Merry Christmas, lovelies! Did you get all the books you asked for? Or, better yet, a gift card to Barnes & Noble?

Christmas has always been special to me, not because of the gift-giving, but because it means time off from work and school for family. Though holiday dinners can be nerve-wracking (trust me on this one) it’s always nice seeing relatives get together and catch up. I personally love talking the night away with my cousins, with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Like Sierra from What Light, I use a candy cane to stir the chocolate into the steamed milk to add in a taste of peppermint.

So when I saw The Joy of Christmas book tag on my friend Rachael’s blog, I knew I had to participate as well! Here goes nothing:

ANTICIPATION: the Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating?

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR, which might as well just be called A Court of Want a Rhysand) by Sarah J. Maas

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

The Hummingbird Heart by A.G. Howard

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

CHRISTMAS SONGS AND CAROLS: what book or author can you not help but sing praises for?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer. It. shattered. my. heart. and. I. still. haven’t. recovered. ugh.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES: what book or series has wonderful world building?

Ohh, this is so difficult! My first thought is actually my friend Tiffany’s book-in-progress. The way she structured her world is totally insane. I really felt like I was there, in the world she spun out of her imagination.

But if I had to choose from a book/series that’s already been published, I can’t go wrong with J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, can I? Harry Potter was practically my childhood! Seventh year Hogwarts Ravenclaw Head Girl here. 🙂

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: favourite classic or one that you want to read

I meant to finish reading Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I guess that’s something I can do with the rest of my winter break…

CHRISTMAS SWEETS: what book would you love to receive for Christmas?

Can I just get ACOWAR right now? Please? May 2 is too far away!! But to be more pragmatic, I’d love to receive the illustrated versions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

CHRISTMAS TREES AND DECORATIONS: what are some of your favourite book covers?

I love the covers for the Starbound trilogy! I think I’ve raved about how gorgeous these covers are in a previous book tag, but I mean look at this:

CHRISTMAS JOY: what are some of your favourite things about Christmas and/or some of your favourite Christmas memories?

I love driving around the neighborhood, admiring the lights. Almost everyone on my street puts them up, and the myriad of twinkling lights is really breathtaking at night. It’s such a small thing, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

My dad gifted me my first fountain pen this morning, and it’s so beautiful I want to cry a little. I’ve always wanted one, so he got me a dark blue one from Cross! So while this memory is fairly fresh, I know I’ll remember for the years to come. Yesterday my uncle gave me a medical encyclopedia, which I am SO excited about! He says the virology section is the most interesting, but so far, I think anesthesia, cataract surgery, and the history of microscopes are cooler. Yes, I know. I’m such a nerd!

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Merry Christmas, everyone! Spend time with family. Eat good food. Laugh a lot. May the days ahead be forever merry and bright.