If you’re thinking of getting copies of my books, it couldn’t be easier. I’ve got you covered, even for autographed books!
Raven
What is Christmas?
Getting My Books for the 2023 Holidays
Best Christmas Books
Some people leave their Christmas trees up all year. Some people bake Christmas dishes all year round. And some people—like me—read Christmas books throughout the year. I even have a bookshelf in our house where I keep all the Christmas books, so I can easily find them and display them attractively during the actual Christmas season.
To cut to the chase: I wrote a post for SleuthSayers some time ago called From the Christmas Shelf that focuses on only five of the books. I chose five at the time to make that article brief and approachable.
If you don’t want to click over, here are the books I mention. (Most of these are affiliate links, which means if you buy any of these books I’ll get a small commission at no cost to yourself.) Before you read this, understand that these are my picks for best books. Ones that I have personally enjoyed over the years. They may not necessarily be your cup of tea.
History Books
The Battle for Christmas: A Social and Cultural History of Our Most Cherished Holiday, by Stephen Nissenbaum. The title is bad, but the book is actually a historical look at how Christmas came to be such a massive holiday in the U.S. Nissenbaum, a historian, credits the creation of the Santa Claus myth for altering the holiday from its Baachanialin roots to something child- and family-centered
Christmas: A Biography, by Judith Flanders. Another book by a fine historian, but this one looks at the story of Christmas from a worldwide perspective.
Literary Fiction for Adults
A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor, by Truman Capote. The lead story in this collection is a classic, about a boy and his older cousin enjoying the holiday together, making fruitcake. It’s amazing how great a writer he was at the beginning of his career. The stories are short enough that you can read them aloud in front of the fire.
Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories, illustrated by Seth. This is a series of 22 short stories that celebrate the tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas. (A tradition, I might add, that inspired Dickens to write A Christmas Carol.) The stories are all by famous writers, and I encourage you to pick the one you like best. If you read on an e-reader, you can get all the stories for $18! (I have the short story by Edith Wharton shown at top right.)
For Kids
The Snow Queen, illustrated by Vladyslav Yerko. This edition of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale by the Ukrainian artist Yerko is stunning. The book is out of print, but you can still find various editions online. There is a 32-page edition, but the one I love is a 96-page stunner in a slipcase cover. (The slipcase cover is shown top row, right; the book is shown separately in the image above—the one with the two kids.) I can’t provide a link for these books because as soon as one of these pops up online, it gets snapped up. Check rare book sites such as Biblio , Alibris, and Bookfinder. MAKE SURE YOU ARE BUYING THE ENGLISH EDITION—unless you speak Ukrainian, that is.
Okay—those are just the books I mentioned in that SleuthSayers post way back in 2021. Here are more books I keep on the Christmas shelf, in case you’re a bigger geek than I am.
Fiction for Adults
My fiction list skews heavily toward mysteries because—duh!— I’m a mystery reader and writer.
Mr. Timothy, by Louis Bayard. This is a strange, dense novel that imagines Tiny Tim’s adult years, after the reformed Scrooge’s largesse saved his life.
This is the 25th book in the Ellery Queen mystery series.
The Finishing Stroke, by Ellery Queen. This mystery novel has the great sleuth solving a murder at Christmas in the 1920s.
The Mistletoe Murder, and Other Stories, by P.D. James. I love P.D. James novels, and never knew that she wrote an abundance of short fiction. Luckily, they saved four for this edition, and they are more “cozy” in nature than any of her more realistic-yet-cleverly-plotted novels.
This is the first of the nine paperback editions of the Holiday Anthology series (edited by Kristine Kathryn Rusch) currently available.
The Holiday Anthology Series, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Every year, the writer Rusch runs a subscription-based “advent calendar” of short stories, in which she emails a daily short story by a variety of writers from the day after Thanksgiving till the end of the year. Romance, mystery, ghost stories—you name it. I subscribed one year, and loved having a new story show up on my phone every day during the holidays. Later, she pubs them in paper editions. You can easily choose the genre you like.
A Lot Like Christmas, by Connie Willis. Willis, a giant in the field of SFF, is also a huge Christmas geek and a comic genius. This massive book collects most of her science fiction/fantasy Christmas stories, which often read like screwball comedies, but also reveal her encyclopedic knowledge of Christmas music, the Bethlehem story, the history of the Rockettes, the It’s a Wonderful Life vs Miracle on 34th Street debate, and so much more. Be warned that this might be the only book you read in a single Christmas season, because mot of the stories are sizable novellas. I can’t think of a better way to spend the season.
