One of the things I like best about Christmas is that my elder daughter and I often swap books that we have read and enjoyed during the year. However, this does often emphasise the difference in our tastes.
For example one year she gave me The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton while I countered with The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Another saw her give me The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton and I responded with We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. Certainly, the exchange allows both of us to read outwith our comfort zones.
This time of year also makes me think of all the special books I have enjoyed. As a child, my favourite Christmas book was T'was The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark-Moore. I had a picture book but it got very tattered with the many times it was read to me. When my daughters were young I bought them a pop-up version of the book. Happily they liked it as much as I did and we could enjoy it together.
Of course the most famous Christmas book has to be A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. One of my treasured possessions is a lovely white leather edition that was given to me by my grandmother. I hope to be able to pass it on to a grandchild of mine one day.
However it is always nice to pick up a new book to relax with over the holidays. It is with that in mind I wrote Hunter's Christmas. This is a collection of short stories featuring not only DI Hunter Wilson as a main protagonist but also DS Jane Renwick and other characters new to my writing.
Another book of Christmas short stories out this year is A Right Cozy Christmas Crime featuring several different authors and compiled by the best-selling author Wendy H. Jones.
Of course, you may prefer a novel to short stories. If so, Christmas at the Saporis' by KD Sherrinford may be for you. In the spirit of the holiday and a wish for familial harmony, Irene Adler persuades her detective husband Sherlock to invite his brother Mycroft to Christmas luncheon. You can imagine that what ensues makes for an interesting read.
However, if you prefer a Christmas romance, why not pick up a copy of A Skye Full of Stars by the Sunday Times bestselling author, Sue Moorcroft? This novel sees the protagonist, Ezzie Wynter who can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.
But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larsson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise. The stage is set for the exciting story that follows.
Whatever you choose to read, I hope you enjoy it. I also wish you a happy time over the holiday season.
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