30 Beautiful Books To Buy This Christmas

I love to collect beautiful books, and I own some amazing editions that I think would make wonderful gifts for your loved ones- or yourself- this Christmas. Trust me: pretty books are the best gifts, and you'll earn major brownie points with any bookworm you gift one to.

I thought it might be helpful to do a round-up post of some of my favourite editions to give you some last-minute present inspiration for the holidays, and show you where to get them, so that's what I'm here to do. 

I've rounded up thirty of my favourite special edition books and boxsets that are still available to purchase, and the best part is, almost all of them are affordable. These are all books I own and / or have given as gifts myself, so I highly recommend them. 

Let's take a look!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 // 28 // 29 //30

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses Collector's Edition. One of my favourite special editions and book series ever. It has different gold foil designs on the front and back of both the book and slipcase, metallic end papers, and rose designs on the pages, too.

2. The Leigh Bardugo Collector's Editions Book Set are three of my all time favourites. The foiled covers are to die for, they have block-coloured sprayed edges, and the stories are amazing, too. It includes the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and both books from the awesome Six of Crows duology, which is set in a different part of the same world. If you prefer to collect one at a time, the good news is, you can also buy these books individually.

3. If you liked Nikolai in The Shadow and Bone series, you'll love reading his own story in King of Scars. I think I preferred it to the original trilogy. Book one in this duology has a black hidden cover with gold foil of the Lantsov double-eagle crest, and it's a beauty.

4. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic is a book of Grimms'-style fairytales set in the world of the Grishaverse. It has a pretty navy blue naked cover with gold foiling, and has amazing illustrations inside.

5. The Illumicrate Exclusive edition of Demon in the Wood is a beautiful graphic novel telling the origin story of Shadow and Bone's villain, The Darkling. This book has a gorgeous forest green hidden cover with silver foiling, sprayed edges, and special endpapers, and it's beautifully illustrated throughout.

6. Book two in the King of Scars duology, Rule of Wolves, boasts a burgundy hidden cover with silver foil on both the cover and spine.

7. The Caraval Collector's Edition is a bright red clothbound with a Caraval admittance ticket design, in a navy blue slipcase with silver foil. It also has a bonus chapter from Julian's POV.

8. The Once Upon a Broken Heart books have been so popular that Hodder and Stroughton rereleased the hardback this autumn with a new hidden cover for everyone who missed out on the first print run. This new vault edition has a blue hidden cover with gold foiling of Evangeline's broken heart tattoos, and it's perfect. These won't be rereleased again, so get in there fast. Just make sure the listing says 'vault edition', or you may find yourself with a plain cover.

9. Waterstones Shatter Me Collector's Edition. This new collector's edition of the first book in the popular Shatter Me series is a small clothbound with a botanical gold foil design on the cover, navy sprayed edges with origami bird stencilling, and cheerful yellow end papers with an origami bird design. This is available from other booksellers without the sprayed edges, but I'm not sure if the end papers are a Waterstones exclusive.

10. A Curse For True Love UK edition. The finale to the Once Upon a Broken Heart series has the prettiest Beauty and the Beast inspired dust jacket, and the first print run features purple hidden covers with four different gold foil designs to collect. You'll need to be fast, as once they're gone, they're gone; the next printing will only have plain covers. The US Barnes & Noble Exclusive edition also has a gorgeous burgundy hidden cover.

11. If you really want to treat someone this Christmas, the Owlcrate Into the Grishaverse: Shadow and Bone trilogy books and goodies box would make the most amazing gift. This book box contains stunning special editions of Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising with sprayed edges, hidden covers, and more, plus eight bookish goodies based on the series. It hasn't started shipping yet, so it probably won't make it in time for Christmas, but it looks incredible. I can't wait to get mine. Shipping to the UK is ridiculous for this box, though, so it might be cheaper to use a delivery service instead of having it shipped directly.

12. Throne of Glass Collector's Edition. Book one of an epic eight book series. It has a stunning gold foil cover and slipcase, metallic end papers, and sword and Wyrdmark designs printed on the pages.

