With only a few days left of the year, it's time to look back and see which books have stood out. I've read 80 books this year so it took me a while to decided the ten best ones. The stories are all very different and unique (from different genres too) but somehow, they have all managed to stay with me during this eventful year. Here's my selection, in no particular order:

What a well crafted and magical story this is. It left me completely in awe, as it's like nothing I had read before. Rowan Coleman makes you believe that the impossible is possible and takes you in a journey like no other.

Since discovering Alice Peterson a few years ago, I've fallen in love with every single book she has written. Her stories always make me cry but somehow, she always manages to make feel better about life. And A Song for Tomorrow is no different in this sense, an unforgettable heart-breaking and uplifting story, but it's also so much more. I'd might even say that A Song for Tomorrow is Alice Peterson at her best.

Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is a truly special and magical story, with a stunning setting, really interesting characters and lots of surprises in store for them and us.

Coming Home to the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson

There's nothing I didn't love in this story. Although this is the third book in the Comfort Food Café series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Catching up with the old characters was a treat but getting to know the new characters was even better. I hadn't read a story that had left me with such a great feeling of joy and a such a warm heart in a long while. I think this is Debbie Johnson's best yet. 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Margot & Me by Juno Dawson

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Katey Lovell:

Hi Katey and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Alba! I'm an author who writes novels about relationships - friendships, families and romance. Joe and Clara's Christmas Countdown is my third full-length novel.

Your latest book, Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown, is about a boy who is not a big fan of Christmas and a girl who absolutely loves it. Tell us a bit more about them and what sparked this idea.

I wouldn't say Clara is based on me, but I definitely do love Christmas so maybe there are parts of her that are! Joe has previously been a fan of Christmas, but since the loss of a loved one over the festive period he's found December a struggle. Throughout the book Clara is keen to remind Joe exactly why the season is so special. I wanted to write about an advent countdown and remind readers that amidst the joy of Christmas there are also those struggling - whether that's because of health, bereavement, financial worries... and before long I had the nugget of an idea for the story!

In Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown, Clara gives Joe a special Christmas gift every day. From these gifts, which one of the most original or special?

Some of the gifts are very traditional - candy canes and Christmas books - but one of the most original is a fortune telling fish!

Talking about Christmas presents. Which book is on top of your wish list this year?

I became vegan at the start of the year and would love some simple vegan cook books for Christmas - Lucy Watson's looks great! I'd also like the Bodiposipanda book about body confidence because, like many people, there are times I'm unhappy in my own skin. Hopefully that book would help me appreciate how marvellous my body is!

Do you ever make your own gifts for your loved ones?

I have in the past, mainly scarves and tree decorations. These days I'm far less creative - although one friend did specifically ask me for a copy of my book for Christmas!

Any recommendations for presents for bookworms (that are not books)?

There are so many great presents for book lovers, but my recommendation would be clothing from the Out of Print website or bookish candles from Flickerink on etsy!

And finally, if you could spend Christmas with a fictional character, who would you pick?

Ooh, this is a toughie! I think I'll have to say Mrs Weasley because I quite fancy a homemade jumper!

Thank you for having me, Alba, it's always a pleasure. Happy Christmas, everyone!

Thank you so much Kate for stopping by and sharing some Christmas cheer with us! 

Connect with Katey:

Twitter: @Katey5678

Facebook: Katey Lovell

About the Book:

Title: Joe and Clara's Christmas Countdown

Author: Katey Lovell

Published: October 13th 2017 by HarperImpulse

Amazon | Amazon UK

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Bella Osborne:

Hi Bella and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Alba, Thank you for having me on your blog today, it’s lovely to be here. I live in Warwickshire, England with my husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog and I write romantic comedy novels that have a bit of a gritty side too.

You have a new story, Ottercombe Bay, out later this month of December. I see it's the first part of a serialised novel. Tell us a bit about what it'll be about.

