A very mixed bag; a few I enjoyed, but overall not one I personally felt super enthusiastic about. I often feel ambivalent about anthologies, especially those featuring many different authors. I did, however, like Kelly Link’s Tam Lin story, which was the main reason I read it.

When I first started to read young adult novels over six years ago, I didn’t know where to start. I would wander in the bookstore – Borders, how I miss you – and then buy something with a pretty cover. I had covered my bases by reading the larger titles like Twilight, obviously, but really, what do you do next unless you have heard about a book through word of mouth or bookstore recommendations? Unless you have the time to sit in the store and read excerpts of various books whichlook interesting? Then I discovered a few YA anthologies, and I got introduced to some of my then favorite series. It was because of a YA anthology that I’d read a Melissa Marr story and then bought the Wicked Lovely series, which I would later discuss with one of my best friends in college. Same with Kiersten White, Holly Black, and others. Stories are not my favorite things because if I like them, I generally want more, but anthologies are a really great way of introducing you to new authors. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories does a good job with this.

I never know quite how to review anthologies, but first I’ll start with short story summaries (warning: I’m not particularly good at writing summaries; as you may have noticed, I’m quite verbose). I’ll put those under a spoiler tag and afterward you’ll find some general observations on the anthology. Ask me more questions in the comments. Sounds good?