The Last Christmas Letter, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I read this one every year because it’s a short story. A group of sisters receive their father’s annual Christmas letter in the mail, which is strange, because their elderly dad has been in a hospice, lingering near death. Each time one of the women reaches for the letter, a new page appears. A magical, ultimately uplifting story by a master of the craft.
Nonfiction
The Man Who Invented Christmas, by Les Standiford. This was a surprise. A remarkable piece of narrative nonfiction that tells how Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol, thinking he’d make a mint on the Christmas market. He self published the book and nearly lost his shirt because it was so lavishly produced, with gilt edging and illustrations. Yet it ended up becoming his most famous book. I haven’t seen the movie version of Standiford’s book. Why would I, when this book is so good?
This is Christmas, Song by Song, by Annie Zaleski. This a gorgeous book, perfect for gift-giving, by a respected music writer. Zaleski tells the behind-the-scenes stories of 100 Christmas songs. In her hands, you really get to see the rich variety of tunes we've heard all our lives, from deeply religious to hilarious, fun-loving, romantic, and secular. The production value of the hardcover book itself is wonderful, so you’ll really make the music-lover on your list a happy camper.
Classic Books for Kids
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. I’d seen the TV version a million times but it wasn’t until I married that I read this book, which my wife has treasured since her own childhood. This is one of those books that is fun to read aloud to the family because nearly everyone knows—or can guess—the endings of all the rhymes, not unlike the next book on my list.
The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Charles Santore. There have been tons of editions of this classic poem, but this specific hardcover with Santore’s illustrations became a New York Times bestseller and has been spun off into different types of books—board books, coloring books, a book-and-CD combo, etc. You can’t go wrong gifting any of these to a child on your list. Be sure to choose carefully so you pick the version appropriate for the child. (Board books are intended for really little kids, for example.) The CD version is read by the Dude himself, actor Jeff Bridges.
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. I don’t love the movie, but I love the original book. This edition comes with a little ornament to hang on your tree. It’s fun to also hide a little “reindeer bell” in your pocket and ring it at the appropriate moment in the story. You’re sure to create magic when reading aloud to young family members. (Rest assured that you can find numerous “Polar Express Reindeer Bells” online.)
Digital Reads
These last two are not found on my shelf but on my phone. Technically they don’t really qualify for this post, but I’ll mention them because I think they are quite special.
A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas. This audio version of the prose poem was recorded in 1952 by the Welsh poet himself. (He died a year later, at age 39.) As you listen, you really understand that the story consists of multiple voices, and Thomas is playing each of them. A treasure, and marvelous listening for the entire family. Also available via Apple iTunes and Audible.
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. Public domain works are often churned out in crappy editions by no-name publishers trying to make a quick buck. Top Five Books is a Chicago publisher that curates a list of truly special ebooks. Their Complete Sherlock Holmes ebook, for example, is arguably the best on the market, and comes with all the original illustrations—none omitted. This ebook edition of Scrooge’s story contains all the illustrations that appeared in the first 1843 edition, plus ones that appeared in a U.S. edition published in 1869. This would be a lovely book to read to family members on an iPad or full-color Kindle.
That wraps my current list of Christmas books. I’m sure I’ll be adding more. I’m a junkie for the subject, obsessed with good stories and great illustrations. Christmas may well be the only time of year where families have the time to read to each other in a relaxed setting. If you’re going to do it, do it in style.
Getting My Books for the 2021 Holidays
If you’re interested in getting some of my books for the holidays, you ought to act quickly. We’re getting closer to the last-order date at my local bookstore. I’ve resisted pushing people to order early because I really hate rushing the season, but I’ve spent the last couple of weeks in the company of booksellers, and I understand better what they’re up against.
If you prefer ebooks, you’re all set. The complete list of my book is here, on a single page. All my books are readily available at the usual online stores in e-book format. Just click the cover of the book you want, and choose your preferred store. The only exception is my children’s book on Fibonacci. That book is still only pubbed in print only.
A complete list of my wife’s books are here. The new Thanksgiving book is right at the top of the page.
Physical copies of our books—especially the new ones—are available via Amazon, B&N, and your local bookstore. If a store doesn’t have them, they can order them.
If you want books autographed by either of us, the best way to do that is to contact the indie bookstore in my town, Malaprop’s, and order personalized, autographed copies of whatever tickles your fancy. Signed books make great gifts.
Here’s the skinny on signed books:
Call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. Just tell them…
Which book you want to order and the author’s name.