13. Not special editions exactly, but the new Bloomsbury Throne of Glass hardcover boxset has all eight books with colourful covers, and the most amazing art on the dust jackets. You can also buy each book separately, and get them in paperback, too. 

14. If you enjoy spicy fantasy adventure with demon princes, fae, and vampires, Waterstones' Exclusive edition of Throne of the Fallen may be for you. It has a very light grey cover with a metallic purple foil design of House Envy's two-headed wolf crest, purple end-papers, and purple sprayed-edges with key stencilling.

15. The Jane Austen Collection by Arcturus Books is the perfect gift for any Austen fan. It's a gorgeous little box set featuring her six most popular books- Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility- in pretty pastel clothbounds with lovely patterned covers.

16. The Cruel Prince is one of my favourite fantasy book series ever, and the new Cruel Prince Collector's edition is a stunner. This gothic edition has a textured black cover and matching slipcase with nature designs woven with items from the books like Jude's sword, and Cardan's crown. Inside, it has beautiful greyscale illustrated end papers, black sprayed edges, and some brilliant deleted scenes at the back.

17. The Puffin in Bloom collection is a four-book-set with four of everyone's favourite children's classics- Little Women, Heidi, A Little Princess, and Anne of Green Gables, each with the most beautiful hardback covers designed by the Rifle Paper Co. You can also buy each title separately, which is how I'm collecting them. I have them all, except for Heidi, who I must adopt at some point.

18. Owlcrate's edition of Violet Made of Thorns has so many incredible qualities, it's hard to know where to start. It has a bright purple hidden cover with stunning silver foil designs on the front and back, the most amazing silver-foiled celestial endpapers, a reversible dust jacket with character art, and more. I've not read it yet, but it's a favourite in terms of aesthetics.

19. The Waterstones Exclusive Signed Edition of Upon a Frosted Star has botanical green and white patterned sprayed edges with gold foiling, and matching end papers inside. It's also signed by the author. I've just started reading this one, and it's said to be Swan Lake meets The Great Gatsby.

20. Another signed Waterstones Exclusive I love is Ink Blood Sister Scribe; fantasy, thriller, mystery, and academia rolled into one. This book has tangerine-coloured sprayed edges with stencilling of bees and leaves, and marbled-burgundy endpapers. I reviewed it here.

21. Any fan of the Bronte sisters will love The Bronte Collection from Arcturus books. This boxset includes six colourful little clothbounds with floral covers written by the three Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and more.

22. The Famous Five series is a classic, and Hodder Children's Books released the first three books as retro hardbacks. Five Run Away Together is a beautiful little brick-red hardcover adorned with a spitfire print with rose-gold foiling, and it's illustrated, too. I reviewed all three books here.

23. If you want something festive, I'd recommend the Puffin Clothbound Classics version of A Christmas Carol. It's a lovely little illustrated red clothbound with gold foiling on the cover, sprayed edges, and sky blue end papers with a snowflake and candlestick print. I reviewed it here.

24. The Puffins Clothbound Classic of The Secret Garden is another of my favourite covers. This magical classic has a denim-blue clothbound cover decorated with gold-foiling of bees and roses, which frames imagery of a girl standing among the roses.

25. And the Puffin Clothbound Classics' edition of The Wizard of Oz is also stunning. It's an emerald green clothbound with a gold foil yellow-brick-road design, and it's even illustrated inside.

26. Barnes and Noble do gorgeous leather-bound editions, like this H.G. Wells Keepsake Collection, that is filled with six of his most popular novels. The bright cobalt-blue cover depicts a UFO and clock faces laid out like a solar system on a starry night sky, appearing to represent War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, and it also has metallic gold edges. B&N unfortunately don't deliver to the UK anymore, but you can get some titles from Amazon, or use a delivery service to act as a middle man.

27. The hardcover of The Way Past Winter has a pretty sage-green cover, with a wintry, Nordic-style design, and some gold-foiling. It's a lovely, wintry YA fantasy, too.

28. The Anne of Green Gables boxset from Arcturus Books is one of the loveliest book sets I've ever seen. It includes all six of the 'Anne' books with delicate pastel-coloured, clothbound covers that each have a different floral design.

