The Christmas Sisters
WW2 espionage thriller set in DOVER
10 Great Books with Christmas at their Heart
6th November 2023
10 Great Books with Christmas at their Heart. Christmas books are an integral part of the holiday season, offering heartwarming stories that evoke feelings of joy, love, and nostalgia. These books, ranging from classic tales to modern stories and set all over the world, make perfect companions to cosy up with near the fireplace. Some of our favourites.
The Nutcracker by E T A Hoffman – GERMANY
Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world’s greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith.
The gift of a handsomely decorated, enigmatic nutcracker sets the stage for a Christmas like no other: there will be legends of ancient curses, battles with the dreaded Mouse King, and a visit to the wonderful Kingdom of Dolls. The inspiration for the classic ballet, E. T. A. Hoffmann’s irresistible tale of magic and mystery continues to be the perfect encapsulation of a child’s wonder at Christmas.
The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder – NORWAY
A magical Christmas story from the bestselling author of Sophie’s World
In the corner of a dusty old bookstore, a boy named Joachim discovers a magic advent calendar. When he opens the first door on 1st December, a small piece of paper falls out: on it is the beginning of a story about a little girl named Elisabet…
Little Elisabet has been missing ever since the day she ran after a lamb and found herself travelling right across Europe to Palestine, and back through 2000 years to meet the Holy Family in Bethlehem. There she met angels, shepherds and wise men who joined her on her pilgrimage.
Each of the twenty-four windows in Joachim’s calendar hides another chapter in Elisabet’s story, along with the key to unlock a renewed sense of awe at the true meaning of Christmas.
But who was Elisabet and where is she now? On Christmas Eve, all the pieces of the puzzle will come together…
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen – DENMARK
Hans Christian Andersen’s poignant and moving classic in an all-new translation.On New Year’s Eve a small, poor girl walks in the darkness and cold trying to sell her matches. Hungry and frozen, she curls up in a nook and lights her matches in search for warmth. Looking into the glow of the matches, she is transported far, far away from the hunger and the cold.Also available as an award-winning audiobook.
The Gift of the Magi by O Henry – UNITED STATES
One dollar and eighty-seven cents is all the money Della has in the world to buy her beloved a Christmas present. She has nothing to sell except her only treasure–her long, beautiful brown hair. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. Beautiful, delicate watercolors by award-winning illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger add new poignancy and charm to this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love.
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan – SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree, but who’s around it that matters most.
All Suzanne McBride wants for Christmas is her three daughters happy and at home. But when sisters Posy, Hannah and Beth return to their family home in the Scottish Highlands, old tensions and buried secrets start bubbling to the surface.
Suzanne is determined to create the perfect family Christmas, but the McBrides must all face the past and address some home truths before they can celebrate together . . .
The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren, and Eva Eriksson (illustrator) – SWEDEN
It’s a cold winter’s night and a hungry fox is creeping through the snow. It’s Christmas Eve.
He sees a hen house full of tasty chickens to eat — but he’s forgotten about the old tomten who guards the farm.
This is a classic story of a mischievous fox, a wise, kindly tomten and their unlikely friendship.
This new edition of the much-loved picture book from the bestselling author of Pippi Longstocking is accompanied by beautiful illustrations by popular illustrator Eva Erikkson.
Depicting the traditional Swedish character of the house elf, or tomten, this classic story is perfect for sharing with young children on a wintry evening. Erikkson’s illustrations of the wry fox and the watchful gnome are full of character and warmth, and her moonlit, snowy scenes are the perfect landscape for an active imagination.
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola – MEXICO
In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside.
This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl’s unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Beloved Newbery honor-winning author and Caldecott honor-winning illustrator Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle – UNITED STATES
The #1 New York Times bestseller is now a major Netflix film starring Kiernan Shipka, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush and Isabela Moner.
It’s Christmas Eve and the worst blizzard for fifty years has blanketed Gracetown. But as well as snowflakes, love is in the air – and appearing in the most unexpected ways . . .
Who’d have thought a freezing hike from a stranded train would end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger? Or that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow could lead to romance with an old friend? Or that the path to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks?
Touching, hilarious and filled with festive cheer, the magic of the holiday season shines on these three interconnected tales of love, romance and breathtaking kisses. The perfect book for a cold winter’s night for any fan of The Fault in Their Stars, The Sun is Also a Star and Eleanor and Park.
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci – WASHINGTON to LOS ANGELES
In equal parts hilarious, poignant, suspenseful and thrilling, The Christmas Train by David Baldacci is a delightful journey filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief . . .
Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to LA in time for Christmas. Forced to take the train across the country because of a slight ‘misunderstanding’ at airport security, he begins a journey of self-discovery and rude awakenings, mysterious goings-on and thrilling adventures, screwball escapades and holiday magic.
He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, where he will rediscover people’s essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham – CARIBBEAN
Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded shops, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes and no unwanted presents.
That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll kip the holiday altogether.
Theirs will be the only house on the street without decorations, a Christmas Eve bash or even a tree. Because come December 25th, they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise.
But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences – and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined . . .
We hope you enjoy your Christmas reading!
Tony for the TripFiction tea
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For Christmas I would like a selection of Christmas books in your fabulous advent calendar.