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Original poster

I need 5 books…

36 replies

CurlewKate · 22/09/2025 07:43

We have a family tradition of Christmas Eve books. Which is lovely-but soooo difficult for the chooser (me!) especially now everyone’s grown up. They have to be short, non stressful, fiction and paperback. 4 mid twenties-2 men 2 women and a mid 50s man. Unusual classics is fine-so long as they fit the short non stressful criteria! In an ideal world they would also be pretty…

OP posts:
FranklyIgiveadamn · 22/09/2025 18:22

Watching this thread for ideas for myself! Not entirely certain how short is short but these are ‘regular’ length and not blockbusters. Here’s my contribution:
Middle England by Jonathan Coe
The Rotters Club by Jonathan Coe (poss better for 50 yr old)
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Agent Zigzag by Ben McIntyre (non fiction but in fiction style)
On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin (nice cover!)
Tales of the City by Armisted Maupin (old school but great fun)
The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
The Nightwatch by Sarah Waters

good luck!

Original poster
CurlewKate · 22/09/2025 17:55

Thank you- I’m beginning to compile my list! Keen them coming!

OP posts:
Ddakji · 22/09/2025 17:55

Convenience Store Woman. Japanese fiction, short, very good. Not whimsical or magical realism.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 22/09/2025 17:54

GrumpySparkler · 22/09/2025 08:07

Have a look at the Penguin Little Clothbound Classics. I have Passing by Nella Larsson, which is a great read and about 130 pages, but the subject matter may not be what you're looking for.
If you want something Christmas themed I read The Secret Christmas by Anna Abney last year, which I really enjoyed. That was about 150 pages. Or Merry Christmas by Daphne du Maurier, tiny story, about 30 pages.
For collections of short stories, I really recommend The Winter Sprits and The Haunting Season. There's another called The Witching Hour coming out next month.

Edited

Wow-how have I not heard of them- thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
CurlewKate · 22/09/2025 17:51

JaninaDuszejko · 22/09/2025 12:19

Since everyone is an adult these days why not change it so you each have to buy a book on a theme and then make it a lucky dip. Because it seems rather unfair that you are doing all the work.

Relinquish my grip on the Christmas reins???? Never!!!!🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
CurlewKate · 22/09/2025 17:50

TreesAtSea · 22/09/2025 10:15

Do you want them to be Christmas-themed?
If so, there's The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth.
If not, a wonderful short novel is A Month in the Country by J L Carr.
Happy reading!

I gave my dil AMITC last year! It was such a hit I think I’ve peaked!

OP posts:
KnitKnitKnitting · 22/09/2025 12:21

What is “non stressful”? Can murder/detective type fiction come under this?

I also agree that you don’t have to be the chooser forever! Do you swap this role? If not, why not start, or make it a lucky dip, or a secret santa, etc?

JaninaDuszejko · 22/09/2025 12:19

Since everyone is an adult these days why not change it so you each have to buy a book on a theme and then make it a lucky dip. Because it seems rather unfair that you are doing all the work.

TreesAtSea · 22/09/2025 10:15

Do you want them to be Christmas-themed?
If so, there's The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth.
If not, a wonderful short novel is A Month in the Country by J L Carr.
Happy reading!

GrumpySparkler · 22/09/2025 08:07

Have a look at the Penguin Little Clothbound Classics. I have Passing by Nella Larsson, which is a great read and about 130 pages, but the subject matter may not be what you're looking for.
If you want something Christmas themed I read The Secret Christmas by Anna Abney last year, which I really enjoyed. That was about 150 pages. Or Merry Christmas by Daphne du Maurier, tiny story, about 30 pages.
For collections of short stories, I really recommend The Winter Sprits and The Haunting Season. There's another called The Witching Hour coming out next month.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 22/09/2025 07:52

Have you considered collections of short stories?
Pretty sure you could get 5 options there that would fit your description.
I'll start with the collected short stories of Saki since you mentioned unusual classics.

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