12-22-2012, 06:17 AM | #1 |
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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? |
12-22-2012, 12:34 PM | #2 |
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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. |
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12-22-2012, 02:34 PM | #3 |
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i was thinking about that one. thanks - i'll give it a try
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12-22-2012, 06:37 PM | #4 |
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"The Gift of the Magi" always brings a tear to my eye, no matter how many times I read it. The archetypal Christmas story.
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12-22-2012, 06:47 PM | #5 |
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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.
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12-22-2012, 06:54 PM | #6 |
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Delphi Classic's Christmas Collection II is free (no purchase required): http://delphiclassics.com/
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12-22-2012, 07:03 PM | #7 |
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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!
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12-22-2012, 11:48 PM | #8 |
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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 |
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Terry Pratchett's Hogfather
http://www.amazon.com/Hogfather-Disc...erry+pratchett |
12-23-2012, 04:28 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
I also second the recommendation for Hogfather, it is my favorite Pratchett book. |
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12-23-2012, 04:38 AM | #11 |
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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 |
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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, 06:36 AM | #13 |
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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. |
12-23-2012, 07:39 AM | #14 |
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