My fourth novel ‘Ottercombe Bay’ is set in a fictional Devon seaside town. It’s the story of Daisy who is forced to return to Ottercombe Bay when a relative leaves her something unusual in their will. As the place where her mother died the town holds sad memories as well as a number of questions for Daisy, so she must come to terms with her past before she can make something of her future. With a cast of quirky locals, a few gin cocktails and a black pug with lots of attitude, there’s more to the sleepy town than Daisy remembers.

Ottercombe Bay is being released as a four part e-book serial. Part one is out 28th December with the others following at six week intervals and the paperback of the whole story will be published summer 2018.

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk Christmas presents. Have you bought all your presents already or you'll have to squeeze a last minute shopping trip on Christmas' Eve?

I’m a big forward planner so my Christmas shopping is all done, there’s just the wrapping to do which is the part I really love. There’s nothing more festive than sitting down by the fire with a glass of Baileys and a Christmas film whilst being knee-deep in wrapping paper and bows! And I usually have a the cat to ‘help’ me too!

Which book is on top of your wish list this year? 

There’s a few on my list this Christmas but I think the one I’ve been itching to read is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, because everyone’s been talking about it this year.

Is there a movie or a book you always revisit during the holidays? 

Yes! I always watch Love Actually (I’m a huge Richard Curtis fan) and Home Alone on the run up to Christmas. I also love to dig out the Royle Family Christmas Specials because they are so funny and I really miss the series.

Who's your Favourite Christmas Villain from these? 

- The Grinch

- The angry elf in Elf

- Old Man Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life

- Scrooge in a Christmas Carol

That’s a tricky one but I’ll go with Scrooge because he’s such a Christmas icon and it’s a story I enjoy whether it’s reading the book, watching the black and white Alastair Sim film or the Muppets musical version.

And finally, if you could spend Christmas with a fictional character, who would you pick?

That would have to be Harry Potter, who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas at Hogwarts and have a jumper knitted by Mrs Weasley?

Many thanks for having me on the blog. Here’s wishing you and all your followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you so much Bella for stopping by and sharing some Christmas cheer with us! 

Connect with Bella Osborne:

Twitter: @osborne_bella

Facebook: Bella Osborne

About the Book:

Title: 

Author: Bella Osborne

Published: December 28th 2017 by Avon

Amazon | Amazon UK 

Blurb: Escape to the Devon coast, with Part One of a brand-new four-part serial from the author of Willow Cottage.

Daisy Wickens has returned to Ottercombe Bay, the picturesque Devon town where her mother died when she was a girl. She plans to leave as soon as her great uncle’s funeral is over, but Great Uncle Reg had other ideas. He’s left Daisy a significant inheritance – an old building in a state of disrepair, which could offer exciting possibilities, but to get it she must stay in Ottercombe Bay for twelve whole months.

With the help of a cast of quirky locals, a few gin cocktails and a black pug with plenty of attitude, Daisy might just turn this into something special. But can she ever hope to be happy among the ghosts of her past?

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is book blogger Emma, from Star Crossed Reviews:

Hi Emma and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello!!! For those of you that don’t know my name is Emma and I love reading. You may have previously known me as Chicklit vs Fantasy. My favourite genres if you hadn’t already guessed are Chicklit and Fantasy, I also love the sub genre paranormal and I read a lot of YA fantasy. have recently got into crime books too. I’m 28 but still pretending I’m 23. I live with my boyfriend and our Frenchie Basil. I have 5 brothers and growing up being the only girl taught me a lot about the other sex and exactly how to get them to see things your way. I’m a chocoholic and a bit of foodie. I love to eat but only enjoy cooking when I have a lot of time. I’ve always been a girly girl who loves make up and nails but I’m not the best at either lol. I’ve been a book blogger for 4 years now and it’s hands down the best decision I ever made.

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk about Christmas presents. Which book is on top of your wish list?

Ooo definitely Karen Swan’s new book The Christmas Secret. I love Karen Swans books.

If you could only get ONE Christmas present, what would you ask for?

I found this such a toughie! Probably PJ’s. I love new PJ’s for christmas! 

