With hustle and bustle of the season, sometimes there just isn’t the time to sit back and relax or get done the many things you feel you need to do. This year, I felt the stress of too much to do, and many things were dropped from the list such as baking Christmas cookies and getting my blog done on time. So, I apologize that I’m a bit late getting this out to you.
Winter break is, hopefully, a time to rest and recoup, to celebrate the winter holidays with family and friends, and of course reading. There is nothing like curling up with a good book and cup of tea on a cold winter day. It was the one pleasure I made time for in spite of the pressure “to get things done” that comes with the season.
This year my Christmas reading list took a turn to Victorian and Steampunk genres. Some are short story collections, others are novels, and a few were classics. The hard part is deciding which one to read next.
First on the list is The Snow Globe and Other Holiday Stories by Jessica Lucci, (Jessica Lucci and Indie Woods, 2021)—a collection of holiday short stories. These stories cover many genres including Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, and Contemporary tales. Each of them is fun and every chapter is a self-contained story for when you want something to fill a brief break or to enjoy while waiting for an appointment. This book got me through several doctor appointments with the usual hurry up and wait. The title story is about a successful editor who must face her not-so-happy feelings about Christmas. Not as action-packed as her Tequila Sheila and Other Stories, but still an excellent read.
I had a chance to ask Jessica about her favorite tea. She said that she liked the Ohio Tea Company’s Gingerbread Chai. I haven’t had this tea, but I’ve had others from them. They have many unique blends to satisfy the pickiest tea drinker.
Other books on the list:
The Ghost of Christmas Past, Rhys Bowen, (Minotaur Books, 2017)—This is a Molly Murphy Mystery, but you don’t have to have read others in the series to follow the story. It follows Molly and her family as they celebrate Christmas at an upstate New York estate. It doesn’t take Molly long to realize something isn’t right, that everyone has secrets, and she uncovers the mystery of a missing child to solve. Well worth the reading.
A Christmas Twist: A Twist in Time Book II, Brent A. Harris (Inklings Press 2020)—A sequel to Brent’s A Twist in Time. Based on Charles Dickens’s colorful characters, Oliver Twist and Nell Trent return to face off against ghosts and Ebenezer Scrooge to save the future. This isn’t the A Christmas Carol you’re familiar with. Lots of fun, with time travel and Steampunk elements.
A Snowflake at Midnight: An Elemental Steampunk Tale, Anne Renwick, (Anne Renwick 2019)—Part of the Elemental Steampunk series, this story takes the characters on a Christmas themed adventure. I have just started to read this one, and I am captivated. This Steampunk novel has romance and danger against the backdrop of Christmas.
And of course, we must have a few classic tales.
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (1843)—We’ve all seen the movies, but have you read the original story? There is a richness of language and detail that doesn’t translate to the screen. I re-read this every year.
The Nutcracker, Alexander Dumas (1845)—Wait, what? Wasn’t the original story written by E.T. A. Hoffman? And yes, Hoffman wrote “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” in 1814. The story wasn’t well known until Dumas took Hoffman’s little story and expanded it. It was this version that Tchaikovsky’s ballet is based on. I love both versions and will read one or both every year.
I’m working my way through the list with a hot cup of tea and a Christmas cookie or two.
What’s on your Christmas reading list?
Until next time remember, the door is open, and the kettle is on.
Tess DeGroot 
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