December: What I’ve Been Reading

I read 6 Christmas themed books this month, and I’m sharing them with you today!

Honestly, for the sake of time, I’m sharing the Good Reads summary and just a few quick thoughts.

Long story short, I enjoyed all of the books, and they were perfect reads leading up to Christmas. Not that you can’t read these books at any time of the year, but I will make sure to share this post next November leading into Christmas 2021. Next year, I may try to read a few holiday books in November in order to share titles sooner!

Seven Days of Us:

It’s Christmas, and for the first time in years the entire Birch family will be under one roof. Even Emma and Andrew’s elder daughter—who is usually off saving the world—will be joining them at Weyfield Hall, their aging country estate. But Olivia, a doctor, is only coming home because she has to. Having just returned from treating an epidemic abroad, she’s been told she must stay in quarantine for a week…and so too should her family.

For the next seven days, the Birches are locked down, cut off from the rest of humanity—and even decent Wi-Fi—and forced into each other’s orbits. Younger, unabashedly frivolous daughter Phoebe is fixated on her upcoming wedding, while Olivia deals with the culture shock of being immersed in first-world problems.

As Andrew sequesters himself in his study writing scathing restaurant reviews and remembering his glory days as a war correspondent, Emma hides a secret that will turn the whole family upside down.

In close proximity, not much can stay hidden for long, and as revelations and long-held tensions come to light, nothing is more shocking than the unexpected guest who’s about to arrive…

My thoughts:

I mentioned this book in a previous post about how odd the timing was to read while currently living through a pandemic. The family is in quarantine together at Christmastime because the daughter has just returned home after treating patients in Liberia who are experiencing a virus. This book was probably my least favorite to read and not necessarily because of the pandemic terminology. It was just kind of slow for me, but I did finish it and liked it.

Mr. Dickens and His Carol:

Charles Dickens should be looking forward to Christmas. But when his latest book, ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’, is a flop, his publishers give him an ultimatum. Either he writes a Christmas book in a month or they will call in his debts and he could lose everything. Dickens has no choice but to grudgingly accept …

My thoughts:

This charming take on how A Christmas Carol came about was such a fun read. Perfect read for the holidays.

In a Holidaze:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

My thoughts:

I’d seen many people share this book as a great holiday read, and it was. I loved the plot of Mae reliving Christmas over and over in a groundhog day like plot. This was such a cute read.

25 Days ’til Christmas:

Kate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago, she would have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down the days and hours to Christmas. But that was before Kate’s husband left for the army and never came home. Now she can hardly stand December at all.

Kate can’t deny she’s lonely, yet she doesn’t think she’s ready for romance. She knows that her son, Jack, needs a Christmas to remember—just like Kate needs a miracle to help her finally move forward with her life. So she’s decided if there isn’t a miracle on its way, she’ll just have to make her own.

As Kate’s advent countdown to the best Christmas ever begins, she soon realizes that even with the best laid plans, you can’t plan for the unexpected. For when the path of the loneliest woman in town crosses with that of the loneliest man, these two destined hearts might find a way to save the holiday for both of them.

My thoughts:

Of the six books I read this month, 25 Days ’til Christmas was my fave! This was a heartwarming book about a mother doing whatever it takes to make the holidays special for her son. I loved the British references and and setting. This was such a sweet little read!

Let It Snow:

Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf.

Even so, Christina hopes there is a warm heart underneath Oscar’s steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn’t so cold after all. And with the help of Wink’s uncle, who happens to be a charming and very handsome bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined. Nancy Thayer’s enchanting Nantucket setting provides the perfect backdrop for this holiday love story. 

My thoughts:

I love Nancy Thayer books, but I don’t know that I’ve read a holiday book by her. The Nantucket setting at Christmas always hooks me! The plot moved right along, and I loved the characters.

Jingle All the Way:

Trapped in the middle of five siblings, Everly Lancaster always had big dreams. Now a top real-estate executive, Everly finds her work is her life, leaving no space for anything (or anyone) else. Sensing her stress, Everly’s boss insists she take December off. At first, a month away seems crazy–how will the company survive without her? But Everly’s mother convinces her otherwise. She deserves a vacation–plus, when she returns, she’ll have no excuse to skip family Christmas like she did last year.

But after her vengeful assistant books a guided cruise in the Amazon instead of the luxury beach vacation she expected, Everly is horrified to realize that she’s about to spend the next two weeks trapped–with no Wi-Fi!–in the rain forest. Not even Asher Adams, the ship’s charming naturalist, can convince Everly that the trip will be unforgettable. Slowly but surely, she realizes he is right: the sights are spectacular. And with each passing day, Everly’s relationship with Asher deepens, forcing her to take a long, hard look at her priorities.

Everly and Asher begin to see magic in the possibility of a life together. But as the cruise nears its end, and Everly’s family Christmas approaches, both must decide if love is worth the risk. A merry surprise may be in store in Debbie Macomber’s newest holiday delight.

My thoughts:

Macomber seems to be the queen of Christmas themed books, but I think this may be the first one I’ve read written by her. Like the other books I read this month, a sweet plot, a hint of romance, and the December setting made for a perfect reading selection this time of the year.

That being said, the first half of this book wasn’t very “Christmasy,” but it was short read which also made it appealing as I finished up my reading list of the month.

There are so many great holiday themed books that I do think I will try to read a couple in November next year in order to enjoy them leading up to the holidays. I’ve even thought about reading a couple in July for a “Christmas in July” themed book list!

I plan on sharing my top 5 books that I read in 2020 either tomorrow or Thursday.

Happy Reading!