If you had to choose a book for an adult who's not a big reader as a Christmas present, which book would you choose? 

Oh I found this so tough. I think I would go for something funny. I recently read Tracy Bloom’s No one ever has sex series which really made me laugh. 

If you could sneak into a literary world during this holiday, then which one would you pick?

Ooooo I would sneak into Holly Martin’s A Town Called Christmas from her series of the same name. It’s so festive! 

Actually, talking about literary worlds, if you had to choose between Disney World and The Wizarding World of HP for a visit during Christmas, which one would you choose?

Ooooo Harry Potter for sure!!!! I have been to Warner Bros studio and I am dying to go to The Wizarding World in Orlando.

Do you have any recommendations for bookish gifts for bookworms (that are not books)?

I love mugs with bookish quotes! I have some which are related to Aven Ellis books and I adore them!

What's your favourite Christmas food? 

Oh that is so difficult. I think it has to be Christmas Cake but I do love all the food. I love the Christmas Day roast with cranberry sauce. I do love a good bit of mince pie and christmas pud with a lot of cold custard!

Any British specialities that you think should be available the whole year, not only during the festive season?

Costa’s christmas drinks!!!! I wait all year for those. Me and my friends always make a Christmas Costa date on the first friday after they come out. 

And finally, what's your favorite festive read?

Oh just one??? Erm ok this was a tough decision, Christmas at under a Cranberry Sky by Holly Martin.

Thank you so much Emma for stopping by and sharing some Christmas cheer with us! 

Connect with Emma:

Blog: Star Crossed Reviews

Twitter: @starcrossed89

Facebook: Star Crossed Reviews

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Sarah Bennett:

Hi Sarah and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi! Firstly, let me thank you so much for inviting me to feature on your blog, I very much appreciate it. I’m a military spouse, writing full time from home. Home is wherever the RAF send us, currently Buckinghamshire, but we are hoping to find our forever home in 2018 so we have somewhere to finally put down some roots.

Your latest book, Christmas at Butterfly Cove, is your third book set in Butterfly Cove. Tell us a bit more about it.

The series focuses on three sisters. Each one is the main focus of a different book and Christmas at Butterfly Cove is about Nee, the youngest of the three. She’s an artist who’s hit rock bottom, both professionally and personally and the book follows her in the lead up to, and over the festive season as she tries to comes to terms with the chaos in her life.

Would you like to spend your own Christmas at Butterfly Cove?

Absolutely! I had so much fun creating the place, and it feels almost real to me now. My favourite thing about it is that each of the guest rooms are themed so you can stay in a cosy country cottage, the calming forest room, the bright sunny beach room or the opulent harem suite. I couldn’t just visit once though, I’d have to go back and try them all! The series revolves around family, and Mia, the eldest sister and owner of Butterfly House is a real nurturing spirit. I’d love to sit in front of the log fire with a cosy blanket on my knee and a plate of homemade mince pies. 

Actually, talking about where to spend Christmas. Would you rather spend it on a turquoise water beach with a cocktail in your hand or in the Polar circle surrounded by husky puppies? 

Both sound wonderful for different reasons. I think I’d go with the Polar adventure though as I absolutely love the snow and maybe I’d get lucky enough to see the Northern Lights.

Is there a movie or a book you always revisit during the holidays?

I’m a real sucker for a feelgood film, so I love the classics. Something that needs a hanky, but ends happily so things like It’s a Wonderful Life, or Little Women.

Do you cook during Christmas or let others cook for you? If you do, what's your star dish?

I’m more of the assistant cook than the main chef. Mum does all the hard stuff and I do the trimmings. My speciality (if you can call it that) is making tuna melts for Christmas Eve supper. It’s a quick and easy meal and not too heavy before the full blow-out of Christmas Day.

And finally, if you could spend Christmas with a fictional character, who would you pick?

Ooh, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure I’d enjoy the lack of modern conveniences, but I’d love to spend Christmas with Jo March and the other Little Women gathered in their cosy parlour and singing songs around the piano.

