Books That Will Be Under My Christmas Tree

Happy Tuesday y’all! Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl has named this week’s Top Ten Tuesday’s topic as Holiday Bookish Wishes or Books That We Hope Santa Brings. I decided to share some of the books that Santa Pam will be placing under the tree this weekend. Wow! I just realized that Christmas is later this week. Where has the time gone?

The book recipients are not avid readers; one doesn’t read that much. But I don’t stop giving them books in hopes of finding something that will stick! Three books on the list are for my 13-year-old, two for my 19-year-old, and four for my husband. And I have to give a round of thanks to many of my fellow book bloggers who have introduced me to a few of these books, giving me something to share with my family.

Book 1: Devil’s Advocate (The X-Files: Origins) by Jonathan Maberry

Synopsis from Goodreads

How did Fox Mulder become a believer? How did Dana Scully become a skeptic? The X-Files Origins has the answers in this young adult origin story.

The X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate will explore the teen years of Dana Scully, the beloved character depicted in the cult-favorite TV show The X-Files. Her story is set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news.

The book will follow Scully as she experiences life-changing events that set her on the path to becoming an FBI agent.

Book 2: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend

Synopsis from Goodreads

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world-but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart – an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests – or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Book 3: Edens Zero by Hiro Mashima

Synopsis for Book 1 from Goodreads

At Granbell Kingdom, an abandoned amusement park, Shiki has lived his entire life among machines. But one day, Rebecca and her cat companion Happy appear at the park’s front gates. Little do these newcomers know that this is the first human contact Granbell has had in a hundred years! As Shiki stumbles his way into making new friends, his former neighbors stir at an opportunity for a robo-rebellion…And when his old homeland becomes too dangerous, Shiki must join Rebecca and Happy on their spaceship and escape into the boundless cosmos.

Book 4: Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

Synopsis from Goodreads

With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones—one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada.

Life aboard the luxury ship is grand—nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum’s glare. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger.

They’re wrong.

Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive?

Book 5: AC/DC: Album by Album by Martin Popoff

Synopsis from Goodreads

Formed in 1973, AC/DC became one of the most popular and bestselling bands in rock history with their no-frills approach to loud, heavy, and sweat-drenched blues-based rock music. This new book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to the band’s discography by moderating in-depth and entertaining conversations about all 16 of AC/DC’s studio albums, every page illustrated with thoughtfully curated performance and offstage photography and rare memorabilia.

Popoff gathers 17 rock journalists and authors who offer insights, opinions, and anecdotes about every release. Together, the conversations comprise a unique history of the band, covering everything from early lineups; the role played by the Youngs’ older brother, George; the songwriting and legendary antics of original vocalist Bon Scott; the mega tours undertaken in support of the LPs; the debut of singer Brian Johnson on the band’s mega breakthrough, Back in Black; the band’s fallow 1980s and 1990s resurgence; and later difficulties, such as Malcolm’s onset of dementia and the legal problems of drummer Phil Rudd.

Book 6: The Book of Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises

Synopsis from Goodreads

Everyone loves Mod Podge–it’s one of the most popular craft materials on the market. This big book follows the bestselling Mod Podge Rocks! and it features 90+ fun decoupage projects, big and small. From trendy bracelets to picture frames to a collage-chic headboard and a refurbished dresser, every treasure here is made new again with Mod Podge.

Book 7: The Pen & Ink Playbook by Ana Montiel

Synopsis from Goodreads

The creative exercises in The Pen & Ink Playbook explore mark-making that is both graphic as well as painterly. Learn how to use alcohol inks, which provide deep fluid color, as well as subtle line work to create geometrics, sketches, and texture. Activities include professional tips and tricks that will enhance artists’ skills as they work through the book. Each spread has one page filled with art examples and an exercise, with room to create right in the book. The Pen & Ink Playbook is printed on high-quality, uncoated paper, allowing you to doodle or draw anywhere that inspiration strikes.

Book 8: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Synopsis from Goodreads

Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

Book 9: All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells

Synopsis from Goodreads

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

My Bookish Wishes

When writing my Christmas list to share with my family this year, I only asked for one book my name (The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams). But I did ask for more Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming books. To be kind to my husband, I shared the list of books I already own with their alternate titles.

The other bookish wish that I have is the time to read more. And at the moment, that wish is coming true as I can read while I’m at work—a major perk of working the overnight shift in the transportation industry.

What are your bookish holiday wishes?

Merry Christmas to Y’all! And Happy New Year!

May All of Your Bookish Wishes Come True!

Looking for some more ideas to read? Check out my monthly reading wrap-ups.