Christmas Eve is finally upon us. This is one of those days of the year where time seems to fly by but it is simultaneously outside of time. While I no longer have the belief of Santa and his magic, this day is still magical for me. And I choose to celebrate by giving myself at least part of the day to simply sit and read. Perhaps I was influenced by the Icelandic tradition, but for the last four years, I’ve given myself the time to read a book. Let’s chat about my Christmas Eve Reading 2023!
Why Reading?
I must acknowledge that I am a single person who has a dog who likes to nap a lot, and that I am fortunate enough to be able to organise my schedule so that most of the day is free. In the evening I am with my family for dinner, but before that, the day is mine. And I can think of no better way to spend this day than to enjoy a wonderful book, sometimes more than one.
I also do not have a particular genre of book or author that I stick to for Christmas Eve. I’m not limited to holiday-themed books, but anything that grabs my fancy. So, what will I be reading today?
A Crane Among Wolves, June Hur (14 May 2024)
I have been saving this eARC from NetGalley for quite some time, and I’m slightly surprised that I have been able to hold off reading this long. Hur has quickly become one of my favourite authors; her historical fiction is almost always a read-in-one-sitting book for me. The cover artwork is gorgeous, and it has garnered great reviews thus far- I think this will be a good day to sit down with a cuppa (or three) and get lost in the Joseon court.
Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.
1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.
Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.
Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.
When Iseul’s and Daehyun’s fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever
Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.
Do you have any Christmas Eve Reading traditions? What book would you be reading today?
Cheers,
The Historian
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