Sneak a Peek at Lip + Cheek 💋
It’s been a work-in-progress for over a year but the time has finally come to share with you what I have been up to! Now presenting… Lip + Cheek!
Holiday Break Must-Reads
Picture this: a pine-scented candle is filling the room, with a Christmas tree sparkling nearby, and you’ve found the most comfortable spot in your space. You’re snuggled in with a blanket, fuzzy socks, some hot cocoa, and a Christmas book that you’re about to dig into. But wait, what book should you choose?! Luckily, our ladies here at KJ have come up with a list of 10 Holiday Must-Reads. Let’s take a look!
#10 The Man Who Invented Christmas
If you’re a fan of a Christmas Carol, this is a holiday book for you! Written by Les Standiford, this story is about Charles Dickens and his last-ditch effort to save his career from dispirited debt collectors. Plus, for those of you who love to watch film adaptations after reading the book {or before}, this tale has a movie starring Dan Stevens as the Dickens himself. Both are amazing Christmas stories and will really get you in the mood for the holiday spirit!
#9 Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker
Remember the guy who wrote Wicked, a spin-off of the classic story of Wizard of Oz? Well, he’s done it again with a spinoff to the classic Christmas tale: The Nutcracker. This story is the backstory to The Nutcracker and is the enchanting story of Drosselmeier, the one-eyed toymaker that eventually carves the legendary wooden soldier that starts Klara on her adventure. This story leaves you with a message of hope and a reminder to pay attention to childhood imaginations and dreams in unexpected places.
#8 The Boys in the Boat
This inspiring tale is all about beating the odds, which is a great way to spend your holidays (and right before New Years!) This story is about nine Depression-era athletes who go up against the best competitive rowers at the 1936 Olympics. This rousing book is dramatic, fascinating and uplifting. If you’re looking for an exhilarating story to motivate you for the new year, this is the pick for you!
#7 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Who wouldn’t want to read about magical wardrobes and a secret place frozen in eternal winter during Christmas time? An integral part of many childhoods, this magical tale is readable for kids and adults! We love this book for the reflections towards real life through the magical life of Narnia. Join Lucy and her siblings this holiday as they rally against the White Witch to save Aslan, the King of the Beasts and his kingdom.
#6 The Greatest Gift
If you’re familiar with the classic film starring Jimmy Stewart, It’s a Wonderful Life, this short story may be the holiday read for you! The Greatest Gift is about a man perched on the edge of a bridge, ready to take his own life, when he is interrupted by divine intervention. Sound familiar? Given a glimpse of what his world would be like without him, George’s tale is the perfect inspiration for another holiday tradition that really invites the Christmas spirit. This little heartwarming story would be the perfect read for your cozy Christmas setup.
#5 Born to Shine
Christmas time is all about magic and light, so Born to Shine is a perfect holiday read. This story is about loss, resilience, and the life changing lessons that are found during the darkest seasons of life. We know the holidays can be difficult for some, and we think this book has a unique message of overwhelming truths and that people can still shine, even when life seems to be in ruins. Turn your most painful moments into your greatest teachers and treasures with this story for the Christmas season.
#4 Little Women
We just can’t stop picking up Little Women all year round, but we especially love it for Christmas time. The first line of the book is “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents!” and so begins the heartwarming tale of the March sisters: pretty but vain Meg, tomboy and ambitious Jo, selfish and naive Amy, and humble little Beth. Although faced with poverty for Christmas Eve, the March sisters decide to spend their hard-earned money on presents for their beloved mother, and Christmas ends up being a perfectly magical time. Follow this classic story that starts and ends with Christmas for a comfortable story about growing, loving, and the importance of family.
#3 Harry Potter Series
While not always considered a Christmas genre, Harry Potter Christmas scenes are turning into yearly classics. Christmas at Hogwarts is like no other! The first time Harry gets to experience Christmas Hogwarts is our absolute favorite, so we recommend starting with The Sorcerer’s Stone, for Christmas scenes filled with friends, magical presents, snowballs at a teacher, and sparkling decorations hung all around the Great Hall. Each book of the series has a Christmas scene, so if you finish the first one quickly, go ahead and dig into the next!
#2 Letters from Father Christmas
This charming book is a collection of the letters J.R.R. Tolkien wrote to his children every year for Christmas as they were growing up, and it’s the perfect story for the holiday season. The fun twist is that each story is told from the perspective of Father Christmas! The characters in this tale are so unique, like a polar bear who finds himself in some trouble with Father Christmas. Not only are the stories fun, but the letters are meticulously crafted with art and calligraphy. This is a magical book with whimsical and vibrant colors that needs to be part of your holiday reading lineup.
#1 The Polar Express
This story is every person’s ticket to relive a time when magic was real and just couldn’t be explained. Technically a children’s read, The Polar Express is a story that follows a little boy onto a train that is bound for the North Pole on Christmas Eve. This mysterious journey is a beloved classic that really gets you pumped up for Christmas. So whether you’ve got your kids around you to listen, or you’re cozied up for a night-in for yourself, The Polar Express is the perfect book for the season.
Now all we want for Christmas is a reading marathon! There are so many great holiday books to choose from. I guess we better get started and squeeze them all in! What are your favorite reads during the holiday season? We’d love to hear your recommendations. Tell us below! But until then, happy season reading!
xoxo,
Kortni Jeane + Team
- Tags: KJ Everyday
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