christmas

A Foxfire Christmas: Appalachian Memories and Traditions

By Eliot Wigginton

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Sep 1, 2017

A Foxfire Christmas is an amazing collection of Christmas traditions from the people of Appalachia; food, gifts, decorations, and preparations. It also includes a wonderful compilation of interviews by Georgia High School students.

Learn how to make dough ornaments, simple crafts, and hear stories from elders who have spent their entire lives in the mountains. Holiday recipes are a big part of the Christmas holidays and these have been passed down for many generations. 

The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus

By Tim Solver
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Jared H.
Dec 9, 2013

In the 14th Century, Klaus lives the life of a simple woodcarver who begins to carve toys for all the children of his village after the Black Death strikes his village. In the years to come, his fame spreads through out the region. So much so, that it becomes impossible for him to deliver all the toys on one night. Here begins the magic and whimsy that will influence Klaus for the rest of his natural life...and beyond! Here starts the legend of Santa Claus!

With The Christmas Chronicles Tim Slover crafts the "real story" of Santa Claus. In this charming story, he takes bits and pieces of

Feb 8, 2013

When a serious injury sends Evie Stryker to Fool’s Gold where her estranged brothers and mother have made their home, Evie finds herself at a crossroads.  Evie left Fool’s Gold, and the family where she never seemed to fit in, at the age of 17 to study dance at Julliard and she never looked back.  Then Evie was injured and her mother and brothers moved her to Fool’s Gold for her recovery and rehabilitation.  Now, as recovered as she is going to be, Evie is chafing at the close quarters to her family in the small California town where everyone knows everyone.  She has taken a job at the local

The Last Noel by Heather Graham


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Dec 19, 2012

This romantic suspense thriller takes place in a rural area about two hours outside of Boston, Massachusetts. It's Christmas Eve, and all is neither calm nor bright. They are in the midst of a nor'easter. The snow storm veered south instead of north like the weather man predicted, and is now paralyzing New England. The O’Boyle family is bickering, brought together by their mother for one last Christmas in their old vacation house, which they are planning to sell soon for lack of use. But then there is a knock on the door, and their household becomes prey to a pair of brutal escaped killers

The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Dec 9, 2011

If you are looking for an inspirational story to read this holiday season and you are short on time, I suggest Donna VanLiere's beautifully written and illustrated book, The Christmas Journey. Donna VanLiere begins her book with the actual Luke’s account of Jesus birth and then retells the story of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in her own voice. She wonderfully develops the details of Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. VanLiere’s version of the Nativity story is both poetic and realistic, because she neither embellishes the exhausting journey that Jesus’

Nov 17, 2011

 

In the audiobook cd, Tinsel Tales, NPR voices, past and present, tell some of their favorite stories of the season. David Sedaris reads his public radio classic, “Santaland Diaries.”  Scott Simon tells the modern version of the Christmas story, where Jesus is born in an abandoned factory near Cleveland and the Three Wise Persons bring Chipotle gift cards.  Commentator Bailey White talks about a low-glamour Christmas party that some school teachers have. There are many more entertaining stories too numerous to mention.  All of these stories are contained on two CDs, and are short enough for

Jan 18, 2011

When preparing for the holidays next year, consider checking out Nigella Lawson's Nigella Christmas to help you out.  This book is packed with everything one needs to entertain a crowd or feed your family.  Chapters cover catering parties, hot and cold drinks, baking, brunches, and a step-by-step Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.  If you're unfamiliar with Nigella's cooking style, she's a more adventurous Paula Deen without the stuffiness of Martha Stewart.  Her food tastes great and the presentation looks refined, but she isn't afraid to admit she likes bacon wrapped sausages!

As for

Mar 12, 2010

Heart of Christmas CoverI picked up the historical romance anthology The Heart of Christmas because of the name Mary Balogh on the cover and because I miss the old Regency Christmas anthologies. I was a little disappointed to discover that Balogh’s story and the one by Nicola Cornick were both reprints, so I skipped to the only new content, “This Wicked Gift” by newcomer Courtney Milan, and for me it was the standout. From the beginning I adored its unusual premise, sense of fun, and memorable, refreshingly sensible characters.

Set in 1822 London, Lavinia Spencer manages her family’s lending library while caring

Christmas Stories edited by Diana Secker Tesdell


Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jan 22, 2010

Christmas Stories edited by Diana Secker TesdellI didn't check out this story collection until after Christmas but reading it out of season did not lessen my enjoyment. Great writers from Charles Dickens to Richard Ford are represented in this collection. There were a couple of stories that I had read previously - A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote and The Blue Carbuncle by Arthur Conan Doyle - but they are well worth reading again. Humor and sadness are present in equal measure with examples being Reginald's Christmas Revel by Saki with Reginald up to his old tricks at Mrs. Babwold's Christmas Day party and Vanka by Anton Chekhov about an