Hayley

Simultaneously exciting and scary! I’m currently reading Midnight in Everwood (for the Christmas Reading Challenge!) and keep changing my mind about which book I want to pick for the ‘Children’s Christmas Book’ category!

Was it good? I’m enjoying Midnight in Everwood. There were a couple of moments near the beginning where I thought ‘I’m not sure I’m going to enjoy this as much as I expected…’ but I’m just over half way through now and things are more intriguing!

Next years novella has been announced! Winter’s Gifts, out in June! Will this be another Toby one, do you think?

I’ve read shockingly few entire books this year. I’m hoping I’ll be adding 2 to the total by January 1st but right now (according to goodreads, which I haven’t checked but I think is right) my total is 10!

Same here on both counts, so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it. If it is brilliant then the folio version is beautiful!

Happy birthday for last week! Was this the new folio one? That was one of the new ones that stood out to me!

I think I’d have to pick Tiffany Aching from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

Magic don’t usually do that do they!? I do always tune a just-Christmas radio station into my car, so I can get Christmassy whenever I want to, but I have my usual radio station on the other preset! I have done 0 Christmas cards and two presents… there’s a lot left to do!

I was thinking of reading Thackeray’s The Rose and the Ring. Although it’s a children’s book, the satire was clearly intended for adults. Maybe something like that?

I decided to go with Midnight in Everwood! I started it this morning It always struck me as slightly odd that Father Christmas turns up, especially when it's such a brief appearance, but when I read it again as an adult it does make sense!

Project Gutenberg has pretty much every book that’s out of copyright . You can get those in different ebook formats too. Most libraries let you borrow ebooks now as well, so it’s worth checking on that for newer books!

Thank you for adding Greek myth or I never would have gotten it either! That was a VERY hard clue. Got this one now (thank you!) but it was pure guess - I actually hadn’t heard of the book!

I’m tempted to buy this for my sister (she was reading a fiction book set during the rule of Gengis Khan and loved it!). She doesn’t usually read non-fiction history books but I’ve seen a lot of good reviews of this one!

I’ve tried so many variations of ‘another travel book’ 🥲 Still haven’t guessed this but I was really completely wrong with my guesses! Is it fiction?

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is a great choice for the mystery. I’ve read it a couple of times before but I think I might join in with this one too! My book with snow on the cover will be either Midnight in Everwood or The Toy Makers And I might try The Nutcracker for the first time for my children’s book! I saw this ages ago and thought it sounded really good. It had completely gone out of my head! I think others read and enjoyed it on here, if I remember correctly?

Are you just looking for non-fiction motivational books?

I think you are entered into the prize draw even if you only get one answer right! Finishing it is just satisfying 😄 so definitely don’t think you’d need to refuse the prize. With that in mind… can someone give me a clue to the books beginning with A and the musical sandals please!?

Welcome to the first Christmas Reading Challenge! This year, participants should choose books from the following three categories: A Christmas Mystery A Christmas Children's Story A Book with Snow on the Cover or in the Title We will officially start the challenge on November 25th (to give us one month until Christmas!) but feel free to use this thread to start planning your Christmas Challenge books! Let the festivities begin

This poll will be closing this afternoon, so make sure you've voted if you haven't already!

Oh, I get it now! I was thinking along completely the wrong lines - I was thinking of the relevance of the book too much! I was really overcomplicating this one too... I was putting things in about the colour and pattern of her dress Thank you!

Yours is very positive! Sounds like quite a good novel plan actually 😄 This also sounds like an actual novel plan!

I am also stuck on the woman on the ladder! (Although it seems frustratingly familiar!?) I can’t work out Eve carrying the books either 🤔 You have to think of what the heart is acting as.

That is such a beautiful card @lunababymoonchild! And the Santa is so cute 🥰

Thank you to everyone who voted in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Christmas Reading Challenge Poll! Now, let's try to whittle our options down to 3...

I really want to read this one but I'm glad I read your review first. I didn't expect it to feel sanitised, I thought it would be quite focused on accurate retellings through time!