You’re definitely in the mood.
You’ve been seeing Christmas ads for weeks now, and you’ve started decorating your home, office, and vehicle. So maybe it’s time to find some great holiday reads to complete your Yuletide merry-making…
What’s the holiday without a good romance? No fun, that’s what, and you’re in luck this Christmas. Start with “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kan Andrews (St. Martin’s Press, $24.00), a book about second chances, second thoughts, and new romance. Then there’s “The Christmas Wager” by Holly Cassidy (Putnam, $17.00), a novel about a snarky competition, a tradition, and love with a man who plays games, in a good way. Add “Snowball Unwrapped” by Kristen McKanagh (Kensington, $16.95), the story of a kitten who accidentally plays matchmaker, and wrap up your romance reading with “Love in Winter Wonderland” by Abiola Bello (Soho Teen, $18.99), a young-love story set in a London bookstore.
The reader who wants a little whodunit alongside the tree will want “The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson (Morrow, $19.99), a tale of Christmas in a large mansion near a charming little town, an enigmatic host, and the smell of pine and death. Thirty years later, the weekend filled with murder comes to light again, and not in a ho-ho-happy sort of way. Follow that story with “The Christmas Appeal” by Janice Hallett (Atria, $21.99), the tale of a troupe of actors and an exciting Christmas production. It’ll be great, providing the members can stop bickering. It’ll be successful, providing they identify the dead body on the stage. Finish your Christmas mystery list with “’Twas the Bite Before Christmas” by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur, $26.00), a story of a dog rescue and the murder of one of the organization’s best volunteers. There’s more to him than meets the eye, though, and it might take three dogs to solve this crime.
If your reading tastes are more fact-based andyou prefer non-fiction, there are new Christmas books out for you, too, this year.
Santa may warm your heart. Snowmen may charm the mittens off you. But if an Abominable Snowman also intrigues you, then you’ll want to read “Scary Book of Christmas Lore” by Tim Rayborn (Cider Mill Press, $16.99), a book of legends and frights from around the world. You might already know about Krampas, a cautionary figure who hails from Austria, Croatia, and Northern Italy – but do you know the Hawagoas, who are said to accompany him? Or Hans-Trapp from France, or the Yule Cat in Iceland? For the traveler or anyone who wants to see a different side of the holiday, this is your book.
And finally, if you’ve got your Christmas viewing completely scheduled, what you need is “Christmas Movies: Revised & Expanded Edition” by Jeremy Arnold (Running Press, $28.00). Filled with photos, old movie posters, and comprehensive run-downs of your favorites, this book is one to have so you know more about what your traditional flicks, and so you find new ones to get you in the mood.
Season’s Readings!