Within certain limits, due to the ongoing supply-chain situation, we are striving still to do personalizations in books. The bookseller will know which books can be inscribed. So, let them know how you want the book personalized. To you? To the mother-in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Your frenemy? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Happy Thanksgiving,” “For a mystery buff,” or nothing at all?
Give them your payment information and shipping address.
Make sure you get your order in by December 6th for delivery by Christmas.
That’s it! Malaprop’s will have me or Denise sign, and they will ship your book out to you or to the person of your choice, autographed and ready to go.
But what about gift wrapping?
Yes indeed, they gift wrap–for FREE. I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be slid under a tree, slipped into a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or shipped to a loved one you hope to see in the very near future..
Can I order online?
Technically, yes, but calling is much more efficient, less ambiguous, and, in the long run, will take less of your time.
Which books of yours can I order?
All of them, really. My complete list is here, on a single page. (The Fibonacci book is here.)
Allow me to single out for your reading pleasure my two newest novels! They are:
Sorceress Kringle: The Woman Who Became Santa Claus
A gender-bending fantasy novel about Santa—the way you never imagined her.
Meet the Book Lady. She sells books, eats well, and has a very large brain. Criminals fear her.
Happy shopping, and thanks for supporting a local independent author and bookstore!
Yes, I am trying to post here more often. Thank you for noticing. If you want to sign up for my newsletter and claim your collection of free ebooks, go here. Thanks!
The Greatest Christmas Mystery, Ever!
I have a pair of lovely blog posts up at the Sleuthsayers mystery writers’ blog this month that I think are worth a look if you are a fan of all things Christmas. It’s the true story behind the making of one of America’s best-loved poems: A Visit from St. Nicholas (aka ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas).
Did you know that there is a very serious question about who really wrote that poem? Did you know the true story is mired in accusations of plagiarism, which only modern science could intelligently untangle?
If you’re interested in the full story, check out the first post, which went up back in November. That post is right here.
If you’re the sort of person who wants to cut to the chase, the sort of person who’s totally cool reading the last chapter of a mystery novel first, then by all means just read the stunning conclusion. I assure you that you will still understand the gist of the entire thing. The second post is right here.
Thanks, everyone, for your support this month and all this year. We’ll get through this.
May the rest of your December be bright!
Santa Image above courtesy of Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Three December Announcements!
Buy my books! There—I said it. What more could any writer have to say to the world in general (and this world in particular) during the month of December?
Actually, you know what? Buy our books. My wife’s and mine, I mean.
We both have some delightful offerings that we’ve cooked up for you lovely people during this disturbing pandemic holiday season we’ve got going on. Specifically, I launched a new book some weeks ago that I need to tell you about.
But let me march through these here announcements one by one, in the ever-popular ascending price order. Which means, let’s start with the deal you cannot miss.
Thing 1: The e-book of my Christmas epic fantasy, Sorceress Kringle, is on sale right now for the ridiculous price of 99 cents. Yes, I’ve gone nuts for Christmas. This gender-swapped, female Santa Claus story is probably my best book and I’m practically giving it away. Why? Because Santa. Because Christmas. Because ho-fucking-ho. So snap it up at wherever you buy your e-books. (Just do it soon before the price goes up.) Tell your friends. Tell your pets. And then, when you’ve immersed yourself in the Christmasy juices of this lush, evocative book, and you’re ready to burst with goodwill toward men, write a freaking review of the book where you bought it. Don’t read e-books? No problem. You can buy a paper copy wherever fine books are sold. You can order a copy from the bookstore in my town and they’ll get me to autograph it before they send it out. Get the deets on Sorceress Kringle right here.
Thing 2: My new book, Ear of God, is just out and it continues The Mesmerist thriller saga I started a few years ago. The new book’s a bizarro tale of a sweet harmless child with special gifts who gets himself kidnapped and unleashes hell on the world. I apologize for pubbing such a story during a freaking pandemic, but as I’ll try to explain a future post, writers gotta write, and I don’t write expecting my literary nightmares to become reality. So go grab Ear of God, and begin worrying about my sanity. The e-book’s $4.99, the paperback’s $16. And yes, you can get a signed copy from my local bookstore. All the details for Ear of God are here. Remember: if you do get it, please consider reviewing it at some online retailer. It’s one of the best things you can do to help an author out.
