What To Read In December

 

 

I’ve divided the books up into “somewhat religious” and “not so religious,” and I’m just sick to my stomach about it.  It’s not fair to tell a reader will she will see God in a story. But I’m a sucker for a nice category, so there it is.

Here are my thoughts on these books: do yourself a favor and purchase The First Night, Good King Wenceslas, and The Children of Christmas.  Cynthia Rylant’s collection of short stories will bring you to your knees.  They are some of the saddest stories I’ve ever read.  Rylant is to sorrow what O’Connor is to violence.  Their’s is a grace that haunts.

The First Night, by B.G. Hennessey (the paintings inside are a collaboration of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher) tells the story of the first few hours after Jesus was born. I’d say it captures that quaking feeling the shepherds had, though I can’t say for sure because I wasn’t there.

Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale and Tim Ladwig tells the story of the carol.  I think I’m a visual learner because I found that the pictures heighten the drama of the words.  After reading the book, I’m not sure the song ought to have as catchy a melody as it does, but nobody consults me on these sorts of things.

If you like The Snowy Day, then you’ll love The Snow Day by Komako Sakai.  I love any children’s story that’s set in a city with kids in a condo or apartment. Especially when those books show the wonder the world has to offer. I’m glad Annie Dillard wrote Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  I really am.  But I think someone needs to write Pilgrim at Lower Wacker or Pilgrim at Capitol Hill. That’s all I say.

If you’re looking for a great Advent book, I suggest God With Us which is the best around and I have no idea where it is in my house.  I’m afraid that in admitting that someone will take my Seattle Pacific University degree away, but I can’t find it anywhere. Maybe Hadley’s reading it.

Watch for the Light is another lovely collection of essays and meditations on Advent, and The Christmas Plains is a novel that is perfect for the season. Joseph Bottum recalls several Christmases past in South Dakota. My favorite part is the story of Charles Dickens the night he finished one of his stories. I believe it was A Christmas Carol. Anyway, Dickens was a bit of a party animal and was friends with a gal who was a hard working introvert but he convinced her to dance the night away and she was a better person for it. We introverts usually are.

My only caveat about Bottum’s book is that he lived in Adams Morgan for several years in what sounds like a dream row house and didn’t seem to like it all that much. I just can’t think of anything better than living in a row house.

Happy Reading!