TTT: Christmas/Holiday Stories I'd Like to Read or Reread

Top Ten Tuesday: Christmas/Holiday Stories I'd Like to Read (for the first time) or Reread (again and again)

I grew up in a household where How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Seuss) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Robinson) were read aloud every year, year after year. I've heard them both so many times I'm sure I could recite them word-for-word from memory. Several years ago I added a third must-read holiday book to the mix: The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Miracle Christmas Dog (Barry). Will I read them, all three, again this year? Yes! Will I ever get sick of them? Never! That said, variety is the spice of life and I am ready to add more holiday-themed books to my yearly repertoire. Here are a few I want to read or reread this year:

The Mitford Snowman: A Christmas Story by Jan Kanon. Years ago I read several books in the Mitford series and I'm sure there will be recognizable characters in this short, 23 page booklet. I just got a copy from the library today so I can safely say this one will get read this year..

 

Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford. Set in England between the 1st and 2nd wars, published in 1932. This author was recommended to me by another person participating in the Novellas in November Challenge. I have also received a copy of this book from the library so it is likely I will read it for the first time in 2024.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus As told to Jeff Guinn. This book is right up my alley. A little mythology mixed with a bit of real history. I am checking my library to see if they have an available copy to borrow.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Believe it or not I read this Christmas classic for the first time ever this year. I was obviously very familiar with the story but still found out a few new parts of the story, which delighted me.

The Secret History of Christmas by Bill Bryson. Only available in audio format. Read by the author. This was the first book I finished in 2024 and I'm ready to listen to it again this Christmas season. I actually learned a lot first time through it. 

A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd. Pulling stories from several volumes of stories by the author and gathering them together to make up this book and the movie we all know and love. I've read this several times. Maybe 2024 would be a good year for a reread of this hilarious gem.

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. Every book I've read by this author, I've loved. I am pretty sure I had this book in my high school library so it is shocking I never read it during my days as a librarian. Time to change that. 

A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote. Just last week I read this story collection about holiday memories by Capote. What remarkable stories! What a remarkable author. Since I bought a used copy of this book I bet this book, of all the books I've listed, will become my must-read holiday book.

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke. A new book by a new-to-me author. I just finished Piranesi today and then saw this book. Adding it to my TBR and getting in line for the library copy!

Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea. I discovered this book last Christmas and read it with my grandsons. They loved it and read through the whole series of Dinosaur vs. books with their parents. When I saw it at the library today I snapped it up immediately and had a fun reread with my youngest grandson. "Dinosaur wins!"

What holiday book(s) do you read/reread often? Please leave a comment for me. Help me expand my holiday reading options. Thanks.

-Anne

TTT: Favorite Holiday Books and Stories

My husband and daughters in 1992 reading Jingle Bugs by David Carter.  It was a favorite when they were young.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Christmas Books and Stories, along with first line(s).
(Originally published Dec. 5, 2011)

1. The Bible, Luke 2:1-20

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world...And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem..."

2. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

"The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world."

3. The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry

"My name's Doug Barnes, and this stuff happened on Christmas Eve in my town, which is Asquont, New York. According to Mr. Purcell, who's my Social Studies teacher, Asquont is an Indian name that means some Indian thing like 'Hunting Place in the Green Forest,' but sometimes I think it was just a joke by the Indians to get white people to say 'Asquont'."

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot...But the Grinch, Who lived just north of Whoville, did not."

5. A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd

"Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid"

DISARM THE TOY INDUSTRY


Printed in angry block letter the slogan gleamed out from the large white button like a neon sign. I carefully reread it to make sure that I had not made a mistake

6. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", by Francis P. Church (New York Sun, September 21, 1897)

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

7. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

"On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound- a sound a friend told me I'd never hear- the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh."

8.  Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myacle

"It was the night before Christmas. Well, to be more precise, it was the afternoon before Christmas."

9. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

"Imagine this: You are in your favorite bookstore, scanning the shelves. You get to the section where a favorite author's books reside, and there, nestled in comfortably between the incredibly familiar spines, sits a red notebook."

10. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

"'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

11. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

"Imagine a morning in late November. A coming of winter morning more than twenty years ago."

12. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

"Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that."

