Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Edited by: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: October 14th, 2014
Source: Purchased
My Rating: 4/5
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. (Summary from Goodreads)
When the announcement about this anthology first came out, I was over the moon. Some of my absolute FAVOURITE authors writing about my FAVOURITE holiday? I wanted to weep with joy. I was so excited to read it right before the holidays, and it sure didn't disappoint! I'll give my overall impressions at the end, but I've decided I'm to do mini-reviews about each of the stories! Check them out below.
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell, you know how to make me have FEELS. Her story may have only been twenty-two pages but I felt so connected with her characters. There was chemistry and hilarity and banter and emotions. Definitely the perfect way to start off the anthology.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link
This one was kind of lost on me. The writing style wasn't my cup of tea, and the story confused me slightly. It came together in the end and I liked how different it was, but overall I was iffy about it.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena
I haven't read anything by Matt de la Pena but I really enjoyed his writing in this story. The characters were interesting, the story heart-warming and imperfect. And it had an awesome cat. Which is an A+ in my books.
Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
This was another odd one. I loved that it was set at the North Pole and about Santa's adopted daughter. But, I wasn't a huge fan of Natty (the narrator) so the story wasn't as captivating for me. It was cute though, and I enjoyed it overall.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
How Stephanie Perkins manages to make me feel so joyful and emotional in such a short amount of pages is astounding. This short story had her signature quirkiness and something more. Something special and moving and heart-warming. I loved this one something fierce.
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
One of the things that surprised me (and probably shouldn't have) about the stories in this anthology is that a lot of them aren't light and fluffy. Yes, there are cutesy moments and adorable characters, but there are also some strong emotions and themes in them. Case in point, "Your Temporary Santa". This one had me giggling out loud, and smiling widely from the sweetness. But there were also a couple quietly heart-breaking moments. It was the perfect balance of sweet and serious that captures the ups and downs of Christmas.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black
I've been reading Holly Black since I was 14 and after all these years, she never fails to enchant me. I knew to expect something fantastical in this story and Holly Black delivered. The characters we're odd and heartwarming, the story eccentric, and the writing marvelous. I was definitely a fan of this one.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman
Oh, man. Gayle Forman. I've never read anything of yours I haven't loved, and "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" is no exception. It was a story about the holidays, about family, and about learning to embrace every situation you're in. As a girl in university (just like Sophie) I find myself becoming jaded about school pretty often. I love stories like this that reflect personal experiences I've had, and give me some perspective on it. Such a great short story.
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
I knew as soon as I read the title to this short story, I was going to love it. Myra McEntire didn't disappoint. What a fun, heart-warming Christmas story. This is exactly what I was looking for in this anthology. Fantastic characters, sweet moments, and lots of holiday goodness. Also hilarity and hijinks. I will most definitely be rereading this story!
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
TINY KIWI! I have been waiting to read this story the whole anthology! (Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the other authors but I have a soft spot for Kiersten White). And, this story has the honor of being the one to make me cry. Because ugh, my emotions. Kiersten White manages to write fully-fleshed out characters in just a few short pages and makes me care so much about them. Maria and Ben had my heart bursting from happiness, and their banter was spot on. It perfectly captured the hopefully and heartfelt spirit of Christmas. This was probably my favourite story of the bunch. I just want to read it over and over again.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
After finishing Kiersten White's story, I texted my best friend. "I think Kiersten White's story is going to be my favourite, unless Ally Carter has something to say about that." And boy, did she ever! I was laughing out loud at this one, and had a smile permanently plastered on my face. I couldn't help it! Ally Carter knows how to write such a fun and sweet story. I loved the chemistry and
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
As always, Laini Taylor brings talent and beauty to the stories she writes. Although I did find this one a bit too wordy, I loved the idea of it. I could picture the setting vividly, I could feel the desperation, the pain, and the enchantement woven into this story. It was intriguing, although a bit dense, and I definitely enjoyed it. A solid story to end off this anthology!
Oh, man. Gayle Forman. I've never read anything of yours I haven't loved, and "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" is no exception. It was a story about the holidays, about family, and about learning to embrace every situation you're in. As a girl in university (just like Sophie) I find myself becoming jaded about school pretty often. I love stories like this that reflect personal experiences I've had, and give me some perspective on it. Such a great short story.
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
I knew as soon as I read the title to this short story, I was going to love it. Myra McEntire didn't disappoint. What a fun, heart-warming Christmas story. This is exactly what I was looking for in this anthology. Fantastic characters, sweet moments, and lots of holiday goodness. Also hilarity and hijinks. I will most definitely be rereading this story!
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
TINY KIWI! I have been waiting to read this story the whole anthology! (Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the other authors but I have a soft spot for Kiersten White). And, this story has the honor of being the one to make me cry. Because ugh, my emotions. Kiersten White manages to write fully-fleshed out characters in just a few short pages and makes me care so much about them. Maria and Ben had my heart bursting from happiness, and their banter was spot on. It perfectly captured the hopefully and heartfelt spirit of Christmas. This was probably my favourite story of the bunch. I just want to read it over and over again.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
After finishing Kiersten White's story, I texted my best friend. "I think Kiersten White's story is going to be my favourite, unless Ally Carter has something to say about that." And boy, did she ever! I was laughing out loud at this one, and had a smile permanently plastered on my face. I couldn't help it! Ally Carter knows how to write such a fun and sweet story. I loved the chemistry and
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
As always, Laini Taylor brings talent and beauty to the stories she writes. Although I did find this one a bit too wordy, I loved the idea of it. I could picture the setting vividly, I could feel the desperation, the pain, and the enchantement woven into this story. It was intriguing, although a bit dense, and I definitely enjoyed it. A solid story to end off this anthology!
Overall, I adored this anthology. It was just like a hoped it would be: magical and wonderful and everything I love about the holidays. All of the authors are on their games, and they all deliver clever and interesting stories. It's definitely an anthology I'll be going back to and reading over and over. If you love the holidays (and you love AWESOME authors), pick up My True Love Gave to Me!
- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)
Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | The Book Depository
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