Christmas Reading Suggestions

Personally I have not yet done themed reading- for example, scary books in October or romance in February, but there does seem to be a lot of it going around the blogosphere and it is a great way to get yourself to read outside your normal genre. So since it is officially December and that means the holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah I figured I'd offer my suggestion for a couple winter-appropriate reads. These are all linked to Christmas, even though I'm Jewish myself, so if anyone knows of any good Hanukkah books be sure to let me know! I know we had a lot of lovely picture books related to the Festival of Lights growing up but I can't recall any of their names offhand.  

1. The Next Queen of Heaven by Gregory Maguire (Novel)
   
   
   First I have to admit that I didn't actually like The Next Queen of Heaven (see my review here), but I'm sure there are plenty of people who will, and for those that might it is a perfect book for the Christmas season. Between Christmas pageants gone awry and a woman getting hit on the head with a statue of Mary, at the very least you'll be glad this isn't your Christmas!
   
   
2. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Young Adult)
   
   
   Even the cover of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares gets me in the mood for the holidays. The fantasy like world Cohn and Levithan create is just the kind of Christmas magic that makes December so special and this was definitely one of my favourite young adult books of the year (see my review here). The book takes place in New York and captures all of the sparkle of Christmas-time in a big city, as well as pondering what exactly the Holiday means when you are spending it by yourself like the two main characters.
   
   
3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Picture Book)
   
   
   Even though it's a picture book, anything by Dr. Seuss doesn't have an age-limit for loving it. How The Grinch Stole Christmas always gets me in the mood for a warm mug of hot chocolate and some family time. This classic story of Christmas spirit has all the lessons of A Christmas Carol without being written by Dickens. I also love the cartoon film based on the book, and when it starts playing on TV you know you better have started your gift shopping and figure out if you've been naughty or nice.
   
   
4. A Secret Gift by Ted Gup (Non-fiction)
   
   
   Although I haven't quite yet started this book, I already know it's perfect for the holiday season during which I am going to be reading it. A Secret Gift offers a great reminder of how no effort is to small to go unnoticed, and we always have something to give. It's the true story of one man who shared the Christmas spirit during the depression era, and it's certainly a good reminder about what the holidays are supposed to be about; sharing with those less fortunate.

A few honorable mentions I haven't read (maybe next year):
-Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb 
-Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris

Do you do Holiday themed reading? If so, what books are you planning to pick up this December? Also, does anyone have any novel recommendations for winter holidays other than Christmas?

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

 "I was horribly bookish, to the point of coming right out and saying it, which I knew was not socially acceptable. I particularly loved the adjective bookish, which I found other people used about as often as ramrod or chum or teetotaler."

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is the latest addition to the collection of co-written books by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan which include Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Although I have read Levithan before (Boy Meets Boy) this was my first book by the two of them and they are a fantastic team. In Dash and Lily's Book of Dares both characters are spending Christmas alone after their parents are out of town for various reasons. When Lily leaves a red Moleskin at the Strand secondhand bookstore next to Franny and Zooey with a list of clues, she never thinks that it will be picked up by the articulate and bookish Dash. Over the course of the Christmas break the two trade stories, dreams, and even a few dares which get both of them out of their comfort zones- but when the time comes to meet with Dash and Lily connect in person like they have on the page?

The characters in Dash and Lily are both quirky, awkward, and instantly likable in a way that reminds me strongly of many of Nick Hornby's books, like About a Boy or High Fidelity, but for young adults. Both Dash and Lily see themselves as freaks or outcasts when the truth is that anybody who reads this book is likely to see a bit of themselves in the characters. As somebody who was an extremely socially awkward teenager who has always been better with written words than conversation, I appreciated both the benefits and the flaws inherent in getting to know somebody through the written media. It's the same problem common to the internet- as Dash puts it, how can the person in your head ever live up to the actual real person? And it's certainly something the characters Dash and Lily have to come to terms with.

The setting in Dash and Lily is extremely important, and Cohn and Levithan made you feel like you were right in New York City during the hustle and bustle of Christmas season. The book has a slight tint of fantasy- I'm not entirely convinced these things would happen, but it's perfect to get you in the mood for the holidays and time with a loved one. As a Jew, I also found the bits involving klezmer pretty funny. Although there isn't anything revolutionary about Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, it's an extremely enjoyable read with likable characters and a few life lessons too. ****

Number of Pages: 272 pages

Published: October 2010
Source: Publisher