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I recently heard complaints about how there was no good Christmas books. Improbable, I said! So I challenged the GeekMoms to rack their brains for a list of books to get you in the Christmas mood. Enjoy!
Book: The Stupidest Angel
Author: Christopher Moore
Recommended By: Ariane
Ariane says: This is one of my all time favorite books, period. While it's technically the third in a series (prequels are Practical Demonkeeping and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove), it is still very enjoyable as a stand-alone book. I promise, The Stupidest Angel will have you laugh until you pee in your pants. After all, how many other Christmas books involve zombies? Warning: Christopher Moore is not an author I'd recommend to anyone who doesn't enjoy a good swear word. Just saying.
Book: Hogfather
Author: Terry Pratchett
Recommended by: Ariane
Ariane says: In Pratchett's imaginary world that is the setting to many of his books, Discworld, the hogfather is the Santa Claus figure. When he disappears, Death attempts to take his place so that Hogswatchnight goes on unscathed. Death is my favorite recurring character from Pratchett's collection, all books involving him are incredibly witty and fun. Adding an hilarious twist on Christmas brings this book on my list of recommendations.
Book: A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Recommended by: Rebecca
Rebecca says: Last year we read out loud A Christmas Carol, only because a close friend dropped off the book and insisted we do it. I told the family in the spirit of my friendship with this librarian we'd do it. It didn't take long and it was GREAT! And FUNNY! Truly Dickens needs to be read out loud (reading Great Expectations to my kids last year made that clear...I never knew it was supposed to have humor when I read it by myself in high school.) Anyway, it's a classic for a reason. Beyond the theater adaptations and movies, the original is a fantastic piece of literature we all surprisingly enjoyed!
Book: Santaland Diaries
Author: David Sedaris
Recommended By: Andrea
Andrea says: I second A Christmas Carol. I personally love David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries essay. And Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas In Wales.
Book: A Child's Christmas In Wales
Author: Dylan Thomas
Recommended by: Andrea
Book: In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
** Author: Jean Shepherd
Recommended By: Patricia
Patricia says: Only a fraction of the stories are actually Christmas-ey. The leg lamp, fighting the furnace, "Oh Fudge", Little Orphan Annie/Ovaltine story, tongue on the flagpole, beating up the bully, and even wrapping up the kids to go out into the snow are independent of Christmas in the book. Of course, the bunny suit, Red Ryder, and the visit with Santa are holiday-related.
Book: Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robison
Recommended by: Lissa
Lissa says: We do a family read aloud of "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" every other year--one of the best, funniest, most moving Christmas stories ever. On the in-between years I read either "The Tree Kneel At Christmas" by Maud Hart Lovelace or "The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas" by Madeleine L'Engle.
Book: The Tree Kneel At Christmas
Author: Maud Hart Lovelace
Recommended by: Lissa
Lissa says: Short Maud Hart Lovelace novel about a Lebanese family in Brooklyn, really lovely.
Book: The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Recommended by: Lissa
Lissa says: Short novel that is really a prequel to Meet The Austins, about the year Rob was born.
Short story: The Greatest Gift
Author: Philip Van Doren
Recommended by: Sarah
Sarah says: The short story on which It's a Wonderful Life was based.
Short story: Six to Eight Black Men
Author: David Sedaris
Recommended by: Kathy
Kathy says: I love "Six to Eight Black Men" in which he explains the Christmas traditions of the Netherlands.
Short story: The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Recommended by: Kathy
Kathy says: Another short story that I love is "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. One of the few things I read in school that I remember fondly.
Book: Christmas Miracle For Jonathon Toomey
Author: Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Recommended by: Lissa
Lissa says: I have a stash of Christmas-themed picture books that I pull out during Advent and tuck back away after Epiphany. Even the teens get excited to see them because they love the tradition. I can never read Christmas Miracle For Jonathon Toomey without tearing up. And Tomie de Paola's Merry Christmas, Strega Nona is wonderful, as is his Jingle The Christmas Clown.
Book: Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Author: Tomie de Paola
Recommended by: Lissa
Book: Jingle The Christmas Clown
Author: Tomie de Paola
Recommended by: Lissa
