Friday, December 1, 2017

Book Blogger Hop No. 112: My Favorite Christmas Read



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @


For more information, and 
to find out the topic of next week's question, click HERE.


This Week's Question

What is your favorite
Christmas-themed read?

(Submitted  by Kristin @ 



My Answer

This is a very easy question to answer!  I think that many of this week's participants will probably choose the very same book. That's because my favorite Christmas-themed read is a Christmas classic, as film versions of it are featured on network TV every year at this time. In fact, this one book has had a very significant influence on our culture. Even those who have never read the novel are familiar with the expression, "He's such a Scrooge!"

Of course, I'm referring to A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. 



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8391566-a-christmas-carol-and-other-christmas-writings

This is one of my copies of the novel, designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith for the hardcover Penguin Classics series.



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36298170-a-christmas-treasury?ac=1&from_search=true

 This beautiful B&N edition, which is now part of my home library, contains not only the full text of A Christmas Carol, but other writings by authors such as L. Frank Baum, Louisa May Alcott, and O. Henry, as well as Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas".


I first read this Dickens classic as a child of about 8 or 9, and some of it probably went over my head, lol. Also, I read it in Spanish. At the time, my family was still living in Cuba, and I hadn't had much exposure to the English language yet.

I think this was one of the books that made me fall in love with the fantasy and paranormal genres. This incredible tale of benevolent Christmas spirits and how a hardened miser was transformed, overnight, into a loving, giving man, totally fascinated me at the time. It has never ceased to do so, either, every time I've watched one of the film adaptations of it. 

I really must reread it at some point, and in English this time, so as to capture the full flavor of the story! 







What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!  
 






24 comments:

  1. LOVE your header, Maria.

    Nice answer...totally forgot about A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

    Thanks for another marvelous answer, and have a great day.

    Elizabeth

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    1. Hi, Elizabeth!

      THANK YOU!! As you can see, I LOVE Christmas, especially if it's a SNOWY one!! Lol. What wouldn't I give to be tin that cozy cabin in the woods now! Sigh.....

      Yeah, you forgot "A Christmas Carol"! I ADORE this novel!!

      Thank you SO much for always leaving such lovely comments on my BBH posts, Elizabeth!! Hope you're having a GREAT Saturday!! Maybe cooking one of your award-winning dishes? Have FUN!! HUGS!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete
    2. That's so funny you love SNOW, but you live in Florida. LOL!!

      I can do without the cold!!

      Delete
    3. I know it's supposed to be a big nuisance if you actually have to shovel it from your sidewalk every morning in order to get to your car. Lol. I guess the old saying is true, "The grass is greener on the other side". Except in this case it's the snow! Lol. But I really do HATE the heat. Thank God, though, that I don't live in Phoenix, Arizona! It gets up in the hundreds there. UGH.

      Snow is SO pretty....and I'm thinking of that cozy cabin in the woods, with a roaring fire inside, and the Christmas tree, and carols playing softly in the background, and....me and my honey sipping hot chocolate by the fire, making goo-goo eyes at each other....Sigh..... :) :) :)

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  2. This is such a classic!! I have to admit I haven't read many Christmas books. I usually go for the Rudolph on tv but otherwise don't really get into the Christmas media. This year I am doing the 12 Books of Christmas challenge, though, so yay Christmas books!

    Megan @ Ginger Mom and the Kindle Quest

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Megan!

      Oh, it DEFINITELY is!! It's my absolute favorite! I really need to re-read it, too!

      It's great that you're doing that challenge! Maybe I'll join in with at least one book. Thanks for letting me know!

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  3. It's one of my favorites, too. I've read it at least a dozen times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Beth!

      OMG! I have to catch up!! Lol. But seriously, I do need to reread it. Maybe I can make time this month.

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  4. I have never read A Christmas Carol because I have always been intimidated by classics. But it has been on so many lists and Christmas posts this month already, it makes me want to find some courage and read it.

    Happy reading/Happy Holidays. Have a great weekend.

    My BBH:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Heather!

      Oh, you really MUST read it!! This is one of those books you have to read at least ONCE in your life, believe me! I think you'll LOVE it!

      Thanks for commenting!! Happy reading & happy holidays to you, too!! Hope your weekend got off to a GREAT start!! <3 :)

      Delete
  5. This is a great choice Maria. I also love A Christmas Carol for all the reasons that you mentioned. I also love most of the film versions that I have seen. This is wonderful story. You also raise a good point, it is at least related to the fantasy genre.

    That also looks to be a great addition of Christmas stories that you have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Brian!

      I think most people would probably pick this book as their favorite Christmas read. I'm SO glad you're one of them! And yes, most of the film versions have really done justice to this novel.

      "A Christmas Carol" is definitely related to the fantasy genre, and to the paranormal genre, as well. As you know, I LOVE reading books that have those elements in them!

      As for the collection of Christmas stories, I am SO enchanted with the book!! Not that I've read it yet, but just the binding and design!! It's SO GORGEOUS!! (And the illustrations inside are BEAUTIFUL, too!) The picture really can't compare with the real thing. I LOVE holding this book in my hands!! It's like I got an early Christmas present!!! SQUEEEEEE!!!

      Thanks so much for the nice comment!! <3 :)

      Delete
  6. Yes, I love this Christmas classic as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kym!

      I would say that most people have this novel as their favorite Christmas read!

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  7. Great pick! What a stunning B&N edition!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Erica!

      Thanks! I think most people would pick this classic, too!

      As for the B&N edition, see my comment to Brian above. I AM ECSTATIC!!! :)

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  8. This is a good choice. Hope you have a great weekend. - Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Katie!

      Glad you like my choice! Hope you're having a great Sunday!

      Thanks for commenting! <3 :)

      Delete
  9. This was my pick for favorite Christmas-themed pick as well. Although I wish I had also listed Polar Express. I can't remember when I first heard A Christmas Carol--it was probably through the movies. I didn't read the actual story until I was an adult. I love Dickens' writing.

    I hope you have a great week, Maria! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Wendy!

      I think most people would list this classic as their favorite Christmas read, too. It's just SO wonderful!!

      Oh, yeah, "The Polar Express"! That is indeed a great book! I haven't read it, but I have seen the movie, and loved it!!

      You love Dickens' writing? AWESOME!! He's one of my favorite writers of all time!

      Hope you have a great week, too!! You're very welcome for the sharing! Thanks to you for commenting!! HUGS TO YOU & MOUSE!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete
  10. I love that cover of A Christmas Treasury- it looks so festive!

    Happy holiday season to you! I love christmas. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Greg!

      Isn't is absolutely GORGEOUS? I'm glad you love it, too!!

      I love Christmas, too! As you can see, I even have a Christmas-themed header, which I put up during the season every year! Lol.

      Happy holiday season to you, too!! Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  11. It's a great pick! I haven't read it in years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Chrissy!

      Glad you love this one, too! Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete

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