Thing 3: Lastly, the New York Times bestseller in the house—my lovely wife Denise Kiernan—just pubbed a nonfiction book called We Gather Together, which tells the remarkable story of how Thanksgiving (and thanksgiving) came to be. Among other things, it’s a book about a little-known woman, stirring events in the Civil War, the pursuit of love, honor, duty, and grace, and it includes what I think is one of the most compassionate, forthright portraits of Abe Lincoln I’ve seen in a book in a long while. The hardcover retails for $25; the e-book is $12.99. This book is destined to be a hit with book clubs, and a perennial bestseller. The book everyone needs to read around the holidays. If you don’t believe me, go hunt up the Wall Street Journal review and see for yourself. Get the details on We Gather Together right here.
So there you have it. Three important announcements to get off my chest before year’s end and the jangle of a hopefully better New Year.
There! Go! Buy! Crack some spines and snuggle in front of a fire and read thyself to thy heart’s content.
As for me, I gotta go vacuum the pine needles out of the carpet.
Thank you all. Hug the family for me. And stay safe out there!
Getting My Books for the 2020 Holidays
It seems that I’m an author who is in the holiday business. Three of my bestselling books focus (arguably) on the Fourth of July. I’ve got a major novel devoted to Christmas. And, if you want to count my wife, Denise Kiernan, she’s a hugely successful author whose latest title is devoted to the little-known history behind the Thanksgiving holiday. People always ask us how they can get our books, so I’m putting all the details you need into this post. I apologize for the early date, but 2020 is apt to be little challenging gift-wise.
The quick and dirty answer is, two ways. If you prefer ebooks, you’re all set. The complete list of my book is here, on a single page. All my books are readily available at the usual online stores in e-book format. Just click the cover of the book you want, and choose your preferred store. The only exception is my children’s book on Fibonacci. That book is still only pubbed in print only.
A complete list of my wife’s books are here. The new Thanksgiving book is right at the top of the page.
Physical copies of our books—especially the new ones—are available via Amazon, B&N, and your local bookstore. If a store doesn’t have them, they can order them.
If you want books autographed by either of us, the best way to do that is to contact the bookstore in my town, Malaprop’s, and order personalized, autographed copies of whatever tickles your fancy. Signed books make great gifts, and it’s still sounds funny to ask an author, “Please, will you autograph my Kobo?”
Here’s the skinny:
Call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. Just tell them…
Which book you want to order and the author’s name.
Within certain limits, due to the pandemic situation, we are striving still to do personalizations in books. The bookseller will know which books can be inscribed. So, let them know how you want the book personalized. To you? To the mother-in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Your frenemy? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Happy Thanksgiving,” “For a mystery buff,” or nothing at all?
Give them your payment information and shipping address.
Make sure you get your order in by December 15th for delivery by Christmas.
That’s it! Malaprop’s will have me or Denise sign, and they will ship your book out to you or to the person of your choice, autographed and ready to go.
But what about gift wrapping?
Yes indeed, they gift wrap–for FREE. I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be slid under a tree, slipped into a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or shipped to a loved one you hope to see in the very near future..
Can I order online?
Technically, yes, but calling is much more efficient, less ambiguous, and, in the long run, will take less of your time.
Which books of yours can I order?
All of them, really. My complete list is here, on a single page. (The Fibonacci book is here.)
Allow me to single out for your reading pleasure my two newest novels! They are:
Sorceress Kringle: The Woman Who Became Santa Claus
A gender-bending fantasy novel about Santa—the way you never imagined her.
Ebook on sale through Dec. 26
Meet the Book Lady. She sells books, eats well, and has a very large brain. Criminals fear her.
Ebook on sale through Dec. 26
Happy shopping, and thanks for supporting a local independent author and bookstore!
Yes, I am trying to post here more often. Thank you for noticing. If you want to sign up for my newsletter and claim your collection of free ebooks, go here. Thanks!
Advent Ghosts 2019
Today I’m participating in the 100-word #adventghosts2019 flash fiction event run by writer Loren Eaton. You'll find links to all the stories at his blog, I Saw Lightning Fall. Here’s my piece.
Town Square on a Midnight Clear
As the carolers sang, Betty considered just how little God cared. Long ago she had learned that she was irrelevant.
Summoning that power now, she pressed past the singers to the unlit balsam. No one saw her pull the paper bag from her purse. No one watched her hang her great-uncle’s shrunken head on a bough, the old sinner’s sand-filled eyes and mouth stitched tight with waxed green monofilament.
Claude had loved Christmas (and children) a little too much.
No one watched the stranger in the boring car coat drive away, leaving town for good. She was invisible.
Copyright 2019 Joseph D’Agnese
My previous contributions to the Advent Ghosts events are here: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016.
Photo by Seoyeon Choi via Unsplash