Grab a good Christmas book
Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 23, 2010
Looking for a book that draws you into the Christmas spirit?
Andalusia Public Library Director Karin Taylor shared with The Star-News 10 of the most sought after Christmas stories at the library.
Topping the list is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
“A Christmas Carol is out of the ordinary in that you don’t normally associate ghosts with Christ,” Taylor said. “However, during the Victorian times in England it became popular. It’s a good read.”
No. 2 on the list is Christ Van Alsburg’s The Polar Express, a favorite children’s book.
“This story has been made into a movie,” Taylor said. “The children really enjoy it.”
Next is another children’s favorite, Clement Moore’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
“It’s a timeless classic,” Taylor said. “Who doesn’t remember the words to it?”
Additionally, Taylor said it has been made into several book and movies such as A Redneck Night Before Christmas, which sits at No. 7, on the list and A Cajun Night Before Christmas.
Another preference of library faithful, Taylor said is Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory.
“This is one of my favorites, as well,” she said. “Capote wrote the novel when visiting Monroeville. He lived next to Harper Lee. It evokes the Southern culture. There’re a lot of fruit cakes in the book.”
Rounding out the top five is Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
“The book is really catching with the way that Dr. Suess makes the lines go together,” Taylor said. “It’s popularity has really increased since the cartoon version was released and it picks up anytime the version is aired on TV.”
Perhaps, the most surprising on the list, is J.R.R. Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas.
“A lot of people only associate Tolkien with The Lord of the Rings,” Taylor said. “But he was really a fabulous artist as well. He wrote letters to his children from Father Christmas.”
No. 8 on the list is The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans.
“This is a short novel about the expressions of love for two daughters,” Taylor said.
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich is next on the list.
“Stephanie Plum gets into all sorts of situations,” Taylor said. “There’s even a bounty hunt involved.”
Last, but not least, is Fanny Flagg’s A Redbird Christmas, Taylor said.
“It’s a great book,” Taylor said. “And it has Alabama ties.”