum reading list. So, half the year we would study certain authors, Shakespeare plays, and poetry, while the other half studied different ones.

I wasn’t assigned Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier in school, but it’s been on my mind lately. I’ve seen many adaptations of it and it seems quite popular. I’m intrigued by the synopsis and want to see if it lives up to the hype. Also, this cover is stunning!

Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

The image shows a beautiful boxed set of J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy series, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." The box features a stunning illustration of a menacing troll, while the individual book covers showcase iconic scenes from the series.

Synopsis: “The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins, a comfortable hobbit, who is swept into a grand adventure with a wizard and a company of dwarves. Their quest: to reclaim the lost Dwarf kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. The Lord of the Rings is an epic tale set in the same world. A young hobbit, Frodo Baggins, inherits a mysterious ring. He and his loyal companions must undertake a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, preventing the Dark Lord Sauron from conquering Middle-earth.”

I’ve read Lord of The Rings, but I’ve never read The Hobbit. I wanted to get a copy, and when browsing Books2Door, I stumbled upon this special edition collection of all the books.

I immediately fell in love with it. However, at £120.00, it’s quite pricey. It recently went on sale for £69.99, and I was tempted to buy it, but it was out of stock. So, onto the Christmas wishlist it goes!

And there are five books on my Christmas wishlist for Day 5 of Bookmas.

What’s on your Christmas wishlist?

Comment below, or find me on Facebook, Twitter / X, Instagram or Pinterest. You can also find all my other bookish content here.

As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie x

Leave a Reply