Since we're a literary crowd here
And since you all gave me so many great ideas of even more Christmas movies to get acquainted with, let's tackle Christmas books as well! Right now I'm mostly thinking of chapter books because there are waaaaay too many Christmas picture books to mention, but feel free to toss your faves out there.
Here's my list, and I'm sorry there are no links or pictures, I'm rushed for time today:
The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, duh.
The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Dog by Dave Barry. Was just recommended this one by a colleague and enjoyed it. GH and I read it aloud in 2 nights, so it's not too long. Only while reading I started to be able to tell that just maybe a beloved pet dog is going to die, and I warned GH that if this indeed happened he would have to take over because I can't be keeping it together when beloved dogs die in books. I did okay, though.
Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher. Did this in book club last year and thought it was nice. Not great, but a sweet read about people who wind up spending Christmas together. And it's set in England, so, you know, bonus.
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. It's worth reading if only for the essay about being a Christmas elf at a huge department store during the holidays.
The Little House books have great Christmas chapters in them, so they've actually put out a book called A Little House Christmas Treasury. It would probably be good for me to reread about how Laura and Mary were just beyond thrilled to get such small Christmas presents. "Oh my gosh, a tin cup for my very own! Holy crap, an orange!!!!"
Unplug the Christmas Machine by by Jo Robinson and Jean C. Staeheli, in case you're getting overwhelmed. (Or don't want to get overwhelmed.)
Nothing by Richard Paul Evans. Sorry, not my scene.
Haven't read, but want to:
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (hear it's much, much better than the steaming pile that was the movie, which I didn't see)
The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause by L. Frank Baum (of Wizard of Oz fame)
And that's all I have. Anyone want to help me out?
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
25 comments:
I like the life of our lord by Charles Dickens. You don't have to read it at Christmas. The Ultimate Gift is also a favorite.
Um, do you by any chance mean The Ultimate SUCK?
I love A Christmas Memory. One of my very favorite Christmas stories ever. I also enjoyed the book Skipping Christmas. I refused to see the movie. No thanks.
This is really a short story, but The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. The Bible is always tops this time of year too. :)
So because The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was first on your list, that must mean you really want to make the trek here for book group on Wednesday, yes? Seriously, it would be so good to see you. And there will be treats, glorious treats!!
The Hundred and One Dalmatians has one of the sweetest Christmas scenes I've read in a book. It's actually a really sweet book, and I highly recommend it.
The Day They Gave Babies Away by Dale Eunson is a favorite. I don't know if this is technically a Christmas book, but my mom always read it on our annual Christmas drive down to Grandma's house. Maybe to help us remember how good we really had it.
I think most of the books on your post would make lovely gifts for the wonderful woman who gave birth to you and read endlessly to you during your time in the womb. Ok, fine, the last part is a lie, but still, I'd take any of those books.
I can personally recommend The Worst Noel: Hellish Holiday Tales, which gave me some actual real-life LOL's last year at this time. Lots of east-coast Jewish angst, but I think your true cynical nature can handle it.
Although not Christmas related, do give Rosamunde Pilcher's other novels a try if you haven't already done so. The Shell Seekers is excellent as is Coming Home.
Another British author in a similar vein is Judith Lennox.
Enjoy
Laura Essendine
Author – The Accidental Guru
The Books Limited Blog
to be honest, most of the christmas books i have read border on cheese (with the exception of a christmas carol). i read one about a vermonter selling christmas trees in nyc (the title title had an address in it - romp or jane street - maybe you could google it and get back to me with the title?) and one richard paul evans (maybe the christmas box?). i usually don't read christmas books because i think they will be cheese so i appreciate the suggestions.
anyhoo, if i loosen the definition of christmas books in my mind (like we did with the movies), i would recommend "about a boy" (one of those rare exceptions where the movie is as good as the book) and "84 charing cross road".
(ok, maybe the title came to me. i believe it was "christmas on jane street.")
I didn't know you read "Winter Solstice" at your book group last year; I wonder if this came about because I gushed about it in a posting last year? I always re-read it at Christmas, though Laura is absolutely right--Pilcher's other books are better. I've got "Coming Home" on my re-read list for January.
I'm with you on Richard Paul Evans. I broke down and read the Christmas Box a few years ago and I was thinking, "THIS was a best-seller!?!"
So, no, nothing to add.
I'm the oldest grandchild (of 16), and every year since I was 14, I've purchased a children's picture book for my grandparents. Grandma unwraps and then reads it at whichever of our two major family gatherings will have the most grandchildren in attendance.
Last year, since I was meeting them in London and then spending Christmas in Paris, I packed the book, had them read it just to me in our Parisian hotel room, and then took it back to the States for them.
This year, I'm not going to be home until later on Christmas Eve, so I ordered it and had it shipped home. My mom will wrap and present it for me. I'll miss the traditional reading, but I might snag my grandma and have her read it to me later.
Sadly, I can't think of any titles that haven't already been mentioned here. :)
Has anyone read that Redbird Christmas book by Fannie Flagg? I think I should maybe add that one to my list.
I've read the Fannie Flag book and loved it. Great recommendation to all.
I read "Skipping Christmas" and still loved "Christmas with the Cranks." I mean, it wasn't porn, but I tried to enjoy it anyway.
since someone mentioned children picture books, i will add that tomie depaola's "the legend of old befana" is my favorite christmas picture book. the ending always leaves me teary eyed.
Short story "That Thine Alms May Be in Secret" by George Durrant is always read in our house on Christmas Eve.
Holly and Ivy--a great kids' chapter book I read at about 10. Oh so yes yuck on Mr. Evans. He of ALL "authors" inspires me to write because after all people, sheesh... Hey run right out and buy The Christmas Crocodile and Harvey Schlumfenberger's Christmas Present. Go! We'll wait! And yet another--In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash--from whence came A Christmas Story.
I am NOT anonymous!
O.k. not really Christmas-y, more like winter solstice, but growing up I always used to read the Dark is Rising during this time of year. I think it starts on the 21st. So I would follow along, synchronizing my reading with the dates in the book. I haven't done that in years though. Perhaps I should revisit that tradition.
Oh, and I second 84 charing cross road recommendation.
In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd (the book that the movie A Christmas Story is based on). Very funny, perhaps more so than the movie. And his writing style reminds me of the writing style of David Sedaris.
all of the harry potters. they just feel like christmas.
and susan cooper's the dark is rising series.
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Leslie Norris's Albert and the Angel or something like that. (I too am lazy today.)
I always read Jesus the Christ at this time of year.
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