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It's approaching that time of year...please recommend me a Christmas novel :-)

58 replies

EdinaMonsoon · 01/11/2018 11:30

Huge thank you in advance if you respond to my post :).

I'm looking for two novels on a Christmas theme & would love recommendations please. It's a tale of two genres:

Firstly, a light-hearted easy read. Last year I read The Xmas Factor which although formulaic was entertaining and didn't require much in the way of focus.

Secondly, I'd like a more in-depth, classic novel which would be perfect for evening/bedtime reading. I don't particularly care for historical novels written by contemporary authors but I do love writers of their era eg Austen, Brontes. To date, I have never read any Dickens and I wonder if this might be the year to pick it up? Would also be happy with a more contemporary tale but I honestly don't know where to start with that other than the chick-lit genre!

OP posts:
Myfanwyprice · 01/11/2018 21:16

I read seven days of us by Francesca Hornak last Christmas and really enjoyed it.

Orlandointhewilderness · 01/11/2018 21:08

jostein gaarder, a christmas mystery is very lovely. Based around the christmas story though so may not appeal.

Clawdy · 01/11/2018 21:00

The Snow Garden by Rachel Joyce is a collection of short stories. And how about Hercule Poirot's Christmas? A great seasonal whodunnit.

Cleanermaidcook · 01/11/2018 16:09

Light hearted - the hogfather by Terry Pratchett
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci is a decent read

Not sure if this one fits your remit but The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is a nice read.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 01/11/2018 15:57

Just read The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale. Quirky magical realism if that's your thing. I quite enjoyed it.

EdinaMonsoon · 01/11/2018 15:54

BeatriceJoanna Thank you. The Trollope looks perfect (never ventured into his stories before) as does Winter Solstice.

BabyMoonPie - your recommendation looks fab! Thank you too.

OP posts:
BabyMoonPie · 01/11/2018 13:44

I read Twelve Days Of Christmas by Trisha Ashley every year. Very easy reading

BeatriceJoanna · 01/11/2018 12:55

I'm not sure if it's quite what you're looking for but I try to read The Thirteen Days of Christmas by Jenny Overton in the week before Christmas. It's a children's book, so quite an easy read and it's a lovely story.

Another one I like is Winter Solstice but it's quite long.

For a classic, I would definitely give A Christmas Carol a go. It's short and a lot of fun. I'm planning to read this Christmassy Trollope it comes highly recommended but I haven't read it myself. I have high hopes, though because I love Trollope.

Hope you find something that suits you.