It's December, so you're already being bombarded by Christmas books and recommendations, but bear with me for a few more that aren't your average holiday reads!
If you've visited the library recently, "yule" have noticed that we're in full festive mode with decorations and book displays. Many of those Christmasy books on display are romances. Of course there's nothing wrong with those kinds of books, but sometimes you want a little something different with your holiday reading.
Here are five books that are sure to get you in a holly jolly mood that don't revolve around romance.
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
David Sedaris is an author and humorist who has several published essay collections, with this one revolving around the holidays. Most of the stories center around Christmas and winter, but some ebb into Halloween and Easter. But with any holiday, shenanigans run amok.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
This beloved Dickens classic about a miserly man given a second chance has inspired so much in the Christmas media realm. You'll find a few different copies of this book in our collection, but the one linked above features special holiday recipes by Giada De Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, and Trisha Yearwood to go along with the story. And if you're interested in learning more about how Dickens came up with the story, a movie came out in 2018 called "The Man Who Invented Christmas."
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
First published in 1956, this autobiographical Christmas classic is written by an author you might better recognize as the true crime writer of "In Cold Blood." Capote pivoted for this piece to include his personal accounts of his upbringing in rural Alabama, and one of his long-standing friendships full of memories and holiday rituals.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
Grisham took a break from his legal thrillers to put out this Christmas comedy novel about a couple of empty nesters planning to skip the festivities of Christmas. But their plans change at the last-minute when their daughter calls to say she'll be making it home for Christmas after all. Grisham intended this book to highlight the commercialization of Christmas, and was the inspiration for the movie "Christmas with the Kranks."
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
Poirot is one of the most recognizable detectives, and this Christmas rendition will keep mystery lovers guessing. The story takes place on Christmas Eve and begins with a crash of furniture, a man lying dead in a pool of blood, and plenty of suspects with motive. What could be more festive than that?
