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Tuesday, December 03, 2019

TTT: I'll Get to Them One of These Christmases ...


Don't you love the festive Top Ten Tuesday image above?  It's a perfect complement to today's topic:  Top Ten Christmas Books I Hope to Read in December 2019.  If you don't celebrate Christmas or you want to highlight non-holiday books, that's okay too.  Personally, I love to read holiday books to get me in the Christmas spirit.  This year, however, I'm a Round 1 judge for the Cybils Awards, so I'm busy, busy, busy reading books that have been nominated for an award in the YA fiction category.  Our shortlist is due on December 29, so the rest of my reading year will basically be taken up with that.  Since I'm not sure exactly what I am and am not allowed to say about the process, I'm going to focus on the Top Ten Christmas Books I Would Have Liked to Read in December 2019.

Before we get to that, though, I want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun.  It's a great way to spread the love around our great book blogging community.  You can revisit favorite blogs, find new ones to enjoy, and of course, gather awesome reading recommendations to add to your TBR pile.  What's not to love?  Joining in is super easy—just hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few quick instructions, create your own TTT list, and get clicking.

Alright, here we go with the Top Ten Christmas Books I Would Have Liked to Read in December 2019:

I'm not much for re-reading, but I make exceptions for the following three books:


1.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I try to read this classic novella every December.  It's a quick read and one that never fails to put a smile on my face.  There are so many powerful lessons in this deceptively simple story!  It always reminds me that generosity trumps greed, people's hearts can change and that Christmas is a time for forgiveness, unselfishness, and love. 


2.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling—Rowling's descriptions of Christmas at Hogwarts are just ... magical.


3.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott—Always a fun read, this is one of my favorite classic novels.

I haven't read any of the following yet.  Maybe next Christmas?


4.  Christmas novels by Jenny Colgan—The Scottish author has penned a number of holiday novels.  I'll probably start with Christmas at the Cupcake Café and go from there.


5.  Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva—As I mentioned above, I love Mr. Dickens' famous carol.  This novel, about the author and how his most loved work came to be, sounds excellent.


6.  A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson—Wendy Harper and her son travel to Seaside, Maine, in order to fix up the cottage Wendy inherits when her grandfather dies.  Although she has every intention of selling the place ASAP, her son insists it's their new home.  Does he know something his mother doesn't?  Sounds like a sweet holiday story!


7.  Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini—I've read a little bit about the sad story behind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," which was set to music and became a beloved holiday carol.  This novel goes into more depth.  One of these Christmases, I really need to read it.


8.  Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle—A woman who is clamoring to save the small store her family has owned for generations pens a desperate letter to Santa asking for help.  Little does she know, the person reading her letters is the handsome owner of the chain megastore that she holds directly responsible for putting her store out of business ... A fun holiday rom-com?  Yes, please!


9.  The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury—Another romance, this one revolves around a bookstore that has brought people together for decades.  When a devastating flood threatens to close it forever, its customers (including an estranged couple who made many happy memories at the bookstore) must rally together to save it. 



10.  Sentimental Journey by Holly Schindler—This lovely author has had a special place in my heart ever since she told me she posted my glowing review of her first novel, A Blue So Dark, on her fridge because she was so proud of it!  LOL.  Schindler writes in a variety of genres, but her holiday story collection is particularly fun.  The novellas all center around Ruby's Place, a rundown restaurant and bar that was once the sparkling center of life in little Sullivan, Missouri.  Although it appears deserted, there are some delightful spirits who inhabit the place and are eager to help return it to its former glory.  I've read the first two installments in the series, but haven't yet gotten to this third one.

There you go, ten books I'd like to read in December 2019.  Even though I will likely not get to them next month, I hope to someday.  Have you read any of these?  What are your favorite Christmas reads?  What will you be reading during the holiday season?  I'd love to know your answers.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.

Happy TTT!

40 comments:

  1. Harry Potter!! How could I not think of that. I agree, her description of Christmas at Hogwarts is so magical and in the movie, my oh my it's so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? Can you imagine how magical it would all be in real life? Amazing.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. I love Little Women! I read it every year, and I'm super excited for the film. Also Jenny Colgan's books always get me into the Christmassy mood and I'm planning on reading one this month :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just bought one of Colgan's Christmas ones today, even though I highly doubt I'll get to it this year. Something to look forward to for next Christmas, I guess! Enjoy your Colgan reading :)

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  3. LOL. The season is so short that it's hard to fit in all the holiday reads we want. Especially since there are books we're tying to get read before 2020, too.

