Christmas seems like months ago now, not merely nineteen days ago. Did we even have Christmas? It’s all a bit of a blur. That pandemic life, eh? 

Despite having a very different Christmas this year, (I didn’t get to spend it with family, but I did get to spend it with my fiance and our housemates) it was surprisingly lovely! 

Then came the post-Christmas, pre-New-Year’s week, where nothing seems real, time is an illusion, and my lactose-intolerance is forgotten about. That ‘Twixmas’ period tends to be the time where I make the most of the books I got for Christmas. Every year, without fail, I get books for Christmas, which is blimmin’ excellent because, as you know, I love reading! Everyone from my parents to my best friends, and from my colleagues to my fiance’s second cousin twice removed knows that giving me a book for Christmas is to give me a good gift. Unsurprisingly, I got many a bookish themed present this year. So, let me walk you through what books I got for Christmas!

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

This book has been on the cusp of my ‘to buy’ list for a good two years now, ever since my mum told me about it. In fact, she was the one who bought it for me! Essentially, it is a guide to unblocking your creative self. It comes in the form of a twelve week course, with various chapters and tasks to do, but you do it at your own pace. I am currently on Week 3 and it’s already lifechanging, and I do not use that term lightly. 

Toksvig’s Almanac 2021 by Sandi Toksvig

Before finding this in my gift bag, I never knew this book existed. But I did know one thing; I blimmin’ love Sandi Toksvig. She is incredibly intelligent and funny and it looks like those traits really shine in this book. It seems that this almanac tells the stories of fascinating women through history, whilst guiding you through 2021. Sounds right up my street!

And then we have the champion of Christmas – National Book Tokens. 

This year, I managed to pick up four books thanks to receiving Nation Book Tokens! Now, if you’ve read my blog before, you may notice some of these books already; Know My Name by Chanel Miller, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. I’ve had my eye on these books for a looooong time, and touted them as part of my Eight Must-Read Books for 2021. However, the fourth book was a wee bit of a surprise; The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. I saw it on an episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, which is the TV embodiment of a hug and a warm cup of tea, and was really interested by the story. It seems light-hearted but also quite dark, and I’ve only read books on either side of that spectrum, so I am keen to get reading. I’m a full on newbie when it comes to murder mysteries, having only read The Girl on the Train, so count me as intrigued. 

So those are the books I got for Christmas, either as a direct gift or chosen by myself. Yes, they smell great. Yes, I did a photoshoot of them when they arrived. Yes, I bloody love books. Let me know if you got any books for Christmas, or what you are reading at the moment!

PS. You may have noticed all of the links for books go to Bookshop.org. If you are considering buying any new books, I recommend going through them or supporting your local bookshop! It’s been a hard time for all at the moment, so if you fancy doing something good, support a local business!

Rosie x

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