Thursday, December 11, 2014

Christmas Reads // the sequel


  Two years ago (WOAH) I posted about some of my favorite books to read at Christmastime, and since I have some more to talk about, I thought I had better make a Volume II.


Preeeeetty, huh?

The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan

"That's what I don't understand about humans. This deserving idea. If it's love, you don't have to deserve it."
This is my new favorite Christmas book. It's an all around gorgeous story, and the illustrations are beautiful.

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Beauty by Robin McKinley

"He cannot be so bad if he loves roses so much."

 Beauty is a great book to read anytime of year, but I think it would be particularly perfect on a rainy winter's day. It's a wonderful fairytale retelling and it'll make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.


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The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” 

A great classic. December will always be a Hobbity time of year for me. (mostly because of certain special movies)

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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame 

“Badger hates Society, and invitations, and dinner, and all that sort of thing.” 

One of my favorite children's classics. The parts where the animals celebrate Christmas are sure to get you into a festive mood.


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The Magician's Elephant by Kate Dicamillo

"Have you, in truth, ever seen something so heartbreakingly lovely? What are we to make of a world where stars shine bright in the midst of so much darkness and gloom?"

I like this book so much that I didn't even have to google that quote and I only got two words wrong. BOOM. Anyway, Kate Dicamillo rocks.


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The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, illustrated by Christian Birmingham

 "How well she has got through the world, barefooted as she is."

This is only a short fairytale, but it's a really lovely story (although unfortunatly no one sings Let It Go). The version illustrated by Christian Birmingham is gorgeous.


Some honorable mentions: Anything by E. Nesbit or Charles Dickens, and the Redwall series (particularly Mossflower).

What do you like to read during this time of year?

love,
Hannah

12 comments:

  1. Oooh this is awesome!! I'll have to add these books to my Christmas reading list! (I read the Wind in the Willows twice quite a few years ago, so I think it's time to read that one again!)

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    1. Thanks Emily! Wind in the Willows is a good one, right?

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  2. I love your list! I've read and enjoyed all of these except The Legend of Holly Claus and The Snow Queen (though I own a book of his fairy tales, so I can definitely read that one this winter). I love Beauty and consider it one of my favorite books, but it's been 4 or 5 years since I last read it... definitely need to reread that one soon! And you've just reminded me of how much I love Kate DiCamillo's books. I remember copying a long excerpt of The Magician's Elephant into my journal because the writing was just so beautiful. Once again, I need to reread that one soon. :)

    In the past, the seasons haven't really affected what I read. But this year I've found myself wanting more wintery books. I've read one Christmas-ish book and I'm currently reading another set during Christmas.

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    1. Thank you, Kristin! You're right, Kate Dicamillo's writing is so beautiful. Hmmm..yeah, the seasons don't affect my reading very much either - it's just Christmastime when I like to pull out all my old favorites!

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  3. The covers are all sooo pretty! I don't really have a ton of seasonal favorites, but those all look amazing. I <3 The Hobbit!!! and The Wind in the Willows has a lot of childhood memories attached. I really want to read Beauty now. To be honest, I've never read a Beauty and the Beast retelling! And as always, m'dear, you do a lovely job on your posts. (-:

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    1. Aren't they? :D Oooo, you should read Beauty! It's great.

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  4. I love how most of these aren't strictly "Christmas stories" but books one could read any time of the year. I really want to read Beauty and Wind in the Willows, but since I'm reading far too much right now, it might have to wait until next Christmas :( Anyway, I adored this post, dear! :)

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    1. Thanks Hannah! :D And - same, my TBR is mad right now.

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  5. The Snow Queen could definitely use a few choruses of Let it Go in the finale. Come on Hans Christian Anderson...why did you fail us by not foreseeing this?
    hehe.
    When I was small(er) I used to reread The Best Christmas Pageant Ever like several times over December. It was so hilarious and so Christmasy. xD

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  6. Ooooo that book sounds really cute! :)

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  7. 1. I must read some of these books. And 2. I must write a post like this myself... ^.^

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    1. 1. YES.
      2. Yes! Please do! I'd love to get some Christmassy book ideas...

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