Christmas Fiction

The Thanksgiving Visitor, One Christmas and A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. An original edition of Capote's most famous short stories: "A Christmas Memory, " "One Christmas, " and "A Thanksgiving Memory." All three stories are distinguished by Capote's delicate interplay of childhood sensibility and recollective vision.

The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan. One of seven sisters gifted with powers of witchcraft, novelist Kate Drake returns to her California hometown to open a bookstore. When an earthquake cracks the foundation, releasing a centuries-old evil, contractor Matt Granite vows to protect her.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether.

A Different Kind of Christmas by Alex Haley. The story of Fletcher Randall, a nineteen-year-old from North Carolina whose politically powerful father is a plantation owner, and, of course, a slave owner. The time is 1855, and all Fletcher Randall knows and believes about slavery he's learned from his father. But Fletcher goes to school up North, and begins to think for himself -- and he becomes a traitor to his family, by aiding a mass escape of slaves on the Underground Railroad. Christmas Eve is the secret date set for the escape.

Dolce Agonia by Nancy Huston. A group of cosmopolitan friends in midlife gather in New England for a Thanksgiving dinner. When it begins to snow they become trapped. With the exception of an enigmatic outsider, they all know too much about each other, their weak points and failures.

Holidays on Ice by David Seda. A collection of Christmas stories. The story Dinah, the Christmas Whore, describes the reaction of a family when a daughter brings home a prostitute, while SantaLand Diaries is on a department store elf.

The Power of Light : eight stories for Hanukkah by Isaac Bashevis Singer; with illustrations by Irene Lieblich. Includes A Hanukkah evening in my parents' house, The extinguished lights, The parakeet named Dreidel, and more.

Giovanni's Light : the story of a town where time stopped for Christmas by Phyllis Theroux. On this particular Christmas, there were signs that the order of things would change...and when it did, the people in Ryland Falls never celebrated Christmas the same way again. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in this inspiring story about the redeeming power of the imagination and the true nature of compassion.

The Princess Present: A Princess Diaries Book by Meg Cabot. Mia would give all the jewels in Genovia for the perfect present. Every year, Princess Mia spends the holidays in Genovia with Grandmère. This year, she's looking forward to the most perfect Christmas ever: her boyfriend, Michael, and her best friend, Lilly, are coming to Genovia, too. But even a princess's plans can go awry.

Christmas Stars edited by David G. Hartwell. In this celebratory collection, many of today's finest writers of fantasy and science fiction unwrap startling visions of the future of Christmas. Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, James Powell, and many more.

A Crossworder's Gift by Nero Blanc. A gift to booksellers everywhere, five new crossword mysteries are collected in one hardcover volume by the nationally bestselling author.

The Mitford Snowmen: a Christmas Story by Jan Karon. It's Christmastime in Mitford, and everyone's favorite characters are filled with holiday spirit. A swirling snowfall brings them to Main Street for a snowman

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa gifts always include a book, which represents the value of learning, as well as at least one symbol of African heritage. Below are just a few available at your Leon County Public Libraries. For more, including music and videos, type Kwanzaa into the Library Catalog and search.
 

Kwanzaa Crafts by Carol Gnojewski. Fun holiday crafts kids can do, provides information about the origin and customs of Kwanzaa.

It's beginning to look a lot like Kwanzaa! Illustrated by Rex Perry. Jump at the Sun holiday classics - A family celebrates Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa: Seven Days of African-American Pride by Carol Gnojewski. Finding out about holidays, presents the history and meaning behind the observance of Kwanzaa.

A Kwanzaa Holiday Cookbook by Emily Raabe.  Festive foods for the holidays.

Kwanzaa by Amy Robin Jones. Describes the origin and meaning of the African-American holiday which has been celebrated each year since 1966 from December 26 to January 1.

Practicing Kwanzaa year round: affirmations and activities around the seven principles by Gwynelle Dismukes.

Kwanzaa crafts: gifts and decorations for a meaningful and festive celebration by Marcia Odle McNair. Gifts and decorations for meaningful and festive celebration.

How to plan a Kwanzaa celebration: ideas for family, community and public events by Ida Gamble-Gumbs, Bob Gumbs. Ideas for family, community and public events.

The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest by Dorothy Winbush Riley. Celebrating our cultural harvest.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING WE SHOULD ADD TO THIS LIST.