Books to Read for Christmas
Now that the 2010 Christmas season is behind us, I thought I’d make a list. (I must admit that the fact that Sherry over at the Semicolon blog is dedicating this week’s Saturday Review of Books—links to a variety of reviews by reviewers all over blogdom—to lists of reading suggestions helps, too.) My list is dedicated to books that you must read for your Christmas pleasure. I’ll admit, this is a favorite topic of mine, and sometimes I don’t even wait until Christmastime to read a book or story centered on the Nativity or even any of the legends that have been established all over the world at this time of year. So, if you have an inkling to be Christmas-y during 2011, pick one of these up and enjoy some hot cocoa. Finally, in addition to the Gospel account in Luke 2, and of course (beware of shameless self-promotion) either Something Special at Leonard’s Inn by yours truly, read some of these classics and ought to be classics:
Ø A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Ø How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Ø The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (well-deserved Caldecott winner)
Ø Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies (an early version of novelization of a popular movie)
Ø The Christmas Chronicles by Jeff Guinn (three novels now available in a single volume, the collection includes
o The Autobiography of Santa Claus
o How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas, and
o The Great Santa Search
Ø The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans (others in the trilogy are okay)
Ø Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
Ø The Judge Who Stole Christmas by Randy Singer
Ø Magi by Daniel L. Gilbert
Ø The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway
Ø The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne
Ø The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
Ø The Christmas Child by Max Lucado
Ø The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern (the story that inspired the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life)
Ø And don’t forget this year’s collection of stories—The Nativity Collection—by Robert J. Morgan
And while you’re enjoying Christmas reading, don’t forget to find a copy of O Henry’s classic short story “The Gift of the Magi”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone (Sorry I haven’t linked all the books or reviews, but most are available at your favorite brick and mortar or on-line bookstore). To see most of my reviews of books on the list, just click the Christmas link in the “Labels” sidebar
—Benjamin Potter, December 31, 2010
1 comment:
I need to plan some special Christmas reading before Christmas next year. Maybe I'll grab a few from your list.
Happy New Year!
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