29. The Penguin Clothbound Classics are probably the most recognisable of all the beautiful books out there. They cover so many classics these days, but this copy of The Day of the Triffids is one of my favourites. It has a lime green clothbound cover with a yellow circular print that might be of plant cells or chloroplasts or something similar. Answers on a postcard...

30. And the Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass is a must if you're a Wonderland fan. I've had this book for years, and I'm still in love with the pink and white, flamingo-print clothbound cover. 

There are so many more pretty books I can think of, so if you'd like me to make another post like this, do let me know.

You can also check out book subscription sites like Fairyloot, Illumicrate, Litjoy Crate, Owlcrate, The Bookish Box and Shop, and The Broken Binding, which do a mixture of book subscription boxes, and one-off book purchases, along with bookish goodies. Waterstones are also great for exclusive editions- just search 'exclusive hardbacks/paperbacks' and a big list will come up. I'd advise preordering their exclusives as they usually sell out online before release day. Barnes and Noble do gorgeous special editions and leather bounds, too, but as they don't deliver to the UK, try Indigo in Canada, who do. They stock many of the same exclusive editions, just not the B&N leatherbounds. (Sad face).

I hope this helps you find some beautiful books this Christmas. Just don't blame me if this starts you on the path to a beautiful book addiction!

Do you have a favourite special edition book?

Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuzniar Christmas Book Review

Last Christmas, I read a wonderful grown-up retelling of The Nutcracker called Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar, but since I didn't finish it until after Christmas, I never managed to review it on the blog. And honestly, that's just not on. 

It's a magical festive read to get lost in during cold December nights, so I wanted to tell you guys about it so you can enjoy the experience, too. I've had this review waiting in my drafts for a whole year now, so it's time to dust it off, and introduce you to the world of Celesta.

Book Title: Midnight in Everwood

Author: M.A. Kuzniar

Genre: YA Fantasy

Plot:

'Sometimes the easy path is harder than one might ever imagine.'

Midnight in Everwood is a beautifully-descriptive, gothic reimaging of The Nutcracker about a young woman in Edwardian times being forced to give up her dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer to marry a man of her parents choosing. Marietta feels trapped, and on Christmas Eve, when Drosselmeier, the curious toymaker her parents want her to marry, turns predatory the moment he gets her alone, she retreats into the grandfather clock in his theatre set and is amazed to find a portal to another world. Marietta has no choice but to escape through the clock, and finds herself in a magical but dangerous wintry world full of sugar and snow, gingerbread houses and elaborate balls, moose-pulled sleighs and miniature reindeer. This enchanting, snow-draped land appears like a winter wonderland at first, but then Marietta finds herself taken before the king, who covets rare delights, and with no ballet dancing in Everwood, she's forced to dance for his entertainment until he tires of her. Marietta soon discovers she cannot leave, and as days turn into weeks and his abuse increases, she realises she must find a way to escape the king's clutches with her fellow captives, Dellara and Pirlipata, before his cruelty wears them all into the ground. But when she develops feelings for the handsome guard risking his life to keep her alive, will Marietta be able to ignore her heart, and escape when the time comes? Or will she be trapped in the castle and forced to dance for the cruel king forever?

Thoughts:

It was a slow starter for me and I almost gave up on it, but I'm so glad I didn't. Once Marietta escaped into Everwood, and the story had more to offer than the droning talk of ballet dancing and Edwardian societal expectations, the book came alive into something magical; a dark fairytale world I found myself getting completely lost in. 

Overlooking the king's cruelty towards Marietta and everyone else in his kingdom, the world of Everwood was enchanting, and the author's world-building was sublime. It pulled you right into every scene as if you were really there wandering through a village of gingerbread houses or tasting sugared snowflakes on your lips. It made me want to wrap up warm and go travel through a snow-draped landscape in a moose-drawn sleigh.

At the same time, I found the story too over-descriptive at times, and if I never have to hear the word 'gossamer' again, it'll be too soon. It was slipped into the story so often, it felt like it was on every other page. I began to wonder if Kuzniar was getting paid each time she used it in the story. 