Thank you so much Sarah for stopping by and sharing some Christmas cheer with us! 

Sarah Bennett Author Bio

Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.

Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.

When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.

Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove trilogy, published by HQ Digital UK. You can also look forward to a new series coming in 2018, set in the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Bay.

Connect with Sarah:

Twitter: @Sarahlou_writes

Facebook: Sarah Benett Author 

About the Book:

Title: Christmas at Butterfly Cove

Author: Sarah Bennett

Published: October 6th 2017 by HQ Digital

Amazon | Amazon UK | Kobo | iBooks

Blurb: All she wants for Christmas…

When talented artist Nee Sutherland returns to Butterfly Cove for her sister’s wedding, it’s only a matter of time before she has to face her own bridegroom – Luke Spenser – the man she impulsively married, then left in the middle of the night.

Nee hasn’t picked up her paintbrushes in months, a part of her is broken. She knows Luke might never forgive her, leaving him was the biggest mistake of her life – but could coming home for Christmas be the best decision she’s ever made?

Maybe all she needs is a little Christmas miracle…

A delightfully feel-good festive romance, perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd.

Today's book review is for the festive story Covent Garden in the Snow by Jules Wake. This is definitely the perfect story to read during these dates! Read my thoughts about it here:

Title: Covent Garden in the Snow

Author: Jules Wake

Published: November 16th 2017 by HarperImpulse

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Tilly Hunter has fabulous friends, her dream job as a make-up artist with a prestigious opera company and Felix, her kind and caring husband to be. It looks set to be the most perfect Christmas yet!

But when a monumental blunder forces her to work closely with new IT director Marcus Walker, it's not only the roast chestnut stalls on the cobbles of her beloved Covent Garden that cause sparks to fly…

Super serious and brooding, Marcus hasn’t got a creative bone in his sharp-suited body. For technophobe Tilly, it's a match made in hell.

And yet, when Tilly discovers her fiancé isn’t at all what he seems, it's Marcus who's there for her with a hot chocolate and a surprisingly strong shoulder to cry on… He might just be the best Christmas present she’s ever had.

Review: Covent Garden in the Snow is a really fun and festive read. It it is set in an opera house in Convent Garden, which I found fascinating. I know nothing about opera but the author has clearly done a lot of research and she shares with us everything that goes on behind curtains. I found it especially interesting, to read about how everyone researches everything for the productions, and how attentive they are with the little details. Everything needs to be on point to make the audience believe in the magic of the opera. I am definitely booking a trip to the opera next time I'm in London.

And our main character, Tilly, fits just right in this world. She is a make up artist and she loves her job and everything it entails. It doesn't leave her much time for a private life but her fiancé doesn't seem to mind. He's quite the easy going type, but I have to say I didn't like him, especially how Tilly was when he was with him, more subdued. I much preferred her more passionate side, even if it got her into trouble more than once. Especially with the new IT guy. I was really curious about him since the beginning and I found it really fun to read how out of place he was surrounded by artists. 

The whole story is surrounded with Christmas magic, especially when it snows in Covent Garden and everyone goes a bit crazy. Even if some of the twists in the story are quite predictable and some of the drama going on is a bit over the top, it worked really well as a whole and I enjoyed reading it a lot. It is definitely a perfect story to escape to in this time of the year and get lost backstage of such a fascinating world. Also, it was also a really fun story, which made me smile and laugh more non-stop.

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is author Rachel Burton:

Hi Rachel and welcome. Your debut, The Many Colours of Us, is about Julia Simmonds who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she finds out who her father is. Tell us a bit more about her and what sparked this idea.

The idea actually came when I was re-reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens. I was playing with the thought of writing a modern day version of the book and, in particular, the story of Esther - an orphan who finds out her parents are alive after all and her mother is very wealthy (well sort of, being Dickens it's a lot more tragic than that!). I wondered how such a story would play out in modern day London and so the first threads of the Many Colours of Us were woven together! Throw in a gorgeous solicitor and some mysterious letters and.....

