Happy December everyone! I’ve always been a huge Christmas person (snow, cozy sweaters, and delicious treats – what’s not to love?) and this year is no different. Now that my house ban on Christmas music before December 1st has lifted (not my rule), I’ve been listening to holiday songs ALL DAY and I’m feeling pretty excited to deck the halls and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. I even heard a little girl singing “Let it Go” from Frozen aloud on the bus on my way home, further validating the fact that it is officially time to go full-fledged CHRISTMAS MODE.
Ahem.
Anyway, with all of this Christmas talk, I’ve also been trying to get into the spirit with my reading. I picked up My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories a few weeks ago, but I’m sad to say that I’ve been underwhelmed so far. However, this holiday read has me wondering if there are any Christmassy books on my shelf that I should re-read this month. Even though I’m a Christmas person, I have to say that I don’t really have any must-read books for the season. The only Christmas-related book I can think of that’s on my shelf right now is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens but I’m sure there must be more…
Are you excited about the upcoming holidays or do Christmas people like me make you go “bah humbug”? Do you have any annual Christmas reads or rituals? Please share them with me as I’d love to start building a Christmas library. 🙂
Ps. I promise I’ll tone down the Christmas enthusiasm in my next post. Maybe. I’ll try my best.
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You should check out The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith. It’s a non-fiction story that will break your heart, but put it back together again.
I just picked up My True Love Gave To Me from the library today, and I’m excited to dive in!
Thank you for the recommendation! I do enjoy a good heartbreaking novel from time to time. I’ll have to go check it out!
Ha. I love Christmas! I don’t really have any traditional Christmas reading, but I may read A Christmas Carol this year. I have been looking for ideas on holiday reading, but judging by your thoughts this book may not be the one for me. 🙂
I’ve heard wonderful things about this book but I suppose my love-hate relationship with the short story format was just too much for me here. I haven’t finished all the stories though, so maybe there will be one to save it all!
I go back on forth on the Christmas thing. There are years when I’m really into it and there are years when I’m tired of it before it even really starts. I’m more in the latter camp this year I’m afraid. I’m trying to work up enthusiasm by listening to Christmas music and will probably start with the Christmas movies shortly…but in terms of reading, there are very few Christmas reads that come to mind. A Christmas Carol and Little Women…the 4th of the Flavia books takes place at Christmas…That O. Henry short story that will break your heart, The Christmas Gift?
Here’s hoping I can get into the spirit soon!
I hope you can get into the spirit soon too! There’s just something about Christmas that makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside… Little Women is a great recommendation though! i remember watching the movie growing up and loving it.
I love Christmas, too, which is good when you have kids. Because kids REALLY love Christmas, and the Christmas music has been blasting in this house for a couple of weeks already. 🙂 As for Christmas books, though, I have tried a few over the years, but have never really liked any of them. They usually end up being too predictable, and even too sappy. I prefer Christmas movies. I have to say, though, that I did actually like Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. I was pleasantly surprised by that one. Maybe give it a try!
Thanks for the recommendation! I love spending Christmas with kids; they’re always SO enthusiastic and wonderful! I think you’re right that Christmas fiction can get sappy or predictable… perhaps that’s why I’m feeling underwhelmed with my current read.
I love Christmas: the cozy decorations, cheerful old-timey music, gatherings with friends and family… I just hate how the season gets earlier and more materialistic every year. I was seeing Christmas displays in stores in October, and it’s just too much.
Very interesting to read your thoughts because I almost picked up this book! All of those authors really appealed to me. I second Little Women as a good Christmas read even thought it’s not a Christmas book per se. It’s about family and finding love, very heart-warming.