Hello everybody! Today, for blogmas day 28’s first post , we have YA author Louise Finch with a post about the books she’d have given her characters as Christmas presents. Onto the post!
Aside from the festivities, family time and board games, I love Christmas for all the reading I catch up on. Long, cold nights are perfect for snuggling up somewhere cosy with a mince pie and a good book. Perhaps that’s why when I’m searching for unusual and thoughtful Christmas gifts for friends and family of all ages, I find myself turning to books. And although there’s a towering stack of bookish gifts on my desk waiting to be wrapped, I’ve been thinking about my characters too.
Here are a few of the books I would gift my two main characters from The Eternal Return of Clara Hart this Christmas.
Clara Hart
Clara’s already a keen reader and I know she loves to escape into different worlds through books. For Clara I’ve chosen two of my stand-out YA fantasies from 2022 and a bittersweet romantic novel in verse:
The Girl With No Soul, Morgan Owen: this YA fantasy features Gatsby-esque parties, erased memories, a tragic love interest with a dark side, a divided society and, at the heart of it, a girl on the hunt for the pieces of her soul. This was a gripping, dark and beautiful story.
Rebel Skies, Ann Sei Lin: this is a beautifully crafted and immersive YA fantasy gives all the Studio Ghibli vibes, set in a world full of skyships, floating cities and origami spirits. I adored the writing and the pace of this novel and I think Clara would absolutely tear through it (pun intended).
In Paris with You, Clémentine Beauvais: a stunning, bittersweet verse novel translated from French exploring first loves and second chances. I just think Clara would love it.
James Spencer
For Spence I’ve chosen books that centre grief, mental health and opening up to others. Reading can be such a source of understanding and comfort and I think he’d find that in these three books:
And The Stars Were Burning Brightly, Danielle Jawando: this is a beautiful and powerful story about mental health, grief, responsibility and bullying with characters that have really stayed with me.
Grow, Luke Palmer: another book about a boy struggling to cope with grief, this is a moving and thought-provoking contemporary novel about radicalisation. It’s unflinching, qhonest and so well written.
Are You Okay, Elliot Hart? Kate Martin: this contemporary YA follows Elliot and Josh, two boys from very different backgrounds, each with their struggles that impact their perception of those around them. I particularly loved the way the various character relationships developed and, despite dealing with some tough subjects, the heartwarming ending of this one will leave Spence with all the Christmas feels!
Thank you so much for reading! Have you read the Eternal Return of Clara Hart? Are here any characters you’d especially like to gift a book to? I’d love to have a chat in the comments!
Speak very soon,
Amy xxx
Golden Books Girl 