Sunday December 6th, 2009 Christmas Novels

The months leading up to Christmas are a busy time for everyone. Be sure to make time to just relax, maybe pour yourself a bubble bath and read a good book. As December 25 nears I find myself wanting to read novels about Christmas. It’s just one more thing that helps you get into the spirit of it and can leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. A nice cup of cocoa also helps. Here are a few books that I’ve enjoyed, I hope you will too.

A Redbird Christmas: A Novel by Fannie Flagg

When 52 year old Oswald T. Campbell is told he has less than a year to live he escapes Chicago to spend what will likely be his last Christmas in the small Alabama town of Lost River. This sleepy little community located on a lazy river, welcomes him into their fold. Oswald spends his days visiting the grocery store, waiting for the postman to come by boat and accepting dinner invitations from a wealth of single older women. Here he meets Jack, the resident cardinal or redbird as the locals call it. It’s a delightful story about a Christmas miracle so amazing that witnesses have never forgotten it. A Redbird Christmas is also available as an e-book, which is accessible from the OverDrive database in our Virtual Collection.

Shepherds Abiding: A Mitford Christmas Story by Jan Karon

I’m a fan of Father Tim and all the residents of Mitford, and I have to say it doesn’t get much better than Christmas and Mitford all in one book. When Father Tim finds a battered nativity set in his friend’s antique shop, he sets out to restore it as a Christmas gift for his wife Cynthia. Inspired by memories of a manger from his childhood, Tim takes on the challenge of repainting every piece and even giving one of the wise men a new nose. This retirement project gives Tim a chance to learn to work with his hands, and the thought of Cynthia’s face when she sees the manger, is all the inspiration he needs. Publishers Weekly said – Written in light, breezy prose that shimmers with faith and good hope, Karon’s story goes down like hot cocoa by the fireplace.

A Christmas Star by Thomas Kinkade

This title is part of the Cape Light series by American artist, Thomas Kinkade. Cape Light is a small New England town, similar to Mitford. Perhaps that’s why I’ve enjoyed this series. This volume finds Sam and Jessica Morgan facing a sad holiday season after they lose their home to fire. With no home of their own, they find themselves relying on the kindness of others to house them. Meanwhile Julie Newton and her young daughter are in need of a place to stay when their car breaks down and they have nowhere to go. Grieving widower, Jack Sawyer, comes to their rescue, but is he ready to let someone new into his life. A delightful tale and a perfect Christmas read.

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

This book is based on a chance encounter between two people out Christmas shopping. Robert Layton, a successful lawyer, is so wrapped up in his career that he’s about to lose his family. Meanwhile, eight year old Nathan Andrews is losing his beloved mother, Maggie, to cancer. Nathan wants to buy his mom a pair of shoes as a going away present. When he realizes that Nathan doesn’t have enough money, Robert helps him purchase the shoes. What follows is a heartwarming tale that will have you reaching for a hankie. This title is also available on DVD. So, if you don’t have time to sit and read, you could just sit and watch and maybe even wrap a few gifts while you’re doing it.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your holiday preparations, take a deep breath and grab a good book. This should give you a start to capture that wonderful Christmas feeling that only comes once a year. And since it is only 19 sleeps away I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday season. See you next year.


Karen Craib is a Library Technician