    Here are some holiday reads I would like to read: My Top Ten Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure! "So many books, so little time" is especially applicable at the end of the year.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Maybe this is why the Harry Potter movies always came out this time of the year. https://pmprescottenterprises.wordpress.com/2019/12/03/top-ten-tuesday-winter-movies/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could be! I'm sure the HP marketing people know EXACTLY what they're doing :)

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  5. Ah, you've got some real classics on there! I have a couple traditional stand bys that we read each year, but I am not usually a holiday book reader.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Besides A CHRISTMAS CAROL, I'm not a huge holiday reader either. I always MEAN to read festive books, I just never get around to it. Looks like this year won't be any different! I'm having fun with the Cybils, though :)

      Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

      Delete
  6. I reread A Christmas Carol every year. It's a wonderful story.

    My TTT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! I love that it's a quick read, but one that packs a big holiday punch.

      Thanks for coming by, Lydia!

      Delete
  7. I have been planning to read Little Women with my daughter soon. I forgot about the Christmas-y feel to it (I've only seen the movie so far). I'm totally going to start this with my daughter ASAP!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How fun! That sounds like a wonderful mother/daughter activity. I really need to re-read LITTLE WOMEN - it's been way too long.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. These all look like great books. I hope you enjoy them when you get to read them! Happy reading!

    My Top Ten Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually bought a couple of them at the bookstore today. Ha ha.

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  9. I just finished reading A Christmas by the Sea. And it was sweet. And A quick read, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! It sounds like a sweet, heartwarming kind of read. I'm glad it delivers on that. I'll have to get my hands on a copy soon.

      Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. I feel like the genre I read the most holiday books in is romance. I struggled to find 10 YA holiday books I have read for this week. Speaking of YA, I cannot wait until you can tell us about your Cybils experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not a huge romance reader, but I admit I kind of gravitate toward them around the holidays. Especially warm, cozy, Christmas-y ones.

      The Cybils experience has been fun. YA fiction was my third choice of judging genres since I don't read tons of it these days, so I feel like I'm really behind in my Cybils reading. It's been fun, though!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by, Sam!

      Delete
  11. You can't go wrong with A Christmas Carol, Harry Potter and Little Women. I love all of those books so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? They're some of my favorite books of all time.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  12. I just wanted to drop in and let you know that yoi aren't the only one who hasn't read Little Women.

    Haley @ stuckinthestacks.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've actually read it several times, just not recently! It's a great book - you should definitely read it and I should definitely re-read it.

      Thanks for coming by, Haley!

      Delete
  13. Wow, that's an impressive list. Since my list was lacking, looks like I need to shelve some of these on my TBR and check them out. :) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I doubt I'll actually get to any of them this year, but one can always hope!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. I hope you get a chance to read some of these! I don’t think it’s a Christmas book, but I really want to read Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell this month. I’ll probably save it for New Year’s Eve.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I might just sneak one of them in :) I hope you enjoy ALMOST MIDNIGHT. I've only read FANGIRL, so I'm definitely behind on Rowell reading.

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  15. I always think of HP during the Christmas season and love catching those movies on television around this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Christmastime is the perfect time for HP marathons!

      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  16. Christmas at Hogwarts is the best, there are so many great Christmas scenes in those books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I would love to be at Hogwarts for Christmas. It looks so amazing and magical.

      Thanks for coming by, Catherine!

      Delete
  17. Christmas Bells sounds like one my mom would have loved - that was her favorite Christmas song.

    Here's my list: https://speedyreadercom.wordpress.com/2019/12/03/ttt-books-i-read-during-christmas/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet she would have enjoyed learning the story behind the poem. It's sad, but hopeful :)

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  18. I read Mr. Dickens and His Carol last Christmas and really enjoyed it. Little Women and HP are also favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! There's a long hold list for MR. DICKENS at the library, so I decided to just buy it. I might even start it today :)

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  19. I wish I had participated in this TTT, but was so busy this week. I love festive stories all year, but especially in November and December. I also love reading The Christmas Carol. Nancy Naigle, Melody Carlson, Jenny Colgan all make my list as well. I love their Christmas novels each year. I will need to check out some of the others on your list, not that I need to add any more to my TBR. Merry Christmas Susan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a fun TTT prompt! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to read at least ONE holiday novel before the year's out. We'll see.

      Thanks for stopping by, Carla!

      Delete
  20. Great picks in general, and even more great books to reread for the holidays! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I hope to get to all of these at some point, even if it's next December instead of this one :)

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete

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