My Holiday Reading List

Every year, I choose a stack of books I want to read over the Christmas holiday season.  Rarely do all of the books get read, at least all the way through... but many do and they are far more likely to be read than if they stay on a shelf.  Currently the stack resides at the end of my desk (which is actually a fold down table as one would find in a cafeteria).

This year most will be re-reads, although a couple of the books have not been taken off the shelf in years.  I have been known to pick up a book not mentioned here to read, too.  So the list is not written in stone, just the backbone of my "most likely to be read" books now through Christmas.

In addition to these books, I will be perusing some favorite Christmas cookbooks and such, as time permits.

Here is my Christmas book stack for 2018.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, edited by Nancy Guthrie

I've used this small volume of essays as my Advent reading for a few years.  It has essays from writers as diverse as George Whitefield, Francis Schaeffer, and Alistair Begg.  Each essay will bring the true message of Christmas closer to you and they are just the right length for a busy season.  Information... here.

What the Land Already Knows: Winter's Sacred Days by Phyllis Tickle

This small-ish book is one of the three volumes of the Stories From the Farm in Lucy series.  She is a magical writer, with the ability of making the every day work we all do seem more grace filled.  Some may know her from her more liturgical writing but the Farm in Lucy books cross all denominational lines.  Information... here.  (Third Party)

Christmas in Fairacre by Miss Read

This book contains three of the Christmas stories written by Miss Read, including Village Christmas, The Christmas Mouse, and my favorite... No Holly for Miss Quinn.  I adore these stories and all of them add a special touch of Christmas in "long ago England" to my season.  Information... here.

A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge

This is one of my very favorite Goudge books and definitely the one I have re-read the most.  Since it mostly takes place at Christmas, it deserves a place in my yearly Christmas reading.  This book was my introduction to Henrietta and Grandfather, who are two of my most beloved literary people.  Information... here. (Third Party)

A Christmas Book by Elizabeth Goudge

This delightful anthology contains sections of Goudge's books relating to the Christmas season.  It is not as well known as most of her other books but makes for perfect Christmas reading when one has only time to read an excerpt here and there.  Information... here. (Third Party)

Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon 

While this much beloved Christmas story is part of the Mitford series, it very definitely can be read and enjoyed by any person who has not read even one Mitford book.  Each year, I find the story of how Father Tim patiently restores a creche as a gift to Cynthia, her surprise gift to him, and the glimpse of Christmas in Mitford to be a special joy.  Information... here.

The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater

A friend whose taste in books is much like mine recommended the writings of British food writer Nigel Slater to me a few years ago.  I found the books to be very enjoyable reads.  So I was particularly interested last year when I heard about his new book called The Christmas Chronicles: Notes, Stories, and 100 Essential Recipes for Winter. 

It was my Christmas gift to myself last year, purchased Third Party from a London bookstore before it was available in the States.  For I not only love Christmas but Winter is my favorite season to spend time in the Kitchen. This is a book that lasts beyond Christmas, one that you can curl up with on many a Winter's evening, full of delightfully written essays, photos, and recipes.  Information... here. (Third Party)

I want my Christmas reading to be stories (real and fiction) that will bring the joy of the season to my heart, regardless of what is happening in the real world.  Books I can read when the news has been turned off, in the light of the Christmas tree, with a hot beverage and a lit candle.  :)

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.  I thank you.