Book Stop Corner

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Since on this very post I'm going to list about those "Who hasn't read it?" books, which bring out the very spirit of Christmas among us, I must admit that Charles Dickens was the only author who showed us the real spirit behind a Christmas Day and they say the he is " the man who invented Christmas". On a bitterly cold, English winter day, to be specific on December 19th, 1843, Charles Dickens gifted us with his most noteworthy work of his life, A Christmas Carol that not only wowed us, but still leave us speechless even after reading for the gazillion-th times. I read it when I was in school since this story was a part of my school board curriculum. I'm pretty sure, everyone felt/feels the same way, when they read (present- reads) this book, like you want to do something, something good for the less privileged human being! Yes, and that's the real Christmas spirit that only Dickens can bring out among us every time we read this book. So with a hot mug of coffee, under your warm blanket with an old paperback copy of A Christmas Carol, I think there cannot be any better way to spend your cold, lazy December morning! Uncle Scrooge and his way of saying "Humbug" to everything still remains very much alive in our hearts!

Favorite quote from the book:

2. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Sometimes, surreal stories can touch us so deeply. C.S.Lewis gifted us with his greatest creation of work on the year of 1950. And it was the only book in the Chronicles of Narnia series that will leave your soul amazed and enchanted by Lewis's master story-telling. Although all the seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia series are utterly brilliant, but this is the only Narnia book which made me feel the purity behind a Christmas spirit. When I was a child, this book made me realize that families are very important part of one's life and very valuable and we must respect and trust one another to have a nice life. Yes, this book manages to make a grown-up human being feel very nostalgic. Oh how we lost touch with our only brother/sister! Oh how I wish I could be home with my only sweet brother/sister for the Christmas holidays! This is the real feeling that this book brings out among us! Love for our siblings! It's not only a story about family values and love, but it also gifts us with an mystical adventure that is only filled with intrigue, darkness, danger, fear and a deadly war! I feel Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund are going to be your best friends on your random, boring December days!

Favorite quote from the book:

“Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.” 
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3. Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies

Wow, now that sounds like a classic, epic holiday movie! Yep, you're right there, buddy! Valentine Davies wrote the story for the movie, Miracle on 34th Street and after writing the story for the film, he novelized the story which was published as a 120-pages novella in the year 1947. Who haven't watched this epic movie and I bet many people grew up watching the movie. In this case both the movie and the book are equally touching and leaves us with a feeling of hope and faith in our heart. Valentine Davies tried to depict how sometimes believing in the impossible can bring miracle in our lives and has miraculously captured the true spirit of Christmas in his book and movie. Both Kris Kringle and Susan Walker leaves an impression upon our minds with their remarkable demeanor. It is one of the beautiful story about Santa Claus that leaves you feeling happy and one of the most greatest Christmas book ever. Trust me, after reading short story, it'll uplift will gloomy mood like anything. Knock, knock, there's a miracle in this book that will see you stuffs with much better perspective!

Favorite quote from the book:

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” 
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4. The Gift of Magi by O. Henry

Love stories are a treasure during the Christmas time and The Gift of Magi is one of the greatest selfless love story ever told that teaches us about the joy of giving gifts on Christmas day to your loved ones, and there can only be one man behind such a classic love-story- O. Henry. He gifted us with one of his sweetest and enthralling love-story on a cold December day in the year 1905. When I first read the book, of course, when I was in school, I felt even if you are poor and have no money, Christmas is the only festival that brings out the spirit  of compassion and kindness within our hearts. This couple, Della and Jim, each had only one true possession in their lives- Della had her beautiful, lustrous, long hair and Jim had his ancestral pocket watch, which was kind of an heritage to him. And it's that time of the years, bells ringing everywhere and they both wonder how to give one another gifts despite of being so poor. O.Henry enlightens us with a noteworthy love-story that is only about joy and sacrifice and gifts. He showed us that the joy behind giving gifts one of the greatest forms of happiness in one's life. After all Christmas should be spent with your loved ones with happiness and laughter. And Della Na Jim's story is the perfect epitome of that. This book brings out the best feeling when it is read it along with your boyfriend/husband or with your girlfriend/wife on the night before Christmas.

Favorite quote from the book:

“Life is full of sniffles sobs and smiles. With sniffles predominating.”
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5. Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

There are some stories which never lose it's charm even after reading it for the uncountable times. And Little Woman falls into that category. Not exactly a Christmas time story, but this

19th century story about 4 indifferent sisters when their father was sent off to war, will always remain one of my personal favorite Christmas time read. Tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg,

fragile Beth, and romantic Amy will spin you away from your present day into an old English village where poverty and death are a common in almost every household. It was a surprise for me to find out that Louisa has portrayed her own story and painted herself into Jo in this book. The story might me about hardships faced by women back then, but it is also about unity and trust among your siblings and they held on to each other. This story might not strike to the children of 21st century, but I think, every child must read it to understand how hard life is when you don't have your parents to take care of your needs and demands. Little Woman still manages to make me see life in a much better perspective every time I read it. This is a must-read novel during the Christmas time.

