Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Christmas reads

It has become December, and thus my holiday reading list begins again. There are a few books I re-read every single holiday season, and with good reason. And indeed, it is quite nice to be able to read stories which I know and love during this season of warmth and joy.

1. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
     Kind of an obvious choice, I suppose. This is one of the greatest Christmas stories ever written, and everyone ought to read it at least once. There are many fantastic film adaptations, as well.

2. The Legend of Holly Claus, by Brittany Ryan.
     A very feel-good tale of the daughter of Santa Claus and her intense love for humanity and how love conquers all. There's nothing specifically Christian about this book, which may give some readers pause, but I encourage you to read it. I penned a short review of it here.

3. The Chimes, by Charles Dickens.
     Basically, any Christmas story written by Dickens should be required reading at Christmas.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.
     I consider this a Christmas book because of the Narnian winter and the visit of Father Christmas.

5. The story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2.
     Because of course. His birth is the center of the Holy Day, and it wouldn't do to forget that.

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I also try to re-read a classic or two during this season. This year I have chosen Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I have not read Little Women in years, and it is definitely time to revisit it.

Do you have any must reads for the holiday season?