I know I've written about Christmas already several times from the point of view of my preparations, but it feels a little like Christmas is coming early as I have had several parcels of books from publishers recently (see my post about the Canongate classics last week), but the books I've recieved this week have a Christmas connection, and would also make wonderful Christmas presents!These beautiful books are White's pocket classics - hardback editions of 9 classic novels, but at a bargain £6.99. What particularly interested me apart from their lovely presentation was that each of the editions contains an introduction by a bestselling author - the list includes Jacqueline Wilson, Victoria Hislop, Kate Atkinson, Kate Moss, Michael Morpurgo, Ian Rankin and several others. The books also include a readers guide by the lady who edits the book reviews of Waterstone's Books Quarterly.
I asked to recieve The Christmas books by Charles Dickens, which contains A Christmas Carol, which I am familiar with, and four other tales - The chimes, The cricket on the hearth, The battle of life and The haunted man. I didn't know this, but apparently Dickens Christmas stories were so influential in the Victorian period that they made a big contribution to the creation of the concept of Christmas - I suppose many of our essential elements of Christmas do date back to the Victorian era, so I am very much looking forward to re-reading A Christmas Carol, and encountering the other stories this Christmas.
I also asked which book Jacqueline Wilson had introduced as I've been reading some of her children's books of late, and wasn't too surprised when I heard that it was Jane Eyre, as it is one of the books that she talks about reading in her autobiography Jackie Daydream. Ceri, who contacted me, kindly offered to include a copy of Jane Eyre too, and although I've read Jane Eyre many many times, it will be interesting to see what Wilson has to say about it.
Thank you very much to Ceri Maxwell for contacting me and offering me these books to write about on my blog.
Back to talking of Christmas reading, I'm starting to amass a stack of books to read over the festive period, and making a list of books that I want to reserve at the library, mainly books which I have been particularly looking forward to and want to have the time to savour. But I'm always on the look out for especially good books set at Christmas time - I love Miss Read's A country Christmas (though I was disappointed by the ghost written Christmas at Thrush Green last year) and Jostein Gaarder's Christmas mystery is definitely due a re-read this year. Does anyone have any good recommendations for books with a Christmas setting?
How funny, I noticed those at the bookshop for the very first time today! They are definitely gorgeous editions, and I was surprised that they cost so little.
ReplyDeleteThere's a book called The Man Who Invited Christmas about the impact of Dickens on how we see Christmas to this day. I've been meaning to read it for years - maybe this December!
"The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding" by Agatha Christie. Six short stories featuring Hercule Poirot.
ReplyDeleteMight be time to get "A Christmas Carol" out, 'specially if it's going to be snowy.
They are such beautiful editions!
ReplyDeleteI try to reread A Christmas Carol (and have read the other stories) every alternate Christmas, at least.
I haven't read either but what about Mr Ive's Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos or A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg?
I've never read an xmas novel before, I'm good for films though. Beautiful editions.
ReplyDeleteOooh...I do like those. I seem to be collecting different editions of the Dickens, so I will have to check this one out. Nymeth mentioned The Man Who Invented Christmas...I do recommend it as a Christmas read especially if you would like to read a more manageable bio on Dickens (as opposed to some of the doorstop versions) as it mixes this in with the Christmas aspect. On top of all that it is a very pretty book. Confession time: I am currently rereading The Christmas Mouse...a little early I know but it is SO good. I look forward to reading everyone's suggestions:)
ReplyDeleteI tend to read Christmas Novels at the height of summer! I cannot wait for my 2 weeks off work so I can read - if I do chose a Christmas Book it will be an easy read like a Debbie Macomber.
ReplyDeleteI can recommend Sharon Owens The Seven Secrets of Happiness - which is set quite a lot around Christmas.
One of my favorite Christmas stories is A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. It is an autobiographical tale set during the '30's in Alabama. I read it for the first time last year and loved it!
ReplyDeleteOoo, I didn't know about Gaarder's Christmas Mystery. I may have to check my library for that one. I just read Sophie's World this past spring and really enjoyed it -- I'm making my older two read it this coming spring when they get to the Greek philosophers. I think it will make the whole subject a whole lot more interesting for them! :) I didn't get email :(, but I'll be on the lookout for it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose look beautiful - have just seen their gorgeous edition of Jane Eyre, and the Christmas stories are tempting me too... so well priced it's hard to resist!
ReplyDeleteSomerset Maugham's Christmas Holiday is set at the right time of year - not *exactly* a heart-warming tale of mince pies and glad tidings, but as beautifully written as youd expect.
They are lovely books, I love festive reading!
ReplyDeleteI've admired those editions before, and I'm pleasantly surprised to find that they are so affordable.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any of the Dickens Christmas books that Hesperus have been reissuing I wonder? And, of course, the Virago Book of Christmas is lovely to dip into.
Ooh, lots of comments - thank you very much - I think I shall have to do a round up of all of your wonderful suggestions! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have been discussing this with a couple of bloggers and actually spent all Wednesday evening trailing through my library site and Amazon to find a list of possible Christmas books to read. I hope to post it on Monday - there should be about forty odd recommendations on it.
ReplyDeleteFleur Fisher mentioned 2 of my suggestions but I also enjoy a lovely Christmassy romance. Have you read A Proper Family christmas by Jane Gordon-Cumming (Katie Fforde's sister)? It was published by Transita a few years ago so i don't know if it's still available but worth tracking down second-hand. I've bought a couple of books recently sounded perfect for this time of year. Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley (I've enjoyed her other books) & Last Christmas by Julia Williams. I haven't read JW before.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to know what Jacqueline Wilson has to say about Jane Eyre too. It's one of my longtime favorite books, but I know that it's not without its problems.
ReplyDeleteDo read a Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. It is a small little treasure about his childhood and a delightful read. Capote was a childhood friend of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird and she based one of the child characters in the book on Capote. I bring it out every year and spend an afternoon or evening reading in it.
ReplyDeleteI have the Dickens set you wrote about. It is a boxed set, red, and a great little find for $5 at a used book store several years ago. I do think they underpriced it - my gain. Maybe this year I'll read through it instead of just letting it dress the Christmas mantle.
Lyn - ooh, thanks for those recommendations!
ReplyDeleteJenny - I haven't actually opened it yet - I should do - I don't have to read the novel, just the introduction!
Lifeonthecuff - thanks for another recommendation of Christmas Memory - I read his Breakfast at Tiffanys but nothing else