Looking for a Christmas read

Another one I enjoyed was The Gift by Cecilia Ahern. The main theme is the value of time, and how we choose to spend it. A stressed businessman has his attitudes challenged by a homeless man who’s taken up residence outside his company building. Not a bit schmaltzy, but it is touching.

Oreo

keepingquiet

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. Not Christmassy as such but quite scary.

Well….there is snow!
A very scary story indeed, that stays with you.

I have never forgotten it- which is why it came in my head. There are some others but I would have to have a good think...

There is a Christmas novel by Miss Read. It’s called No Holly for Miss Quinn. I absolutely love all her novels. I have one by my bedside constantly. Ideal for just before going to sleep.

In fact, I see there are a few Christmas novels by Miss Read. (I was just googling to check that I had the Miss Quinn title in my post above right!)

If you like Detective books, author Alex Pine has written a number of books set around Christmas and winter.
A Christmas Killer is the first in the series.
They are set in Cumbria a place I love to visit.

For something really different, you could try 'The Dark is Rising' by Susan Cooper

Witzend

Aveline

Try Trollope - Christmas at Thompson Hall. He's wordy but the stories are good and I always like his characters. I prefer him to Dickens.

As a Trollope fan I’ve got his complete works on my Kindle but don’t ever recall seeing this! Must have another look….

It's free to read on Project Gutenberg:

www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58558

Hatcham

For something really different, you could try 'The Dark is Rising' by Susan Cooper

I've got my copy ready Hatcham, it's now part of my Midwinter Rites! First chapter with a hot chocolate just as daylight fades out this afternoon, bliss.

Ohh … lovely question. I’d recommend Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. A great feather bed of a novel, as publicists say.

Rosamund Pilchard ! 🤣 Got to love auto correct !

Last year, I enjoyed Dead of Winter by Nicola Upson, a murder mystery set on St Michael's Mount in 1938. Definitely had the required atmosphere!

Most of these sound right up my street. We need more days in Advent.

Hatcham

For something really different, you could try 'The Dark is Rising' by Susan Cooper

Yes! I listened to the Dark is Rising on BBC Sounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7 because I thought it might be suitable fare for a grandchild who is an avid reader. Wrong! Much too scary for an 8 year old, but very dramatic, and unexpectedly entertaining for an adult.

Also, my Oxford World Classics edition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol has four other Christmas stories by him in it. It's this one,
www.waterstones.com/book/a-christmas-carol-and-other-christmas-books/charles-dickens/robert-douglas-fairhurst/9780199536306
Or might be worth looking in the library?

Thanks for the good ideas. I am not really looking forward to spending Christmas on my own, so I have just made a book list from all your good ideas.

Another vote for Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. Started it again 2 days ago. A proper snuggle down and enjoy.

Harris27, Winter Solstice is my favourite too xx

Harris27

It’s funny reading this post as I gravitate to my old miss read books every Christmas. And a winter solstice by rosamunde pilchard. My tradition.

These two get my vote too!

I’ve just remembered The Thirteenth Tale, at least I think that’s what it’s called.A good Christmas read.

The Twelve Topsy-Turvey Very Messy Days To Christmasby James Patterson - excellent listen

Another vote for The Dark is rising and How Far to Bethlehem. I love them both.

I've not read Winter Solstice, so looking out for that now as it seems to be so well beloved.
Must read Miss Read too (ha ha). Another goodie is Benedict Brown's The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall - a " jolly good japes" type of Christmas chuckle!

I agree

Another great recommendation

So many lovely suggestions here , I need to save this post for a yearly top up . I just remembered I really enjoyed “ Mr . Dickens and his Carol” , Samantha Silva .