stargazer

Dear Santa – I would like these 5 books

Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by Bionic Book Worm and this week’s topic is, appropriately, books you would like to find under the Christmas tree (or get magically delivered to your Kindle by elves during Christmas Eve).

Writing long lists is not my favourite thing, but with this topic, I found it exceedingly hard to stick to five books. But here we go:

1. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

The siblings Danny and Maeve cannot overcome their troubled past, which includes being exiled by their step mother from the house where they grew up. I have seen so many great reviews for this novel including from Theresa Smith Writes, Carla Loves To Read and Curly Geek. I can’t wait to read it.

2. Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

From Goodreads: Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. It certainly sounds magical to me, and reviews from Jonetta and BookerTalk helped to convince me, that this one should go on the wish list.

3. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

After having loved the beautiful and melancholic writing from Kazuo Ishiguro (who is actually British) and Hiro Arikawa, I am keen to pursue more Japanese literature. I chose this one after Sandra mentioned it on her blog, and I went to download it to my Kindle. But, lo and behold, it wasn’t available. Yup, you read correctly. It. Was. Not. Available. Not in English anyway. I vaguely remember these rectangular shapes with pages, which you can buy in the shops. I might have to get one of those.

4. The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas

When 11 year old Unn inexplicably disappears, her friend Siss has her world shattered. From Goodreads: The Ice Palace is written in prose of a lyrical economy that ranks among the most memorable achievements of modern literature. I have been wanting to read this ever since seeing a recommendation from madamebibilophile. I would prefer to read the original version though, but it has proved difficult to get hold of a copy.

5. This is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay

You know how Amazon uses advanced AI algorithms to show you suggestions based on what you have bought in the past? I have never downloaded any books about the healthcare sector and yet this one keeps popping up, whenever I go to the Kindle store. Anyway, whether by free will or commercial manipulation, the fact is, I really do want to read it. Santa, over to you.

These were some of the many books, I would be happy to get for Christmas. Which books are on top of your wish list?

31 comments

  1. Haha. Oh commercial manipulation definitely works. I’ve bought more than a few books because of Amazon’s marketing and harassment. Sneaky devils. Good post!

    • Yes, sneaky devils sounds about right! But sometimes it is ok to give in for temptation and some of their suggestions haven’t been bad at all 😉 . Thanks!

  4. delighted to see that I helped persuade you to read the Diane Setterfield. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed: The Adam Kay is also well worth reading though of course its a very different kind of book. An unusual mix of humour and ‘political’ point…..

    • It was a great review! I don’t think I will be disappointed, but it is always tricky, when expectations are high. Glad, you found Adam Kay worth reading as well.

  5. These are amazing choices! Love them all – except The Dutch House, which, frankly, disappointed me hugely. It was the most boring read of the year for me – it felt like a story I read hundreds of times before. I wonder what you would think – maybe I missed some point there and I am open for my mind to be changed 🙂

    • Thanks, I am glad you approve! And slightly worried hearing about your experience with The Dutch House. I will read it (Santa or no Santa) and hopefully get on better with it than you did. I don’t always seem to love the books which are very popular, so who knows…

  6. The Dutch House would be on my list too – hope Santa’s paying attention! I’ve added Once Upon a River to my wishlist and then taken it off again at least three times depending on the last review I read – it really seems to divide opinion. I’ll be interested in hearing yours… but are you sure you won’t be on the Naughty List? 🎅

    • Great! I hope we will both acquire and enjoy The Dutch House. I haven’t seen many negative reviews of Once Upon a River, but having read the various descriptions, I feel positive about it. Now you mention it, no, I’m not sure at all, that I’m not on the naughty list. I may have to rely on other sources to get my wishes fulfilled. 😉

  7. Great post, now I’m thinking about my list (even if it won’t get posted). Once Upon a River is certainly up there but only 5? That’s a tough ask. Wishing you a very merry Christmas, Stargazer, and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. All being well, I’ll be blogging again come January 🙂 🎄

    • Thanks! And yes, it was bordering to impossible to narrow it down to 5 books. I wish you a lovely Christmas as well 🎅🎄and will be looking forward to see you back in January. 😊

  8. I hope Santa is good to you! I have read the first two and loved them. The audio of The Dutch House is exceptional if you care for audio. Now you have me wanting to read the other three books! Merry Christmas!

    • I hope Santa is good to me as well! And to all the other book bloggers of course 🙂 . Good to hear, you enjoyed The Dutch House, so many people seem to agree with you. And a very Merry Christmas to you too!

    • I know, it is difficult, when there are so many books you want to read. But since I don’t keep a TBR and have a ‘selective’ memory, I only remember the ones which made a huge impression on me. This makes it a bit easier. Hope you get a lovely Christmas break (and perhaps some more books!)

  10. So many interesting reads on here. I haven’t ready any of them but I have heard of a couple. The one by Banana Yoshimoto has me intrigued and I have to admit myself that Japanese literature has intrigued me as well ever since I’ve tried Kafka on the Shore. Hope you get around to reading these in the near future. 😀

    • My gut feeling is, there are a lot of Japanese authors, whom I would thoroughly enjoy. I am looking forward to read the Banana Yoshimoto and I was quite disappointed that no Kindle version was available. Of course, Kafka on the Shore is already waiting for me in the Kindle and I can’t wait to get started. I still have a feeling, it could go either way, though.

    • Nope, Santa missed that particular clue. 😉 Guess I will have to buy it myself, I am determined to read it!

  14. Which ones did Santa get you? Santa only bought one of the books on my list, but I won a few amazon vouchers at work so I bought two of the ones I wanted.

    • Santa didn’t feel like giving me books this year, but I got cash and gift cards some of which will definitely be used for books. I already acquired The Dutch House (audiobook) and ordered Kitchen (paperback). Which ones did you buy?

      • Well, luckily my TBTB secret santa did end up getting me two I wanted, Santa at home (husband) bought me one, but with the gift cards I bought the other two I really wanted, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs and The Romanovs. I really want to read more non-fiction this year.

        • That is not a bad haul at all! The ones you got yourself both sound interesting, in particular I’ve always been fascinated by dinosaurs. I’m not sure of your taste in nonfiction, but The Salt Path was one of my favourite reads in 2019. Review is coming up later in Jan.

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