 

13. Seven Stories of Christmas Love by Leo Buscalia

"Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, nearly two thousand years ago. But whatever your religious belief, the spirit of Christmas is love, and love is universal."

14. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

"One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies."

    15. Lousia May Alcott's Christmas Treasury...The Complete Christmas Collection

"A Merry Christmas" found within Little Woman

"Jo was the first to wake in the grey dawn of Christmas morning."

16. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Christmas House, North Pole

22nd December 1920

Dear John,

I heard you ask daddy what I was like and where I lived. I have drawn me and my house for you...Your loving Father Christmas

Most of these books/stories are favorites because I have enjoyed reading them aloud with my family sometime during the holiday season. Many of them were favorites of my children when they were young and they carry such fond memories for me. Yet many remain family staples today even though the girls are grown. Many we read aloud to each other every year.


What are/were your favorite holiday books/stories?

This was originally posted on Nov. 23, 2010 for Top Ten Tuesday at Broke and Bookish 

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Let me say this at the outset-I am a huge John Green fan.  So it is rather shocking that I've had Let It Snow in my library for two years without reading it. It also explains why, when I finally did decide to read it, I would just naturally start with John Green's story, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, the middle story of the three.  Big mistake! Though it says it right on the cover I somehow missed the memo that this isn't a book of three separate Christmas short stories. Rather, it is a book of three interconnected stories that build on the information and characters from the story before.  Ha!  Don't make my mistake.  Read this book like any other book from beginning to end.

The stories in Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances are all set in a small town in North Carolina on Christmas Eve.  The town has been hit by a huge blizzard which causes all kinds of transportation problems:  a stranded train, cars driven into snowbanks, and people being forced to walk in freezing temperatures.  Every story somehow weaves common threads -- the Waffle House, Starbucks, cheerleaders (named Amber and Madison) -- into the storyline.  Each main character finds love and kisses, together with quite a bit of hilarity along the way, making for fun and poignant Christmas memories.

I liked each of the stories, but I think I liked each one for different reasons.  The Jubilee Express, by Maureen Johnson, was the story that probably touched me the most and I enjoyed the author's gentle humor and writing style.  The Patron Saints of Pigs by Lauren Myracle reminded me a bit of the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, with its talk of angels and the need for emotional growth and acceptance.  John Green's A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle featured my least favorite characters including a bunch of stranded cheerleaders and a romance that didn't seem to work quite as well as in the other two. But, hey, I read it out of order and it was full of John Green humor, which I adore. 

High literature? No.  Fun, YA lit?  Yes. Will I recommend this book to my students this holiday season?  You bet. In fact, I already have.

(This blog post was originally submitted on Dec. 2, 2010)

Letters from Father Christams by J,R.R. Tolkien

Finally. Now I can face this holiday season with a sense of awe and wonder.  Why? Three reasons:

1. The Seattle University Christmas Choir concert Friday night was remarkable. My favorite songs were those that were sung in the round, or from remote locations from around the cathedral. Christmas carols are running through my head. My daughter had a short solo on the song Silent Night, so that was my obvious favorite.

2. I bought a beautiful poinsettia and then stumbled upon a few reindeer unexpectedly.  I would like to report that Santa's reindeer are looking very healthy as they build up their reserves in preparation for their Christmas deliveries.

3. I've just finished reading and looking at the drawings in Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien. Between the years of 1920 to 1942, Tolkien wrote a letter to his children as Father Christmas.  He also sent them original drawings. He regaled his children with fun tales from the North Pole that included the antics of his pet polar bear, wars with goblins, and other delights. The illustrations had me awestruck.  They were so detailed and matched the action mentioned in the letter. If you can get your hands on this book, set aside a bit of time to marvel at the precious gift that this famous author gave to his children.

Christmas 1920

Angela and the baby Jesus by Frank McCourt

I just found this book this year.  It is a children's picture book written by Frank McCourt with wonderful illustrations by Raul Colon about an event from McCourt's mother's life. 

When Angela was a child she stole the Baby Jesus from the manger scene at her church because she was sure that he would get cold and lonely if she left him there.  It is a darling tale.  If you run into it, take a few minutes to read it.  It will bring a warm feeling to your heart.  It did for mine.

