Top Ten Tuesday: The One Where She Writes to Santa at the Last Second

Are you well? Is now the right time to start singing, “I don’t want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing are just a few things I need”? I never got to write to you via Macy’s this year, so this will have to do. I imagine Mrs. Claus lets you get on the internet in this day and age, so I hope this message finds you in a timely manner… even though I’m sure you’ve come to expect nothing other than utter procrastination from me. Moving on! I’ve been a decent enough human this year, so I would like to make a few humble bookish requests. I totally understand if you’ve already finished my gifts for the year. Christmas is Sunday and all. However, if you could find it in your heart, these are the things I wouldn’t mind seeing under my beautiful tree this year.

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The Hate U Give by Angela Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice.

Now, Santa, I know this book doesn’t technically come out until February; but perhaps you could work your Christmas magic (maybe send Bernard the Elf???) and get this under my tree by December 25th. I’m not saying I need this book, but… wait, yes, I am. That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying. I have never wanted a book so much in my entire life. Besides, if I have access to it on the 25th, that means the whole world would have access to it on the 25th; and that’s really what we all need right about. Santa, have you read the excerpt yet? I guarantee it will make you want to rush this one into my arms even more.

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The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Sal used to know his place with his adoptive gay father, their loving Mexican-American family, and his best friend, Samantha. But it’s senior year, and suddenly Sal is throwing punches, questioning everything, and realizing he no longer knows himself. If Sal’s not who he thought he was, who is he?

After listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (yes, Santa, I’m still talking about it), I decided that Sáenz is an auto-buy author for me. I know this one comes out in March of 2017, but do me a favor and go back to the explanation from above. If you can make #THUG happen, surely, this wouldn’t be a big deal. Also, maybe take a brief second to LOOK AT THAT GODDAMN COVER, SANTA. BECAUSE HOLY SMOKES IT’S GORGEOUS!

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Six of Crows Duology Box Set by Leigh Bardugo

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. The gripping Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom duology, by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo, is now available in a stunning hardcover boxed set.

Follow Kaz and his crew into a world of magic and mayhem as they attempt to pull off—and survive—the job of a lifetime.

Look, Santa, stop judging me. I can feel it from the future. I know I’m not done reading the Grisha trilogy. Okay, damn. I know I only read the first book in the trilogy; BUT LOOK AT THOSE PAGES. THEY HAVE COLOR ON THE EDGES. THEY ARE BLACK AND RED. Seriously, those two are so gorgeous and I want them on my bookshelves. Don’t ask questions, okay? Stop that. This is about what I want.

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A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

Alrighty. Here’s the thing, though… I want the paperback version of this because I loathe hardcover. Also, it would match my paperback version of A Darker Shade of Magic, and you know how much I love consistency with books [/side eyes tf out of my disappointingly inconsistent The Raven Boys collection]

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Bigger Bookshelves (Maybe White? Maybe Oak?)

Santa, this one is totally on me. This year (or was it last year?), before I started buying up all of the books, I bought two of the tiniest bookshelves in existence. They have 3 shelves. THREE, SANTA. JUST THE THREE. This year alone, I’ve dropped hella dough on books which means, I have just piles on piles on piles of books chilling out on my floor, in my drawers, stacked sideways in the entertainment center that is now a bookshelf (no questions asked). I’m asking for one of those very tall– maybe 5-shelf– bookshelves. Don’t forget to drop off a stool, though, because I’m short af. No, I haven’t grown. Still.

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Unusual Bookmarks

I know. I know. I don’t even use all of the bookmarks that I have. But that’s just it, Santa, I don’t need to use them to want them. I love bookmarks. I have a weird obsession with the weird ones. And I want the ones where it looks like you smushed a person between the pages and the feet are sticking out at the bottom. Good God, man, people give me weird looks when I talk about it but THEY. EXIST. SANTA. LOOK!

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Literally ALL of the Game of Thrones characters as Funko Pop! dolls

I am done being looked down on Santa. It doesn’t matter that I’m still only like a fourth deep into the second book or that I’ve only seen the first season because I WANT TO READ THE BOOKS FIRST. None of that matters. I just want little Pop!s of all of my baes. Judgement-free zone, please.

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Okay, Santa, that was a lot. It’s okay; I don’t expect to get everything. I’m a big girl now sorta. I’ll deal if I just get a pair of socks. Just make ’em snarky… Like the cute ones from Blue Q that I thirst-bought a few months ago…

P.S. If you could also somehow wipe my memory of that horrid TRK spoiler, that would be fantastic.

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