And what can we expect from you next?

My second book, The Things We Need to Say, is out with HQ Digital on 11 May 2018 and is up for preorder now. It's the story of a marriage and of life not working out the way you want, it's about grief and hope and love and happiness and I have my fingers firmly crossed that you will all like it! 

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk about Christmas settings. Would you rather spend it on a turquoise water beach with a cocktail in your hand or in the Polar circle surrounded by husky puppies? 

Absolutely on the beach. My mum's side of the family live in Australia and the best Christmases have been spent in the sun on the beach. I'm not a fan of winter at all! 

If you could sneak into a literary world during this holiday, where would you go?

I do love a Christmas book and if it's a Christmas book set somewhere warm all the better - this year I've really enjoyed Maxine Morrey's The Christmas Holiday (which takes place in India, Malaysia and Florida so mostly nice and warm) and Victoria Cooke's The Holiday Cruise, which has a brilliant Christmas scene in the Caribbean. Either of those suits me just fine! 

Would you like to write a festive story yourself?

It's not something I've thought about to be honest although now I'm definitely thinking about a Christmas Down Under book! 

And finally, what's the 2018 new release you are most looking forward to?

There's two that I can highly recommend so far and have been lucky enough to have already read. Firstly, if you want a thriller with a difference then The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor is out in January. If historical fiction is more in your line then Island in the East by Jenny Ashcroft is a truly beautiful read. It's not out until June but the ebook is available on Amazon now. 

Title: The Many Colours of Us

Author: Rachel Burton

Published: April 27th 2017 by HQ Stories

Amazon | Amazon UK

Today I'm bringing you a brand new bookish recipe, inspired by the lovely book Moonlight over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan. In this fun love story, we meet Harriet Knight, who apparently bakes the best chocolate chip cookies. Reading about her adventures, I couldn't stop thinking about her cookies, as everyone in the story loved them. So I decided to try my hand at baking my own cookies.

After a bit of research on the Internet, I found a very interesting article in Buzzfeed, in which they compare famous recipes so I picked the winning recipe and they were a roaring success. Best cookies I've ever backed! Thanks Harriet for the inspiration! 

Ingredients: 

- 2 1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

-1 teaspoon kosher salt

- 5 ounces 55 percent chocolate, cut into chip-sized pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)

- 5 ounces 70 to 72 percent chocolate, cut into chip-sized pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)

- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar, preferably molasses sugar

- 3/4 cup granulated sugar

- 2 large eggs

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2) Sift the flour and baking soda into a medium bowl. Stir in the salt.

3) In the bowl, beat half the butter on medium speed until fairly smooth. Add both sugars and the remaining butter, and beat until well combined, then beat for a few minutes, until the mixture is light and creamy. 

4) Add the eggs one at a time, beating until the first one is incorporated before adding the next and scraping the bowl as necessary. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed to combine. Mix in the chocolate.

5) Shape dough into balls. Arrange cookies on the pans, leaving about two inches between them, because the dough will spread.

6) Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are no longer shiny, switching the position and rotating pans halfway through baking.

7) Cool cookies on the pans on cooling racks for about two minutes to firm them up a bit, then transfer to the racks to cool completely. 

About the book: 

Moonlight over Manhattan is a very magical and wintery story and one I enjoyed immensely. Perfect to escape for a few hours and forget about everything else. Even better with a hot chocolate and something sweet to go with, like a chocolate chip cookie or two?

Title: Moonlinght over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #6)

Author: Sarah Morgan

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle… 

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. 

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. 

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas? 

Read my review here

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My next guest is fantastic blogger Zarina, from Page to Stage Reviews. Zarina blogs about books, travel, arts & culture, and I always love reading about her latest adventures. Welcome Zarina! 

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk about Christmas settings. If you could go anywhere in the world to celebrate Christmas, where would you go? 

I always go home to the Netherlands for Christmas to be with my family, but if I can take them with I’d definitely spend it in Canada instead! It’s my favourite place in the world anyway (especially British Columbia/Vancouver), and with snow-capped mountains in the distance can you imagine anything more festive?

