looking for christmas stories - long short stories or novellas

basschick · 12-22-2012, 06:17 AM

i guess i'm in the grip of the season - i read Christmas at Harrington's, and now i'm in the mood for more heartwarming christmas tales without needless tension but with some smiles and a happy ending. i tried a few recent freebies, including Silver Bells (didn't like the relationships - i felt they were disconnected and i felt disconnected from the characters), and Santa's Christmas Eve Blues, which was cute and funny, had a little of what i'm looking for.

i don't want dying relatives, alzheimers, no drug addiction, battles of the sexes or anything where characters butt heads to create needless tension. no very insurmountable odds - i want a story like comfort food, where there are problems to surmount, but nothing drastic. not looking for a focus on romance or erotica, although a gentle romance that isn't the only focus could work.

subtle magic or christmas magic is good. people coming together is good, rediscovering christmas or redemption. character development is good.

i want to feel happy or uplifted when i finish reading these, to feel the magic of the season. sentimental can be okay, but sweet and syrupy not so much.

anyone got some suggestions for me?

Marrella · 12-22-2012, 12:34 PM

I am currently reading Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis and loving it. In fact, I also own the paperback which I read a couple of years ago and bought it again for my Kindle.

In the foreword, Connie Willis says that a Christmas story has to have a happy ending, so you won't find any of the things you want to avoid.

basschick · 12-22-2012, 02:34 PM

i was thinking about that one. thanks - i'll give it a try

Lazybones · 12-22-2012, 06:37 PM

"The Gift of the Magi" always brings a tear to my eye, no matter how many times I read it. The archetypal Christmas story.

BenG · 12-22-2012, 06:47 PM

All Seated on the Ground by Connie Willis is my favorite SF Christmas short story. Also Delphi Classics has a collection of Public Domain Christmas stories. I think it's free if you buy one of their other books.

poohbear_nc · 12-22-2012, 06:54 PM

Delphi Classic's Christmas Collection II is free (no purchase required): http://delphiclassics.com/

poohbear_nc · 12-22-2012, 07:03 PM

Don't forget the Dickens classic Christmas Stories (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17228) and Christmas Books (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17198) available here in the Patricia Clark Memorial Library . Classic but timely reads, prepared by our own HarryT!

wvcherrybomb · 12-22-2012, 11:48 PM

The Christmas Bus (same author as Christmas at Harrington's)

Wishin’ and Hopin’

Mrs. Miracle

Debbie Macomber writes lots of upbeat, light Christmas stories.

manou · 12-23-2012, 02:40 AM

Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
http://www.amazon.com/Hogfather-Disc...erry+pratchett

Marrella · 12-23-2012, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

All Seated on the Ground by Connie Willis is my favorite SF Christmas short story.

Oh yes! Also Just Like the Ones I Used to Know by the same author if you can find it. It has been free for years at Asimov's, but apparently it is no longer.

I also second the recommendation for Hogfather, it is my favorite Pratchett book.

basschick · 12-23-2012, 04:38 AM

isn't the hogfather longer than a novella? i'll check it out but right now i'm looking for quick reads to work around our mad holiday schedule - say 40,000 words or less, could stretch a little longer for the right story or book.

thanks for the suggestions, all - i'm looking into 'em all

bevdeforges · 12-23-2012, 06:04 AM

It's only a story, not a novella, but Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory is my all time favorite Christmas read. There are two films of it - if you're interested see the original TV production with Geraldine Page. I haven't seen the later version with Patty Duke, but I really don't want to. Page is just so perfect in that first one.

Marrella · 12-23-2012, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

isn't the hogfather longer than a novella?

Oops, sorry. Of course this is a novel, not a novella or a novelette.

I forgot to mention Connie Willis's Christmas story from 2011: All About Emily. I think this is available as an ebook from Subterranean now. It was last year in Asimov's. I enjoyed that one, too.

~Kate · 12-23-2012, 07:39 AM

The Santa Shop

Freebie on Amazon.com but a really good, heartwarming story.

