Favorite Wintry and Christmas Books

Winter is my favorite reading season. What is more cozy than an atmospheric novel that makes you want to curl up under a warm blanket and sip on a warm drink as your read by the Christmas tree?Here are my favorite books to read during the winter season. Some are Christmas themed and others are not, but they all evoked that cozy, nostalgic, or Christmasy feel for me in some way.

Classics

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The reader is welcomed to the March family on Christmas Day and there are plenty scenes in the snow-covered town of Concord, Massachusetts that are delightful and nostalgic of vintage Christmases. There is a sweet scene on Christmas Day that encapsulates the adage "it is better to give than to receive" when the sisters gift their much-anticipated Christmas breakfast to an impoverished family that'll warm any heart to the March girls. The newest film adaptation releases on Christmas Day!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Need I say more?! References to Scrooge and Tiny Tim abound, so if you have yet to read this timeless tale, consider either reading or watching one of the myriad of movie versions. Charles Dickens was in a creative and financial slump when an idea came to mind: a story about Christmas. Within six weeks, his “little Carol”, as he referred to it, was written, illustrated, and published, a mere 6 days before Christmas in 1843. Soon, London was enraptured by the tale, which painted Christmas as a holiday full of goodwill, joyful family gatherings, and generosity 


Classic Christmas Stories: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales
This short story collection from beloved authors such as Mark Twain, Hans Christian Anderson, Willa Cather,  L.M. Montgomery, Harriet Beecher Stowe is brimming with Christmas charm. I particularly enjoyed Mark Twain's absolutely adorable "Susie's Letter from Santa", which was a creative and hilarious letter he wrote to his daughter, Arthur Con Doyle's Sherlock tale, "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle", O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi", and the longest of the stories, the hilarious and cringe-worthy, "Christmas at Thomson Hall".


The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Frank L. Baum
From the author of The Wizard of Oz comes an equally creative story that includes world-building and just so much charm as you learn about what Baum imagined as the childhood and adulthood of Santa Claus before he became the man, the myth, the legend :) Known to all for his kindness to children, Claus had an unconventional upbringing. Deserted as a baby in the Forest of Burzee and raised by a loving wood nymph, he later relocates to the Laughing Valley of Hohaho since he is not an immortal like the rest of the nymphs. There he creates his first toys from wood and clay, eventually giving them to poor children in nearby villages. As years pass, he hears of more children without toys and, well, you know the rest! Baum imagines how certain Christmas traditions, such as stockings, Christmas trees, gift exchanges, and reindeer (though they have different names than the ones we sing of) came to be. This was endearing to me as an adult and I am sure younger readers would adore it as well.


Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Do yourself a favor and read this exceptionally charming collection of letters Tolkien wrote to his children as Father Christmas for over two decades. As the years progressed, the storylines thickened, with a band of characters including his accident-prone, lazy, yet indispensable assistant, North Polar Bear. And in typical Tolkein fashion, this other world includes war between good and evil, namely Father Christmas and his friends vs the despicable goblins who attempt to steal Christmas gifts. It is darling and absolutely hilarious, especially the North Polar Bear's many blunders. This is a must-read on the physical or e-book format since Tolkien's original, intricately hand-drawn artwork accompanies the letters and perfectly adds to the whimsical charm.  What fun to have a father as imaginative as Tolkien! 


The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke
The short but powerful tale is about a wise man named Artaban who was supposed to accompany the three wise man to find the one whom the ancient prophesies foretold would be Messiah. He is delayed in meeting up with them because he stops to help a dying man beside the road. Once he realizes they started the long, arduous journey without him, he begins the pilgrimage through the deserts of the Middle East on his own. He encounters suffering and misfortune that further delay his deep longing to offer his precious gifts for Jesus. He appears to have missed his chance once he arrives to Bethlehem, but his life is forever changed as his search continues. This is an absolutely beautiful parable about worshiping God through serving those who suffer. 


The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
It's "always winter and never Christmas" when the four Pevensie siblings enter  the magical world Narnia. After being sent to live with a professor in the English countryside during WWII, they explore his large house and eventually the youngest, Lucy, discovers a magical wardrobe that leads her to the world of Narnia. All four end up in Narnia and embark on a dangerous adventure to combat the White Witch who has cast a spell to create a never-ending winter in Narnia. Along the way, they meet Narnia's true king, Aslan, who gives readers a glimpse of sacrificial love that is an echo of Jesus (the "reason for the season"). There is even a cameo by Father Christmas (a nod to Lewis' BFF Tolkien, perhaps?), so this beloved children's classic, that is just as readable and enjoyable for adults, definitely has all the wintry feels.

