Holiday Themes

A Holly Jolly Diwali

by Sonya Lalli

★★★★

Although I’m a bit late posting this for Diwali, it is still a time of light and celebration. I didn’t really understand the significance of Diwali or what it was before reading this; while I have friends and family that celebrate the holiday, I haven’t personally participated. I’m so glad that I got to learn more about Diwali though, and our main characters (Niki and Sam) are both so lovable and relatable. I found their story believable as far as meet-cutes go, so I was rooting for them. I appreciate Lalli’s openness to discussing the “other” identity that stems from having multiple cultures; we see this as Niki finds herself being too Indian for the U.S. but not Indian enough for her community. Lalli also addressed the ugly and the beautiful truths about being a woman in India, and her candor does not go unnoticed.

Once Upon An Eid

Edited by S.K. Ali & Aisha Saeed

★★★★

So I decided during the Christmas season to try to fit some non-Christian holiday stories as well; one of these books ended up being Once Upon An Eid. I found the stories very intriguing, as I loved getting to see the world from a different perspective. I also found the collection to be informative, as I had not previously known much about Eid or its significance within Islam. I learned about the beauty of young women first adopting the hijab, the emphasis placed on family, and the preaching of love. While I knew that the media often unfairly (and offensively) portray Muslim characters, I was thrilled to experience these stories that showed how beautiful Islam can and is meant to be. This anthology would be a great way to open the discussion between parents and their children about different cultures and beliefs, as these stories are told from the perspectives of younger children and teens. These stories display how despite all of our differences in cultural practices, we are all human- ultimately we all need to love and be loved. I found this anthology on accident while browsing the seasonal reads category on Libby, but I encourage you now to go find this one with a purpose- to build understanding and to learn of a holiday that likely holds significance for someone within your own community.

Midnight in Everwood

by M.A. Kuzniar

★★★★

I loved The Nutcracker as a child, especially the Barbie retelling, so I knew I was going to love this novel. I found the overall premise to be intriguing, as Marietta’s unexpected journey to a magical world echoed that of Marie- however, there isn’t really a “Nutcracker” character like some versions. We do get to learn about a variety of villages in the sugar-dusted world, although the story takes place in Everwood. In a world filled with sweet riches, loyal soldiers, a terrible king, and terrified villagers, Kuzniar maintains a very similar aesthetic to the original Nutcracker telling. Marietta’s story is delectably sweet with a touch of something darker. I found a copy of Kuzniar’s retelling through Libby, so I recommend checking with your local library.

The Naughty or Nice Clause

by Kate Callaghan

★★★★

I snagged this gem via @netgalley a while back, and I finally got to finish it yesterday. This story involved some of my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers, fake dating, etc.) while promoting the Christmas spirit. I loved Mason and Lyla’s personalities, although I wish their romance was fleshed out a bit more. The overall concept of bringing an outsider to Yule was intriguing, and I loved the magical realism of this story. Callaghan’s novel is fairly inclusive for an Irish Christmas story too, so that was a nice change from the holiday reads I’ve encountered so far. I would say this quick read is perfect for helping you get into the holiday spirit while working towards meeting your yearly reading goal.

The Christmas Bookshop

by Jenny Colgan

★★★

I snagged this cute story while it was on a $.99 sale, and I don’t regret it. I don’t like many Christmas novels because of how cheesy they can be, but I actually didn’t hate this one. I thought the trope of trying to save a bookshop wasn’t the most original, however, Colgan made it her own. I enjoyed seeing Carmen grow as a person, and I loved the shop owner. I do wish we got to learn more about the personalities of the children, and I would have liked to really see more of Carmen and Sophia’s relationship. I felt like the importance of family was supposed to be one of the big takeaways, but we don’t really get to see much about the bond between sisters. I also wish they would have given Sophia’s husband a few more lines when he returned, but no luck there. I hate Skylar from beginning to end though; I don’t even feel like her character was very necessary. I will confirm that this story made me want to visit Scotland at Christmas time. 

In A Holidaze

by Christina Lauren

★★★.5

While I’ve never seen Groundhog’s Day, I’m familiar with the repetitive time-loop trope that it’s famous for. The authors made me really feel for Mae as she navigates the surprisingly unpredictable repeating Christmas vacation. I felt like Mae’s reaction to the loop was believable (the phases: doubt, hope, frustration, acceptance). My biggest complaint was that we didn’t get to know the supporting characters very well- including the story’s romantic interest; I would have easily read another twenty or so pages if it meant I got to know the characters better. I’m not huge on Christmas stories, but I liked that the authors managed to not overdo the holiday tropes. Overall, I think this would be a solid read for someone who wants to (quickly) get into the holiday spirit. 

Cemetery Boys

by Aiden Thomas

★★★★

Queen fiction meets spooky season in this charming read. This tale follows a Puerto Rican teen's journey to gain his family's acceptance- as a man and as a brujo- due to cultural barriers and transphobia. As the lead character is preparing to release a (cute) teen boy's spirit, he also has to navigate the risk of becoming to attached to the dead.

Educators: Cemetery Boys is a great read to discuss the role of cultural beliefs and transphobia. This is also perfect to help your students embrace fall by discussing the practices of Dia de los Muertos. 

Resting Scrooge Face

by Meghan Quinn

★★★
I snagged this via Prime Reading, and I can acknowledge that it was a cute short story. It follows as Nola and Caleb each write to their mysterious Christmas-hating pen pals. This follows the cheesy “one who got away” tropes, as well as that of a Scrooge finding their Christmas spirit. With a meddlesome grandma, a sneaky postman, and two Christmas-lovers in denial, this one will leave you laughing. I leave you with two parting words: ball massage.

