We have reached mid December and it’s time for this year’s Dear Santa post, featuring books I would love to find under the Christmas tree.
Being a seasonal reader, I love wintry books at this time of year, which is reflected in my selection. Also, I’ve mostly stuck to books, which are – hopefully – entertaining and undemanding to read.
1. Migrations by Charlotte McCaunaghy [2020]
Leaving behind everything but her research gear, Franny arrives in Greenland with a singular purpose: to follow the last Arctic terns in the world on what might be their final migration to Antarctica. But as Franny’s history begins to unspool—a passionate love affair, an absent family, a devastating crime—it becomes clear that she is chasing more than just the birds. Migrations is said to be a heart-wrenching story, with a damaged protagonist navigating a dystopian world, where climate change has killed most of the planet’s wildlife.
2. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden [2017]
Inspired by a Russian fairytale, The Bear and the Nightingale takes place in medieval Russia. After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed. This fantasy debut has been described as magical and atmospheric. Perfect for the Christmas break!
3. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney [2024]
I’ve always said, Sally Rooney’s novels aren’t for me. Reading about twentysomethings with messy love lives, or just messy lives in general, doesn’t appeal. However, Intermezzo is said to be her best, most mature novel so far and she has apparently moved on from romantic love as a central theme. For two grieving brothers and the people they love, this is a new interlude—a period of desire, despair, and possibility; a chance to find out how much one life might hold inside itself without breaking. What do you think?
4. Webb’s Universe by Maggie Aderin-Pocock [2024]
Considering the relatively groundbreaking discoveries observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, it doesn’t seem to get much publicity. The powerful telescope has transmitted mind-blowing images for more than two years and has shaken our knowledge about the early universe, super-massive black holes and the formation of early stars. It has also confirmed a value for the Hubble constant, which isn’t compatible with existing theories. Whereas I do love beautiful art books, I believe this might be the perfect coffee-table book.
5. The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson [2015]
My favourite reads for the Christmas break are wintry crime novels and I feel a dark thriller set in Iceland would fit the bill perfectly. Spanning the icy streets of Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands and cold, isolated fjords, The Darkness is an atmospheric thriller from Ragnar Jonasson, one of the most exciting names in Nordic Noir.
These are some of the many books, I would be happy for Santa to deliver. Which books are on your wish list?
I’m not a huge fan of dystopia but Migrations certainly has my attention. Like you, I’m a seasonal reader so this would be a great time to try it. I hope you enjoy The Bear & the Nightingale too. Merry Christmas, Stargazer! 🎄🌟
Hope you’re sharing this list😏
Migrations is my pick, although it looks terribly sad.
Merry Christmas 🙂
Oh dear, I wouldn’t have any of these on my list, with the possible exception of the last one. And I tend not to have any fiction on my list, as I read them quickly, and then put them aside. I rely on the library for new releases, and focus on NF for my purchases or present suggestions.
The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully wintry title and Ragnar Jonasson is a wonderfully wintry name, and Nordic Noir sounds like the right place to be! Merry Christmas, Stargazer (which is also pretty wintry!)