12-22-2012, 06:17 AM	#1
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	looking for christmas stories - long short stories or novellas i guess i'm in the grip of the season - i read Christmas at Harrington's, and now i'm in the mood for more heartwarming christmas tales without needless tension but with some smiles and a happy ending. i tried a few recent freebies, including Silver Bells (didn't like the relationships - i felt they were disconnected and i felt disconnected from the characters), and Santa's Christmas Eve Blues, which was cute and funny, had a little of what i'm looking for. i don't want dying relatives, alzheimers, no drug addiction, battles of the sexes or anything where characters butt heads to create needless tension. no very insurmountable odds - i want a story like comfort food, where there are problems to surmount, but nothing drastic. not looking for a focus on romance or erotica, although a gentle romance that isn't the only focus could work. subtle magic or christmas magic is good. people coming together is good, rediscovering christmas or redemption. character development is good. i want to feel happy or uplifted when i finish reading these, to feel the magic of the season. sentimental can be okay, but sweet and syrupy not so much. anyone got some suggestions for me?

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12-22-2012, 12:34 PM	#2
Marrella Cambrian crab Posts: 2,830 Karma: 3229927 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Germany Device: Kindle, Pocket Book, Kobo, Sony	I am currently reading Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis and loving it. In fact, I also own the paperback which I read a couple of years ago and bought it again for my Kindle. In the foreword, Connie Willis says that a Christmas story has to have a happy ending, so you won't find any of the things you want to avoid.

12-22-2012, 02:34 PM	#3
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	i was thinking about that one. thanks - i'll give it a try

12-22-2012, 06:37 PM	#4
Lazybones Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 1719250 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sacramento Device: Kindle	"The Gift of the Magi" always brings a tear to my eye, no matter how many times I read it. The archetypal Christmas story.

12-22-2012, 06:47 PM	#5
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	All Seated on the Ground by Connie Willis is my favorite SF Christmas short story. Also Delphi Classics has a collection of Public Domain Christmas stories. I think it's free if you buy one of their other books.

12-22-2012, 06:54 PM	#6
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,771 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Delphi Classic's Christmas Collection II is free (no purchase required): http://delphiclassics.com/

12-22-2012, 07:03 PM	#7
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,771 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Don't forget the Dickens classic Christmas Stories (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17228) and Christmas Books (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17198) available here in the Patricia Clark Memorial Library . Classic but timely reads, prepared by our own HarryT!

12-22-2012, 11:48 PM	#8
wvcherrybomb Sharp Shootin' Grandma Posts: 847 Karma: 1123940 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Florida Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Literati (has been adopted by my daughter)	The Christmas Bus (same author as Christmas at Harrington's) Wishin’ and Hopin’ Mrs. Miracle Debbie Macomber writes lots of upbeat, light Christmas stories.

12-23-2012, 02:40 AM	#9
manou Grand Seamstress Posts: 64 Karma: 1001374 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hong Kong Device: Kindle Keyboard 3G, iPhone, iPad	Terry Pratchett's Hogfather http://www.amazon.com/Hogfather-Disc...erry+pratchett

12-23-2012, 04:38 AM	#11
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	isn't the hogfather longer than a novella? i'll check it out but right now i'm looking for quick reads to work around our mad holiday schedule - say 40,000 words or less, could stretch a little longer for the right story or book. thanks for the suggestions, all - i'm looking into 'em all

12-23-2012, 06:04 AM	#12
bevdeforges Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1094000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essonne, France Device: Kobo Forma; Sony PRS600B; Sony 350; Sony T-2	It's only a story, not a novella, but Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory is my all time favorite Christmas read. There are two films of it - if you're interested see the original TV production with Geraldine Page. I haven't seen the later version with Patty Duke, but I really don't want to. Page is just so perfect in that first one.

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12-23-2012, 07:39 AM	#14
~Kate Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 1087068 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tornado Alley, USA Device: Paperwhite 2, Fire HDX 8.9, Nexus 7 2013	The Santa Shop Freebie on Amazon.com but a really good, heartwarming story.