Fresh Fiction Blog | Nancy Northcott | Memories of Christmas Reading

Living in a cultural melting pot gives people in the U.S. a wide range of holidays and traditions to celebrate. At our house, Christmas is the favorite. We do the traditional things like put up a tree, wrap gifts, and decorate the house, but those aren't our only ways to enjoy the season. We also read. I'm working on revisions to GUARDIAN, my second book, but I'm also making time to read holiday-themed romances. The festive settings and happy endings add to my generally good mood.

Lately I find myself also looking back at the stories we read our son when he was small. He's in college now, well past the age of being read to, but he seems open to the three of us reading A CHRISTMAS CAROL aloud again. This is the dh's favorite Christmas story. His father read it to their family every year.

gift of magi My favorite story is a shorter, simpler one, O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, so I'll just say it's about the depth of love at the holiday season. I found a beautiful picture book of that story when the boy was in kindergarten. We read it together, but now I'm back to the one in an anthology of O. Henry stories I've had since high school.

Carls Christmas One of the boy's first Christmas books, in sturdy board format, was a gift from a family friend. CARL'S CHRISTMAS, by Alexandra Day, was an instant hit. I think the boy liked seeing the dog and its baby pal go out and have adventures while the parents were out. I guess it's kind of a subversive little book in that way, but we all loved it. We also enjoyed the fact that the book has no words, only pictures. Each reader makes up a unique story to go with the illustrations.

Christmas Speir When he was a little older, we picked up Peter Spier's beautiful CHRISTMAS. It, too, is wordless, but it has lovely, detailed pictures of a family and their town preparing for the holiday. Again, we made up our own story. The downside, of course, was that the boy expected it to be the same story every time. It's a good thing the three of us read it together frequently.

Of course, he also had the Dr. Seuss classic, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. It was a favorite, as was the animated version of the story. That little cartoon remains my top choice for holiday viewing.

What about you? Are there books or movies you reach for at Christmas or during a another holiday?

One commenter will receive a trade paperback edition of RENEGADE. If the winner lives in an area where the Kindle or Nook version is available, he or she may choose a download in one of those formats instead of the paperback (which I'll ship in January).

Comments

We have several we go for at Christmas. They range from Home Alone to The Christmas Card.
(Debra Guyette 12:29pm December 24, 2012)

Debra, we enjoy Home Alone, too. I'm not familiar with The Christmas Card,
though. Can you tell me a little about it?
(Nancy Northcott 12:49pm December 24, 2012)

I have several movies that I watch every Christmas including: The Santa Clause, I'll be Home by Christmas, & The Holiday, as well as several others. Merry Christmas!
(Chelsea Knestrick 1:03pm December 24, 2012)

Chelsea, Merry Christmas to you, too! A friend of mine loves The Santa Clause.
I'm not familiar with the other two, though, and would love to know more. Part
of the fun of doing a blog like this is learning about books or movies other
people enjoy.
(Nancy Northcott 1:21pm December 24, 2012)

For movies I watch white Christmas to feel the holiday spirit and in books I
read ms. Feehan's Christmas books along with polar express with my
nieces.
(Katherine Adamson 1:28pm December 24, 2012)

Katherine, our boy loved Polar Express. White Christmas is a classic, very
popular with in the Romance Bandits' lair.
(Nancy Northcott 1:44pm December 24, 2012)

I grew up Jewish but my husband is Christian so the kids got a
little of both. I think my favorites are the Muppets &
Fragglerock specials and maybe A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart.
(Donna Antonio 1:58pm December 24, 2012)

Donna, a friend of mine swears by The Muppets Christmas Carol. We were all
big on the muppets when the boy was small, and I still enjoy seeing them on
TV. I love the Patrick Stewart A Christmas Carol.
(Nancy Northcott 2:06pm December 24, 2012)

Even though my kids are growing and not so into the Christmas shows that we always watched, I still find myself watching Rudolph and Frosty, and Polar Express is a must see. Of course we can't get enough of A Christmas Story and Elf either.
(Robin Christofaro 2:12pm December 24, 2012)

