There are magical Christmas melodies and fairytale feeling holiday movies, but have you ever experienced the joy of cuddling up with a book that is set around Christmas? I have, and I must read a book with a Christmas theme every year right after I finish my finals!
It all started a few years ago with Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. You might know about or have watched the Netflix series that came out in late 2020. Yet, I feel so lucky to have read the book before they made the Netflix series. I just don’t think I would feel the same about the books or have been bothered to pick tIt all started a few years ago with Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. You might know about or have watched the Netflix series that came out in late 2020. Yet, I feel so lucky to have read the book before they made the Netflix series. I just don’t think I would feel the same about the books or have been bothered to pick the books up. Because after I read Book of Dares, I immediately had to read the second book of the series titled The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily. I’m usually not big on teen fiction romance novels, but Dash and Lily just worked right with the setting of Christmas in New York. I felt the ambiance with every page I read. The story of Dash in Lily begins in a bookstore in New York City, where Lily leaves a red notebook with a letter for the person who picks it up, who is, of course, Dash. Then, Dash is supposed to write back, and the conversation just keeps going as they leave the notebook for each other in the bookstore. The story fills you with anticipation while it takes you through different activities in Manhattan. The series also came out with a third book in the series recently. So, you know what I am reading during the break.
Another book I read for a Christmas break in the past is called A Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire. Gregory Maguire’s stories are just my cup of tea. He wrote the story for the Broadway musical Wicked. And he also writes stories, which are usually a retelling of a fairytale. A Wild Winter Swan, like Dash and Lily, is set during Christmas in New York. The book is 1960’s and is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, The Wild Swans. If you didn’t know, The Wild Swans is about a princess who has to help her eleven brothers that have been turned into swans. In this story, one of those brothers ends up crashing into the Upper East Side brownstone townhome of Laura. Laura is an Italian American awkward and troubled teenager who lives with her grandparents. She has recently been expelled from school and is soon to be sent to boarding school in Montreal after Christmas break. When the swan prince crashes into Laura’s room at her grandparent’s house, she must help him fly back to where he came from. The setting and touch of fairytale make it the perfect read to have with a cup of cocoa next to the fireplace.
From my recommendations, you might be able to tell I love Christmas in New York. I do! I have been to New York around Christmas once, and it is the most magical thing I have ever experienced. And that is what I love about Christmas novels, that they can transport me to where I wish I could be for Christmas. No offense to my home in Texas. I just love the cold, the ambiance, and the energy of New York so much.
If your favorite thing about Christmas is that warm feeling you get from seeing Christmas lights and decorations. And the smell of Christmas cookies that have taken over the kitchen while a Christmas movie is playing in the living room, you should treat yourself to a Christmas book this season!