According to #ABookishHoliday, the theme today should be “bookish tree,” but what I really want to post today is my “wish list.” Because why wait until December 23rd to do the “wish list” theme? That’s way too late for that post to be useful to anyone who might be buying me presents… 🙂

So, I’m swapping “Day 15” and “Day 23” on the challenge list. I guess that means you’re going to have to wait for your “bookish tree” post. (Note: This swap may, or may not, also have to do with the fact that I’m completely stumped on what a “bookish tree” is supposed to be… especially since “book and Christmas tree” is separately scheduled for Day 20.)

Here’s a closer look at the books on my wish list:

• Shadowshaper — This is getting so many great reviews, and I will buy almost anything edited by Cheryl Klein.
• The Fifth Season — I haven’t read anything by her yet, but I own the Inheritance Trilogy, and have heard great things. I’ve also heard that this one is even better.
• Tiny Pretty Things — I’m pretty much a sucker for any books featuring bun-heads.
• The “Imperial Radch” books — I still haven’t gotten around to reading these, and my two best book friends love this series. This usually means I will also love them.
• The 2nd and 3rd book in the “Raven Cycle” series — Because I read the first one this year, and the fourth (and final) book comes out next year.
• As If! — Clueless is such a good movie and I’ve heard this behind-the-scenes book is full of excellent info about the cast and the making of the movie.
• A Darker Shade of Magic — After reading (and loving) Vicious this year, V.E. Schwab has basically become one of my “auto-buy” authors. So, naturally, this is on my list.
• The Anatomy of Curiosity — This is a collection of stories (not usually my thing), but it also includes commentary on the creative process behind the stories. I really love Maggie Stiefvater’s writing, and I love behind-the-scenes looks at the #WriterLife.
• Never Never — A Peter Pan re-telling that features Captain Hook as the hero? I’m so there for this.
• Sorcerer and the Crown — Regency-era magic with a diverse cast of characters, and the reviews are all glowing.
• Starwars Aftermath — Um… do I really need to explain this? STAR WARS + Chuck Wendig = must be AWESOME
• Lightless — I heard this has a “Firefly / Serenity” feel to it. Must read.
• Signal to Noise — Mexican teens make mix tapes in the 80s and it’s magic (actually, I think). Plus it comes highly recommended.
• Escape From Baghdad! — I heard of this on a Book Riot podcast and it sounded hilarious.
• Slade House — I loved The Bone Clocks, and this is set in the same world.

If you want more details on these books, check out this shelf I made on Goodreads.

On Day 14 of #ABookishHoliday, the task is to post a photo of a “steamy read.” There are plenty of options to choose from, but I decided to go with this “modern classic.” Don’t be fooled by the lack of a bare-chested, kilt-wearing young man. The cover may be black and white in this photo, but this book is red hot. And, once you’ve read the book, there’s the TV show on Starz! And more books in the series! (Though, I stopped reading after this one. One perfect book about time travel and Highlanders is enough for me.)

On the thirteenth day of #ABookishHoliday, we’re having some blustery, wet weather, perfect for curling up by the fire with a good book. In my case, I’m going to finally get started on Illuminae (pictured here without its dust jacket, because I hate dust jackets and this one is particularly annoying… but the cover, the cover is AWESOME).

It’s the tenth day of #ABookishHoliday and the theme of the day is “book stack.” This is a stack of unread books, all received this year as part of my Indiespensible subscription box shipments. As you can see, three are signed hardcover special editions in slip cases, and I haven’t even taken the plastic shrink wrap off yet! The other three were companion, “bonus” books included as part of a shipment. One of them, Tuesday Nights in 1980, is an advanced review copy (release date 4/5/2016). I probably will not get around to reading any of these before the end of the year, which means they will all be going on my “guilt TBR list” for next year.

For the ninth day of #ABookishHoliday, I’m going a little retro. This is a book that my mom had when I was growing up. I remember paging through it and picking out ideas for my birthday parties as a kid. It’s a classic, as is the retro linoleum floor in our apartment’s kitchen. Even though they end result is an incredibly “busy” composition, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to showcase both of these, together. The “candy” here are actually cough drops. We don’t usually have any candy around the house, so I had to improvise.

The theme for day seven of #ABookishHoliday is “books & socks.” I’m not really a “socks” person, so I struggled a bit with this assignment until I realized that stockings are basically socks. So, tonight’s picture is of our Christmas stockings, and the books I picked out to give my niece and nephew as part of their Christmas present this year. (They’re too young to read this blog, so I’m pretty sure I won’t be giving away any secrets by sharing this with you.)

On the sixth day of #ABookishHoliday, for the “blue & white” theme, I give you a book of short stories that I have been slowly working my way through for over a year, and a Kindle book that my cousin just finished and LOVED. I purchased The Selection back in March, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet (because I gave myself too many reading projects this year). But, based on my cousin’s Goodread’s review, it’s moving to the top of my TBR.