And what would be the last place you'd want to be stuck during Christmas?

In transport. Been there, done that, it’s not fun. 

If you could sneak into a literary world during this holiday, then which one would you pick?

Harry Potter so I could spend it at Hogwarts, if only to see the Great Hall lit up with all its Christmas magic. I’ve been to the Harry Potter Studios here in London when they did their ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ event and I properly geeked out because it felt like I was actually there. They even treated us to freshly baked mince pies! The only thing missing was the actual characters we know and love. 

Actually, talking about literary worlds, if you had to choose between Disney World and The Wizarding World of HP for a visit during Christmas, which one would you choose?

This is just cruel! I’m a huge Disney lover and have been to the parks in Paris, Tokyo and LA, and Florida has been on my wish list for years to go to. But then there is Harry Potter… Actually, I think I’ll pick Disney World just because it’s not just a single park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a lot smaller, being just a part of Universal Studios. So I’m going rational here rather than actually choosing between two of my biggest fandoms XD 

Now, let's talk presents. Which book is on top of your wish list?

Oh gosh, where to start? I’ve really gotten into collectible editions of classics in the past few years and they’re kind of the only books I keep nowadays on my overflowing shelves. I really love the Barnes & Noble Leatherbound hardbacks and am eyeing Robin Hood, King Arthur, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn for my collection next. 

Do you have any recommendations for bookish gifts for bookworms (that are not books)?

Anything from Evie on Society6 or The Literary Gift Company. Etsy is also a great source of bookish gifts, especially for jewellery like these sterling silver quotation mark studs <3

I'm always curious about Christmas food. What are your traditional festive foods in the Netherlands? 

We do something called ‘gourmetten’ for second Christmas Day (26 December). This means we have bowls of uncooked food like different types of meats and veg on the table alongside a device on which each family member has a miniature pan to do their own cooking in. It’s a fun way to spend some quality family time together as it forces you to pace yourself!

Any British specialties you have discovered that you cannot live without during the festive season?

Terry’s Chocolate orange! How I survived 25-odd Christmases without this sweet delight I do not know. 

And finally, what's your favorite festive gif?

Thank you so much Zarina for stopping by and Merry Christmas!

You can connect with Zarina on:

Blog: Page to Stage Reviews

Twitter: @zarinatweets

Facebook: Page to Stage Reviews

Instagram: @zarinainlondon

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. And who doesn't love a good list?

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday for a while but I think this week’s topic is really interesting. So I wanted to join again. Do you ever read a book and wish you could step in and enjoy a coffee in the café from the book? I do all the time! So I've picked the ten fictional places or business I would love to step in the most!

The Comfort Food Café - Comfort Food Café Series by Debbie Johnson

I fell completely in love with this cafe and its lively community with the first book and with every new addition to the series, my love for this place only grows. Its lovely if not a bit crazy owner has created a heaven for all its regulars and they all have their own specials. A real sense of community.

The Palace Cinema - The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

Polwhipple is this small village in Cornall, where everyone knows about everything going on but also where everybody is ready to help. I had lost a bit of its sparkle, until Gina arrived and revived the old cinema house, The Palace. She organises the most amazing and fun screening, in which people dress up and there are cocktail and ice-creams specially created for the movies showing. Wouldn't you want to go there?

The Practice at Larkford - Out of Practice and Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

I usually associate going to the doctor with bad news but I think that if I could go to the practice in Larkford, it would definitely make my doctor visits way more interesting. With sexy doctors, lovely pets, a local celebrity and a TV crew, this practice is the best place to socialise! Plus, the doctors are so caring and you can tell that they love their jobs. 

Moonlight Hotel - Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

The Moonlight Hotel sits on the shore of England’s best-loved lake, Windermere, exuding vintage glamour. How amazing sounds this? I loved the setting for this lovely story and I would definitely love to stay in this hotel. I would also love to learn some Salsa. 

