Five Holiday Books to Get You Into the Seasonal Spirit
Whether we’re ready or not, the holidays are upon us. With so much bad news in the world, escaping with a good book is top of the list. And what better escape to get us into the seasonal spirit than holiday books? Here is a short list of five of my favorite holiday books.
The Hogfather
Topping the list at number one is Sir Terry Pratchett’s fancily from through Discworld. The Hogfather is sure to please with its alternative version of Christmas and Santa Claus. On the evening of Hogwatchnight which falls on December 32, no one can find the Hogfather. Death, the best character in any book ever, fills in for the Hogfather. Susan, Death’s witty and wise-cracking granddaughter, tries to locate Hogfather and save Hogwatchnight.
Pratchett weaves elements of the absurd, dry British wit, and pure fantasy into his novels, and The Hog Father is a fantastic holiday treat.
Schmuck the Buck
This adult picture book by EXO Books tells the tale of Larry the only Jewish caribou in Santa’s workshop. While Larry balances the books, (he’s the accountant) his peers subject him to mean-spirited taunts, dubbing him Schmuck. Yet, it’s Larry’s tech-savvy, quick thinking that saves Christmas and earns him the respect he deserved all along. Filled with clever rhymes, playful stereotypes, and a twist ending, Schmuck the Buck will become a holiday tradition in your household.
The Battle for Christmas
If you’d like to know more about the history of Christmas and how it became a commercial holiday, look no further than Stephen Nissenbaum’s The Battle for Christmas. Did you know that Christmas was once a debauch, drunken free-for-all? The have-nots demanded figgy pudding, money, and liquor from the wealthy citizens. It wasn’t until the late 1800s in New York City that the Christmas we know today was born.
Nissenbaum’s tireless research into the history of Christmas delivers a wealth of knowledge about how traditions begin and change over time.
Bone House
Betsy Tobin weaves a sultry folktale filled with mystery and superstition in Bone House. Dora is a plump sex worker whose charisma and voluminous curves capture the hearts of both men and women in a sleepy Elizabethan village. When the village discovers Dora dead in an icy ravine, rumors take hold, sending the village into a dark spiral of religious retribution. Rich in historical context, Bone House is the perfect read for a cozy night, wrapped in a warm blanket.
South Pole Station
While technically not a winter book, South Pole Station takes place on one of the coldest continents in the world. Cooper Gosling is searching for something to bring the spark back to her art after a family tragedy. She sees an opportunity and signs up to be part of a Polar research team. Earning an art grant, Cooper sets out to recapture her zest for life and forget what she’s lost. South Pole Station is a character-driven novel with some of the most colorful characters I’ve ever experienced on the page. Ashley Shelby does an amazing job balancing all her spinning plates in this wonderful debut novel.
If you have a favorite holiday novel, please leave a comment with the title and author and why you love it.
