What's in My Christmas Bag of Books This Year?

One present I've looked forward to the past decade is my Christmas Bag of Books that I give myself.  Even though I buy the books and put them in the Christmas-themed bag and put it under the tree, I still get excited knowing they are waiting for me on Christmas morning.  Playing Santa to myself is quite rewarding, especially with all the books I have coming for this year's bag.  Twelve books (so far)!  I promise I've been a good girl.

The above assortment of books pictured are ones I've already bought for my Christmas Bag.  They include The Things They Carried by Tim O'brien (had to have a hardback signed copy), The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy, The Saboteur by Andrew Gross, The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka (may dip into the bag for this one early), The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan, Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan, Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase, and An English Murder by Cyril Hare.  Below are the covers of ones I've yet to buy, but I will be doing so soon.  Those books include An American Wolf by Nate Blakelee, Bellevue by David Oshinsky, Sleep No More by P.D. James, and A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron.  I've made a few notes on those I haven't yet purchased and a couple of notes on those I've already got in the bag.

American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakelee  


I'm deeply concerned about wildlife, and in particular, wolves.  With the current move to rescind laws protecting wildlife, I am looking forward to reading this non-fiction account of survival in the wolf world. 

Bellevue by David Oshinsky


Another non-fiction book that I think will be fascinating.  It's written by David Oshinsky, who wrote the amazing Polio, An American Story and who is the winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in History. 

Sleep No More by P.D. James


My confession is that I haven't read P.D. James, so this book is where I start, with six tales to whet my appetite for more of this legendary author.

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan


This books slipped by me this year, but librarian/blogger/reviewer Lesa Holstine posted this week that it was one of her favorite reads of 2017.  After reading the jacket description, I know that this one will be a book I'll enjoy.

Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron


When  I first saw this cover, I was immediately smitten.  Add to that the great alliterative title and that I have meant to start reading this series, and it was a easy pick for my Christmas Bag of Books.  I can imagine sitting back with A Cajun Christmas Killing after the activities of Christmas Day are over and enjoying some great Christmas reading.

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase


I read this book last summer, when it had already been out a year.  It was one of those books that so delightfully surprised me that I have to own a copy of it.  As I had read it on loan from the library, I promised myself that it would be included in my Christmas Bag this year.  

An English Murder by Cyril Hare


First, the cover completely captivated me.  Then, the short story compilations of Golden Age mysteries by Martin Edwards is pulling me toward these amazing authors.  Originally published in 1951, it was the sixth mystery/crime novel by Cyril Hare, who was also Alfred Gordon Clark, a county judge when he wrote An English Murder.