My festive reading list!

My to-be-read pile has been growing at an alarming rate and also during what is possibly the most busy and strange time of my life. At the end of this week (December 5th) I start maternity leave, so assuming Baby C stays where he is until his EDD that gives me 3 weeks over the festive period to wind down and get ready for the big day, and we’re not just talking Christmas 😉

However Christmas is my favourite time of year EVER.

It’s not often you can say you have the entire festive period off from work, infact the last time that happened I was 17. So lets make the most of it – I have been saving any new festive reads for my time off and want to know which novels you think I’m missing!

So far I have the following 5 festive reads on my shelf waiting to be read and I cannot wait to get stuck in!

Number One

Publication Date: 9th October 2014
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Buy the book: Amazon

The Blurb: A collection of joyful festive stories that will keep you warm during the cold winter months

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .

This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays.

Why I chose it: First of all this book looks absolutely stunning and you’re getting twelve festive romance stories from twelve different authors, all of whom are fantastic. The likes of David Levithan and Rainbow Rowell reside within the pages of this novel and I’ve been on tenter hooks trying not to start it too early!

Number Two

Publication Date: 6th November 2014
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Buy the book: Amazon

The Blurb: Christmas has come to Rosefont Hill and it’s destined to be a particularly special festive season for Sophie May. When a smitten stranger emails Sophie to ask her if he can propose to the woman he loves in her little teashop, the romantic in her finds it impossible to refuse. Even though Christmas is her busiest time of year she has her own sweetheart, Hollywood actor Billy Buskin, to lend a helping hand. How could she say no to making someone’s dream come true?As Sophie and Billy work together to plan the perfect fairytale proposal for this couple, excitement in Rosefont Hill is mounting. Who is this mysterious man? And who is the lucky lady he’s about to get down on one knee for?

Why I chose it: If you know me then you’ll know how much I loved Billy and Me and to combine this with my love of Christmas couldn’t be more perfect! I’ve been waiting to be reunited with Sophie and Billy for a while now and can’t wait to immerse myself in this festive novella.

Number Three

Publication Date: 6th November 2014
Author: Alexandra Brown
Buy the book: Amazon

The Blurb: The perfect seasonal tale of how laughter, friends and wacky Christmas jumpers can mend a broken heart. For fans of Trisha Ashley and Jenny Colgan.

Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Why I chose it: Having read Christmas at Carrington’s last year I couldn’t resist buying Alexandra Browns latest festive addition, her books are filled with humour and I’m sure this will help me get into the Christmas spirit! Plus, just look at that cover!

Number Four

Publication Date: 22nd May 2014
Author: Lindsey Kelk
Buy the book: Amazon

The Blurb: I Heart short story: a new short story (ebook only) starring Jenny Lopez. From the bestselling author of What a Girl Wants and I Heart Christmas.

Jenny Lopez has had a rubbish twelve months. Determined to turn her festive frown upside down, she plots an escape to Vermont, the best Christmas tree the world has ever seen and more bottles of champagne than is legal to transport across state lines. Someone’s got to cheer up her friend Angela’s holiday season.

Nothing goes according to plan,starting with work and ending with her travelling companion. But this is Jenny Lopez. She’s going to have the best Christmas known to man, even if it means dragging a turkey three miles in the snow.

Single-handedly and in an inappropriate outfit Jenny Lopez is determined to save Christmas. Whether it likes it or not.

Why I chose it: Lindsey Kelk has a knack for writing novels that leave me on the verge of literally wetting myself, she is hilarious. Last year I read I Heart Christmas,  it was the first of the I Heart series that I had read but certainly not the last as this spurred me into a frenzy to back track and read them all. Jenny Lopez won’t let me down and I hope to see Angela along the way.

Number Five

Publication Date: 22nd May 2014
Author: Sheila Jeffries
Buy the book: Amazon

The Blurb: ‘This is a special kitten. She has come to heal.’ Moments after she is born, tiny kitten Tallulah, with her bright eyes and silver and white fur edged with gold, is whisked away from her father Solomon and dumped in the hedge like rubbish. After a tough start to life, neglected and abandoned, Tallulah eventually finds a new home with the Lee family and forms a special bond with their daughter Tammy. But Tammy has a terrible secret and Tallulah must do all in her power to keep the family safe. Moving, uplifting and inspiring, Solomon’s Kitten is the story of a cat who heals a family, and explores the true gift an animal can bring to our lives.

Why I chose it: Last Christmas I read the heart-warming Solomon’s Tale and this year Sheila brings us Solomon’s Kitten, as a Christmas loving cat lady I can’t see where this could go wrong? I’m not sure how it will differ from Solomon’s Tale, but I sure can’t wait to find out.

So now the ultimate question is, which festive reads am I missing? Do you have any must-reads that I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments 🙂