My Bookish Holiday Wishlist
I didn’t realize until a few years ago how much the holiday season stirs up feelings of dread for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love some of the holiday events and celebrations. There are moments I look forward to. Christmas morning with my family. Quietly contemplating the long ago night that a tiny child who would change the world was born in a manger. Those are meaningful times for me.
But the hustle. The shopping. The decorating. All the pressure that comes with seeing all the people in a few short days. We have a big family and some relationships and events are, well… a bit challenging. It’s a lot.
At any rate, I didn’t realize how stressed I was about Christmas until the year that I lost a baby just a few days before the holiday. Somehow that terrible grief unmasked some of the other things I’d been feeling for a long time.
My family is great. My mom and my oldest daughter keep asking me how they can make the holiday season a little easier, and I really appreciate that. (For my teenage daughter, the number one answer is: GIVE ME A CHRISTMAS LIST!)
One of the funny things about being a bookish person is that people don’t generally give me books for Christmas. I suppose that’s partly because they don’t know which ones I’ve already read and what I might be looking forward to. It’s hard to keep track, I get it. (I’d be lost without my spreadsheet and Google calendar.)
But just in case anyone who loves me is checking out my blog posts and hasn’t finished their shopping yet, let me share a few of the bookish things I would love to find under the Christmas tree this year.
Books I Want for Christmas
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
What you need to know: Described as a love letter to Syria and its people. Speculative and set during the Syrian revolution. A girl desperate to flee until a fateful encounter makes her consider what it would take to fight for Syria’s freedom instead. I’ve heard incredible things about this book.
Release Date: September 13, 2022
The Honeys by Ryan LaSala
What you need to know: A twin’s sister dies under horrific circumstances, and he will do whatever it takes to find out why. I’m not usually brave enough to read horror, but I’ve had really good experiences with the couple horror books I’ve read this year. And this is RYAN LASALA. I adored REVERIE. I’m all in.
Release Date: August 2, 2022
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
What you need to know: A young Romanian writer forced to betray everything he believes in by informing on those he loves joins the revolution to fight for freedom. It’s Ruta Sepetys, y’all. I am really excited about reading this one.
Release Date: February 1, 2022
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
What you need to know: An ogress who secretly delivers gifts to the town. A missing orphan. A smooth-talking mayor who’s very good at pointing fingers. I loved THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON, and this story looks just as magical and wonderful. I’m all for a book about the power of generosity and love.
Release Date: March 8, 2022
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
What you need to know: A girl with powerful magic she must keep secret teams up with friends to preserve the balance of magic in her world. I remember people raving about this series, but I never read it. Now I’ve read and loved THE LUMINARIES and I need more Susan Dennard in my life, please, thanks.
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydouros
What you need to know: A girl travels a war-torn country in search of her sister when she discovers her own magic and becomes swept up in the war. I really wanted to read this when it came out, and just wasn’t able to fit it into my calendar. I read a sample chapter and must have more.
Release Date: September 20, 2022
The Severed Thread by Leslie Vedder
What you need to know: Second book in the Bone Spindle series, a gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling and my top favorite book of 2022. Yes, this is a pre-order. I can’t help myself. I want this one really, REALLY bad. It’s at the very top of my Bookish Holiday Wishlist!
Release Date: February 7, 2023
Bookish Stuff on my Bookish Holiday Wishlist
This Metal Fox Bookmark on Etsy
I recently got pre-ordered a book and received this gorgeous metal peacock bookmark as a pre-order thank you. It’s absolutely beautiful. I love the idea of a metal bookmark. They’re a bit expensive, but so pretty.
This Drink Coffee, Read Books, Dismantle Systems of Oppression Shirt
I like bookish shirts, and I have a couple. This one made me laugh (only a tiny bit maniacally).
I was looking for a shirt that says “I’m with the Banned” but all the shirts that I saw included a certain boy wizard book that I’ve decided not to promote, so I feel a little weird about having it in a shirt.
One of These Resin Bookmarks
I love these resin bookmarks, too. I don’t think I would put my name on it, though. They’re pretty enough just plain, I think!
This Six of Crows Hand-Stamped Ring
SIX OF CROWS is one of those books I still can’t forget. I love the idea of having a “No mourners, no funerals” ring.
What’s on your Bookish Holiday Wishlist?
Are you hoping to find books or bookish things as you unwrap holiday gifts this year? What’s at the top of your wishlist?
Are you buying bookish gifts for someone you love? What books or bookish things are you giving this year?