There were also instances where she suddenly had Marietta considering her own privilege as a rich, straight, white woman when the story didn't call for it, and while I think it's so important for us to recognise our privileges when others aren't awarded the same rights and opportunities, the way it was done felt like the author was trying too hard to make her Edwardian story 'woke.'

Despite these little niggles, I really did enjoy this book. 

Besides the world of Celesta, I particularly loved Marietta as a heroine. I admired her fire, and how she was willing to fight for what she wanted in life, refusing to submit to her parents' plans for her, society's expectations for a woman at the time, or the desires of the predatory man her parents wanted her to marry who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. I found her personality relatable, particularly how her struggles only stoked her fire and desire for what she wanted most in life, instead of breaking her spirit.

I also enjoyed how her friendship blossomed with Dellara and Pirlipata, and how the three unlikely friends and cellmates worked together as a formidable team to survive and find a way out of their impossible situation. 

Most of all, I loved how Marietta's relationship developed with the grumpy, reserved, but charming Captain Legat during her time in Everwood. He's such an underrated love interest, but I loved him so much. Who doesn't love a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers storyline with a tall, handsome man in uniform?

Having not yet read the original telling of The Nutcracker, I can't say how it compares, but overall, I thought it was a beautiful winter tale full of wonder. It had just the right amount of romance, friendship, magic and suspense, and with all the talk of Christmas, snow, gingerbread, and miniature reindeer, it's the perfect book to get lost in over Christmas. I'm so tempted to have a reread this December. And you know what? I think I just might.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Have you read Midnight in Everwood yet? What is your favourite book to read over the holidays?

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Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs Book Review

Reading has always been one of my favourite hobbies, and it's something I love to do every day, but it's been a while since I last posted a book review to the blog. I often post what I'm reading and write mini reviews on my Insta stories, but I want to start sharing more of them here with you, too, so here I am. 

I recently read a brilliant debut fantasy and new release called Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs, so let's start with that one.

Book: Ink Blood Sister Scribe.

Author: Emma Törzs.

Genres: Fantasy, mystery, thriller, adventure, romance (f/f and f/m)

Edition: Waterstones Exclusive Signed Hardback.

Synopsis:

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a unique and immersive dark fantasy about magic books that have the power to kill, and a secret organisation that will stop at nothing to find those who guard them- not even murder. 

It follows two estranged sisters- loner Joanna, who's dedicated her life to protecting her rare book collection, and Esther, who is hiding out on a research base in Antarctica, and must move every year on the same date to avoid being found. Except this year, she stays put for love, and just as she thinks she's safe, she discovers spots of blood on all the mirrors. It can only mean one thing: sinister magic is in use on the base. Her life is in danger and she doesn't know who she can trust, but when a note offering help is passed through a mirror, will she accept or listen to her instincts and run? And what will she send back?

Meanwhile, wealthy, sheltered Nicholas, a scribe who writes spell books with his own blood for his family's elite library, discovers shocking truths that will lead him and his bodyguard, Collins, to flee. The four must travel across continents to find one another and stay alive, learn the sinister secrets of the Library, and put a stop to the organisation once and for all- but can they do it before it's too late? 

Thoughts:

The unusual storyline of this book pulled me in from the start, and the magic, humour, and beautiful descriptive writing kept me reading. I was a little uninterested in Nicholas' POV to begin with, as he came across as spoilt and entitled, and his guardians were so unlikable, but the more I read, the more I found myself enjoying his story- and each of the three POVs. Esther's was full of action, suspense, and  delightful dark magic, and her rocky relationship with Pearl was far from boring; Joanna was intriguing as a lonely, awkward introvert shackled to her house by her books and wards, while struggling to trust her mother and befriend a cat; and Nicholas' was sad as his desires for freedom and friends ate away at him while he was coddled by his Uncle, and conditioned to write books and stay hidden away at the cost of his own declining health. Collins' character development from stoic bodyguard to mysterious-guy-who-can-hear-magic was also really interesting, and I loved the relationships he forged with Nicholas and Joanna. Also, there's a Pomeranian sidekick called Sir Kiwi. Who's female. The twists and turns were surprising and full of tension, and overall, it was such a fun, interesting read that kept me guessing until the end. It left me hoping that it might continue as a series, but I think it's just a stand-alone. Either way, it's the perfect cosy, atmospheric read for autumn for anyone who enjoys dark magic, mystery, and adventure, with a little found-family and forced proximity thrown in for good measure.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.

