It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Every year I look forward to Christmas for several reasons, not the least of which is going back home to California to get warm see my family. One of the nice things about working in publishing is that the industry takes a break between Christmas and New Year, freeing up time to read without having to worry about writing scary editorial letters (scary for me, not the author), scheduling meetings with agents, or socializing myself to death.

Husbands rest here. Photo by ColorMeKatie.

Note: I celebrate Christmas (the secular bits, anyway), hence why I name that holiday. Seasons greetings, happy Yule, happy Chanukah, happy Kwanzaa, and happy holidays to everyone who doesn’t!

One thing I don’t like about Christmas is shopping for gifts. I’m notoriously terrible at thinking of what to give people and even worse at receiving presents. My relatives asked what I wanted for Christmas this year. I was about to put down my usual answer (books or a gift certificate for books), when I realised my new job makes asking for books sort of moot. I actually couldn’t think of anything else.

However, this year, I have decided to foist my favourite books I’ve read in 2009 upon the people I love. As far as presents go, books are relatively inexpensive (compared to, say, a Nikon D60, which is what I actually want but don’t dare ask for). What follows is a JJ’s List of Awesome Books To Give People.

Great YA Books

• ASH by Malinda Lo (my review)
• SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater (my review and White-Harp’s review)
• LIAR by Justine Larbalestier (my review)
• CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins (my review)–but don’t forget THE HUNGER GAMES!
• THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan (my review)
• THE DEMON’S LEXICON by Sarah Rees Brennan (my review)
• THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart (my review)–not pubbed in 2009 BUT THAT DOESN’T DIMINISH ITS AWESOME
• FLORA’S DARE by Ysabeau Wilce (my review)–sequel to FLORA SEGUNDA
• GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray (my review)

Great Adult Titles

• NAAMAH’S KISS by Jacqueline Carey (my review)–part of the KUSHIEL’S LEGACY series, but this is a standalone
• HUMMINGBIRDS by Joshua Gaylord (review forthcoming!)

Let it be known I have a distinct YA (and fantasy) bias. Let it further be known that possibly the best book I’ve read this year has not yet been published. (Gaah!)