Every year I make a book list, and usually I ask the group to help choose the theme — it’s often just collections of favorites I’ve already read around a certain topic. These annual lists have also become one of the ways our community gets to know me a little better, which I honestly love. This year I let Charlesa choose the theme, and she suggested: “Books I would want to receive as a gift.” Ufda. That turned out to be a surprisingly interesting prompt for me, because very, very few people ever gift me books for fear of buying something already on my shelf, and I don’t think anyone has ever actually asked what books would be on my dream list.
Here’s the funny thing, duplicate books have genuinely never bothered me. One of my love languages is written messages. I have all the cards RA members have ever sent me pinned up on my kitchen wall, and I’ve saved every card with a personal note that’s been given to me since I was a child and mercifully, that box escaped our house fire. If someone gifted me a book with a note inside about why they chose it, what it meant to them, or what they hoped it would mean to me, that book would immediately become the EOEV copy: Edition of Exceptional Value. So personalize those books, and don’t be afraid of giving someone a duplicate!
Also, in a truly fitting development, I found out today that after a lifetime of reading, my future apparently includes bifocals as soon as I can pick frames. So here we go below: from the mixed-up files of Ambre’s book desires — my wishlist.
And because these yearly lists have also become one of the ways this community gets to know me a little better, I like to include a current photo every year so I’m not just the (wo)man behind the curtain of the interwebs. So here it is: ten inches less hair than last year, and yes, I can still do a top knot — it’s just a much sadder one — and I have a lot more natural tinsel showing up.
The Littlest Yak series by Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley—
I’ve read all of these as they’ve released and they just hit my funny bone in the most delightful way. I would read these again even without my kids. They belong on the shelf by our Helen Yoon collection.
Dive, Dive into the Night Sea by Thea Lu—
I am trying to add a few classic horror picture books to my shelf and this one would be in good company next to P.J. Lynch’s The Haunted Lake. How are these books similar? They both creep me out. P.J. with his ghost story and Dive because no matter how atmospheric the illustrations are, the idea of being under the ocean in the dark is blood curdling to me.
Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim—
I am slowly building a visual timeline of history with picture books and graphic novels, and this one, while gut-wrenching, was also beautifully and tastefully done. Grass is about the Korean “comfort women” forced to serve the Japanese Imperial Army, and their lives before, during, and after WWII. I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me there was an illustrated book about sex slavery that I would feel comfortable handing to my 16-year-old, but here it is.
We Are Not Strangers: A Graphic Novel by Josh Tuininga—
This book about the Japanese internment of Californians, and the Jewish man who saw it coming and prepared, is one that got in my bones. I’m not kidding when I say that every time I go to the library, I pull it off the shelf and find someone to recommend it to. It deserves a place on everyone’s shelf, and I don’t say that about many books.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins; illustrated by Nico Delort—
I am so glad that I read as many of Plutarch’s Lives with my teens as we did before reading this series. I’m not generally a sucker for special editions but these are spectacular and I can’t wait for this final one to release in October.
And David Perceived He Was King: Identity - the Key to Your Destiny by Dale L. Mast—
I’m currently listening to this on audio and taking so many notes that I need — but would struggle to justify buying, because I’m like that — a copy to highlight. Here are a few quotes I’m chewing on:
“Faith is believing what God can do. Identity is believing what God can do through you.”
“Can we trust him without the answers? Yes. Because the answer is not peace. HE is peace.”
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy; illustrated by Emma Kate—
This illustrator I follow on IG is working on an illustrated edition of this classic and I am here for it! Did you know the Scarlet Pimpernel was the first masked hero? This will make a great gift for all the superhero lovers on your list.
Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved—
This is one of my most gifted books on death and dying, and I gave away my own copy and really need to replace it. This one is especially good for people who have the opportunity to say goodbye but are struggling to do so.
Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch—
This German picture book on death and dying is an absolutely beautiful conversation and experience between a duck and Death. I’ve only read it on a screen, and I need to cry with it in my hands. It is what it is.
Winnie-the-Pooh: The Graphic Novel by Kevan Chandler and Joe Sutphin (and colorist, our friend Joe Hox!)—
I would only consider a Winnie-the-Pooh graphic novel from a small handful of people, and magically, these are three of them! It’s going to be amazing!
The Unknown Ajax + The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer—
I’ve had Heyer recommended to me for years and kept putting her off to no one’s loss but my own! Gemma (16) and I fell in love with the storytelling and humor in The Talisman Ring together — plus, it’s a mystery! Then I went and devoured The Unknown Ajax by myself and discovered one of my favorite chapters in a book ever. So now I want to own it so I can read that chapter again and again. Honestly, this is the year I listen straight through her collection of titles.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo—
This is also the year I plan to finally read Les Mis (with my ears), and I will, obviously, need a beautiful leather collector’s edition to mark the occasion. My best friend introduced me to David Bryant’s rendition of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” and I feel fully primed for this experience.