Favourite Quotes:

♥ The other books hummed like summer bees. This book throbbed like unspent thunder and when she opened the cover the handwritten words swam in front of her eyes, rearranging themselves every time a letter nearly became clear. In progress; unreadable.

♥ If she left- when she left- Antarctica would be a memory, than a memory of memory, and eventually it would be just a story. Pearl would be just a story, a swirl of remembered feelings, someone she'd talk about at bars to strangers who would become friends and then strangers again.

♥ 'If magic really does exist, and you really can erase my memory, and I let you do it- you have to promise to come find me again once you're safe. You have to promise to tell me everything that happened, and tell me again about your parents, and the books. Fill in all the blanks. I don't want to forget forever. I want to know.' She took a shuddering breath. 'But I don't think I can handle knowing right now. Alone.'

♥ A year felt so long unless it was all you had.

♥ ...when the physical and emotional boundaries of one's life were small, when one had walked every inch of one's allotted space many times over, it was easy to forget ignorance and feel a sort of mastery, instead. This house, that path, those books, that mountain; Joanna was used to being the expert and used to the safety that came with expertise.

The beautiful edition shown in my photos is the Waterstones exclusive signed edition, and I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but it was actually the design which drew me in and made me want to investigate what the book was about. It has tangerine sprayed edges with bees, feathers, and stars stencilled on the side in black ink, and it's so pretty and autumnal. It, sadly, doesn't have a hidden cover, but it has marbled-burgundy-red end papers, gold foil on the dust jacket, and it's signed by the author inside. I love it! It sold out online before release day, so I'm glad I preordered it this spring, but if you can find it in store, it's well worth the purchase if you love pretty books.

What are you waiting for? Go read it!

Have you read Ink Blood Sister Scribe yet?

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The A to Z Bookish Survey

I've had this bookish survey sat unwritten in my drafts for so long I can't remember where I found it, so I thought it was about time I came up with some answers for it. There are twenty-six book-themed questions- one for each letter of the alphabet- and twenty-six book-related answers.

If you want to know my favourite books, which book characters I fangirl over, or the book currently giving me a reading-hangover, today is the day you'll find out. (Though, please excuse the quality of today's photos, as I had to use an ancient point-and-shoot because I broke my camera, and can't afford to replace it yet. Everything's come out so grainy and oddly saturated, and I want to cry).

Introducing the A to Z Bookish Survey.

Author You've Read the Most Books By

It's probably Richard Laymon. I was addicted to his books in my mid-late teens, and read almost all of his novels in just a couple of years. I think there are only two of his books that I haven't read- and only because I set them aside when he died so I'd have new Richard Laymon books to look forward to one day. I haven't read any of his books in almost twenty years, though, and I doubt I'd enjoy his quality of writing as much now.

Best Sequel Ever

I'm having a hard time choosing between my favourite sequels because there are so many that I adore, and they mostly seem to be young adult fantasy. I love Leigh Bardugo's Crooked Kingdom from the Six of Crows duology; Siege and Storm, from the Shadow and Bone trilogy; and Rule of Wolves, the sequel to King of Scars. I'm also currently obsessed with The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber, which is a million times better than it's cringy predecessor, Once upon a Broken Heart, and I have a soft spot for Legendary, her follow up to Caraval, too. I could go on listing sequels I love, but I'll stop before I get carried away.

Currently reading

I'm currently reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian. It's very science-heavy, but it's okay because Rocky is the best side-kick ever. Amaze amaze amaze!

Drink of choice

I'm not a tea or coffee drinker, so I'll just have something cold nearby. And then forget to drink for hours because I've become so engrossed in my book.

