First of a huge, huuuuge thank you to santa. This was an amazing and super generous gift, and I feel awful for not putting a proper post up sooner. I'm really sorry about it, and hope you don't think it reflects my appreciation of the gift. (Gift = fucking awesome. Being sick = not so much)

I luckily knew the gift had arrived at customs and stayed home the day it came. The box was surprisingly enormous and, of course, super heavy. So yay for staying home and not having to carry it home from the post office. And most of all yay for santa being so generous!

Of course I ripped into it as soon as I was in my flat, but the books were so nicely wrapped I had to take some pics first. There was also a lovely note, and (spoiler) yes, I enjoyed the surprises in the box (a lot)

The first thing I unwrapped was an old Family Bible xD. I occasionally see these around at flea markets, but this one seems just a little special. First off it's in German but was printed in the US. Of course there was a large German immigrant poopulation, so it shouldn't be too suprising, but still awesome. What's somewhat intriguing is that it looks like it's never been used. It's a nicely done bible, with a name embossed on the cover. But no info at all on the family pages and the entire thing looks like it's never been read. So, dear Bertha W. Tiedeman, what happened here? Had she simply inherited a different one? Had bad bad Bertha turned away from the church, but received it as a gift from a pesky relative? I tried to do a little research and find her, but couldn't pin one down that fit the age & middle initial.

It's huge and quite imposing in it's black binding. You can just imagine it sitting somewhere in the corner of a room as a constant reminder. This is not a god-is-forgiving bible. This is the god-will-judge-you fire and brimstone kind.

According to the little card that came with each of the books, it's from santa's own collection. So thank you doubly for parting with it!

Next up were first eds of two Henry van Dyke novels (100+ years old). They're in great condition and simply gorgeous. They now have a place of honour on my pretty books shelf. Interesting tidbit: The list of his previous titles available from the same publisher. I'm not used to seeing these in books this old. Neat! I've already put both of them on my kobo so I can read them while staring at the fancy covers :).

And then came the fantasy. I'd mentioned I'd like to read more fantasy, but didn't quite know where to start. Santa sent me two books to get me started and both were right up my alley.

The Way of Kings - The first book of the lot I picked up to read. It stayed the only one for a while, because I went on a bit of a Sanderson bender (Words of Radiance, Warhammer, now I'm on Mistborn III). So far the Stormlight Archive books are my favourites of his though. Nicely complex, good world building, and great reads. I was a bit worried it was going to be weird to read when I realized how much it focused on religion (I'm an agnostic atheist, Sanderson's Mormon, there's potential for conflict), but in the end just thought it was really interesting how he handles those topics. Can't wait for the next one.

The Name of the Wind - just as Sanderson, another one that I'd long considered buying myself. I really enjoyed this one as well and will pick up the second book in the series the next time I'm feeling like fantasy :).

Lastly there's some SciFi for me to try. Red Rising - I have to admit I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet. It sounds really interesting though, and the second book is supposed to be good too, which is great (can't not finish a series). Now that fall is coming, I'm sure the perfect rainy day to crash on the couch with a cuppa tea and this one is just around the corner.

So once more, thank you santa. It's overwhelmingly clear you put a lot of thought and time into this, what with the perfect choice of books and all the lovely notes and cards. I really appreciate it (I'm just a bit crap at expressing it xD). There were quite a few really bad days the last few months where just seeing one of your books and remembering that sometimes strangers are that nice and generous cheered me up a little :).