I’m not really a Christmas type of person. Who am I kidding? I’m not at all a Christmas person. Sorry not sorry. I don’t even set up a Christmas tree. So in my family, we don’t do presents. And I don’t mind that. In my boyfriend’s family, we do. In Belgium, we don’t know if Christmas will be even allowed this year (thanks covid, and maybe this time I even mean it). Nevertheless, I decided to make a wishlist of books that I still want on my physical shelves. So that if we do have a Christmas party, I can link to this blogpost ;). If not, I’ll probably buy them all myself one day 😅.



- Circe by Madeline Miller
I’ve ‘The song of Achilles’ sitting on my shelves in the Dutch hardcover edition. And I love the sound and cover art of Circe. So I also want this on my shelves. I don’t exactly like the Dutch cover of Circe, so I still don’t know in what language or edition to buy this one. Maybe the English paperback or hardcover edition?
- The honey and the Sting by E.C. Fremantle
Because she’s my favourite author and I’ve all her books on my shelves. I love this cover 🤩. And although, I’m a bit sad that Fremantle decided to write more historical thrillers instead of historical Tudor fiction, I still like the sound of this story.
- The lady of the ravens by Joanna Hickson
This has a total different cover in Europe compared to the US. I think I prefer the US version because it’s more Tudor related (and there are black ravens on it), but this cover is also very pretty. I have all Joanna Hickson’s novels on my shelves, so I want to continue this.



- The plantagenets by Dan Jones
Yes, a non-fiction book. I just love Dan Jones his documentaries and I would like to have this book on my shelves to delve into the history of the Plantagenets. It’s more of a coffee table book for me that I can push into people’s face when people visit me so that I have an excuse to talk about English history.
- A marriage of lions by Elizabeth Chadwick
Just look at that cover ❤️. I already have some of Chadwick’s books on my shelves (the Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy), but I’m most excited about her newest release. And I haven’t been excited for her new releases in a while, so I really hope to get my hands on ‘A marriage of lions’.
- The king’s sister by Anne O’Brien
Or ‘the queen’s choice‘ or ‘the forbidden queen‘ of the same author. I already have a few books of her series about Plantagenet women on my shelves, so I want to expand my collection. This one about Elizabeth of Lancaster sounds interesting. Although I miss the typical cover art that I’m used of O’Brien.



- The needle in the blood by Sarah Bower
I loved Sarah Bower’s other book ‘Sins of the house of Borgia’ (or alternative title: ‘the book of love’). And have been looking for this one ever since. The edition that I actually once saw and loved (but didn’t buy, stupid I know) is not available anymore (not even on a photo in Google), so I’ll settle for anything that is available :). There is also a version with a half naked woman on the cover. All good for me.
- The confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
Also a favourite author from whom I have different books on my shelves. I don’t want his books about American women, but this one is still on my list. As Catherine De Medici is a historical figure that interests me a lot. And I’m curious to see which perspective Gortner will bring on this scandalous woman.
- The chosen queen by Joanna Courtney
This is a new-to-me author and the first book in a trilogy set around 1066. I might want to buy this one day as a physical edition, but maybe I’ll download it one day in my kindle. Not sure yet. But I would be happy to get this one as a gift.
So that were 9 books that I would like as a present or that I’ll buy myself one day for my physical shelves. I’m always nervous when I ask for books that they will give a book from a total different genre than I’m used to (like a thriller or a chicklit). I’m really picky on the books I read and especially on the ones that I buy as a physical copy. Or is this just me?
Have you read any of these books? Do you ask for books as a Christmas presents or is that just a silly question? :D.