Favorite quote from the book:

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. 
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6. The 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

The 101 Dalmatians is any child's favorite story/movie ever read/watched while growing up. But I feel the animated movie that was adapted on the book was not as enthralling as the book itself. Dodie Smith, born as Dorothy Gladys Smith, is one of the most remarkable English female author who spun a classic story about canines and their masters. It was very mystifying for me when I read it as a little girl. Even if you're not a big fan of domestic animals, especially dogs, this book is bound to make you fall for them especially for their spots! A beautiful story about two dogs, Pongo and Missis when their puppies go missing in the suburb of London. Well there's a human bitchy character named Cruella who you'll love to hate kidnaps those helpless puppies and hides them somewhere even the Scotland Yard couldn't find it, to make the most beautiful far coat in time for Christmas. And it's really unraveling to see when Pongo and Missus try to find their puppies along the streets of London all by themselves. A perfect bed-time read on a bitterly cold, December night!

Favorite quote from the book:

“Like many other much-loved humans, they believed that they owned their dogs, instead of realizing that their dogs owned them.” 
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7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

That's not a Christmas tale!! Well, I agree to that, but any holiday doesn't complete for me, if I don't get to read a Potter book. They always have a way to make you feel so young, alive and full of happiness and Harry Potter series is the best epitome that light is the only weapon to win over darkness. I consider Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as the best book in the whole series and it completely brings out the good spirit among us and shows light into the darkest corners of our mind. After all, cold wintery Decembers are meant for something magical and full of surprising adventures. And J.K.Rowling spins magic in such a way that even the greatest magicians on earth become speechless because of her creation. This is a book that drives us through the cold, darkness and pain into the magical kingdom of Hogwarts where freedom has no boundary and where friends are your only family and where some lessons become the greatest of your life. Read this book sitting by the fireside on your cozy chair with a hot mug of coffee on a very stormy, wintery evening.

Favorite quote from the book:

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” 
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8. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's short story collection was first published in the year 1960 and it is the only book which contains stories of Christie's two most famous detectives- Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. It is quite amazing to see that Christie has written the very first story in the book about Christmas and mystery by bringing out the Christmas spirit with her words and setting and feel. This is the one story which, if read at any time of the year, will always make you feel very Christmassy! Poirot is invited to join a countryside Christmas celebration in order to find a missing ruby. Although, no doubt, Christie's mystery are "The Best", but still this is the one book that not only rattles your mind, but it also makes your heart fill with hope and joy  of celebration with closed ones. Christie's descriptions about places and people are very striking, sharp and makes you feel like a part of the story. And who would miss out to read about Poirot's usual grumpiness and an old fashioned English Christmas dinner on a chilly Christmas night!

Favorite quote from the book:

“A weak man in a corner is more dangerous than a strong man." 
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9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I know it's not a Christmas read, but this is yet another family story that doesn't make any holiday reunion complete. No matter whatever the celebration be, it doesn't end without indulging into a chocolaty ride into Wonka's chocolate factory along with the sweetest kid in the world- Charlie! Roald Dahl gifted us with the best-ever-present with his extraordinary and impressionistic children's story- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the year 1964. There's not a soul that I know of who hasn't ever read Charlie's chocolatey adventure. This story also brings out a feeling of togetherness within out parents and grandparents and teaches us how a child like Charlie never leaves behind his family even he is offered the most prestigious job in the world. And with Dahl's enchanting narrative style, he makes his readers see right through his fantasy world of chocolate factories and strange little creatures named Oompa Loompa. Make your Christmas more delicious by bringing out the worn-out copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from your bookshelves and reading it out loud on a cold December morning.

Favorite quote from the book:

“I've heard tell that what you imagine sometimes comes true."
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10. The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman

What better way to end your Christmas by reading Hoffman's The Nutcracker, which is not only a delightful read, but also leaves your heart filled up with a musical tune. All the spirit and the magic of Christmas pour out from every pages of this book. And with Maurice Sendak's eye-catching and poignant illustration, the whole story makes a more joyful read for it's readers. Marie's unusual Christmas present from her Godfather opens up a window to a whole new world, and after reading the book, when I close my eyes, I feel like I can see The Nutcracker ballet right in front of me. So enchanting filled up with magic and beauty, so thrilling, so enlightening, no other tale can be compared to this one!

PS: Even if you don't read the story, just look at the illustrations, that will cheer up your heart.

Favorite quote from the book:

"Snow was falling gently on the streets, and people were hurrying home, their arms filled with gaily wrapped boxes and paper parcels from toy stores, candy shops and bakeries". So begins the story of The Nutcracker, and with it the dreams of thousands of ballerinas. 
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So Happy Holidays People!! 
Read On!