Seasonal Reading
This year I have done some seasonal reading, thanks in part to a cozy reading YouTuber I follow (Miranda Mills). This month, I’ll share some of my favorite Holiday books to help get you in the mood for Christmas. Most of these books are also available in audio form, and they are fun to listen to during this busy time of year to entertain while you clean, cook and decorate.
Christmas in Thrush Green – Miss Read
Miss Read has always been one of my go-to comfort reads at any time of the year, but her Christmas books, (Christmas in Thrush Green, Christmas in Fairacre, and No Holly for Miss Quinn) are especially fun during this festive season. In this book, we get snapshot peeks into the lives of the main characters in the Thrush Green series — Of course there are the usual crowd we have come to love, Winnie Bailey, Nelly and Albert Piggott, Charles and Dimity, Ella, Harold and Isobel. Frank and Phyllida take on the arduous task of helping the children get ready for the traditional nativity play. This venture gets even more challenging when most of the cast comes down with chicken pox. Unfortunately, most of the Miss Read books are only available in audio in the UK. Christmas in Thrush Green, however, is a happy exception!
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding–Agatha Christie
This holiday story/novella comes to us from the Queen of Crime—Dame Agatha Christie. Hercule Poirot is a guest at a festive house party when he gets involved in a crime (imagine that!). Soon after his arrival, he gets a sinister note warning him not to eat the Christmas Pudding. Soon he is chasing down the thief, eavesdropping on a murderer, and discovering a corpse in a chest. Mr. Poirot must use all of his little grey cells to solve this conundrum.
Christmas Jars – Jason Wright
Local writer, Jason Wright, tells the story of reporter, Hope Jensen, who is investigating the mystery of jars filled with coins which mysteriously appear to folks in need. Publishing the story would be the big break she needs for her career, but if she does, she will break the trust of the people who shared the secret. You might even be inspired to start a new tradition! This is a book for all ages to enjoy. I read it to my 7th grade English classes for several years.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
Finally, what’s Christmas without the Herdmans? (Peaceful? Quiet? Traditional?) This heartwarming holiday tale introduces us to the Herdman kids—”absolutely the worst kids in town.” They cuss, they lie, and they smoke cigars. They even burned down Fred Shoemaker’s old barn. And to top it all off, they have never heard the story of the birth of Jesus. When they take over the Nativity Play at the local church, they teach everybody the true meaning of the Christmas season, and when all is said and done, there’s not a dry eye in the congregation.
