2009 Holiday Reading Challenge
November 17, 2009
I’m feeling Christmasy. I know, I’m setting myself up to be blasted by certain types who don’t believe that anything Christmasy should be mentioned before Thankgiving, or perhaps even December 1. I know. I used to be one of you. But I have more than enough less than stellar Christmases to make up for (including the one where I was spectacularly hungover…but that’s a tale for another day…and another blog).
One of my secret indulgences, even when I was having less than happy Christmases, were sappy Christmas novels and especially sappy Christmas romances. I know, not all Christmas novels are sappy. But I really, really liked the ones that were. It was like they tipped the balance in a better direction for me. Even now when I don’t need that balance tipping I unabashedly enjoy them. (I even once read a Nascar Harlequin Christmas collection…it was all kinds of awesome. lol)
So when I posted on Twitter that I was looking for a holiday reading challenge I was thrilled when Beth Fish Reads gave me a link to Bookwormygirl’s 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge. The rules are simple enough, read 1-5 (or more if it pleases you) holiday themed books. It doesn’t have to be Christmas. It can be Hannukah or Kwanzaa or even (American) Thanksgiving. (Hmm I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about Kwanzaa – can anyone recommend one?) Just write your post and sign up with Mr. Linky. (What did we do before Mr. Linky? Wait…does that make me old?)
My list won’t be firm because I hate firm lists. With a passion. But here’s what I’m thinking off the top of my head because I haven’t had time to go digging yet.
- Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris – I won a copy last year but didn’t manage to get it read.
- The Worst Noel by Marian Keyes, Mike Albo and Stanley Bing et al. – Denise didn’t like it though, so I may not finish it even when I start it..
- The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore – a reread but Christmas isn’t Christmas without zombies. Right?
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – it’s tradition!
- You Better Not Cry by Austen Burroughs – it’s on my library reserve list but there’s a pretty strong likelihood that I will not get it by Christmas.
- Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb – even though I said I didn’t think I wanted to read more Lamb but it’s Christmas. However I’m also skeptical that I’ll make it to the top of the request list by Christmas.
- A Quilter’s Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini – I’ve read other books in the series (though not all of them and I don’t think I want to read all of them). I also am not confident that this will make it in time for Christmas. (That seems to be a theme here…)
Does anyone have any favourite Christmas books and/or stories they’d recommend?
November 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Oooh, you got a great list there. We’re reading some of the same, so I’ll be on the lookout for your reviews. Thanks for joining the challenge.
Happy Reading!
♥Nely
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I do hope that the library quests make to to me before Christmas. It’s never as fun to read them
“off season.”
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November 17th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I might put Stupidest Angel on my iPhone and read it from time to time. Particularly since Prince J is getting the complete set of Moore for his birthday next week. We could read that one together.
Denise´s last blog ..links for 2009-11-16
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I’m trying to remember if the fake husband has read it. If not I’ll have to make him read it.
I’m jealous of Prince J’s gift. We have most of the Moore books now but not all of them. (I do love my You Suck ARC probably more than I should…)
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November 17th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Great list! I might have to try this challenge!
Meg´s last blog ..Fight for Preemies
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Just remember you can read as many or as few as you need.
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November 17th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Have fun! I have been reading Christmas books all ready!
Kailana´s last blog ..The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
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November 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Sadly I have no book suggestions to make but love the idea of reading holiday-themed books! And you have reminded me that A Christmas Carol would be a fun pre-holiday read!
Kathleen´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: A Week to Catch up and Get Back to Normal
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I try to read, or listen to, A Christmas Carol every year. You can usually download an audiobook of it for free (from librivox, or possibly even itune) because it’s public domain. It’s nice to listen to when you’re doing holiday baking or wrapping gifts.
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November 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Good luck with the Holiday Challenge! I wish I could suggest something, but I can’t think of a single holiday book I’ve read in the last couple of years.
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I try to read a couple every year. I figure the time in which it’s acceptable to read holiday-themed books is limited.
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November 17th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Some suggestions: The Handmaid and the Carpenter, Elizabeth Berg. It’s Mary and Joseph… but it makes them really human.
A Lakeshore Christmas- Susan Wiggs (came out this year, a fun Christmas pageant romance. I’m reviewing for the Ledger.)
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Oh I like the cover of A Lakeshore Christmas. Thanks!
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November 17th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I’m tempted to re-read John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas. It wasn’t a great book, but we’re basically going to skip Christmas this year (heading to Sanibel Island on the 25th), so it might be fun to give it a re-read. Other than that, no stellar recommendations. Personally, I didn’t care for The Handmaid and the Carpenter (E. Berg). I like Sedaris and might like to read Holidays on Ice. The Chiaverini book might be good, too. I remember a few people talking about David Baldacci’s Christmas Train (or something along those lines) and said it was good. Haven’t read it myself, but maybe have to give it a try this year. Have fun with your challenge!
Les in NE´s last blog ..The Graveyard Book
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Oh Sanibel Island looks lovely. And warm. My Christmas in Ottawa won’t be nearly so warm. lol
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November 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Hooray for Christmas! Celebrate it early and often! Rumer Godden’s The Story of Holly and Ivy is perfectly wonderful, and of course The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Especially the Rumer Godden.
Jenny´s last blog ..Henry VI, Part 3, William Shakespeare
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sassymonkey Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’ve been looking for a copy of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for ages. I keep hoping that I’ll find one in a thrift shop.
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November 20th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
The Christmas Quilt book sounds very good. I have read one of her books before and really enjoyed. Happy reading!
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December 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] It’s a Christmas book so it counts towards the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge. Since I never did say how many books I was going to read I can consider this one won! Woohoo! [...]
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
[...] I was looking for books for the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge I came across Augusten Burroughs’ You Better Not Cry. I added it to my library request list [...]