This might sound awful, but I actually don’t want to receive any books for Christmas.
Despite reading around 150 books this year and slightly reducing the size of my to-read pile, I already have more than enough books to read for the next year, and probably the next decade.
I also have a slight case of Tsundoku, the affliction of not being able to stop buying books even though logic says I don’t need any more books. But that’s ridiculous. I do need more. I especially need the sequels to books I’ve already read, and the debut novels from authors I follow online, and … the list goes on. And my bank account goes down.
Then there are review copies.
Publishers keep listing books from my favourite authors on NetGalley. It would be rude not to download and review them. Authors email me and ask me to review their books. It would be rude to say no, especially when I really want to read the book. I even got sent a hardcover novel this year, all the way from the USA. There wasn’t an actual review request inside, but it would be rude not to read it …
Also, if I’m honest, I’d rather choose my own books.
When people do buy me books, they’re often the books they want to read, not the books I want to read … so I’d rather they gave me an Amazon voucher.