Robin, we enjoy all of those. The dh loves A Christmas Story and asked me last
night what time the marathon starts. The boy loves Jingle All the Way with
Sinbad and Arnold Schwarzenegger on a quest for the seaon's hot toy, a Turbo
Man doll.
(Nancy Northcott 2:21pm December 24, 2012)

I love to watch the Christmas Carol,plus I love to read my Christmas books. Thanks for a Chance to win. Happy Holidays.
(Linda Hall 2:31pm December 24, 2012)

Hi Nancy! I still adore the clay animation of Rudolph the red nosed
reindeer. The abominable snowman is the best. My little ones just
laugh and laugh at how sweet he is after his teeth are pulled. It's
such a great childhood memory and tradition I'm passing on
MERRY CHRISTMAS :)
(Jill Oswalt 2:51pm December 24, 2012)

LL, I think Home Alone is becoming a classic if it isn't already one.
(Nancy Northcott 2:51pm December 24, 2012)

Linda, thanks for stopping by. We enjoy A Christmas Carol, and I'm reading
holiday romances. Happy holidays to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 2:52pm December 24, 2012)

Hi, Jill! Seeing the boy get a kick out of things we enjoyed, like Rudolph, is a
great boost. We love passing down traditions. Merry Christmas to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 2:53pm December 24, 2012)

a christmas story here. happy holidays to all. thanks for this chance too.
(Debbi Shaw 3:05pm December 24, 2012)

Debbi, that's a great movie! Happy Holidays to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 3:13pm December 24, 2012)

Without a question, it is A Christmas Story. Happy Holidays!
(Mary Smith 3:30pm December 24, 2012)

i like those christmas movies that are do-over till you get it right themes. Kind of like Ground Hog Day.
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 3:49pm December 24, 2012)

I enjoy watching Elf and new movies on Hallmark.
(Amanda Tonar 3:52pm December 24, 2012)

Hi Nancy!

I still love Twas the Night Before Christmas...that poem was, perhaps, the first bit of verse (other than itsy bitsy spider and its ilk) not set to music that I learned as a child. I still try, now and then, to quote the whole thing, and as we don't read it regularly, I sometimes miss bits of it.

Ours was in a book that was shaped like a fuzzy red Christmas stocking, and it had a green velvety ribbon tied through two holes in the cardboard front cover, and a silver glitter trail behind the sleigh. It was quite old by the time I came along (born late in life to my parents, who'd already brought up three kids to near adulthood), but I loved that book. Wish I still had it.
(Cassondra M 4:10pm December 24, 2012)

Hi Nancy! Hi Fresh Fiction gals! And a very happy Christmas to all of you (it's the day in Australia - we get everything early!). Nancy, can't wait to read Renegade. Sadly, it didn't turn up before Christmas but I've had notification it's been sent by the Book Depository so it should be here next week, fingers crossed. Perhaps that will become my future Christmas reading of choice! ;-) Sounds fab!
(Anna Campbell 4:10pm December 24, 2012)

The Christmas season is never complete in my household without a viewing or two of A Christmas Story and no matter how many time we watch it never fails to amuse.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 4:13pm December 24, 2012)

Hi, Mary--I love that movie, too, but my dh is a fanatic for it. Happy Holidays to
you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 4:14pm December 24, 2012)

James, I like those, too. It's A Wonderful Life isn't quite the same thing, but it's
in that vein. It's one of my favorites.
(Nancy Northcott 4:16pm December 24, 2012)

Amanda, I keep missing the new movies on Hallmark. We don't TiVo, so I do
miss things, but I hear they're great. Our boy likes Elf a lot.
(Nancy Northcott 4:17pm December 24, 2012)

Hi, Cassondra--That sounds like a beautiful book. I love that story, too, but
ours was in a Little Golden Book edition. I was able to find the same one for the
boy's first Christmas. It's amazing what you can find online. I got a copy of
Silver Chief (a picture book, not the chapter book) like the one my grandfather
used to read to me. It was like regaining a piece of my childhood.
(Nancy Northcott 4:19pm December 24, 2012)

Anna, Merry Christmas to you, too! Thanks again for ordering Renegade and
for your enthusiasm. I wish it had arrived in time for the holiday, but shipping
can be so tricky. when it does come, I hope you enjoy it. :-)
(Nancy Northcott 4:20pm December 24, 2012)

