Meadowdale H.S. graduation 2012
Middletown H.S. graduation 2012
Dunbar H.S. graduation 2012
Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > December > 13 > Entry
Fill your stockings with new Christmas books…
’Tis the season for Christmas books. Here are my criteria for choosing which ones I covered: I eliminated those too large to fit into a good sized Christmas stocking, and I picked potential classics along with one that is considered to be the greatest Christmas story ever told. Here they are:
“The Dreaded Feast — Writers on Enduring the Holidays” (Abrams Image, 208 pages, $20.95): The holidays can be stressful. Well chosen humor might provide some relief for an excess of holiday drama. These stories and essays could bring extra twinkles to your merrymaking.
There are veritable chestnuts here including “A Fruitcake Theory” by Calvin Trillin, “Susie’s Letter from Santa” by Mark Twain, “Christmas Shopping: A Survivor’s Guide” by Dave Barry and “Christmas Means Giving” by David Sedaris.
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ — A Christmas Story” by Wally Lamb (Harper, 273 pages, $19.99): Wally Lamb is that rare author with two books which made “Oprah’s Book Club.” This seasonal book is an unexpected treat. We flash back to a blue collar town in Connecticut in 1964. Our middle-aged narrator, Felix Funicello, recalls the fifth grade at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School, the Christmas play and a sweet miracle.
“A Rumpole Christmas — Stories” by John Mortimer (Viking, 161 pages, $21.95): Crotchety lawyer Horace Rumpole was John Mortimer’s greatest creation. Fans of the Rumpole books and the British TV series that was inspired by them should enjoy this collection. Rumpole isn’t fond of Christmas. Fortunately, the criminals that he defends don’t take much time off for the holidays. That keeps Rumpole busy and Mortimer’s readers chuckling. These stories are appearing for the first time in book form.
“A Christmas Blizzard - a Novel” by Garrison Keillor ( Viking, 180 pages, $21.95): Garrison Keillor is a superb humorist and storyteller. This is the story of the Sparrows, James and Joyce. James wants to forget about his troubled youth on the desolate midwestern plains. He has made a fortune selling his energy drink. He doesn’t like Christmas: it reminds him of the past. As the holidays draw nigh, he wants to leap aboard his private jet and fly off to the vacation villa in Hawaii. But Joyce loves Christmas. She would rather stay home. The decision is made for them as James learns that his Uncle Earl is dying back in Looseleaf, North Dakota. James heads into a blizzard on a fateful journey into his past. Keillor’s wry humor crackles throughout.
“A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books” by Charles Dickens (Everyman’s Library, 411 pages, $18): “A Christmas Carol” is the greatest Christmas story ever written. Back in 1843 when Dickens wrote it, he had to make some money quickly. Initially, he failed to earn what he desired, but, in time, this heartwarming tale of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and Ebenezer Scrooge has become an enduring classic. This gorgeous reissue contains some lesser known seasonal stories as well; “ The Chimes,” “The Cricket on the Hearth,” “The Battle of Life” and “The Haunted Man.”
Next week, I’ll have my favorite fiction from 2009.
Vick Mickunas
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