E-reader or physical book

I'll happily read from both, but you just can't beat a physical book. I love seeing my bookcase fill up with books I've loved and the beautiful editions I've collected; the smell of the paper; and being able to flick through the pages and see all of my favourite passages and quotes that I've highlighted.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school.

Oh, that's a tough one... It would have to have been someone sweet, funny, kind, and a little bit dorky as I was really shy, so probably someone like Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables, or Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars. I'd definitely have had a crush on Nikolai Lantsov from the Shadow and Bone books, but I wouldn't have had a chance.

Glad you gave this book a chance.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I recently read it after leaving it unloved on my bookshelf for a few years, and it was such an incredible read, I read it on the edge of my seat, mind-blown and a little terrified by the way the author imagined the multi-verse. It's easily one of the best books I've ever read. Read it; you're in for a treat!

Hidden gem book

The Binding by Bridget Collins. It starts off slow with a boy learning how to book-bind unwanted memories in to the spines of books, and then all of a sudden, it comes to life with a story of lost love that was so beautiful it hurt my heart. It ended up being one of the most beautiful stories I've read in my life. 

Important moment in your reading life

I can't really think of an interesting answer to this. I've been reading all my life, and there isn't one defining moment that stands out. I guess important moments for me included any time I first read a favourite book; childhood trips to the library that helped cement my love of reading; discovering The Magic Faraway Tree and Secret Seven books as a child which led to a love of magical worlds, mystery, and adventure; and reading Little Women and realising, through Jo March, that being a little different could be a strength and not a weakness.

Just finished

The Lighthouse Witches by C.J.Cooke, a creepy tale of witches and wildings set in a lighthouse on a Scottish island. A mother and her three daughters move to the island where women accused of witchcraft were once burnt at the stake, and one by one they go missing. Only one of the sisters is seen alive again... until more than twenty years later, when a second sister is found alive, still seven years old. It was atmospheric and creepy, and a great little autumn read.

Kinds of books you won't read

I won't rule anything out, per se, but I can't say I'm a fan of fluffy romance novels or chick lit. 

Longest book you've read

Probably The Stand by Stephen King. It's a big beast at over 1400 pages long, but it was so good it only took me two weeks to read.

Major book hangover because of

I'm currently experiencing a major book hangover from The Ballad of Never After. I finished it over a month ago, and the last forty pages or so were so heartbreaking that I can't stop thinking about it. I swear, if Stephanie Garber doesn't fix that ending in book three, I'll never be happy again. Excuse me while I go wait in the Hollow with the mirth stone until she writes the real ending. Just. Let. Him. Be. Loved.

Number of bookcases you own

I only have one bookcase, but it's about seven foot wide, and holds a double row of books. (I finally organised it last week, and it's so pretty)! I'd love to have a whole library full of bookcases that stretch from wall to wall and ceiling to floor, though. One day...

One book you've read multiple times

There are quite a few books I've read multiple times, but one of my favourites to reread is The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- especially at this time of year. It never loses it's magic, and it's still beautiful and devastating every time. (Though, the scenes when Henry is attracted to underage Clare make me more uncomfortable with each read).

Prefered place to read

I love to read on my bed, lying on a pile of pillows, snuggled up under a blanket. So comfy.

Quote that inspires you / gives you all the feels

I love a good bookish quote, so I'm struggling to pick just one. These are three of my current favourites:

"There was no part of him that was not broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken."- Kaz Brekker, Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo.

"There had been a time when books were the only place he could find solace... Each spine had been an open doorway whispering come in, come in. Here is a land you've never seen before. Here is a place to hide when you're frightened, to play when you're bored, to rest when the world seems unkind." -King of Scars, Leigh Bardugo.

'There is nothing of equal value to me.'-Jacks, The Ballad of Never After, Stephanie Garber. (I can't add more of the passage or give context as it's a big spoiler, but if you've read it, you'll understand the emotional state it left me in).

Reading regret

The time, in my early twenties, I thought it would be a good idea to read The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, as I'd loved the film. It was the most boring, badly-written piece of crap I've read in my life, and it was the only form of entertainment I had travelling through France in the back of a car for eight hours. (That was right before mobiles worked abroad, and smartphones were a thing). Big mistake. Huge.

