While I was not sure of the theme I wanted for this week’s freebie, I ended up feeling festive and so here are some festive reads for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday.

So whether you are looking for heartwarming stories of love and family, whimsical stories, fun and games, festive food, or timeless lessons that remind us of the true meaning of the season, you will find something in this list of books for yourself. So, find that cozy blanket and get yourselves a cup of warm cocoa and settle down with one (or more) of these books for a holiday read

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Festive Reads

For the Young Ones (and Older Readers too)

The Little Bell that Wouldn’t Ring

A sweet inspiring story that brings out the importance of peace on earth through the titular little bell that wouldn’t ring! And Maja Dusíková’s stunning artwork adds a whole other level to this beautiful read. (4 – 8 years, and up)

The Toy’s Christmas

Oh my! This one is so very adorable. You simply have to read it, and find out just what every child’s favorite toys are up to each Christmas. (3 – 6 years, and up)

How Kids Celebrate Christmas Around the World

A look at how kids celebrate Christmas across 14 different countries around the world. You will see Christmas celebrations in Spain, Ethiopia, Australia, Japan, Finland, and the USA, among others. (4 – 9 years, and up)

Letters From Father Christmas

A treat for all who love letters, Tolkien, Santa Claus, Christmas, letters (oh, I said this already!) Letters from Father Christmas is a collection of J.R.R. Tolkien’s complete Father Christmas letters, including a new introduction and rare archive materials.

The December Dozen: A Celebration of Holidays 

This book – The December Dozen – takes a look at not just Christmas but other December festivities around the world, including ones like the Chinese Dongzhi and the Buddhist festival of Bodhi. I love when a book educates so effortlessly and gently. It is a beautiful read indeed, one meant for readers of all ages.

Tales of a Paperboy: A Christmas Story

I loved this heartwarming, uplifting, coming-of-age story about a boy who finds himself trying to fit in a new place with his grandparents after his mom’s death. I usually stay away from books that tend to get too preachy or religious. Tales of a Paperboy admirably and beautifully focuses on the spirit of Christmas, of community, and cultural elements of the festival. (YA)

For Those Who Love Bookshops and Such

The Christmas Bookshop

Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Bookshop is nothing short of a literary treat perfect for the holidays! And it has an equally delightful sequel as well in Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. (Sisters/Friendship/Holiday Fiction)

Flora’s Travelling Christmas Shop

I have read and enjoyed a few other Rebecca Raisin books and this one proved to be equally enjoyable, festively so! So prepare yourself for a wonderful ride with Flora and her traveling Christmas shop! (Women’s Fiction)

And Then the Rest

The Christmas Movie Cookbook

Julia Rutland’s The Christmas Movie Cookbook is a delightful and delicious way to bring your favorite holiday movie to life!! It is replete with recipes for everything from beverages to desserts, entertaining tips, menu ideas and pairings, and amazing food pictures sure to inspire and tempt everyone to cook. I love that the recipes are easy to follow, that Rutland includes not just the popular movies but some lesser-known ones too. Especially loved the little box for each recipe that highlights the recipe’s connection to its movie(s)!

My favorite section is of course the desserts (followed by the beverages, for who can resist that drool-worthy hot chocolate – a Polar Express connection, or the Salted Caramel & Fudge Milkshake).

Very Christmas series

This series has a total of eight books so that is kind of a cheat here! But then again, I have read each one of them (thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for the digital review copies for these) and I know I want the physical copies to adorn my bookshelves soon!!

Each book in the series has a similar title that goes something like ‘A Very xyz Christmas : The Greatest xyz Holiday Stories of All Time‘. So we have the following different regions for now, and I am hoping some more will follow:

• Russian
• French
• Italian
• Scandinavian
• German
• Irish
• Mexican

And this eighth one is One For Each Night: The Greatest Chanukah Stories of All Time

Related Reads and More

• Have Yourself a Merry Little Women Christmas: And Here is How to Do it!
• Top Ten Tuesdays of Christmas Stories and Happy Holidays
• It’s a Wonderful List of Holiday Movies Based on Books
• A Wonderful Medley of Festive Nonfiction Reads

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, which of these books appeals to you? Which ones have you read already?