Tracie, thanks! We always watch A Christmas Story all the way through at least
once and have been known to sit down and watch a few minutes here and there
during the marathon. As you say, it's always funny.
(Nancy Northcott 4:21pm December 24, 2012)

My two favorite Christmas books are A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Happy Holidays!
(Bonnie H 4:29pm December 24, 2012)

I've always loved the "gift of the magi" & think it's about as perfect a holiday story as they come :)
(d Kenney 4:46pm December 24, 2012)

I still love How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the cartoon, not the movie. Also, somehow I always end up watching A Christmas Story too, even though I've seen it a gazillion times.
(Devon Gainer 4:48pm December 24, 2012)

Bonnie, those are perennial favorites at our house! Happy Holidays to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 4:55pm December 24, 2012)

Mary, would you believe I've never seen Love, Actually all the way through? We
should rent it. Many people I know love it.
(Nancy Northcott 4:56pm December 24, 2012)

Devon, I'd always pick the cartoon Grinch over the live-action one. I think it
and A Christmas Story speak to the kid in all of us.
(Nancy Northcott 4:57pm December 24, 2012)

My mom always wanted us to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
(Wanda Craighead 5:09pm December 24, 2012)

LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS CONTEST....
(Shelly Caggiano 5:19pm December 24, 2012)

I always enjoy watching It's a Wonderful Life. Also, this year, I am watching just tons of the christmas movies on the Hallmark channel.
(Christy Comstock 5:19pm December 24, 2012)

We don't have any Christmas books. For movies, the Home Alone series. One *story* that I miss the most is our annual Christmas play at church. There was a woman that wrote a unique play each year. Sort of a mix of traditional with a unique twist, like two children in PJs narrarating as they waited for Santa. The angels were positioned in the audience and the audience songs incorporated into the diologue. She did an amazing amount of work.
(Lynda Smith 5:32pm December 24, 2012)

Wanda, I loved that show. The dh adores the music, so I got him the
soundtrack album oneChristmas.
(Nancy Northcott 5:42pm December 24, 2012)

My Christmas memory is staying awake with my twin sister as long as I
could until we both feel asleep. Great times,
(Stacy Stewart 5:43pm December 24, 2012)

Christy, I also love It's A Wonderful Life. I prefer it not colorized, though. I've
heard there are some great movies on the Hallmark Channel, but I keep missing
them.
(Nancy Northcott 5:43pm December 24, 2012)

Lynda, I think Home Alone is approaching classic status if it hasn't already
attained it. Those pageants at your church sound wonderful.
(Nancy Northcott 5:44pm December 24, 2012)

I am more of a movie fan around the holidays. Some of my favorite movies are: The Bishop's Wife, Jingle All the Way, It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, The Home Alone movies and Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. Merry Christmas!
(April Harvey 6:04pm December 24, 2012)

I adore Muppets Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life. I like both the black & white and colour versions. I'm not big on the Home Alone movies, the boy is a jerk.
(Kelly Knapp 6:15pm December 24, 2012)

I always love watching Miracle on 34th Street at Christmas. I love reading holiday
stories, but usually choose a new one rather than one I've already read.
(Barbara Elness 6:59pm December 24, 2012)

I re-read A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. I first read
it in college and it has become an annual read for me ever
since.
(G. Bisbjerg 7:15pm December 24, 2012)

Hi again, another great holiday movie that I try to watch every year and am actually watching tonight is called "Snow" and has Tom Cavanagh in it. Its really cute. It also has a sequel called "Snow 2: Brain Freeze" but the sequel isn't as good as the original in my opinion.
(Chelsea Knestrick 7:28pm December 24, 2012)

April, the boy loves Jingle All the Way. If we'd had time this holiday season, we
would've watched that, the animated Grinch, and A Christmas Story. Someone
recommended the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol from the 1950s.
It's black and white but really good. Merry Christmas to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 7:40pm December 24, 2012)

Kelly, I prefer the black and white version of It's a Wonderful Life. One of my
fellow Romance Bandits swears by the Muppets Christmas Carol.
(Nancy Northcott 7:40pm December 24, 2012)