Series you started and need to finish

The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I've only read the first book, Every Heart a Doorway, so far, but I really enjoyed how weird and morbid it was, and want to work my way through the others. I think there are at least eight in the series.

Three of your all time favourite books

I have so many favourite books, so it's so hard to choose just three. These are three of my ultimate favourites, but not necessarily my top three. I ended up with a short list of about fifteen and couldn't decide which of them I loved best, so I chose three of them at random.

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Unapologetic fangirl for

If we're talking book characters, I can't help fangirling over Nikolai Lantsov from The Shadow and Bone series, and Jacks, Dante, and Julian from the Caraval / Once Upon a Broken Heart books. I'm a hopeless fangirl for both sagas, too.

Very excited for this release more than all the others

I can't wait for the third book in the Once upon a Broken Heart series- even though, it's probably at least a year away- and I'm also really looking forward to reading the new John Marrs novel, Keep it in the Family, which just came out. Everything he writes is amazing.

Worst bookish habit

Buying multiple editions of my favourite books when I find a beautiful cover I can't resist.

X marks the spot: start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book

My gorgeous spring-green clothbound of The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

Your latest book purchase

I've bought quite a few books lately, but the last book I bought was a fantasy novel called Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher. It's about a girl who asks a gravewitch for help to kill a prince who has been abusing her sister, and is promised the tools to do so- if she can complete three impossible tasks. It sounds intriguing, and I can't wait to read it.

Zzz snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY too late):

The Ballad of Never After... And not because I was reading it, but because I couldn't stop thinking about what happened! I'm not sure I'm ever going to get over it, to be honest.

And that's the A-Z Bookish Survey. Feel free to have a go at the survey, too- and send me your links if you do, so I can read them!

What books have you enjoyed lately?

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Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories Book Review

Last Christmas, one of my sisters gave me a beautiful hardback copy of Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories for Christmas.

I was in the middle of another book when I received it, so I saved it up to read this Christmas when I could truly appreciate the festive stories. I've been reading it a story or two at a time before bed this past week for some light Christmas reading, and it's been a joy.

Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is a collection of short stories originally written in the 1940s-1960s for annuals, magazines, and radio by the author of the beloved classic children's book, Ballet Shoes. It features nine of her Christmas stories, including The Bells Keep Twelfth Night, Thimble, The Moss Rose, and The Princess, which have never been collected together in one book before. There are auditions on stage, and antics on ice, pantomime trips, holiday adventures, and laughter shared with family and friends. These old-fashioned children's stories are charming, heart-warming, and humourous, and entertaining not just for children, but for readers of all ages. If you liked Noel Streatfeild's books growing up, or enjoyed stories from other classic children's authors like Enid Blyton, you should find this collection of festive stories delightful.

I can't remember if I ever read a Streatfeild book growing up (although, my older sister adored the Shoe books), but there's something wonderfully nostalgic about these stories that remind me of the stories I loved to read when I was a child. They have a similar feel to Enid Blyton stories- which isn't surprising since they were written during the same era- except Streatfeild's feature more ballet shoes and ice skates.

There are tales of cats being dressed up in turbans and feathers to cheer up an old sick lady; a princess dressing as a commoner to go shopping who slips away from her teacher to perform in a ballet, and a young girl who picks up the wrong suitcase, and instead of returning it to the tube station, drives around with a mega phone in desperation to find its owner. They're wholesome and sweet, and undeniably funny. 

The book itself is the Virago Modern Classic edition, and it's absolutely beautiful. It has a navy cover framed by two silver trees decorated with colourful baubles, with a scattering of snowflakes coming down from the night sky. At the bottom, is a mouse in uniform wearing a cape, a blonde ballerina dressed in ice blue, and a Nutcracker soldier playing a drum. In the centre, the author's name and book title are printed in white and silver on a red ribbon, with golden bells, and an angel hanging from either side. The same trees, decorations, and snowflakes are printed on the back cover, and the author's name and book title are printed on a straight red ribbon on the spine.

