Birthday Book Haul: Festive Reads and Cosy Mysteries

Need some new book recommendations? I've got you covered with a book haul ranging from festive reads to cosy mysteries.

By now, if you know me, you know that I love books. Reading has always been a huge part of my life and sitting down with a good book is something I never tire of.

It was no surprise when on my birthday list this year, I suggested some books. And it was no surprise when my family and friends gifted me with some books. Eleven books, in fact (one was a literary puzzle book).

I was overwhelmed with gratefulness when celebrating my birthday this year, and also a little bit of stress because new books meant rearranging my bookcase.

We do have a library in our house, but I also have a tall bookcase in my room, which is for my absolute favourite books. Unfortunately, I have too many favourite books, and authors, that they don't all fit on the allocated shelves.

So I had to do some reorganisation. It was a good time for it as well because I had received some Christmas books for my birthday, which led to me rearranging my Festive Reads shelf.

And I love how it turned out. But I thought that since I know many of you like to read as well, I'd do a book haul and share the books I was gifted for my birthday to give you some recommendations to add to your TBR or perhaps, even your Christmas list.

Book Recommendations

The Dream Harbor Series by Laurie Gilmore

Technically, this recommendation is a series and technically, I didn't get all three books for my birthday. But I did get the second and third books - the first novel I got last year.

The Dream Harbor series is a small-town, easy-read romance series. Each book is an interconnected standalone and follows a different couple each time.

This series is perfect for Autumn and Christmas because the first three books are titled as follows:

• The Pumpkin Spice Café

• The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore

• The Christmas Tree Farm

They just sound delightful, and I promise you, when you read them, they will be so good. This series is wholesome, sweet, and romantic.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

This book I actually received as part of a 'Blind Date with a Book' package. I hadn't heard of Yulin Kuang before, but I am glad I was gifted this book.

Kuang is a screenwriter - she's adapting Emily Henry's novels - and How to End a Love Story is her first novel, which features two writers, an author and a screenwriter.

With a complex history, Helen and Grant are forced to confront the past and their potential future when working together on the TV adaptation of Helen's books.

There is a lot of angst and a lot of tension, but a whole lot of love. It is a dual POV book and sometimes it isn't necessarily clear when the POV changes, but that aside, I did enjoy reading this.

A warning though, there is an emotional moment at the beginning that is a subplot throughout the novel, so make sure you read the author's note at the beginning.

Consider Me by Becka Mack

I first read this book a couple of years ago and I loved it. I devoured this hockey romance book but never actually bought it in paperback. Until my friend gave me a book voucher and I snapped this up.

Consider Me is a spicy, banter-filled romance novel that explores the relationship between a famous ice hockey star and a local teacher.

I laughed so much when reading this and often revisit different chapters from the book, so it was no surprise when I picked it up off the shop's shelves.

I definitely recommend this book if you love a good spicy romance.

Home for Christmas by Heidi Swain

If you've read my interview with Heidi Swain, you know I love her books. Especially, her Christmas books.

Swain's latest novel, Home for Christmas, was always going to be on my birthday list and I'm so glad I received it. It is part of her Wynbridge series, but I believe you can read it as a standalone.

In fact, if you did read it as a standalone, it'd probably make you want to explore the world of Wynbridge more.

Home for Christmas follows Bella and her Spaniel, Tink, as they cohabit with freelance author, Jude, in her family's house over Christmas, which is a holiday that Jude isn't a fan of (don't worry, this is in the blurb!).

I'm so excited to dive back into Wynbridge and meet the Connelly Clan again, so this cosy, Christmas read will certainly be one I enjoy.

The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan

Much like Heidi Swain, Sarah Morgan is a go-to author of mine for Christmas books. I haven't read a Christmas book of hers I haven't liked.

And The Christmas Cottage, her latest release, seems like the perfect escapist festive novel to snuggle up with this Christmas.

It tells the story of Imogen, a busy working woman who has been hiding some of her past from those she works with. But over Christmas, Dorothy, a client of hers, invites her to a cottage in the Cotswolds with the potential for a new romance, but also, secrets from the past being unburied.

I love how the blurb gives a mix of romance and mystery vibes, and how when I read 'cottage in the Cotswolds', I immediately thought of Jude Law and Cameron Diaz in The Holiday.

So, I'd say, if you love that film, you'll probably love this book.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin

Again, Cressida McLaughlin is one of my favourite authors and I've loved the Christmas novels she's released so far. So when she released a new novel that combines Christmas and books - two of my favourite things - I couldn't say no.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop is set in a seaside village and follows Sophie and Harry as the two of them learn "that good stories can take on a life of their own...".

I can't wait to start reading this and add it to my 'Festive Staple Reads'.

A Merry Little Christmas by Cathy Bramley

Now, I must admit that I've never actually read Cathy Bramley's work before, but my mum has and she seems like the kind of author I'd enjoy.

A Merry Little Christmas is set in Wetherly, a market town, and the protagonist, Merry, combined with her best friend Nell, has to navigate the trials and tribulations that the festive season throws at them with motherhood on the horizon and past secrets coming to light.

On paper, it doesn't sound as cosy as perhaps some of the others on this list, but it does still sound like an enjoyable read with some Christmas magic and some family drama.

The Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson

Debbie Johnson's The Comfort Food Café series is one I've had for a while. I even remember reading book one at my grandparents' house, smiling giddily and my grandparents finding it funny!

So, it was no surprise that when I discovered a new edition of the series, I asked my parents for it. I'm currently reading The Comfort Food Café and I'm loving it.

It is so enjoyable and such a great read in the build-up to Christmas. It is funny, it is heart-warming and it is romantic. Plus, it will make you want to go to the Comfort Food Café and have your favourite comfort food.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I've read this book before. And I've reviewed this book before. But I've never received a special edition of it until my birthday this year.

My friend, who was the one who introduced me to Six of Crows in the first place, bought me the Collector's Edition.

And I love it! The cover. The sprayed edges. The entire design is beautiful. I'm not even going to read this copy. It will simply be a centrepiece on my bookcase to admire.

But for you readers, the recommendation is the special edition, but mainly the fantasy book, Six of Crows. It has everything you could possibly desire from a fantasy book and I will never stop talking about it.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

If you think I was excited at the Six of Crows special edition, just wait.

My sister, the amazing human that she is, bought me the special edition of Agatha Christie's famous And Then There Were None for my birthday.

I really like Christie's novels and have a small collection on my now 'Agatha Christie Shelf', and this new book is paired very nicely with another book I got for my birthday, which is The Official Agatha Christie Puzzle Book.

But the reason I'm so excited about And Then There Were None and why I'm recommending it to you is because there is an envelope at the back of the book with the killer's identity concealed inside. The only way to find out whodunnit is to read the novel, make a guess and then open the envelope.

It all feels a bit Cluedo-like and I am here for it. I honestly can't wait to put on my detective hat, embody Miss Marple, and solve the case, and you should try it too!

So, if you're stuck for books to read or books to put on your Christmas list, perhaps try some of these. If you do, let me know in the comments what you think.

Until next time...