Fiction

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
One of the most atmospheric novels I have ever read; it will make you  practically feel the snowflakes falling from the sky and the heartbreak of a couple who desperately want a child of their own when a young girl mysteriously appears in their lives. Ivey's writing is gorgeous and sprinkled with magical realism that gives the story a bit of whimsy charm to counter the sadness of a grieving woman. Her descriptions of the seasons in the Alaskan wilderness  are so intricate, it is obvious she has spent time there to be able to capture the beauty in words. The character development, dialogue between different characters, and the mysterious plot were woven together into the perfect cozy read. 


To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
A love and adventure story comprised of journal entries between newlyweds that they intend to share with one another once their long separation ends. Colonel Allen Forrester is commissioned to explore the mostly unchartered and potentially dangerous Alaska's Wolverine River in the 1885.  His wife, Sophie, is discovering a new hobby while awaiting his return to their cabin in the military barracks in Vancouver, Wa. This is fiction but loosely inspired by true accounts. Like The Snow Child, it captures magical realism in a unique, enchanting, and riveting way. 


Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon
Full of Christmas charm, this eighth book in the prolific series about the idyllic small town of Mitford is a perfect read this time of year. The endearing Father Tim, now retired,  has a secret he’s keeping from his beloved wife: he’s uncharacteristically taken upon himself a rather involved craft project for her Christmas gift. He is restoring an antique nativity set to its former glory. Meanwhile, other residents of the sleepy town are preparing not only for the holidays, but also for big life changes like retirement, business ownership, and adding to a family. Comprised of three short stories, this collection will be a joy for any Mitford fan who wonders what Christmas is like in one of their favorite fictional towns. I have really enjoyed Karon’s Mitford books for both the entertaining (and often humorous) plots but also the Christian themes that never feel preachy or cheesy.


Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
Definitely not filled with Christmas cheer, but the blistering cold Midwest temperatures and landscape bring this novel alive and made me almost feel the chill wind and bleak future of a family in crisis when a son is convicted of murder and escapes jail, with his mysterious father, asthmatic kid brother (who is the narrator), and hilarious baby sister (who is obsessed with stories of cowboys) on the search for him in their nearly broken down car. The writing is exquisite, atmospheric, and truly impressive (especially when I can cry one chapter and laugh out loud the next!). Told from eleven-year old Ruben's
perspective, which made me think of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and To Kill A Mockingbird, the slow,  character-driven, (delightfully) wordy descriptions put this novel under the 'literary fiction' label, but don't let that deter you if you prefer plot-driven stories because there is plenty of action.  Caution: there are a few "trigger" scenes that are a bit gritty and came as a bit of surprise for my highly-sensitive personality, but not unnecessarily or overly graphic. 

Non-Fiction

The Characters of Christmas by Daniel Darling
Each chapter of this thought-provoking book focuses on a different person surrounding the story of Jesus' birth, from the obvious (Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the Wise Men, the angels, the shepherds) to the more obscure (Simeon and Anna) and even "the monster of Christmas", King Herod. Great insight that brought these pivotal characters of Christmas alive to me in fresh ways. Disussion questions at the end of each chapter dig deeper and help to extrapolate even more practical application. This is a great book to read during Advent, especially if you want a fresh understanding on the people who witnessed, either in awe or in fury, the birth of Christ.


On This Holy Night
Six well-known pastors and authors contribute lessons and reflections on various themes of the birth of Jesus in fresh, easy-to-follow, and thought-provoking ways. Max Lucado focuses on Joseph and what it may have been like for him to trust God with such an odd command to marry the pregnant Mary. Rick Warren reminds us that Jesus' birth shows how Jesus was able to connect and understand humans as both God and Man. David Jeremiah examines the powerful name of Jesus. John Maxwell teaches how we can be seekers of Jesus like the Wise Men. Jack Hayford looks at Mary, while Bill Hybels examines the whole nativity scene. This is a short book that can easily be read (or listened to, in my case) during Advent to prepare and anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birth. 

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu
Meditating on different names of Jesus is a powerful way to prepare for Christmas. From the King of Kings, Light of the World, True Vine, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Word of God, Resurrection and Life, Alpha and Omega, and Man of Sorrows, these names of Jesus all explain what the baby born so long ago would grow to be: our Savior and Redeemer. This five-week devotional is a great resource to press you towards worshipping Jesus as you grow in your understanding of what certain names signify. There are great questions for each daily devotional as well as an accompanying prayer. Every Saturday has activities, which I liked because it gave me good ideas to celebrate the coming of Christmas in new ways that pointed me to Jesus and many were focused on serving others. The Sunday readings has a more liturgical feel, with passages that can be read with family or alone. 

 What are your favorite wintry or Christmasy books? Have you read any of these, and if so, what did you think about them?