Glamping Site - My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

In this heart-lifting and inspiring story, main character Caz leaves a not so perfect life in London behind to help her dad open a glamping site. The ideas she comes up with are amazing and I would love to be able to disconnect there for a few days and enjoy nature. But maybe not join the courses she creates for her old boss... 

Juniper Island - A Town Called Christmas Series by Holly Martin

This series has the perfect setting. I think I had never wished a fictional place was real so much (except for Hogwarts). Juniper island sounds just magical and I want to move there indefinitely. It's supposed to be part of the Shetland Islands and the northernmost point of the British Isles. It is also a prime location to spot the northern lights or merrie dancers, as the locals call them. And Gabe Whitaker has built an amazing winter resort with cabins, glass igloos and even a glass palace. Oh and reindeer! How cool is that?

Culinary School - The Plumberry School of Comfort Food by Cathy Bramley

I've read quite a lot of foody novels in which the story is set in a bakery or a tea shop and even if I usually enjoy these settings, sometimes I feel like I am reading the same story again and again. So I was greatly surprised to discover a very original setting for this one: a culinary school, with lots of fun course I'd love to attend, competitions and events. 

The Canal Boat Café by Cressida McLaughlin

I loved the setting for this story: a canal boat. I've always been fascinated by these boats and every time I've seen one you can visit (on a tour or because it's a café or a shop) I haven't been able to resist having a look inside. So reading about The Canal Boat Café was a real treat. Especially seeing it flourishing as Summer started taking it more seriously.

Alden toy shop - The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake 

Alden toy shop is about to close when Clara Kristensen arrives to save the day. Her creative and detailed ideas make the shop a great success and her window displays sound amazing. I really wish I could go there to see them and then buy a few Christmas presents. 

Book shop - Lost For Words by Stephanie Butland

Who doesn't love a good book shop? But what makes this one so special are its characters. On one had we have owner Archie, he is a people person, easily chatting to everyone and with a certain eccentricity that far from making him arrogant and unapproachable made him endearing and generous. He would be a friend that we would all love to have. In the other hand we have the very special Lovejoy, who has worked in the shop for ten years and who definitely prefers books to people. I would love to just go there and have a bookish chat with them.

Today's review is for Rosie Blake's new book, The Hygge Holiday. I have loved all her previous novels and I have heart quite a lot recently about having a more hygge life, so I was really excited to pick this book. Here are my thoughts:

Title: The Hygge Holiday

Author: Rosie Blake

Published: September 21st 2017 by Sphere

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: It's autumn in Yulethorpe and everyone is gloomy. It's cold, drizzly and the skies are permagrey. The last shop on the high street - an adorable little toy shop - has just shut its doors. Everything is going wrong for Yulethorpe this autumn. Until Clara Kristensen arrives.

Clara is on holiday but she can see the potential in the pretty town, so she rolls up her sleeves and sets to work. Things are looking up until Joe comes to Yulethorpe to find out exactly what is going on with his mother's shop. Joe is Very Busy and Important in the City and very sure that Clara is up to no good. Surely no one would work this hard just for the fun of it?

Can a man who answers emails at 3 a. m. learn to appreciate the slower, happier, hygge things in life - naps, candles, good friends and maybe even falling in love?

Review: The Hygge Holiday is such a cosy, feel-good and lovely read. I'm sure by now, everyone has heart of the concept of hygge but if not, definitely pick this book to find out more about the Danish secret for being happier. I loved how this story in itself already manages to bring hygge to your home. While reading it, I couldn't resist lighting a few candles and curling up in the sofa with a nice and warm blanket and a hot chocolate. *sighs in happiness*

The story is about Clara Kristensen who has mysteriously arrived at Yulethorpe, a sad town where all the business are closing. A bit by chance, Clara ends up house-sitting and managing the toy shop of a local who has gone on a long holiday. And as she starts leaving her hygge mark everywhere in Yulethorpe, we get to know a bit more about her. I really liked her as a character, she has this peaceful and calm aura but she also has a few secrets she is not willing to share, which made her very interesting.

