This time of year there is nothing better than curling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine, reading a festive story with the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree in the background.
There are so many wonderful Christmas reads on the shelves this year so I've picked a selection of the best festive reads to help you decided what to pick.
The Postbox at the North Pole - Jaimie Adams*
I adored this book. it's everything you'd expect from a festive story and more. It certainly put me in a Christmassy mood and I felt wrapped up in magic.
The story is about Sasha who finds herself heading to the North Pole Forest to help her dad after hearing he had a heart attack. Sasha and her dad have a strained relationship. He is usually travelling the world and avoiding ever going home, especially at Christmas time. At the airport she is greeted by Tav (a handsome man who works for her dad) who strongly believes in Christmas magic and spirit. One of his many jobs is to care for all the reindeer in the forest. Sasha can be described as a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas but could all that change when she spends time with her Dad, Tav and from responding to Santa letters at the post office?
This is such a heart-warming novel. The characters are perfectly written, flawed but relatable. There is fantastic chemistry between Sasha and Tav. The backdrop of this wonderful story is amazing. I literally want to stay in Candy Cane Lodge. I was able to conjure up the most serene images of the North Pole Forest. I felt the cold, I saw the snow and I smelt the cinnamon. This may be my first Adams novel but it won't be my last. 4.5/5
The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan
Carmen works for her local department store but is made redundant. Her mother coerces her perfect, can't do anything wrong, very successful sister Sofia to allow her to live with her in Edinburgh. There, Sofia finds Carmen a job at a run down bookshop that needs saving before the end of the year. Can she use her design skills to save the shop and save its owner Mr McCredie from bankruptcy. It's a story of love, family and hope. It also has the most gorgeous cover.
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Baby it's Cold Outside - Emily Bell*
Norah Jones is known for two things; she shares her name with a famous musician and she us always single. Facing another Christmas alone she remembers a promise that her and Andrew (someone she previously fell for) made to each other 10 years earlier which was that if they were both still single on Christmas Eve 2019 they'll wait under the clock at Bewley's Cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin. If fate is on their side and it's meant to be then they'll meet each other there. Her best friend Joe is there to support her every step of the way. Will Andrew be at the clock? Will there be a few Christmas surprises along the way?
Underneath the Christmas Tree - Heidi Swain
Wynter Trees is the home of Christmas but for Lyza Wynter, it's a millstone around her neck. The Christmas tree farm was her father's pride and joy but now he's gone, she can't have anything to do with it. Her father's business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned. When Liz arrives she discovers the business is flourishes under Ned's stewardship and she's happy to help him for the Christmas season but then she has other plans. Will the place where she grew up make her change her mind?
The Arctic Curry Club*
Maya has to uproot her life and accompany her boyfriend Ryan to the Arctic. She soon realises it's not all busy rides and northern lights. She's in sub-zero temperatures, 24 hour darkness and has a distant boyfriend. In her loneliest moment she opens her late mother's recipe book and cooks Indian food for the first time. Soon her confidence grows, she makes friends and gains a job as a chef. Life suddenly seems to be looking up. However, the aromatic cuisine reminds her of her enigmatic mother and memories of her childhood in Bangalore. Can Maya face the past and accept a future in the Arctic? With a demand for a curry club and her being the one to run it, will she stay?
A Winter Wonderland - Isla Gordon
Myla might be the world's least festive person because everything bad happens to her around Christmas time. She ends up losing a bet and finds herself committed to a seasonal job in Lapland. The job entails 10 weeks in below zero temperatures and lots of Christmas spirit. Even though she's cynical she soon realises that Lapland has more to offer than Santa Claus including a very good looking elf. Will a little love under the northern lights be enough to change Myla's mind about Christmas?
You can find all of these books at all good book retailers.
I am currently making my way through reading all of these books. To read my reviews once they are published, make sure you are following my book instagram account by clicking here, Kerry Louise Norris Reads
I was kindly gifted 'The Existence of of Amy' by the author, Lana Grace Riva. I happily accepted knowing that the book explores mental health issues and having suffered with depression myself I was intrigued how mental health disorders were going to be portrayed.
The book is written in the first person about a girl called Amy. Amy has a normal life. She has friends, a home and a job it quickly becomes clear that all is not what is seems. Amy struggles everyday with life and we come to learn that she suffers with OCD and depression. She finds daily tasks hard, meeting with friends very difficult but this all gets on top of her when her closest friend announces he is moving to Singapore. I don't want to give any more of the story away as it will spoil it for you.
Lana Grace Riva has written a wonderful portrayal of people suffering with a mental illness. These issues are normally hard to tackle as many people still don't understand them or want to believe that they exist.
The first chapter packs a big punch. The short sentences and paragraphs reflect Amy's busy chaotic mind and gives a clear insight into OCD and depression.
The story is an easy, enjoyable read. It almost feels like a diary. You will become easily invested in Amy and her life and keep willing her to take chances and seek the help she desperately needs.
My only criticism is that I would have liked to have read more about the counselling sessions. I didn't want the story to end as I wanted to know more of what happens to her. Perhaps this gives an opportunity for a second book.
Overall, it was a wonderful, easy flowing read. I'd recommend it to anyone suffering with a mental illness as it'll help you not to feel alone or to anyone hoping to gain a better understanding of what other people have to endure.
Thank you again Lara. 4/5 stars.
The Scholastic World Book Day club is a huge selection of over 400 books including offers and money saving packs. I didn't realise that when you shop with Scholastic and spend over £10, they donate 25% worth of free books back to a school or nursery of your choice. Last year, they donated over £9 million in free books to schools which I think is fantastic. The World Book Day Club runs until the end of April and there are lots of well loved authors to choose from.
We were sent the following books:
- The Koala Who Could - Rachel Bright
- That's Not My Chick - Fiona Watt
- There's a Monster in Your Book - Tom Fletcher
- Sugarlump and the Unicorn - Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
Eva used to read these books all the time when she was younger and they have now become Ophelia's firm favourites. I can't begin to tell you how many times a day we have read this book since it arrived.
There's a Monster in Your Book
Tom Fletcher is one of our favourite children's authors. We are big fans of his 'Dinosaur that pooped' series as they always provide a giggle when we're reading them and this book is no different. This is truly a unique reading experience. The story is about a Monster hiding in the book and you have to try and get him out using the commands in the story such as shaking the book, blowing at the book etc.
The book has gone down an absolute storm in our house. Even Ophelia laughs ecstatically when we read it and joins in with the actions. The illustrations are accurate and quirky and the print is easy to read and follow. It's a great read for the middle of the day or also super handy for getting any last minute energy out of the window before bedtime.
Sugarlump and the Unicorn
This is another fantastic book by a much loved author. There is glitter on every page so of course Eva was instantly drawn in. The story is about a rocking Horse named Sugarlump who wishes to see the world. A magical unicorn turns him into a real Horse and he gets to experience lots of new things such as galloping through fields and even dancing. However, he misses the children that used to own him.
Eva loves this story. Although she gets very sad when the Rocking Horse is upset but the ending is lovely. The book has wonderful illustrations and characters that are emotive. The rhyming words help to keep the girls interested.
You don't have to be a member of a school book club to order these books or any others from Scholastic. You can buy them directly from https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/ and then nominate a school or nursery to receive the 25% back (if you spend over £10) at checkout.
Have you read any of the books before? What books are your child's current favourites?
*Thank you to Scholastic for sending us the books. All words and opinions are my own*