Part I: The 12 Books of Christmas
I am so excited to share twelve books with you this Christmas. Each of these I have read and are by authors I particularly enjoy. Whether a short story, novella or a full-length novel, these stories all deal with the heart and joy of Christmas in their own way.
Some are classics of Christmas you may know well or may know of but have never quite taken the time to read yourself. (You need to read these—they're absolute gems!) Others on the list may be new to you. (Take a chance on these--you won’t regret it!) I hope you find something below intriguing enough to pick up this December. I believe you will be blessed this Christmas season by the words in these brilliantly spun stories.
Here are books 1-6:
Classics:
1. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by ETA Hoffman, a novella
This classic story is really a children’s tale and would be a great one to read aloud to your own children or nieces and nephews this Christmas. Many of us are familiar with the Nutcracker story through the ballet by Tchaikovsky, but if you have not read the original, it would be the perfect mode to set the tone for the magical season.
“Ah, how delightful it is here!” cried Marie, entranced in happiness. “We are in Christmas Wood,” said the Nutcracker. “Oh, if I could but linger here a while,” cried Marie.
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a novella
This perhaps now timeless tale of Scrooge facing his past, present and future and re-embracing the true meaning of Christmas is a redemption tale worth revisiting. If you have only seen a movie or stage version of it, take a risk this Christmas and discover the richness and poignancy of Dickens’ words for yourself.
“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when it's mighty Founder was a child Himself.”
3. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, a novel-length collection of letters Tolkien wrote over the years to his children at Christmas time
This could be such a fun one to read together during the Christmas season with your kids. The ongoing collection of letters build on each other from Christmas to Christmas. Tolkien gives away some of Santa’s secrets, paints pictures of some elves and other characters and ultimately reveals a Father Christmas who captures the Christmas spirit perfectly. And, as a huge Tolkien fan myself, this book was a must grab for me to add to my collection.
“I hope you will like the little things I have sent you. You seem to be most interested in Railways just now, so I am sending you mostly things of that sort. I send as much love as ever, in fact more. We have both, the old Polar Bear and I, enjoyed having so many nice letters from you and your pets.”
Narrative Nonfiction/History
4. Silent Night: The Story of the WWI Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub
This extraordinary true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 is a collection of stories, interviews, memories, and retellings of the men at the front lines of WWI leaving their trenches to celebrate Christmas together with the enemy before war resumed the next day. For lovers of history or just for anyone ready to experience the power of humanity at Christmastime, this is a moving tale.
“A single ‘Tannenbaum’ on a parapet might be an unexplainable anomaly. Emerging rows of them were something else” (Weintraub 15).
“Of course, we realized that we were in the most extraordinary position, wishing each other Happy Christmas one day and shooting at each other the next, and we sheltered each other. No one would shoot at us while we were all mixed up.”
Classic Mystery
5. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, A Short Story
Maybe a cozy mystery set in London, England would be your style this Christmas. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle set his Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle at Christmas time and it might be the perfect combination of mystery in a magical season. Sherlock Holmes’ intriguing character and genius way of solving a case truly shines in this short story.
“Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light. ‘It’s a bonny thing,’ said he. ‘Just see how it glints and sparkles. Of course, it is a nucleus and focus of crime. Every good stone is.’”
Historical Romance Fiction
6. Baby It‘s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren
Five characters end up stranded together during a Christmas blizzard. The characters are struggling with bitterness, loss of hope, and the ability to step into the identity that awaits them, but thrown together they also find joy, laughter, honesty and second chances. The characters are quirky and deep, while the writing is beautiful, creating a novel that is as heart-warming, romantic, and as “Christmassy” as it gets!
“All these years, she’d thought God had taken away her reason to celebrate Christmas. But Christmas gave her son back to her. Christmas delivered her the one thing the world, and the war, wanted to steal. Hope.”
“I’m just a farmer. I’m not eloquent. I’m not dapper. I usually smell like the barn.”
”Then take a shower.”
I hope one of these books sparks your interest this winter! Stay tuned for Part II of the Twelve Books of Christmas coming soon!
Welcome to the Christmas season and happy reading!
