As the temperatures drop and the sleet starts to fall, it is of course natural to retreat into the warmth of indoors. Consequently, we find ourselves having more time for snuggling up on the sofa and digging our noses into a good book. As ‘The Maker’ celebrates the festive season this month, we’ve collated a couple of classic Christmas reads for our readership to enjoy. This list ranges from classics to more contemporary renditions of festive tales, so hopefully you’ll be able to find the perfect Christmas read for you! 

The Little Princess 

A book I set out to read at the start of every festive season, ‘The Little Princess’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett always fills me with Christmas joy. While not explicitly a ‘Christmassy’ read. This book evokes nostalgic feelings of comfort, putting you at ease whenever you give it a read. While I’m sure you know the plot of Sara Crewe, a privileged daughter of a diamond miner who finds herself penniless, I recommend you try this childhood classic again this Christmas period. 

Winter  

The second part to part of Ali Smith’s seasons quartet, Smith uses the festive season as a backdrop for the unfolding of her plot. Don’t worry though, you won’t have to have read its prequal to jump into this book (though I do recommend you pick up Autumn.) The novel follows a family gathering for Christmas in a large Cornish house. The son, Art, recently estranged from his girlfriend, instead brings Lux to the family Christmas to guise his recent breakup. Here, complex family dynamics unfold in front of the ‘season of survival’: winter. 

Santa Clause: A Morality  

Written by the 20th-centruy poet E.E Cummings, this play may be perfect for some of you Grinches to read this Christmas period. In the play, Santa begins to question the materialism associated with the holidays. Thus, he decides to swap identities with the character, Death. The play sets out to complicate the relationship between good and evil, inherently questioning the true ‘goodness’ of Christmas.  

A Christmas Carol 

A Christmas reads list wouldn’t be completed without it; Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ is the definition of a festive classic. The timeless story following Scrooge’s journey as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future where he learns the true meaning of Christmas. While you may not have picked up this book since GCSE English, I urge you to give this classic another read this December. 

The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey 

A 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist, this novel, penned by Eowyn Ivey, is based on the Russian fairy tale ‘Snegurochka.’ Set in 1920s Alaska, the childless Jack and Mabel build a daughter out of snow. Once the snow-girl mysteriously comes to life, the young girl becomes part of the family, and her mysticism transforms Jack and Mabel’s life from anything they’ve ever known. A heart-wrenching wintery read, its Alaskan atmosphere is sure to make you feel cosy as you’re tucked up indoors on a snowy Decembers eve. 

Hopefully this article has extended your December TBR lists! From all of us at The Maker, we wish you a very merry Christmas. We have a lot in store for you in the new year. So, keep your eyes peeled for exciting new publications.  

Written by Anna Craig, The Maker’s digital intern