Six great holiday reads
Six great holiday reads
24 December 2022
Some of the great selection of recommended books to help you escape this summer.
The holiday season is wonderfully chaotic, and finding alone time is near impossible. Reading or listening to a good book is ideal for recharge and de-stress. And whether you are after something Christmas-themed, a great memoir, or you simply want to be swept away in a romance, we have something for you! Here are six great reads you can pick up or tune into this December and into the new year.
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haigh
British author Matt Haigh delivers a whimsical and endearing tale detailing the creation of Santa Claus in this fantasy novel. Growing up in poverty but with an interminable spirit, young Nicholas goes on an adventure to find his father after he fails to come home from a magical adventure.
Expect to meet elves, reindeer and some bizarre mythical creatures as Nicholas ventures into the unknown. Adults and kids will enjoy this novel, which touches on the reality of sleeping rough and abuse. And while we can predict the happy ending, be prepared for some twists – and tissues, before Nicholas dons the red jacket.
Available at bookstores, Kindle and Audible.
Kingdom of Beauty by Deborah Grace White
Australian author Deborah Grace White will be known among many Army families, and in the first book of her Kingdom Tales series, she shares a fantastic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Unlike the original story, White ushers in a slight cultural narrative about domestic abuse and equals the power between Felicity (our Belle) and prince Justin (the Beast).
Our heroine is strong and selfless but also seeks out the betterment of the people around her as she works to break the curse forcing the beast to be, well, beastly. Confronting the disloyalty and abandonment of her family and the harassment of a man who is intent on marrying her, White mirrors real-world realities through the veil of fantasy. Filled with romance, magic and detail that will transport you to another world, you will eagerly consume this gem.
Available on Kindle.
Christmas At The Edge of the World by Kate Hewitt
A Christmas romance with some substance, meet Laurel, a single, independent woman who is left to care for her teenage nephew Zac over the holidays as her estranged sister is in rehab. Struggling to cater to his moodiness, she pulls rank and the two travel to a family cottage in the Orkney islands north of Scotland.
Having not been in the area since she was a child, Laurel grapples with her hopes, insecurities and trauma in a bid to make Christmas special for herself and Zac. Meanwhile, she meets closed-off farmer Archie McDougall who hits it off with Zac. Less cliche than typical romance novels, but still with a pleasing ending, this is an easy and enjoyable e-book.
Available on Kindle and Audible.
Dreamer by Dami Im
Korean-Australian pop singer Dami Im rose to fame in 2013 when she won the reality TV show X Factor. She has since gained acclaim for hit songs, coming second at the Eurovision song contest in 2016, and even had a stint on Dancing With the Stars. Now, in an honest and timely memoir, she shares the story of her life, faith and career. Detailing her time growing up in South Korea to the public pitfalls that came with a record deal filled with bullying, Dami’s candid nature disarms you.
The thread about her faith in God is woven through each page as naturally as one would breathe, and rather than proselytising, she reflects on her divine calling and how God has moved in her life. Also addressing the difference between the Christian and secular music industries, she hits back at taboos about marriage and being a mother. This is a delight.
Available at bookstores, Kindle and Audible.
The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elisabeth Braddon
Originally published in 1884, actor Richard Armitage gives voice to this classic Christmas tale on Audible. In it, we meet Sir John Penlyon, an ageing widower who has been estranged from his daughter for many years. With only his staff and good friend Danby to keep him company, they suggest he hire some children for the holidays so they all may experience a true, Victorian Christmas.
Let’s be clear, hiring a child is downright concerning. However, in the nature of the times, Braddon uses this to restore the Christmas spirit to Penlyon as he meets three headstrong and curious children. There are presents to be unwrapped, boundaries to be pushed, and death comes calling for a favourite character at one point. In all this, Braddon drives home the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Available on Audible.
Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran
Like a Hallmark movie in book form, something is comforting and predictable about the story of Jenny, who inherits her mother’s home in Sherwood Forest (these town names are something else). All the crucial parts of the equation are in place for a feel-good romantic holiday story: a small town, a mysterious and handsome neighbour, and a book club. Yet what makes this book different is the nods to real-life challenges. Jenny faces homelessness, heartbreak, and family estrangement and looks for employment.
Meanwhile, she is a brave and endearing protagonist, but she is also prone to jump to conclusions, is afraid to ask for help, and can have angry outbursts. Add in the fact that her neighbour, Mac, is married, and she must alter her behaviour to respect this rather than get carried away in her lust, which carries many real-world elements. Never fear, it ends happily. But don't expect a tidy route to the end!
Available on Kindle and Audible.
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