Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Books I Want for Christmas

I found this fun Top 5 Tuesday prompt on Spine Cracker's Blog, and it's hosted by Bionic Book Worm. I thought this sounded fun, and I am now following Bionic Book Worm for future prompts for Top 5 Tuesday in 2018. I can't say I will always participate, but when the topic feels relevant I plan to!

The prompt for this Tuesday is "Top 5 Books I Want for Christmas." Oh boy, I have to narrow it down to just five? ;)

5. Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey Smith
I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but when I do it tends to be about octopus, haha. This book is a blend of science and philosophy about the development of consciousness. Blurb: "What does it mean that intelligence on earth has evolved not once but twice? And that the mind of the octopus is nonetheless so different from our own? Combining science and philosophy with firsthand accounts of his cephalopod encounters, Godfrey-Smith shows how primitive organisms bobbing in the ocean began sending signals to each other and how these early forms of communication gave rise to the advanced nervous systems that permit cephalopods to change colors and human beings to speak."

4. An Unexpected Cookbook: The Unofficial Book of Hobbit Cookery
Another non-fiction choice, and this one is a cookbook! Hey, it still counts. ;) This has section for Breakfast (hot, fast, traditional morning food), Second Breakfast (cold pies), Elevenses (breads), Luncheon (lighter pub fare), Afternoon Tea (biscuits, cakes, and buns), Supper (hot meal of meat, veg, mushrooms), and Dinner (slow cooked roasts and puddings). Who's gonna say no to eating like a hobbit?
BONUS: While writing this post I see that this book is now available on Kindle Unlimited! That's awesome! If Santa doesn't bring this to me for Christmas, I can still try out some of the recipes. :) 

3. Persuasion by Jane Austen (Penguin hardcover Clothbound Classics edition)
I am slowly but surely building up my collection of all of Austen's works in this Clothbound Classics edition. So far I have Emma , Pride and Prejudice, and Mansfield Park. Someday I shall rule the world! I mean... own them all!
Persuasion is one of Jane Austen's work I haven't read yet, but I have it on my to read list for the Classics Club so it's only a matter of time.

2. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
I've actually never read this book, which seems like such a travesty to me! I adore the movie, and I really liked Beagle's recently published anthology of short stories, The Overneath. (I even reviewed it here on my blog!) This one is also available on Kindle Unlimited, but I already know it's a book I want to own a physical copy of, so I can share it with my children as they grow and love it forever and ever (amen).

1. True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal--and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life by Kevin Sorbo
OK, so clearly I'm in a bit of a non-fiction mood, haha. I actually marked this as to-read way back in 2009, and I found it again while doing my "Down the TBR Hole" meme/challenge to clean up my to-read list. Obviously I decided to keep this one on my to read list, since it's in my top 5 books I want for Christmas list, haha!
If I read non-fiction (that's not about octopus, that is), it's typically memoirs, and then typically those of actors or celebrities whose work has had an impact on me. I loved Hercules: The Legendary Journies (as well as Xena: Warrior Princess, obviously!) growing up, and even though it's super campy (or perhaps because it's super campy?) both shows still hold a big place in my heart. AND HE GREW UP IN MINNESOTA!! Clearly, I have to read this. 

 

 

What about you? Did you ask Santa for any books for Christmas?