Wow, I'm a lucky girl! This morning, a huuuuge parcel was handed to me by my postman, and it was bursting with books! S/he got me five books I've wanted for AGES, which can't be bought on Kindle, and which I'm so excited to rip in to!

First up, A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan! This has got a lot of fans, I know, as a light and fun piece of fantasy, set out like a journal of a dragon researcher - or something like that?! I"m not sure, so I'll have to find it! It also is beautifully illustrated!

Secondly, The Illuminating Adventures of Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo. I first came across this because it won a Newbery Award, a respected YA/children's award. This book looks like so much silly fun, I can't wait, and the drawings are adorable!

Third, Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice. Don't judge me, I'm a good person really! I have read all the previous Vampire Chronicles, but sadly, I gave up after Body Thief. FINALLY, I have the courage to move on with series (especially since I know the Lestat wankfest ends soon). Plus, I really really love the way Rice writes.

Fourth, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver. I used to own a copy, but before I could read more than a few stories, a friend borrowed it, who no longer lives in the country so...yeah. And since then, I haven't read any Carver - which needs to be rectified! And now it will be, thanks to my santa :)

Fifth, and finally, Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction by Jeff VanderMeer.

Oh my god, I love this book! I've already spent an hour flicking through the glossy, art-filled pages, laughing at the corny jokes, and reading some of the author interviews! It looks FASCINATING, and I can't wait to dig in and read it cover to cover. From what I've seen so far, it will help give me some confidence in my ideas as a writer :)

Thank you for an AMAZING selection of books, santa, I am beyond grateful and I really love them! I didn't expect more than one book, let alone FIVE!! You're the best, santa!