Christmas is only two weeks away. The stores are all decorated, radio stations are playing Christmas songs and there are lots of Christmas movies on TV. Some are cute, some funny, some sad, some uplifting. There’s no doubt that it’s a busy and an emotional time of year. It’s also the time of year when, in addition to my regular diet of mystery/suspense novels, I make time to re-read some of my Christmas favorites. I’ve listed a few for those of you who haven’t read them or who are looking for gift ideas.
The Gift by Danielle Steele will bring a tear to your eye and it will also warm your heart. Danielle is famous for writing romance novels but this slim, little book is a departure from her regular genre. If I have to pick a favorite, this is it.
The Angel Doll and the sequel, A Gift of Angels, by Jerry Bledsoe are two more wonderful books. The Angel Doll is set in a North Carolina manufacturing town in the 1950’s. It’s the story of a young boy helping his friend search for a doll to give his sister, who is stricken with polio, for Christmas. To quote the book jacket, “Along the way they learn much about sadness and heartbreak, but most important, they learn about the transformative power of love.”
The Christmas Shoes and the sequel, The Christmas Blessing, by Donna VanLiere are good reads too. In The Christmas Shoes, Robert, an attorney, is so caught up in his quest for success that he’s missing out on the important things in life. A chance meeting with a young boy on Christmas Eve teaches him an important lesson.
Christmas on Jane Street by Billy Romp with Wanda Urbanska is another on my list. This one is all about family and how one person can make a difference in family dynamics and even in the world.
What are your Christmas favorites?
This post makes me realize that I probably don't read enough during the holidays. Shopping, planning, wrapping and baking are my usual activities. This is a great reminder about what soothes the stressed out soul-thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Theresa!
ReplyDeleteI recently read a post by Sunny Frazier called "Tell me a story." It made me realize that the reason I need to read before I can go to sleep at night has its roots in my childhood when one of my parents read me a calming, bedtime story.
Nice blog, Patricia. I don't think I actually have a favorite. There are just too many to pick from, and I generally lean toward something humorous. I guess the original Christmas story is still my favorite. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Marja. There are so many good Christmas books out there - old and new.
ReplyDeleteI've always been partial to the orginal "The Gift of the Magi". I also enjoy Debbie MacComber Mrs. Miracle series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kat!
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of A Christmas Carol which was given to my father by his mother, Christmas 1912. I also like The Other Wise Man
ReplyDeleteDac,
ReplyDeleteThat's surely one of your most prized possessions, I would think. I do love "A Christmas Carol" and so many of the other classics.
I don't have a favorite Christmas book--I'll have to start reading some. But I have fave Christmas music and TV shows. I can't get through the holidays without "A Johnny Bravo Christmas," "Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol" and, of course, "Rudolph." Fave albums are "A Beachwood Christmas" and the Fab Four's (tribute band) two Christmas CDs. Seasons greetings!
ReplyDeleteSally Carpenter
Thanks, Sally!
ReplyDeleteThose are some good TV specials and songs. As the author of "The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper," you might appreciate this - one of my favorite Christmas songs is "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney.
I'm proud to recommend my latest western novel, ESCAPE FROM THE ALAMO, well reviewed on Amazon.
ReplyDelete-- Dac Crossley