My favorite genre of books of all time is the Christmas story one! Here are some books I have read this summer to prepare for Christmas!
Serah and the First Christmas: A Story of Being Seen and Loved by Tama Fortner is a tender and beautiful retelling of the Christmas story through the eyes of a little girl who longs to be noticed and trusted. Serah dreams of becoming a shepherdess, but everyone seems to think she is too young and too small. When she is finally given a lamb of her own to care for, her determination leads her into the fields on the most extraordinary night of all, where she hears the angels announce the birth of Jesus and follows the shepherds to Bethlehem. I loved seeing this familiar story from a child's perspective. Serah's desire to prove that she is capable will resonate with young readers, while her journey to the manger adds a fresh and meaningful layer to the traditional Nativity story.
What touched me most is the book's simple but powerful message: we do not have to accomplish something extraordinary to be worthy of love. At the manger, Serah discovers that she is important simply because she is Serah, a beautiful message for children who sometimes feel too little, overlooked, or unsure of their place in the world. Silvia Provantini's warm, expressive illustrations add to the wonder and tenderness of the story, making this a book children will love. Serah and the First Christmas would make a lovely addition to a family's Christmas book collection and an especially meaningful read-aloud during Advent. This is the kind of Christmas story I can imagine becoming a treasured holiday tradition, reminding children year after year that they are seen, known, and deeply loved.
The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson is a charming holiday romance about Chloe Hollis, a lifelong people-pleaser who decides it is finally time to get comfortable with rejection. Her unusual Christmas challenge is to collect ten “nos” by making ridiculous requests of strangers, but her plan gets complicated when she meets James, a charming out-of-towner who seems determined to say yes to everything she suggests. As their opposite challenges collide, the two are swept into Christmas karaoke, small-town traditions, funny mishaps, and an unexpected romance. Beneath all the festive fun is a warm story about setting boundaries, taking chances, finding courage, and realizing that sometimes the scariest “yes” is the one that opens your heart to something real. I loved this book for all the festive gatherings and traditions that are detailed so well in this book. Charming!
A Christmas Inn, Maine by Aaron Kyte is a cozy, heartfelt holiday romance about Adam Wheatley, a former book editor whose carefully planned life falls apart after losing both his job and his relationship. Returning to his small Maine hometown, Adam discovers that the beloved inn run by his aunt Rose is in danger of closing, so he throws himself into an ambitious renovation and plans a grand Christmas Eve reopening. Unfortunately, Adam knows far more about books than renovations, which is where Graham, a handsome and wonderfully capable local contractor, enters the story. As the two work together to save the inn, Adam begins questioning whether returning to his old life in the city is really what he wants. Filled with small-town charm, Christmas spirit, humor, and a sweet slow-building romance, this queer holiday rom-com is ultimately about coming home, starting over, and discovering that sometimes the life you never planned for is exactly where you belong. I adore the whole "home makeover" vibe of this book, and I think you will, too!
Look for more Christmas book reviews, coming soon!