The other main character in the story is Joe, a workaholic from the city that definitely needs a bit of hygge in his life. I really enjoyed how their stories intertwined and the wintery setting of Yulethorpe was perfect for it. Another thing I also found fascinating was the toy shop and all the new ideas that Clara brought with her. I wish I could go there to get my nieces a few presents this Christmas!

But this wouldn't be a Rosie Blake novel without her hilarious humour and The Hygge Holiday is no exception. With a very sensitive parrot that only talks with TV quotes and a pub owner that cheats on Words With Friends and has a "dark" secret, this story made me laugh so much! 

If you are planning a quiet, cosy evening by the fire, then this novel is your perfect companion. Let's all hygge a bit more this new year! 

Rating: 5 stars

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My first guest is fantastic author Heidi Swain:

Hi Heidi and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello Alba! Thank you so much for inviting me along to chat about all things festive and bookish! My name is Heidi Swain and I am an author of ‘feel good fiction’ signed to Simon and Schuster. I live in the lovely county of Norfolk and I’m a huge fan of the festive season.

Your latest book, Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair, is about a girl who is not a big fan of Christmas herself. Tell us a bit more about her and what sparked this idea.

Being such a massive fan of Christmas and having been a part of some beautiful country house celebrations myself, my author brain began to wonder what it would feel like to be excluded from the planning and partying, the present buying and the tree trimming and then, in walked Anna.

Readers of the book will know that Anna has a tragedy in her past which has blighted her ability to want to join in with anything to do with the festive season and I decided I was going to help her. Sending her to Wynthorpe Hall and the welcoming embrace of the eccentric family who live there was my way of, hopefully, giving her the sort of Christmas I love and want everyone to be a part of.

Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair is a Top Ten Sunday Times Bestseller, how did you feel when you found out about this?

Ecstatic, amazed and overwhelmed pretty much sums it up. The week before it made the Top Ten it had reached number 13 but I didn’t allow myself to hope that it would get any higher. The Sunday Times Bestseller list was one of my Top Goals so the thought of reaching it so soon felt impossible really.

I was in Norwich, having coffee with a friend when my phone started going bonkers – emails, messages, texts and missed calls all flooded in and I told myself I wouldn’t look at any of them until I got home. The temptation was too much however, and I was sitting in the gathering darkness in my little Fiat in the park and ride car park when I plucked up the courage to call my lovely editor, Emma. 

She was absolutely over the moon – Sleigh Rides hadn’t only managed to reach the Top Ten, it was number 5! It was the best moment of my career so far!

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk Christmas presents. Which book is on top of your wish list this year? 

That’s an impossible question to answer, however with so many fabulous festive titles being published this year I wouldn’t mind retreating to a cosy, little cottage in the middle of a wintery landscape to read them all.

But, if you really are going to push me on this, I would definitely be happy to see some new Trisha Ashley books in my stocking and there’s a stunning hardback edition of A Christmas Carol which is part of the Penguin Clothbound Classic series that I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on. I read it every year without fail and this edition is simply divine!

Do you ever make your own gifts for your loved ones? 

Not anymore, I’m afraid. I used to when the kids were younger, but with so many extra things going on now I’ve got out of the habit. I always try to include some locally made crafts and gifts in with my buying but it has been a while since I made anything myself. I sew little projects and bake, make chutney and so on throughout the year, perhaps I should start planning to make a few things well in advance of the big day so I have something truly unique to wrap up? Ask me again next year and I’ll endeavour to have a different answer.

What's your favorite Christmas comfort food?

Another tough question! The list could be long and varied, butI do love it when the stilton and crackers come out. Throw in a nice juicy apple and a glass of port to go with it and I’m one very happy author.

And finally, if you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?

I’m a real home bird so my own home suits me fine for Christmas day, but a festive trip to New York in the run up, followed by a grand country house hotel to see in the New Year, would be right up my street. No dishes, no laundry, no stress… wonderful.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a relaxing New Year!