Whether or not you celebrate Christmas or not, the holidays are a good time to find a good book to read or gift. So this December I have decided start a new series called the 12 books for Christmas. These are 12 books I have enjoyed and loved. These are not all new books and can probably be found at the library, the used bookstore, or your favorite ebook store.
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12 Books for Christmas
Written by Julie Le Pham on December 31, 2023
TOPICS:
- Recommendations
- Books
Day 1 - Book 1
The Little Prince
by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Last year, I read this book before going to the Antone de Saint-Exupéry exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. I was surprised how a short, simple story can contain so much philosophy, humor, and thoughtfulness. Having made my home in France, it was appropriate that my first recommendation this Christmas was The Little Prince.
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Day 2 - Book 2
The Emperor of Paris
by C.S. Richardson
I picked this novel for the second day because it's a love story set in Paris, written by a Canadian author. This is a love story about two misfits. Octavio is a dyslexic baker who works in a boulangerie in the eighth arrondissement. And Isabeau, a disfigured artist who works in the basement of the Louvre. They each have their own insecurities and talents, but somehow, they find each other.
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Day 3 - Book 3
Rilla of Ingleside
by L.M. Montgomery
LM Montgomery is arguably one of the most celebrated writers from Canada. And Anne of Green Gables is her best-known series. But my favorite book of hers is Rilla of Ingleside. The story of Rilla, the youngest daughter of Anne and Gilbert, is both a war novel and a coming-of-age story. Told from the perspective of those left to wait as their loved ones go off to war.
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Day 4 - Book 4
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
By Alan Bradley
This YA novel is book one in the cozy mystery series by another Canadian author, Alan Bradley. The series is set in the 1950's and stars young Flavia de Luce. Flavia is a clever, articulate junior scientist whose curious and adventurous spirit causes her to investigate strange occurrences in Buckshaw, England. She is an extraordinary 11-year-old, perhaps a little too precocious. But if you like Mary Sue characters, this one is for you.
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Day 5 - Book 5
Crooked House
by Agatha Christie
For me, no book list would be complete without Agatha Christie. I know there is a film version of the book, but the book was better. If you don't have the time to read this, I recommend the audiobook. It's a murder mystery where the suspects are all in the family. The story is creeper than normal Christie literature. But I still consider it a cozy read.
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Day 6 - Book 6
About A Boy
by Nick Hornby
Don't get me wrong, I loved the movie. But reading the book has its own charms, especially if you are looking for an escape clocked in British humor. Everyone in this book is flawed, yet their struggles and achievements are endearing. It's been many years since I've read the book, but I still have fond memories of it.
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Day 7 - Book 7
Einstein's Dreams
by Alan Lightman
This poetic novel is a whimsical collection of short stories under the guise of Einstein's Dreams. Set in 1905, Albert Einstein is working long hours and working on his theory of creating relativity. As he does this, his mind wanders into an illusionary dream space.
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Day 8 - Book 8
Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu
Meng Xi Shi
Thousand Autumns is a beefy novel. So far, five volumes have been translated and published. It's an action-packed wuxia (martial arts fantasy) that you can sink your teeth into during your winter vacation. Yan Wushu is the demonic leader of the Huayue sect. He is a ruthless, self-serving, and cheeky devil. And yet he inexplicably decided to save the life of the pious leader of the Daoist sect, Shen Qiao, who was teetering between life and death after losing the sword challenge. This is a Chinese BL (Boys Love, Yaoi or MM) novel is where two polar opposites become allies, friends, and then lovers.
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Day 9 - Book 9
The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
I first read this novel on a flight from Paris to Toronto in the late 2000s. This is not a book to be read in public! Especially if you are an emotional reader. For half of the flight, I had to conceal the ugly tears streaming down my face. And let me tell you, I am a very ugly crier. But if you are looking for an emotional read, this is your book. The Kite Runner is a story about Amir and Hassan, who are close friends who want to win the local kite-fighting tournament. But something happens to Hassan one afternoon that will ruin their lives. As a result, Amir was forced to move to the United States with his family. When he later returns to Afghanistan, he has to face the horrors of his past.
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Day 10 - Book 10
Our Man in Havana
by Graham Greene
It is important not to take this book seriously. "Our Man in Havana" by Graham Greene is a comedy. And as Christmas gets closer, I think it's important to approach a stressful time with humor. I like Greene's writing style and appreciate the absurd humor since I find it hard to be funny. Our Man in Havana is the story of Wormold; he is a vacuum cleaner salesman turned MI6 spy. To keep his job, he is forced to come up with false reports. More remarkably, his bogus reports start to come true.
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Day 11 - Book 11
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
by Mindy Kaling
I related to this book despite not being Indian, American, or a comedy writer. I didn't read it but rather listened to the audiobook. It's almost Christmas, and you are either incredibly busy or relaxing at home. I thought it would be a good choice to relax and decompress. Being an actor and comedian, Mindy Kaling narrated her biography. I enjoyed her narration as she told funny stories and talked about her family, the business of writing, and life as a minority in Hollywood.
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Day 12 - Book 12
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach
by Anthony Bourdain
Growing up, we had our Christmas dinners made with the cooking channel playing in the background. And I was always happy when Anthony's show would come on. No other individual writer had such a big impact on my life as Anthoney Bourdain, Whether it was his travel shows or books. Bourdain's writing is similar to his TV persona: eloquent, caustic, and full of creative grit. Although I am sad about his death, I am grateful to him for teaching me to appreciate food and travel. That good food can come from anywhere, be it a chic bistro or in the middle of the jungle.
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