The Light That Shines Forever: The True Story and Remarkable Rescue of 669 Children on the Eve of World War II by David Warner—
I always have shelf space for stories about the Righteous Among the Nations and babies being saved. Always. I love seeing the hope on that shelf grow.
Are Women Human? Penetrating, Sensible, and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society by Dorothy L. Sayers—
On the one hand, I am perpetually annoyed that this isn’t available on audio, so I can’t just take a walk with Dorothy. But, on the other hand, I will probably end up wanting to underline and write notes all over it, so I should just buy it and read it with my teens already. I’d also love to gift it to a group of friends and read it together.
The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso by Dante translated by Longfellow
This is one of my bucket-list books from last year’s list, and I think it would increase the likelihood of me getting to it sooner rather than later if I had it in hand. I still can’t get the idea of the gate out of my head from the little I’ve read and check out the gate being on this cover!!!
1 Enoch: A Contextual Study Guide of Scripture by Sean Griffin—
I’m generally pretty laid-back about the cost of books, being of the “we don’t deserve to read everything we want to” and “people can price their books however they want” persuasion, but I really, really want this one to go on sale someday so I can justify the price to myself — or for someone to put me out of my misery and gift it to me.
The Saviour of the World series by Charlotte Mason—
These have been on my wish list for years, as Charlotte is one of the wise women whose feet I love to sit at. I am so excited that Living Book Press has brought them back into print for everyone! I would absolutely love to unwrap these someday and finally have them on my own shelves.
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds by John Muir Laws— I asked you for books on how to draw owls for Knightley, and this was your recommendation! Now I just need to prioritize it — or wait for October and gift it to my kiddo.
Zorro Gets an Outfit by Carter Goodrich— I adore dogs in over-the-top outfits, but I often find myself wondering if they’re enjoying it as much as we enjoy them in them. I love how we get to explore this through Zorro.
The Agapéd Bearer: Wishing Stars by Hannah Lindsey—For some reason, I have a much easier time collecting fantasy for my kids than for myself... I should probably discuss this with my therapist. I really, really want to read this whole series. My gut says it would heal something in me. I just need the whole thing to magically land in my lap with a box of Kleenex so I can disappear into it for a long weekend.
The Tree on the Road to Turntown by Glenn O. Blough— I’m still hoping this one comes back into print. I love “seasons of life” stories. This is my favorite Blough book, and I’m a Blough fan. In my dreams, I find a pristine copy of this one. That would be enough of a gift.
I See You: A Story for Kids About Homelessness and Being Unhoused by Michael Genhart— I try to have picture books on as many real-life topics as I can, and this is such a beautiful one about a boy refusing to turn a blind eye to the needs of those around him. I struggle to buy books my public library already has, but if they’re there, they’re not here — and we aren’t reading them over and over, letting them become a piece of us.
Jonathan and Martha by Petr Horáček— I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this story is a violently disturbing romance, but it makes me guffaw due to how unexpected it is.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens— I love the Deluxe Painted Editions from Harper. This book is source material for my favorite Christmas movie— Love at the Christmas Table, so it’s the next classic I’d love to see added to my shelves.
Always There is God by Robbie Trent— I’ve really enjoyed all of Trent’s books that I’ve read on Archive, but this one isn’t there, and after stalking all the sample pages available for sale over the past two years, I’ve determined that I really, really want this one.
Believe In the World: Wisdom for Grown-Ups from Children’s Books by Amy Gash—
It’s been years since I’ve added a quotes book to my collection, but I love them dearly. This one has been on my wishlist since it was released.
The Inheritance Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Juniper Books Set—
I’m a sucker for really pretty books, and I’ve been drooling over Jupiter Books for, what, 10 years now? A girl can dream…
The Illustrations of Gustave Doré: Including Paradise Lost, The Divine Comedy and The Bible (Arcturus Epic Classics) by George Davidson
I am obsessed with Doré’s illustrations. This book has no chance of being anything but amazing and breathtaking.
The Annotated Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
We ALL know how I feel about Wuthering Heights, and I do not own a copy because: ghost story. Shudder. BUT I need to read it with my girls for its literary merits, and this annotated edition looks like the kind that would give me entirely new things to notice and consider before we reach the end and I ceremonially stick it in the freezer so I can sleep... as one does.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Propaganda Editions
I am a huge fan of The Hunger Games and how brilliantly the stories intertwine, all while ripping my heart out and stomping on it. These editions aren’t available anymore, so I’d be ecstatic to acquire a set someday.