Hi, Barbara--I also love Miracle on 34th Street, though I prefer it in black and
white, which is rarely shown anymore. I also like new holiday stories and have
been reading holiday fiction--Anna Campbell's A Winter Wife and Jo Robertson's
The Hitman's Holiday (not a romance.) I also have the Word Wenches' anthology
and Jo's The Perfect Gift, which she says is sentimental and has kis in it. I
haven't read it yet, though.
(Nancy Northcott 7:42pm December 24, 2012)

G., I haven't read A Christmas Memory. Is it really a memoir?
(Nancy Northcott 7:43pm December 24, 2012)

Hi, Chelsea--I haven't seen Snow. What's it about?
(Nancy Northcott 7:43pm December 24, 2012)

No cannot think of any books I especially reach for during Christmas
(Shirley Younger 7:52pm December 24, 2012)

Every Christmas, I would watch all the cartoon from Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer to all the new animations and all the Christmas movie from Home Alone to It's a Wonderful Life. Can't miss the Sound of Music either.
(Kai Wong 7:56pm December 24, 2012)

Snow is a romantic comedy where one of Santa's reindeer wonders off the week before Christmas and then winds up in a zoo and the new Santa (Tom Cavanagh)has to come and get it but while trying to get his reindeer back he meets a woman and falls in love.
(Chelsea Knestrick 8:18pm December 24, 2012)

Chelsea, the boy doesn't read any particular books, either, now that he's old
enough to choose his own reading matter.
(Nancy Northcott 8:48pm December 24, 2012)

Polar Express book was made into a mighty fine movie. I remeber my kids gathered around Mrs. Claus reading about a reindeer while the staff at that jewelry store beamed and covered counters with sheets and piled trays of homemade cookies to decorate and take home some goodies.
(Alyson Widen 8:57pm December 24, 2012)

There are so many Christmas movies being shown on tv that are such good ones, and touch my heart, that I seem to watch them as they come on. As for books, we had to move a couple of years ago after losing our house. We are now in a small apartment, and after losing our belongings, I don't have a bookcase now, nor a place to put one. My Husband, who is an avid reader, goes to the library to quench his thirst for books. If I go with him, when feeling well enough, if I see a Christmas book that gets my attention, I'll take it out. The stories always lift your spirits, especially in cases like mine, when you can't be with your family. Have a wonderful Christmas and the best in the coming Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:59pm December 24, 2012)

We always watch White Christmas, A Christmas Carol(Alastair Sim version) and Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.
(Mary C 9:08pm December 24, 2012)

I always read Twas the Night Before Christmas to my children.
(Janie McGaugh 9:13pm December 24, 2012)

It's not a holiday, but every Summer I read the entire Harry Potter series!
;). Christmas time isn't Christmas time without Rudolph the Red Nose
Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! And I like to read at least
one Christmas romance. :)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 9:23pm December 24, 2012)

I can't go past Dicken's A CHRISTMAS CAROL for holiday reading
or viewing.
(Mary Preston 9:32pm December 24, 2012)

My favorite Christmas movie is "A Christmas Carol". I've loved this movies since I was a little kid. :) Other favorites are White Chiristmas & Holiday Inn. I like the Bell of St. Mary's but its a hard movies to find.
~Have a Merry Christmas~
(Gail Siuba 10:32pm December 24, 2012)

Alyson, that sounds like a fabulous memory!
(Nancy Northcott 10:33pm December 24, 2012)

Peggy, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a terrific 2013, too. Our
local library always has a stock of new releases, so I hope you find Christmas
books you enjoy.
(Nancy Northcott 10:34pm December 24, 2012)

Mary, I like the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol, too. I haven't seen
the Mr. Magoo one in a long time.
(Nancy Northcott 10:34pm December 24, 2012)

Janie, I loved reading The Night Before Christmas to the boy when he was small.
(Nancy Northcott 10:35pm December 24, 2012)

Shelly, thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too!
(Nancy Northcott 10:35pm December 24, 2012)

Kelli Jo, I admire your stamina in reading the entire HP series every year. I love
the book, but I could never manage that! I also love Ruldoph and the Grinch. I l
like Christmas romances, too. I just finished Anna Campbell's novella, The
Winter Wife, and enjoyed it hugely. Christmas is more of a backdrop than a
main theme, but I loved it anyway.
(Nancy Northcott 10:37pm December 24, 2012)

