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Obscure Christmas book list
Dec. 4th, 2023 11:36 pm1. The Adventures of Nicholas by Helen Siiteri - This is an old, old favorite. It’s a story about Nicholas - not the saint, nor yet the North American Santa - and how he went from orphaned child to the generous distributor of gifts to other children. It’s not meant to be a definitive version, just a good story, but that’s what it is - good. It’s a tender little book, sweet without being sticky, and I love to reread it every few years.
2. The Christmas We Moved to the Barn by Alexandra Day - Yes, that Alexandra Day. Gorgeously illustrated, this is a picture book with almost no text, but it doesn’t need it. It’s magical and beautiful and just perfect. There’s a sequel of sorts, Special Deliveries, but that one has nothing to do with the holiday.
3. A Woman’s Christmas by Arlene Hamilton Stewart - It’s published by Victoria Magazine, which means its intended audience is rich white homemaking women. Nominally Christian in this case, or at least not of a faith that precludes a secular celebration of the holiday. I am...some of those things, and really not at all into all the stuff the book talks about, but somehow I just enjoy reading about it. Can’t explain it. Of course the photos are beautiful.
4. How Lovely Are Thy Branches by Diane Duane - An interstitial story in her marvelous Young Wizards universe, full of fun and in-jokes and old friends. Probably confusing if you haven’t read at least one of the main series books, but don’t let that stop you. It’s a party I really wish I could attend.
5. A Wreath of Days by Tasha Tudor - this is kind of an honorable mention, because it’s really an Advent calendar wrapped in a couple of pages of book. The center is a delightful two-page spread of a scene of her corgi town, full of corgis intent on holiday business and the occasional troll or other creature, and this has all the doors for the calendar. Like my mother, I tend to prefer Advent calendars that actually focus on Advent, or at least the Nativity part of Christmas, but I have my exceptions. Unfortunately it is not available at any price I would call reasonable.
2. The Christmas We Moved to the Barn by Alexandra Day - Yes, that Alexandra Day. Gorgeously illustrated, this is a picture book with almost no text, but it doesn’t need it. It’s magical and beautiful and just perfect. There’s a sequel of sorts, Special Deliveries, but that one has nothing to do with the holiday.
3. A Woman’s Christmas by Arlene Hamilton Stewart - It’s published by Victoria Magazine, which means its intended audience is rich white homemaking women. Nominally Christian in this case, or at least not of a faith that precludes a secular celebration of the holiday. I am...some of those things, and really not at all into all the stuff the book talks about, but somehow I just enjoy reading about it. Can’t explain it. Of course the photos are beautiful.
4. How Lovely Are Thy Branches by Diane Duane - An interstitial story in her marvelous Young Wizards universe, full of fun and in-jokes and old friends. Probably confusing if you haven’t read at least one of the main series books, but don’t let that stop you. It’s a party I really wish I could attend.
5. A Wreath of Days by Tasha Tudor - this is kind of an honorable mention, because it’s really an Advent calendar wrapped in a couple of pages of book. The center is a delightful two-page spread of a scene of her corgi town, full of corgis intent on holiday business and the occasional troll or other creature, and this has all the doors for the calendar. Like my mother, I tend to prefer Advent calendars that actually focus on Advent, or at least the Nativity part of Christmas, but I have my exceptions. Unfortunately it is not available at any price I would call reasonable.
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