1.) “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens(1843)
"Out upon Merry Christmas!"
A story about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge who goes on a journey of self-realization as he travels through time with the Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The moral of the story is to always remember Christmas is more about giving and spreading love than it is about receiving.
2.) “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” by Robert L. May(1939)
"And Santa was right, as he usually is."
Besides being adorable, Rudolph represents the importance of staying strong in a hostile environment where people or in this case reindeer are being negative. He also reminds us that it is okay to be different since those differences make us special and one day our uniqueness will work to our advantage. Thanks to his bright red nose, he got favored by Santa Claus and got to lead the sleigh while all of his haters flew behind him.
3.) “The Shoemaker and the Elves” by Brothers Grimm (1806)
“Every morning, the shoemaker found more shoes awaiting him.”
For those on the dark side during Christmas, I recommend this German fairy tale about a poor shoe maker who gets assistance from elves. The twist in the story is not as spine chilling as some of the other Grimm Brother tales but it is still very interesting.
4.) “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A Hoffmann (1816)
“They went trot, trot, right up to Marie..”
In most cases, toys coming to life sounds creepy but Hoffmann makes life size toys likable. The Nutcracker that comes to life is the hero who slays the evil mouse and takes Marie Stahlbaum, his owner, to a beautiful land with even more dolls. If the idea of moving dolls frightens you, just remember that it is Christmas and dolls are only dangerous on Halloween.
5.) “Christmas Day in the Morning" by Pearl S. Buck(2002)
"He had trained himself to turn over and go to sleep…because it was Christmas, he did not try to sleep.”
A boy named Rob learns that the best gift to give his father does not cost any money, but something of sentimental value is much more meaningful. The illustrations gives the story even more life and color. It is only 40 pages but those pages are enough to make the reader emotional.
6.) “The Christmas Dog” by Melody Carlson(2009)
"As Betty Kowalski drove home from church on Sunday, she realized she was guilty of two sins.”
If you love dogs or just animals in general, this is the book for you. Lonely Betty Kowalski is not looking forward to Christmas due to her neighbor and her troubled granddaughter until a dog arrives on her doorstep to keep her company. As the relationship between her and the dog develops, she learns that she is not alone after all. So if you needed another reason to buy a dog, this story may make the decision a little easier.
7.) “Let it Snow” by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (2008)
“I realize Jubilee is a bit of a stripper name.”
These three teen authors present to you a collection of three love stories that should keep your heart warm for the winter. It can be best described as charming and funny. The best part of the book is that if you dislike one story, you have two others to choose from. However, the three stories are connected so try to avoid skipping a whole entire section.
8.) “Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days” by Jeanette Winterson (2016)
"I know Christmas has become a cynical retail hijack, but it is up to us all…to object to that.”
If your wallet is really tight from after buying gifts but you really want some good literature for the winter time, this book is your best option since it offers 12 short stories. Winterson’s discusses her personal Christmas memories plus the 12 imaginative tales full of magic and wonder. There is also an element of mystery to some of the stories. Make sure you pass it on to any friends who may not be looking forward to Christmas this year and it might renew their love for it.
man running in forestPhoto by 