Amazing Peace: a Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou

I will let the poem speak for itself and encourage you to pick this book up because of the amazing paintings/illustrations that go along with the poem.  Snuggle up and read it together as a family and try to live it in the new year. Yes, I know the format is in a Children's book but the topic is universal. (My book includes a CD of Maya Angelou reading the poem.) Peace!

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem   

By Maya Angelou

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.

It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.

Peace.

Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
implore you to stay awhile with us
so we may learn by your shimmering light
how to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
to translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices to celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace.
We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace.
We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul

Christmas in Plains by Jimmy Carter

In a beautifully rendered portrait, Jimmy Carter remembers the Christmas days of his Plains boyhood- the simplicity of family and community gift-giving, his father's eggnog, the children's house decortions, the school Nativity pageant...and the poignancy of his black neighbor's poverty. (-From the book jacket)

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States of America, is quite an accomplished writer/author. Quite often he writes about political things, which seems like a dumb and obvious thing for me to say, but sometimes he writes about his life as a young child growing up in rural Georgia during the Depression. Christmas in Plains is one such book. In this small book Jimmy Carter recalls stories of long ago Christmases in an America very different that today. As I read through his stories and recollections I felt like I was listening in on a conversation with him. It was as if I had sat down with President Carter and asked him to tell me what Christmas was like during the Depression or what it was like living on a farm. And once he was done telling me those stories he told me about what Christmas was like in the White House. The stories were simple and plain and told without a lot of elaboration or dramatic moments. The conversational tone of the book was very endearing.

Both of my parents were born and live through the Depression so I enjoyed his tales of simple Christmas traditions and happy memories but I think that the average reader would think that the book bordered on boring-not enough drama or humor to keep the average reader reading. I do believe that people my parents age would appreciate this book much more than the set I hang out with...teenagers.  And for contrast I actually really like his book: An Hour before Daylight : Memories of a Rural Boyhood  much better than Christmas in Plains. In that book he talks about what it was like to live in the segregated South during his childhood and how his best friends, until he was school-aged, were black.  His stories are fuller and more detailed which gives them some depth and tremendous insight. I found that book to be fascinating and eye-opening.

 So I hope that you do decide to read something written by Jimmy Carter, I just don't think that Christmas in Plains is the one you should "cut your teeth" on.

A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd

Which came first the movie or the book?  I pondered this question as I picked up A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd the other day. I hate it when a book isn't any different than the movie. Why should I even bother reading it if they are the same? Fortunately that is not the case with this book which has just catapulted itself near the top of my Favorite Christmas books list.  Let me explain.

Apparently Jean Shepherd, a humorist and radio monologist, wrote several semi-autobiographical essays about his early years during the Depression.  He had these essays published in a book called In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash in 1966.  Later he used four of these essays (and one from another volume) to co-write the screenplay for the 1983 A Christmas Story movie, which has become standard fare during the holiday season in America today. This book, published in 2003, contains the five essays that "Shep" drew material from for his screenplay. (From the Publisher's notes.)

The essays, like the movie, are funny.  Really funny. They are also read aloud good.  I found myself taking the book around with me wherever I went, reading passages aloud to whomever would listen.  I carried it to the lunchroom at school and regaled teachers with excerpts from this little gem of a book.

Shep's essays are not only funny they are superbly written. The essay Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Kid was the only Christmas story. It contained the bits in the movie about Ralphie pining for the Red Ryder BB gun and the visit to Santa at the department store.  I was most familiar with the material in this essay.  The other four contained the stories about the Ovaltine decoder ring, the leg lamp, the school bully, and the Bumpus dog caper. All were a delight. Here is just a tiny, teaser excerpt from the essay Grover Dill and the Tasmanian Devil:

The male human animal, skulking through the impenetrable fetid jungle of Kidhood, learns early in the game just what sort of animal he is. The jungle he stalks is a howling, tangled wilderness, infested with crawling, flying, leaping, nameless dangers...He daily does battle with horrors and emotions that he will spend the rest of his life trying to forget or suppress. Or recapture. (81)

Now I need to run out and rent the DVD so I can watch the movie from the beginning-something I've never done before-and you need to get yourself to the bookstore or library and pick up this book.  Do it today.  You won't be disappointed.  I promise.