Mary, it's hard to beat A Christmas Carol!
(Nancy Northcott 10:38pm December 24, 2012)

Gail, for a while, it seemed as though The Bells of St. Mary's was on frequently.
I haven't seen it lately, though. I liked it.
(Nancy Northcott 10:39pm December 24, 2012)

Now I know why my wife enjoys reading
(Craig Clarkson 11:08pm December 24, 2012)

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Years
(Tammy Hilsabeck 11:30pm December 24, 2012)

I just got through watching "It's A Wonderful Life", again getting misty eyed at the end. Always like to watch this movie once during the Christmas season. Also, have to see at least on live production of "A Christmas Carol".
(Sheila True 12:01pm December 25, 2012)

I love A Charlie Brown Christmas. I remember reading the book so I would
be ready to watch it as a kid. No video or DVDs back then. It was an event
to see it on tv every year.
(Ann Sheiring 12:04pm December 25, 2012)

Sheila, I love It's a Wonderful Life. We haven't seen a live production of A
Christmas Carol in a long time, but we always enjoy it when we do. I hope the
one you saw was good.
(Nancy Northcott 1:02am December 25, 2012)

Ann, the dh loves the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas. We remember
when it was on TV every year.
(Nancy Northcott 1:02am December 25, 2012)

Happy Christmas!
There are unread books in this house and each Christmas brings new books in, so we don't revisit many old friends. Though the best books are always kept.
As for films, each year my husband gives me a DVD of films about horses or dogs, so while they don't necessarily get watched on the day I have them to look forward to. Recent years we've had Because of Winn-Dixie and Dreamer.
(Clare O'Beara 8:46am December 25, 2012)

Clare, Happy Christmas to you too! We're in the same book situation, lots on
hand and more regularly arriving, but we do keep favorites. I recently weeded
the romance shelves, for the first time in more than a decade. It was painful
but had ot be done.

Your DVDs sound great. Because of Winn-Dixie was very popular among my
friends, but I'm not familiar with Dreamer. What's it about?
(Nancy Northcott 11:51am December 25, 2012)

Books: A Chrismtas Carol (Dickens).
Movies: It's a Wondelful life. And an Spanish one: La gran familia (The Big Family).
(Roxana Perez 12:30pm December 25, 2012)

We like A Christmas Carol and Home Alone series.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
(Gayle Pace 3:10pm December 25, 2012)

When my kids were little we read A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I still do & watch
various forms of the movies. WHITE CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN, A
WONDERFUL LIFE, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, LOVE ACTUALLY, too any
to mention. I need to get copies of all my faves and do a marathon or
something. I have bought many Christmas themed mystery, suspense,
romance etc. and end up retreading many of them during the season too.
(Penny Mettert 6:03pm December 25, 2012)

There is really no specific books or movies I grab during the holidays but indefinitely if there is a good Christmas movie on that catches my eye I will watch it .
(Danielle McDonald 6:21pm December 25, 2012)

I love watching It's a Wonderful Life so much that I named my dog Bailey!
(Renee Pajda 9:54pm December 25, 2012)

Merry Christmas! Our family likes to watch Home Alone and
Christmas Vacation.
(Brenda Jann 10:20pm December 25, 2012)

I start reading Christmas romances in October and read them through
December. I find they perk up my spirits and stimulate my thinking about
decorations, gifts, relationships and new traditions. I love to surprise my
family with new recipes (carefully because some don't like change) and new
fun things to do. As this is family time for us and we are spread out and see
each other less than we would wish we talk, sing, joke and catch-up. We tell
each other what we hope to do in the new year and (if you listen carefully) you
can discover favorite types of gifts and new wishes that help gift giving
throughout the new year.
(Sandra Spilecki 10:43am December 26, 2012)

I love watching all types of Christmas movies this time of year and especially enjoy Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street and all the Hallmark Channel Christmas-themed movies. I also really love reading all types of Christmas romance books. I just finished Holly Lane by Toni Blake and really enjoyed it. We didn't have snow when I first started the book (which starts out with them snowed in and seemed so romantic), but we have plenty now on the ground and it's cold too, which gave us our white Christmas!
(Linda Luinstra 4:57pm December 26, 2012)

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