The Christmas Library 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Ravensburger

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library"
Jorge Luis Borges

"It was good to walk into a library again; it smelled like home."
Elizabeth Kostova, The Historian

I know that feeling, for me a library is also a Paradise and a home. I used to work in the University library as a library assistant, and I was also lucky to work (i.e. do research) in the best libraries and archives in the world in my "past" life, aka before children. I love the smell of books, the feel of them.
I remember my first library, where my Mum used to take me as a young child and where I picked volumes of fairy tales and picture books.
My school library with an old pre-revolutionary edition of the encyclopedia in many volumes which was out of reach for pupils, and oh, how I coveted to look at it...
Moscow, Oxford, Yale and other University libraries with countless treasures... I spent many hours, reading and writing, and daydreaming too.

When my love of books and puzzles is combined in one, it's a double pleasure.

The Christmas Library 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Ravensburger is a beautiful festive riot of colours.

The shelves of this imaginary library are stacked with winter and Christmas-themed books. You will find The night before Christmas, Merry Elves, The Gift of Magi, The Christmas Tree, The Snow Queen, The Nutcracker and many others.

Some of the books are not so obvious a contender for the Christmas display, like The case of the Blue Carbuncle, that is until you remember that the narrative takes place in London before Christmas.

Incidentally I love, love mystery books and also ghost stories set at Christmas time,and always treat myself to a couple (or more) seasonal books every year.

The puzzle is a pleasure to work on. The unique book covers allow you to find the matching pieces quite easily. The book covers have that nostalgic look about them.

The puzzle measures 70x50cm when completed. It's suitable for ages 12+.
Like all Ravensburger puzzles, it's made from strong premium grade cardboard, with linen finish print to minimise the glare on puzzle image.

The artwork for this puzzle was done by a talented American artist Aimee Stewart. She specialises in digital painting and photo manipulation. Her eclectic style is inspired by music and literature, and her love of music is reflected in this puzzle. 
The Nutcracker and the Plum Fairy book covers make me hum to myself Ta-da-da-da... (I love how Pentatonix perform The Dance of the Sugar Fairy, such wonderful vocal interpretation).

For me The Nutcracker is a big part of Christmas and the new year's eve. I loved it as a child. And even now, when I hear it on the radio, I am doing a few dance moves in the kitchen (when noone is watching).

So many beautiful memories, thanks to this splendid jigsaw puzzle.

The Christmas Library will make a great Christmas gift for any jigsaw puzzle fan or a book lover.

Disclosure: I received the puzzle for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are my own.