When you open the book, you'll discover that the book is a lovely plain scarlet hardback, with light grey end-papers covered in snowflakes and hanging decorations. Each short story is introduced with the same design of trees, baubles, and snowflakes from the cover as a black and white line drawing, and you'll find one illustration in the same style included with each story. It's beautifully designed, and a lovely little treasure to add to any pretty book collection. I'm a sucker for beautiful books, and this one sure gets my vote of approval for aesthetics. It looks so lovely on my bookshelf with all my clothbounds and other beautiful hardbacks, and the illustrations make it a treat to read.

Sure, it's a children's book, but you don't have to be a child to be able to appreciate this collection of festive stories. In fact, it would probably appeal more to adults who grew up reading Streatfeild's stories, than to children, who might prefer something a little more modern. My childhood ended far more years ago than I'd care to mention, but now and then, I enjoy reading classic children's books from days gone by for a hint of nostalgia, and Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories has given me the loveliest reading experience. The stories have been helping me relax after a busy day preparing for Christmas, and they're so festive, I've had no trouble getting in to the Christmas Spirit.

If you're looking for a light-hearted Christmas read, or a last minute present for a book lover, I couldn't recommend this lovely book to you more.

Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is available now from all good book stores, and all the usual places. Find it on Amazon here.

Have you read Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories yet?

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The Jane Austen Collection From Arcturus Books

As a big old book worm, beautiful book covers are one of my biggest weaknesses in life, and I love collecting pretty editions that are a treat for the eyes as well as the imagination. 

Lately, I've been on a bit of a beautiful-book buying binge, and have treated myself to a couple of gorgeous clothbound sets and an armful of novels over the last month or so alone. I just couldn't help myself; I have no restraint when it comes to books!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a sneak peek of some of my new reads on my Insta stories, bur if you missed them, don't worry; I'm going to start reviewing some of them here, too, starting with The Jane Austen Collection from Arcturus books today.

The Jane Austen Collection from Arcturus books features six of Jane Austen's most beloved novels including Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey, and they're without a doubt some of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. I fell in love with the collection after stumbling up on the prettiest photos of them on Bluestocking Bookshelf a couple of months ago. and I knew I had to have them in my life. I couldn't stop thinking about them until I was finally able to treat myself to the set last month, and let me tell you, they were worth the wait! They're even more perfect in person than they appear on screen. My photos do not do them justice.

Each book in this beautiful set of colourful clothbounds is a different colour in a range of pastels and muted-brights from dusky pink to light-teal, and each copy has a different patterned cover in a complimenting shade, with a pretty wreath design around the book title and author's name. 

I think my favourite designs are Northanger Abbey and Emma, although Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility look rather lovely, too. They're all absolutely stunning.

The titles on the covers are printed in a handwritten-like script in both upper and lowercase letters, with Austen's name printed slightly smaller in all caps. I think the font looks attractive on the front covers, but looks a little tacky and childish on the spines- probably since it's printed in such a large font. It doesn't put me off the books, but if I could change anything, I would make the font much smaller.

Like all of Arcturus' books I've seen, the books in the Jane Austen collection are smaller than the average paperback, which I love because I find them easier to hold in my arthritic hands for extended periods than larger, heavier books. They're not too heavy, either, as the novels are printed in a small font, which keeps the thickness down. Their unique size and colourful covers also ensure that they stand out on your bookshelves and add a pop of colour to your home, which is something I love my books to do.

I adore these gorgeous little books, and can't wait to start working my way through them. I've only read Pride and Prejudice before, so I'm looking forward to reading the other five for the first time. I  just don't know which novel to begin reading first! Any recommendations?

The Jane Austen collection is available to purchase separately and together as a set, and should be available from all good book stores. I stumbled up on the whole set for just £19.99 (RRP £49.99!) from Books2Door here, which works out at just £3.33 a book! Six pretty clothbounds for under £20 is an amazing bargain, and trust me, they were worth every penny! 

The set would make the perfect gift for any Jane Austen fan this Christmas, and an even better gift for yourself!

Will you be buying any books from the collection? 

Are you a fan of pretty books?

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