Festive novels and ideas for one of the best book clubs of the year!
Holiday Book Selection
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A Christmas Carol 200th illustrated edition almost needs no introduction. It is a timeless classic that has many editions and movies produced of the old miser Ebenezer Scrooge. This novella is perfect for the holidays so read it now and get into the Christmas spirit with the ghosts of the past, present and future!
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For the 'A Christmas Carol' fans, Jacob T. Marley is the story behind Ebenezer Scrooge's miserly business partner Jacob Marley. If you have never read A Christmas Carol you can read both with this lovely set Jacob T. Marley and A Christmas Christmas Carol: Charles Dickens 200th Anniversary Gift Set
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A book club recommendation
Fannie Flagg author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe wrote this heart warming holiday tale with a colorful cast of characters in a small fictional southern town. A Redbird Christmas includes recipes in the back that you might want to make for your holiday book party |
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Now a Netflix movie this book has made our list of must holiday reads. The Noel Diary is the story of a bestselling romance author who returns home after his mentally ill mother's passing and begins to unravel secrets that will lead to grace, forgiveness and love
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Mr. Dickens and His Carol is a debut novel by Samantha Silva that puts a spirited twist on the famous author Charles Dickens and his novella, A Christmas Carol. Join Dickens on his literary journey as he finds out in the end what the holidays truly mean to him
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A book club recommendation
Last Christmas in Paris is similar to our much beloved read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. A fictional story written in exchanged letter style between friends and loved ones during WWI and beyond. Another holiday winner and must read! |
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Jane Austen plays the sleuth in Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas. A murder mystery set in 1814 Regency-Era with Austen herself out to solve the crime
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Who doesn't love to read true stories? The 13th Gift is a best selling memoir and has been touted as funny, inspiring and even a bit of a lighthearted mystery
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Check out these new holiday releases
  Jenny Colgan author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas at the Hotel writes a new holiday treat set in Edinburg, Scotland where the heroine is tasked into transforming a shabby ancient bookshop into a thriving business for the holidays. Adding her family struggles and a famous author that suddenly takes an interest in the shop and her.
The Christmas Bookshop on Amazon.com |
  Author of The Holiday Noel, a new heart warming novel is here for Christmas 2022. It's 1967 and young Richard Evans is struggling with family grief, family turmoil and a new school. When Richard is being chased down by school bullies in steps his elderly neighbor Mr. Foster who saves him and invites him in for hot cocoa. In true holiday spirit Mr. Foster shows Richard a love for reading and a friendship with his dog Gollum. A Christmas Memory to be cherished!
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Book club party ideas
- Come dressed up in your festive pajamas, (a book club favorite), a red and green theme outfit or wear ugly holiday sweaters. Extra points if you make the sweaters book themed! Start with a blank canvas sweatshirt or knit sweater and decorate it with all things bookish. Hold a contest for the best bookish sweater. All links to Amazon.com
- Gift exchange - Bring a wrapped gift with with an agreed spending limit
- Ornament exchange - Buy or make an ornament based on your favorite book, from your Christmas book club selection or a festive book quote
- White elephant gift exchange - Bring on the laughs with goofy, unwanted and or recycled gifts. If it's book related even better!
- 'Favorite's gift exchange' similar to a cookie exchange - Bring multiples (up to three) of your favorite thing within the agreed spending limit and a basket or gift box to put all the 'favorites' that you will receive from others. In the end everyone will walk away with a festive variety of everyone's favorite things. Read how to play the favorite's gift exchange and see Go Beyond Book Club favorite things on Amazon.com for gift ideas
I will honour Christmas in my heart, |
How to play the gift exchange game
Start alphabetically by name. Letter 'A' goes first and so on. Do that with the gift exchange and for the book exchange start with 'Z' and go backwards or use your birthdays, last names or just write numbers on separate pieces of paper for gift choosing order.
All the gifts will be laid out and one person picks whichever wrapped gift available. The next person then chooses a gift either on the table or takes the gift from anyone holding an opened present. You need to decide how many steals are allowed. Usually two to three is the norm and then that person's gift is safe and can no longer be taken. Book exchange is done the same way.
All the gifts will be laid out and one person picks whichever wrapped gift available. The next person then chooses a gift either on the table or takes the gift from anyone holding an opened present. You need to decide how many steals are allowed. Usually two to three is the norm and then that person's gift is safe and can no longer be taken. Book exchange is done the same way.
Say thank you to the host by having them go last on the gift exchange that way they will have a good chance of choosing (or stealing) a gift they want. It's an easy way to say a big thanks for hosting one of the merriest book clubs of the year!
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Gift ideas for the gift exchange
The gift exchange is a ton of fun but finding gifts for under a certain amount can be hard. Amazon.com has gifts that are book lover perfect and fit the price. More ideas on Shop Bookish
Bookish ornaments on Etsy
Read a children's novel for your holiday book club
A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest |
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Consider reading a children's story that has a sweet Christmas theme and or festive scenes: Little Women, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Daddy Long Legs and Anne of Green Gables. All of these novels have the holiday spirit and are solid enough in plot for a cheerful book club discussion. A must during a busy holiday season!
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Finish your holiday book party with a group photo and don't forget to choose your read for the new year!