hey there,
so aska sometimes likes to recommend books (here’s the most recent summer reading list) for holiday times. you know, those times when you’re not too busy reading strange and archaic novels or two-tonne textbooks for class and actually have a chance to read something you want to read. since there’s another little break coming up, i thought i’d recommend some of my FESTIVE FAVOURITES for reading over the holidays.
1. Let It Snow, by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle
I reread this book every Christmas. It’s kind of a tradition of mine. I read it for the first time when I was 14 and it is just the sweetest, kindest, most genuine book about the holidays and all the craziness that surrounds them that i have ever read. it features three novelets by Maureen Johnson (of Suite Scarlett and Twitter fame), John Green (of you-probably-don’t-need-me-to-tell-you fame) and Lauren Myracle (who writes lots of really great books for 9-12 readers when she is not busy warming your frozen heart). just trust me and read it.
2. Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris
This book is by David Sedaris and includes a story about being a commercial elf. That sentence should be enough for you. Get it here.
3. The Legend of Holly Claus, by Brittney Ryan
Okay, now I didn’t remember what this book was called because I read it when I was like, eight, or something. however, for the sake of THIS VERY POST, i’ve managed to track down the title. if you’re interested, you can see it here.
this book has the expansiveness and coherence of magical systems of the Harry Potter books, except – you’re not ready – it’s about Santa Claus’ DAUGHTER. isn’t that cool? she’s a girl who was born with a frozen heart and so she always has to stay in the North Pole (to keep her heart frozen, obviously), but then she ESCAPES and has all these adventures and has to defeat Jack Frost…ah, man. it’s awesome. it’s for a younger audience, but it’s still a really great story. i recommend it, even if you’re all grown up now and feel like you don’t have time for silly kids’ stories. it’s a good one.
4. The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
Alright, now listen here. I read this book when I was at the tender age of 5-ish, and I loved it. it has beautiful illustrations, a heartwarming story about believing in Christmas, it’s about staying up late on Christmas Eve, which is every Christmas-celebrating kid’s dream, and, importantly, it has a wicked train.
then the film industry got a hold of it and turned it into this super-creepy movie with disappearing homeless dudes, scary talking dolls and a train conductor constantly bordering on catatonic. i still like the movie, but if you saw the movie and it scared you off the book, please reconsider reading it. it’s both a great story and a beautiful piece of art, even if you’re not a little kid. so that’s my pitch for the polar express. read it and we can share in my childhood together.
5. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
if nothing else, you can read this book just to be able to say that you’ve read Dickens. It’s about the only book by him that doesn’t require a major lifestyle shift for about six months. And it’s great – even after all these years, it’s still great.
alrighty, so i hope at least one of those piqued your interest. if not, i hope you have a great holiday season regardless. also if you have any holiday reads to recommend, i would love you forever if you shared them in the comments or tweeted them @askastudentuoft, because i am always looking for new books to spend money i don’t have on 😀
aska