Countdown to Christmas: Week 4

You may have guessed a pattern here...this week I will be sharing four new reads for the week of Christmas. Happy holidays! 🎄

There are plenty of romance books around Christmastime, but this one in particular is set in war time which almost always makes the relationship(s) more meaningful. The Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is set in Europe following two young people drawn into the throes of war. From the perspectives of Evie Elliot and Thomas Harding, these two share their lives through a series of letters over 4 years of Christmases. Their perspective roles change during this time and so does what they mean to one another.

In A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg a doctor who has gotten a startling diagnosis decides to leave the weather-torn city of Chicago to a climate that is better suited for those with ailments. Believing that this could be his last Christmas, he decides to relocate to Lost River which stands on the southernmost part of Alabama. He meets plenty of interesting characters, but none leaves an impression more than the little redbird named Jack. A pivotal, live-changing moment is witnessed by these people, one they will never forget, and it just might be something you will never forget either.

Written with humor and wit, Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak introduces the Birch family as they meet for Christmas for the first time in years. In their aging country estate, Olivia is forced into quarantine with her family after treating an epidemic abroad, so for the next week the entire family is forced to be closer than they ever have been before. Then an unexpected guest arrives, causing more chaos than even their own personal secrets and long-held tension could have created.

One Day in December by Josie Silver is a modern day romance that starts out on a cliché note, but is reported to be "joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving..." (Amazon). In this book, Laurie sees Jack from a bus window and instantly pegs him out as "The One". Laurie believes in fate and eagerly searches the city for this mystery man until Sarah, her best friend, introduces him to her at a Christmas party as her own boyfriend. The story then recounts a 10-year tale between this love triangle, making it's final note of fate, in all it's twists and turns, ring true.

Countdown to Christmas: Week 3

Again, the giving mood has gotten a hold of me and I've decided to post not just one, or even just two Christmas recommendations, but three! Happy holidays, my fellow readers 🙌

In the 19th century, the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories stretched on from Halloween to that of wintertime. These stories were printed in newspapers and magazines around Christmastime for folks to get their thrills and chills during the yuletide. In the spirit of this tradition, you could check out The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, and Tara Moore. This book compiles 13 tales from a diverse group of authors; if you like "A Christmas Carol" this might be something down your alley. It's perfect for those interested in trying out something different this holiday season.

If you're a fan of Wicked, something you might be interested in is Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcrackerby Gregory Maguire. This books reimagines the backstory of the timeless Nutcracker, focusing on how he came to be carved as well as the character Drosselmeier, the one-eyed toy maker whom gives the nutcracker to his goddaughter, Klara. Yet, this story not only retells this classic in a new light, but also presents a much weightier topic than childhood dreams and imaginations. Rather, it weaves through the topic of how a disadvantaged person can benefit those so much like themselves by a simple gesture. Hope rings out as the compromised Godfather brings something precious and full of light to a lonely and marginalized young soul one bleak, wintery evening.

Said to be a modern-day fairy tale from popular author Kristin Hannah, Comfort & Joy: A Fable might just be that familiar warm and fuzzy story that fills your Christmas time with goodness. In this book, a recently divorced Joy has lost her spark for celebrating Christmas. Unbound by family ties, she decides to buy a ticket to the rural Northwest. Yet, her plans are destroyed when her plane goes down in a deep, dark forest, leaving her and her fellow passengers stranded in unknown territory. Somehow Joy finds her way to a man named Bobby, who is still trying to figure out how to raise his 6-year-old son following the death of his wife. They form an instant connection and amid the sudden changes and unexpected chances, Joy has a choice to make: find the faith to reach toward the love she has found or reject the chance at a new life and perhaps true joy. For those looking for a heartwarming, true-heart-of-Christmas tale, this is a great one to pick up.

Countdown to Christmas: Week 2

I can't help myself - I have to share two reads this week! I wanted to really dig into the meaningful stuff, the stories that really makes us think, feel, and connect with our fellow human beings. So, here are my picks which are frequently on bookworm's lists to read around the holidays (and if they aren't, consider adding them):

The Deal of a Lifetime by Frederick Backman centers around a father and son who have gone years estranged and are just now reconnecting. The father decides to center most of his conversation on a young girl fighting with childhood cancer and through his tales about her, he speaks volumes about himself. When he learns that he might be able to change the future of this girl's fate, he has to understand what his life has been worth, and the only way he can only do that is through his son. With both humor and compassion, this story centers on how our legacy lives on when our time is finally up.

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern immediately made my list when I learned that it inspired one of my favorite movies "It's a Wonderful Life". Supposedly, it is said that it came to the author in a dream one night, and it gets even more Christmas tale-like when Stern decides to send it out as his Christmas card. One of the 200 cards he sent out eventually ended up in the hands of Frank Capra who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, then the rest is history. If you enjoy the timeless, inspirational movie, this short story that inspired the classic movie should be at the top of your list!

Countdown to Christmas: Week 1

In the spirit of Christmas, I will be posting a book recommendation (one or more) once a week during the month of December. This recommendation will include a summary and reasons to read it. I will be sticking to Christmas-related books, but hope to diversify each choice.

For my first choice, I wanted a light-hearted read with a little bit of a mystery. I came across "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter which is a delightful romystery that will have you both laughing and "awww-ing". In this story, the protagonists are Maggie and Ethan, both writers and both fiercely competitive, as they accept a mysterious invitation to an English estate for a Christmas party. It is revealed that the mystery sender is none other than the Duchess of Death herself, Eleanor Ashley, positioned as the most powerful author in their world. 

The story begins to evolve as quickly as the weather devolves as the duo gets trapped at the estate by a turbulent storm. Not only that, but they have a live mystery on their hands when their hostess goes missing and they begin to wonder who they can trust. The duo has to team up in order to solve the disappearance, one clue at a time, and as they come closer to the truth (and each other) they learn how to be an effective sleuth team.

Compared to "Knives-Out" but with a fun, romantic candace, this cheeky, heart-melting story will get you hooked. Whether you are a mystery reader or a romance reader, this is one to try this holiday season.