Originally posted 8th December 2016
25 Days of Christmas 2016
8 | Top 5 Christmas Books
I say top five Christmas books, there are probably so many more out there that I’m unaware of, because as much as I love reading it’s rare that I read Christmas books purely because I don’t even know they exist.
What I’m sharing here is five books that I either love to read or aim to read around Christmastime.
5. Miracle on 34th Street – Valentine Davies
This is one of the ones I haven’t read, to be honest I didn’t even know it was a book! I really love the film and you know what they say, usually the books are even better!
“A white-bearded gentleman who appears at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade fills in for an unfit Santa Claus-and is asked to become the store’s resident Santa. This Kris Kringle believes he is Santa, as do children from all over the city, and reindeer at the zoo nearby. A few skeptical souls try to have him declared insane…”
I’ll leave it there because I’m not sure if you’ve seen the film or read the book but incase you haven’t, that’s all you need to know for now!
4. A Visit from St. Nicholas (aka The Night Before Christmas) – Clement C. Moore
We all know this one! Whether we have a physical copy of the book (which sadly I don’t but I plan on rectifying that very soon) or most of us probably know it from hearing it over the years – some may think it’s for kids… OK they’re probably right but I don’t care. I love it and sometimes we need to give in to our inner child. Plus a lot of the books now will have really beautiful illustrations you can share with your family, especially if you have young children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews etc.
“Twas the night before Christmas
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse”
3. A Christmas Carol (and other Christmas Writings) – Charles Dickens
Most people know A Christmas Carol and most people know that the author behind that novel is Charles Dickens. What they may not know is that he did a lot of other Christmas Writings. I actually own this copy of the book, which I love and think it’s gorgeous. I bought this last year however, haven’t yet read any of the other works so hopefully I’ll get around to it this year.
“Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter miser, hates Christmas and everything it stands for, but the ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future terrify him and thaw his frozen heart.”
2. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone – J.K. Rowling
How many of you are telling me that this is not a Christmas book? Look I know it’s not in a traditional form however, who doesn’t love Harry Potter? It does have mentioning of Christmas, if you want to get technical however, as I said with the movies the books are just so magical! If you want to read other books over Christmas – depending on how fast you read – maybe stick to the first one? But it’s definitely worth another read around this time of year.
Plus you could read the illustrated version! Which I don’t yet own but I really want it. It looks gorgeous! Or you could stick with the old copy you’ve had since childhood, revelling in the nostalgia of the worn pages and good memories…
“Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy – until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason… HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!”
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
So, again some might ask how this is a Christmas book but it could definitely be classed as one. I’ve put this at number 1 (which was tough because Harry Potter) but I always read this book on Christmas Eve. It’s a very easy read, plus I’ve been reading it since infant school when I was first introduced to Narnia.
I have about four copies of this book, two the same, one without a cover – the one I always read (which you can probably tell is very well read!) – one as a collection and one an illustrated version. I love all of them but once again, going back to the same book you read as a child just brings back so many memories.
As I say, for me every Christmas Eve I’ll read this, when I was younger probably with a Hot Chocolate nowadays with a chamomile tea, chai tea… maybe a hot chocolate but I prefer the tea as it soothes and calms me to go to sleep. But still, it’s my go-to and I love it.
“What begins as a game of hide-and-seek quickly turns into a huge adventure when Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy walk through the wardrobe and into Narnia. There they find a world frozen into eternal winter by the evil White Witch. Narnia, once filled with all manner of Talking Beasts, Dwarfs and Giants, is now a dark, joyless wasteland.
The Children can only hope that Aslan, the Great Lion, will return to Narnia and restore beauty and peace to the land. But will Aslan’s powers be enough to conquer the dark magic of the White Witch?”
Once again, that’s it from me for today! I hope you enjoyed reading this list. I’m sure we’re all aware of most of the books on here, most of these are favourites and well loved however, if you do know of any not listed please share because I’m always looking for another great read!
