10 Christmas tales spread holiday cheer
Looking for a literary stocking stuffer for the reader on your list? These 10 holiday tales, most of them published in a small gift-book size, should literally fit the bill.
1. WINTER STREET
By Elin Hilderbrand
Little, Brown, 246 pp.
*** out of four
Genre: Fiction
Setting: A family-owned inn on Nantucket
What it's about: The story of the Quinn clan and their relatable crises begins with a bang when innkeeper Kelley Quinn discovers his ditsy second wife, Mitzi, kissing Santa Claus passionately in Room 10. The holidays really get lively when Kelley's ex-wife, a Diane Sawyer-like TV anchor and mother of his three grown older children, shows up.
Holiday cheer level: Open this diverting tale of family dysfunction and you'll find a holiday package filled with humor, romance and realism (one son is fighting in Afghanistan).
— Jocelyn McClurg
2. THE MISTLETOE PROMISE
By Richard Paul Evans
Simon & Schuster, 272 pp.
***
Genre: Sentimental fiction
What it's about: Lonely lawyer Nicholas has a deal that single divorcee Elise can't refuse: to be his "girlfriend" up until Christmas Eve so they can each have someone to do stuff with during the holidays. (Rule No. 2: No drama!) I think we can all see where this is going.
Holiday cheer level: It's actually pretty dark — especially for parents — yet a very real and modern take on the depression that sinks in for folks who don't have anybody to drink hot chocolate with during the season.
— Brian Truitt
3. JANE AND THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
By Stephanie Barron
Soho Crime, 336 pp.
***½
Genre: Mystery
Setting: The Vyne, one of England's great country houses, 1814.
What it's about: The latest in Barron's witty, immaculately researched series of Jane Austen mysteries, presented in the form of the great author's diaries, concerns the seemingly accidental death of a government official thrown from his horse. It's also a loving portrait of Jane's sister, mother and niece, reminiscent at moments of Sense and Sensibility.
Holiday cheer level: For once the Christmas backdrop is intrinsic to a cozy historical – the Austens are traveling for the holiday, which is why they're at the vast estate that is the scene of the crime – and its warm depiction of family relations chimes perfectly with the seasonal setting.
— Charles Finch
4. MR. MIRACLE
By Debbie Macomber
Ballantine, 255 pp.
***
Genre: Fiction
Setting: A community college in Tacoma, Wash.
What it's about: When 24-year-old Addie Folsom moves home to get her life back on track, she runs into her childhood crush, Erich Simmons. But don't worry, she also has a little help from her (very literal) guardian angel Harry.
Holiday cheer level: Helpful Harry gives the book an It's a Wonderful Life vibe; combine that with the sweet romance, and Mr. Miracle definitely falls in the category of "heartwarming."
— Kelly Lawler
5. SANTA CLAUS IS FOR REAL
By Charles Edward Hall
**½
Gallery, 194 pp.
Genre: Non-fiction
Setting: Behind the scenes at Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular
What it's about: A memoir from a man whose professional acting career was sidetracked after playing Santa at Radio City.
Holiday cheer level: Readers will need to make a leap of faith when Hall chats with the "real" Santa Claus. Those willing to do so will be rewarded with a magical tale.
— Mary Cadden
6. A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
By Kimberla Lawson Roby
Grand Central, 176 pp.
**
Genre: Romance amid the faithful
Setting: The Midwestern city of Mitchell
What it's about: Motivational speaker Alexis Fletcher hasn't enjoyed Christmas since her mother died five years ago. Not even her doting, dreamboat fiancé Chase Dupont can shake her holiday funk, made worse by her meddling, manipulative future mother-in-law.
Holiday cheer level: As deep and affecting as the tinsel on your tree, this novel from the best-selling author of the Reverend Curtis Black series (he makes a cameo here) ends pretty much the way you'd expect, after a Real Housewives of Atlanta-level scene at Chase's holiday party.
— Patty Rhule
7. MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME
Edited by Stephanie Perkins
St. Martin's Griffin, 336 pp.
***
Genre: Fiction
Setting: Various places
What it's about: Holiday-themed romantic short stories – from meet-cutes in Christmas tree lots to boyfriends dressed in Santa suits – by young-adult authors including Rainbow Rowell, Holly Black, Gayle Forman and more.
Holiday cheer level: Sit back and enjoy the thrill of young love as imagined by some of your favorite YA authors. And these tales are not just limited to Christmas; Rainbow Rowell's New Year's love story stands out among the bunch.
— Kelly Lawler
8. THE 13TH GIFT
By Joanne Huist Smith
Harmony, 201 pp.
***
Genre: Non-fiction
Setting: The Huist Smith household in Dayton, Ohio, 1999
What it's about: Just weeks after the death of her husband Rick, Joanne Huist Smith and her three children begin receiving daily anonymous gifts, pegged to the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Holiday cheer level: The book's simple prose and profound message will fill even the Grinch-iest hearts with Christmas spirit while affirming the age-old adage, it really is the thought that counts.
— Mary Cadden
9. A QUILT FOR CHRISTMAS
By Sandra Dallas
St. Martin's Press, 242 pp.
**½
Genre: Historical fiction
Setting: Kansas during the Civil War
What it's about: Eliza Spooner raises two children and tends the farm while her husband fights for the Union. She and her memorable quilting friends are enlisted in a dangerous plan to shelter an escaped slave.
Holiday cheer level: As heartwarming as a homemade quilt. After a slow buildup, a showdown with slave traders and surprising romances bring this to a comforting close.
— Patty Rhule
10. A NEW YORK CHRISTMAS
By Anne Perry
Ballantine, 164 pp.
**½
Genre: Mystery
Setting: New York City, 1904
What it's about: Jemima Pitt, 23, arrives from England as the chaperone of naïve Phinnie Cardew, who is about to marry into one of New York's richest families. But why is Jemima being framed for the murder of Phinnie's disgraced mother, and can she prove her innocence before Christmas?
Holiday cheer level: This is a bleak tale, brightened at the end by a surprise romance. But Perry's vision of Central Park, blanketed in white at the turn of the century, is a Christmas snow-globe keeper.
— Jocelyn McClurg