In Five Years

by Rebecca Serle

★★★★

One dream (or vision) five years in the future changes everything for Dannie. She gets to spend one hour with a man- a man who isn't her fiance. Dannie has everything she needs; she has a thoughtful finance and a pretty cool best friend. Despite this, Dannie is left to wonder where her life will take her; what will happen to her detailed life plan? This book is addicting, and it's definitely a quick read. You can finish this whole novel in a few hours, and I highly recommend that you give it a chance. 

This must be a lucky season; I've never really cared for holiday stories, but I really enjoyed a few this year (including this one). This is a fairly slice-of-life style story, so be prepared for a lot of detailed day-to-day behavior as Dannie explores her real wants and desires. I do warn that you should have your tissues ready!

One Day in December

by Josie Silver

★★★.5 

I've been waiting to start talking about holiday reads since my fiance argued that November was too soon. This was one of the first holiday books I ever read, and I chose one that was as cheesy as it gets. Laurie falls in love at first sight with the man she sees from a bus- only her best friend later brings him home as her new boyfriend. Jack definitely remembers that unforgettable moment of spotting Laurie for the first time, but he opts to focus on the girlfriend he already has. I found myself irritated by the characters, however, especially as they feel dishonest. The characters are believable, but I found myself enraged and heartbroken throughout most of this read. Despite all of this, I still found myself gobbling up the story as quickly as I could. This book is would be great for fans of Gayle Forman's Just One Day.

The Matzah Ball

by Jean Meltzer

★★★★.5

I finally did it guys... I found a holiday book that I didn't want to put down! The Matzah Ball got me hooked. Rachel is sweet and funny, although she doesn't always have the energy to show that side of her due to her Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis). She secretly LOVES Christmas, especially her career as a Christmas romance novelist. However, things get interesting when the publishing house asks their top Christmas writer (who's actually Jewish) to write a book focused on Hanukkah. Rachel is so unsure of this, so she ends up trying to attend Jacob's (her childhood enemy) Matzah Ball Max for some good ole' Jewish inspiration. The events of this book left me in hysterics at some points, both of laughter and sadness. I even felt some second-hand embarrassment. Most notably, I love Rachel and Jacob (along with having a soft spot for Bubbe Toby). I didn't know much about Judaism or Hanukkah prior to this, so I'm thankful Meltzer gave me an opportunity to learn about the holiday and traditions. Now I just want all of the snacks and dishes described. Overall, I'm quite happy I read this one and would highly recommend it. 

Mistletoe at Moonglow

by Deborah Garner

★★★

I've had this cute little novella since before Christmas 2020. It was time to finally read this short (109 page) book, and it flew by. Garner creates the warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas in the Timberton hotel, and the main character, Mist, distinctly gives me Luna Lovegood vibes. My biggest complaint about the whole story is that there isn't really much going on. There is no problem to solve or romance to be found; it literally just tells the story of Mist preparing for Christmas and Christmas Eve meals as the cafe Moonglow manager. Garner does make up for the lack of plot with some tasty-sounding recipes at the end, as she provides the recipes for all cookies mentioned during the story. If you're looking for something simple and sweet, this is it. 

The Ex Hex

by Erin Sterling

★★★★.5

Okay, so this one was actually as sweet as candy. I loved how realistic the concerns of Rhys and Vivienne are as well as how deeply they love. This is perfect the perfect Halloween read, especially for fans of Practical Magic. With murderous toys, ghosts, and more than a touch of magic, Sterling takes you on a quest that is too addictive not to finish.

This Time Next Year

by Sophie Cousens

★★★.5

So I chose this book today because the main character, Minnie, has a best friend that reminds me entirely of my newlywed sister. Today I watched as my sister said I do, and I saw a reflection of her in Minnie's BFF, even if the character wasn't the main one. They are both kind, hardworking, and will do anything for those that she loves. Like the fiance, my new brother-in-law is always quietly looking out for the woman he loves. I honestly didn't care for Minnie or Quinn as I should have, but I love the love story of the two ordinary people that are essentially overlooked.

The Holiday Swap

by Maggie Knox

★★★

If you love Hallmark movies, you'll love this book. Personally, I can never sit through an entire Christmas movie. I was convinced I would love this book since so many others did, but I was wrong. Don't get me wrong- the book is cute in the typical cheesy holiday film sort of way, but it just isn't for me. Everything is wrapped up perfectly with a bow by the end of the novel, so this will bring you some cheer if you just need a happy ending pick-me-up after one too many thrillers. Charlie is sassy and straightforward, while Cass is strong-willed and takes care of everyone; together the two are undeniably sweet. Of course, Knox threw in two attractive men as well just to spice things up. Overall, this is probably a great read for people who enjoy Christmas stories.

The Brands Who Came For Christmas

by Maggie Shayne

★★★★

If you're looking for a cute book for your holiday TBR, this one just might meet your expectations. I snagged it for free last Christmas, and I found myself entertained. Maya Brand is strong-willed and was just looking to have a little fun. Caleb stopped in town, and everything changed. When Caleb learns that he is about to become a father, he finds himself pursuing Maya and his chance at fatherhood. Although this book is rather cheesy, I'm not surprised being a holiday read and all. Overall, this is good if you are interested in the one-night-stand-to-lovers trope.