Thursday, December 5, 2013

Countdown: Twelve Books for Christmas Gift Giving

When the Cabinet decided to recommend books for gift giving, my first inclination was to showcase new releases--but I changed my mind. Here are four five of my all time favorite reads and a couple books being released in December as a bonus. Speaking of new releases. How cool would it be to preorder books for someone, like the gift of a new release every month?

Okay, enough small talk. Here are my recommendations.

THE CURSE WORKER series by Holly Black, including WHITE CAT, RED GLOVE and BLACK HEART.  Why give a single book as a gift? Make a reader’s holiday seriously amazing by the gluttonous gift of the entire CURSE WORKER series. I rank these three books among my all time favorite YA contemporary fantasies, though in truth they’re much more than pure fantasy. The depth of the world in which these stories take place makes them deliciously genre blending. They also are definitely books that would appeal to an adult as well as a teen.

My next two picks are also by one author. I had a spell earlier last summer when every book I read seemed mediocre, and then I heard Rainbow Rowell on Narrative Breakdown. She was talking about writing romance (actually she made an eye-opening comment about why the romance in TWILIGHT worked so well for a large number of readers). At any rate, I bought her novel ELEANOR & PARK and fell in love with her writing and characters.  I immediately bought her newer novel FANGIRL and enjoyed it even more. I have talked to a few people who aren’t fond of her novels, but I’m certain that has more to do with individual life experiences and taste rather than the quality of Rowell’s writing.  Hands down, these two books rank in my top ten reads so far this year.




Bonus books: I’ll be doing interviews with these authors on my personal blog over the next few weeks.  There will be book giveaways, so be sure to check them out.  Link to follow my blog

THE PROMISE OF AMAZING by Robin Constantine (coming out Dec 31st) A sweet YA romance blended with a touch of humor--and maybe a few dark secrets as well. Wonderful characters and genuine romance.

SOUL CUTTER by Lexa Cain (came out Dec 2) Fast paced and scary, this YA horror novel is the story of a girl who goes to Egypt to search for her mother but finds the supernatural, a killer, and an unexpected romance.

THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY by Jen McConnell (coming out Dec 19) NA this exciting mystery flashes between contemporary and 17th century Scotland. Romance, witch trials, self-discovery and mysteries, what more do you need?  This book was originally self-published, but was so successful that it was picked up by a publisher. 

Watch next week for another Cabinet member's recommendations.  


8 comments:

  1. These sounds fantastic, thanks for the recommends!

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    1. I'm kind of jealous that you get to read middle grades and I can't find time to lately. Loads of my all time favorites are in that category.

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  2. I'm so behind on my to-read pile that I managed not to have known any of these. That's why posts like this are so helpful.

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    1. You should see my pile--and my list. But seriously, these are not to be missed.

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  3. Holly Black's Curse Workers are a top on my list, too, and I'm grateful for the other recommends. You have great taste along with great writing! Looking forward to the interviews :).

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    1. The Curse Worker books are great reads and they are great for writers to study. What is really interesting--and this will tell you just how obsessively I've read the books--is that Library of Congress info at the front of the books list them as science fiction. I'm not sure I'd go along with that. To me they are more like alternate history or alternate reality.

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  4. Thanks for the shout out, lady! :)

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    1. Anytime. I can't wait until next week and your book birthday!

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