December has not been a month in which I purchased many books, because I was too occupied with the searching and making of gifts which left little to no time for book purchasing. Actually most of the books I bought were in the last days of the year with great hopes for the next one.

As always – these are actual hard copies of books. I find myself having more and more trouble with reading on a screen, so I guess, I’m mostly turning back to paper.

And, if you must know, I really have some murderous books in my December haul.

Alexandre Dumas – The Count of Monte Cristo
I started to read this book when I was in high school or maybe it was University… But I never got to finish it because I was too busy. I remember liking it a lot though, so when I saw it in a shop I decided that it is time to give it another chance. I do love The Three Musketeers, which I think I’ve read two or three times. So, if this goes down well, I will most likely check out more and more books from Dumas’ (father). Haven’t read much of the son, but I didn’t really like his works from those that I’ve read.

This book is about Edmond Dantes, who is imprisoned by mistake and while suffering in the fortress he learns about the island of Monte Christo, which holds great treasure. Not only he devises a plan to escape and get hold of the treasure, he also plans to use the money to get revenge over the people who were responsible for his incarceration.

Maureen Johnson – The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1)
This book series has been on my to-be-read list for a long time, mostly because it features London and similarities with Jack the Ripper murders, which is enough to interest me. I have heard good things of the books too, so I hope this is going to be a hit.

Rory Deveaux moves to London to start at a new boarding school around a time, when murders, similar to that made by Jack the Ripper a century ago, take place. With very few witnesses and many dead ends Rory becomes the only person who has actually seen the prime suspect, she is the only person who can see him… and she is also the next victim.

Aileen Wuornos, Christopher Berry-Dee – Monster: My True Story
Ever since I saw fragments of the film ‘Monster’ as a kid, Aileen has been stamped in my memory never to be erased. When I saw the book about her life in a shop, I instantly wanted to take it, yet I felt like I will not read it, because I will be too scared. I actually already did – you can see my account on it on goodreads.

Lee is one of the most famous female serial killers and the book digs into her childhood and teenage years trying to explain how she ended up with six death sentences. The book also describes all the victims and the account of the murders, which isn’t really believable as it is based only on the interviews with Aileen (where she gradually changed the story in her favour).

Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace
For a long time I was waiting for a chance to snatch one of the classics in Russian, so I could try and read a book in the original language, but I have somewhat given up on that and decided that just because I read one or two in English doesn’t mean that I can’t read one afterwards in Russian. After all it’s not like there are only two great books in the world written by Russian authors.

This book takes place during the Napoleonic wars and Napoleons invasion into Russia. I feel like this is a traditional Russian story that covers private lives that mix in with politics, money and love.

 

William L. Shirer – Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich

This books seems quite self explanatory from the title itself. It accounts for the twelve years of Hitler’s Germany and the destiny’s of all the main figures in his regime.

 

 

 

Kennilworthy Whisp – Quidditch Through the Ages (Hogwarts Library)
I got this book for Christmas and it is the last book in the Hogwarts  Library series that I had not yet read. You can see my thoughts on the book here. It is a book not meant for those who are not fans with wide knowledge in Harry Potter world.

This book concentrates on the development and evolution of Quidditch all throughout the world, it describes separate game components and the way they developed through time as well as mentions the most famous Quidditch teams and countries, giving a short intro about each of them.

So these are all the books I acquired during the month of December! Let me know what are your thoughts on my (murderous) list of books! For now – cheerio!