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My December Reading Challenge 2022

For December I will be attempting to read as many festive books as I can. You can check out the original challenge here and follow my progress below...

The Prompts:

1. A Classic Christmas Story 

A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas

A sweet little prose piece that brings back atmospheric memories of a Christmas that is incredibly specific and yet somehow universal.

The Chimes by Charles Dickens

Another festive morality book from Dickens, though it was never as popular as A Christmas Carol. This sees and elderly but kind ticket porter go through a similar process to Scrooge over the course of a New Year. Dickens champions the poor and takes vicious aim at the condescending attitude and conditional charity of the rich - but this is still a colder, meaner story and far more mawkish. This actually feels ripe for a modern adaptation in this world of zero-hour-contract grind culture.  

2. A Murderous Christmas Story

The Snowman by Jo Nesbø

A serial killer is stalking mothers of questionable morality and leaving Snowman themed calling cards. Rather slow going and grim. 

3. A Festive Short Story Collection

Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie

A collection of Christie's most festive works, including Three Blind Mice (aka The Mousetrap) and stories featuring all her most beloved characters.

4. A Hallmark Christmas Movie Style Cheesy Romance

Let it Snow by Beth Moran

Weathergirl Bea needs her childhood enemy's help to get to a Christmas job interview in Scotland. This was relaxing and had huge Catherine Tate and David Tennant in Much Ado About Nothing vibes. 

5. A Spooky Christmas Story

Sherlock Holmes and the Three Winter Terrors by James Lovegrove 

Holmes and Watson investigate three spooky, interconnected mysteries in this excellent release. Another banger from Lovegrove.

6. A LGBTQ+ Christmas Story

Cocktails at Seven, Apocalypse at Eight by Don Bassingthwaite [Review]

Interconnected short stories in which charming Derby Cavendish must save holiday events from increasing levels of camp magical mayhem. This was a true found family story full of likeable characters and dirty jokes - I loved it. It was also my 69th read this year, which Derby would appreciate!

7. A Winter Story Based on Fairytale, Folklore or Nature

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 

A Jewish moneylender's daughter, a Tsarina and a servant girl's lives entwine as they try to save their fantasy Russian homeland from eternal winter, in a story loosely based on Rumplestiltskin. Rich, magical and enthralling. 

8. A Book Featuring Santa

Mrs Claus: Not the Fairytale They Say by Various 

A collection of short stories re-imagining Mrs. Claus as everything from a demon to a starship-captain. Some genuinely great stories and interesting concepts.  

9. A Book Set in a Shop/Business/Cafe During the Holidays 

Secret Santa by Andrew Schaffer

A young horror book editor takes a new job in a fusty publishing house. Her secret Santa gift may turn out to be deadly. Retro 80s horror fun mixed with office politics. 

10. A Story Set in a Scandi Country (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland) 

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman 

A small town in a remote part of Sweden is putting the entirety of their future hopes on their surprisingly successful young ice-hockey team. When an attack takes place on the night of their biggest match, the fallout affects the whole town. 

Bonus: Anything Else

What Child is This? by Bonnie MacBird 

Another festive Sherlock Holmes outing. Watson thwarts an attempted kidnapping and a society man vanishes. The mysteries weren't difficult, and Holmes wasn't particularly likeable, but it wrestled with some big issues. 

 Check out my entire reading list for 2022 (with links to reviews) here.  

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