And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Or, what we'd like to put in some YA characters' stockings... 

Taylor Markham (JELLICOE ROAD) would probably laugh in my face if I tried to give her a stocking. Nevertheless, I'd stuff it with a journal and a camera, because I think she sees the world in a very special way, and it would be beneficial to her (and to us!) if she documented that. For all her huff and gruff, she has the spirit of an artist, and I bet she would write and capture some really cool stuff. (Plus it could help her work through various issues...) 


You know how "nice young ladies" used to have to go to finishing school in order to learn proper etiquette, particularly if they were going to interact with high society? Yeah, that's what I'd give Froi (FROI OF THE EXILES). A voucher for a 6-week course or something. Er, make that 12 weeks. Because dude is seriously rough around the edges.

As for Jared (THE HOST), I'd just put a lump of coal in his stocking and call it a day. He was pretty mean to Wanda, and I've never completely forgiven him!
-Kristan

To Margo Roth Spiegelman (PAPER TOWNS) I would give a cell phone... or maybe a twitter account. Something to prevent her from sending people on wild goose chases.

To A (EVERYDAY), I would give a bottle of polyjuice potion and a key to the TARDIS. I'm not sure exactly how, but I feel strongly that these two things would make his/her life easier. 

Lastly, to Severus Snape (HARRY POTTER), I would give a large bottle of extra clarifying shampoo. 
-Stephanie

Karou (DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT). What do you get the girl who has everything? For starters, I'd get her a gift certificate for a Thai full body massage. Even devils need pampering. Also, a new sketchbook with a garter so she can attach to her leg when she's on the run. But really, I'd like to give her three wishes that won't cost her any pain. Gavriel-sized wishes. And I'll even refrain from voicing my opinion on how to use them. 

Elisa (CROWN OF EMBERS). Girl. I'd give her two VIP tickets to Alicia Keyes in concert, complete with dedication during "Girl on Fire." Hells yeah, that song is about her. Just ask Hector. I'd also put some Ramen noodles (no msg, of course) in her stocking so she doesn't have to eat desert rats anymore. Dude. Jerboa soup? Not right. And possibly some extra bling for the godstone because... if you've got it, flaunt it.  
-Sarah

I would LOVE to give Katsa (GRACELING) a gift certificate to REI or Cabela's so she and Bitterblue would have warm ski jackets and boots, a four-season tent, and any kind of camping/climbing gear they could possibly need for their mountainous trek over Grella's pass to Sunder. Just thinking of it makes me shiver. Brrr!


To sweet, eclectic Lola (LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR), I would give this decorative tape measure for when she's creating her costumes. Practical and pretty. 
-Ingrid


How about you? What do you wish you could give some of your favorite (or not-so-favorite) book characters for Christmas?

Sometimes, the best stories to read at Christmastime aren’t about Christmas at all. Some stories need only a moment of Christmas cheer to transport you. These books may not have reindeer and elves or tiny babies in mangers. But the holiday spirit is there — in the memories, the magic, the atmosphere.

Here are some of our holiday favorites:

Stephanie: Whenever I reread THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, I always feel like a kid at Christmastime. I still remember my surprise the first time I read the part where they think they’re being chased by the White Witch but Father Christmas shows up instead. I remember crawling into our downstairs closet, packed with winter coats, and wishing with all my heart that a snowy wood would appear. For me, the first Narnia story is steeped in nostalgia and Christmas spirit. It’s one of those stories I wish I could discover for the first time, all over again.


Kristan: For me, THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern evokes holiday spirit because at its core, it's a story about magic and giving. (And the magic OF giving.) Celia and Marco take turns creating the most beautiful, elaborate spells for one another — like bottled scent-memories, wishing candle-trees, and colorful fire-fountains. They also share their wondrous creations with the public, drawing endless crowds to the traveling circus. Oh how I wish I could drift in and out of those tents, basking in the moonlight and smiling under the soft white snowfall.


Sarah: For me, Christmas isn't complete without Christian Bale... er, LITTLE WOMEN. Every year, I watch Winona Ryder break Christian Bale's heart. And I lament. Marry Laurie and not Professor Bhaer! He's trying to be your dad or something by telling you not to write about vampires. Jo says, "But this is what sells!" and I nod my head. MmmHmm. Strangely, I have the same reactions when I re-read the book (and I always re-read at Christmas.) But somehow every time, I come around to Professor Bhaer. He stirs her imagination, her mind, he brings out the best of her talents. He is her match. Then again he doesn't sing "Here We Come A-wassailing" and fall down with her in the snow. Hmm. Perhaps some Louisa May Alcott fanfic is in order. Either way, I hope Susan Sarandon can one day accept that she's my mom in an alternate universe. Peace. On Earth.

Ingrid: DASH AND LILY'S BOOK OF DARES sort of makes you feel like you're experiencing the holidays in the Big Apple right along with these two characters. I once visited New York City during the month of December, and I still vividly remember the lights, the ice skating, the shoppers... the festive atmosphere that pervaded the city. There is nothing quite like it. Dash and Lily capture that excitement perfectly (and often, humorously). If you need a good, upbeat story to see you through the holiday haze, check this one out.

It's my tree, yo.

With a twinge of guilt, I must announce that...I'm taking a break from twitter for the month of December.  I'm super close to finishing the first draft of the book I've been working on for most of the year.  I need these last few weeks to finish, have a Jolly Holiday, and get started on revisions.  Kristan offered to cover for me (and she'd be awesome), but she's editing a really incredible story right now, and I (selfishly) want her to finish it.  No extra duties!


I've relegated myself to the corner.  And so far The Olde Wrytyng Deske is doing the trick.

I know you're sad.  But this is a good thing.  You won't get these mindless tweets in your twitterfeed:



But I will leave you with these, from the infinite Fizz:


Don't forget about the HUGE giveaway we're doing this month.  And we're still doing our normal Thursday posts, only Christmas-themed, and I bet you can't wait to read our Top Reads book list for 2012, right?  Right?  That's what I thought.  All coming soon.  Okay, love you, bye.

Jingle bells, Batman smells, and we are giving away 9 YA books (in 3 sets of 3). All you have to do to enter is (1) comment on this post and let us know which set/s you're interested in, and then (2) comment on any other post this month. Winners will be announced the first week of January. (Must have US postal address. Sorry, international friends!)

Set A
SHARDS & ASHES edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong, ft. Veronica Roth, Beth Revis, Carrie Ryan and more
THE MAGNOLIA LEAGUE by Katie Crouch

Good Morrow, fine fellows and femmes (bear with me, the coffee's not kicked in yet).  Wonder what's been happening on twitter lately?  I've got the roundup.

By the way, you're looking fab today.

I can't speak for the book (I shall read it, I shall), but THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER film has been the source of several breakdowns for me in the past week.  I want my writing to mean something.  I want to be infinite.  I miss Pittsburgh.  If you haven't seen it or read it, please do.  And then call me so we can discuss all the things.

Thanks, Dahlia, for *getting* it.  Twitter's all about the connections!!

Writing stuff:


The Best part of twitter is stumbling upon author exchanges like this:

We don't doubt you.  Bless.