Sophie (Upper Sixth), one of our Literary Seniors, shares her picks for festive reads.
The days are getting shorter, crimson leaves are turning auburn… it can officially be said that Christmas is just around the corner! As the countdown to the holiday season begins, here is a selection of my favourite cosy festive reads.
Lower School
Hetty Feather’s Christmas by Jacqueline Wilson & Nick Sharratt
December 25, 1888 – A spontaneous gift shows up for Hetty Feather at the Foundling Hospital. It may have sparked envy but, luckily, a friend whisks her away just in time for an unforgettable Christmas.
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle
An unmissable 21st-century reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It all starts when young George stumbles upon a life-changing snow globe at Marley’s Curiosity Shop, and takes his Scrooge-like father along on a time-travelling adventure.
Through a Glass, Darkly by Jostein Gaarder
A poignant, profound tale featuring young Cecilia, who spends her final Christmas battling a terminal cancer. Frustrated with having to miss out on the festivities, Ariel the angel sets out to pay her frequent visits at her window.
Upper School
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Perhaps Nutcracker is best known today as the muse behind Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet. It all starts when the nutcracker turns into a handsome Prince, who then invites Clara on a journey to an enchanted forest, where they encounter both good and evil.
This Winter by Alice Oseman
A prequel to Oseman’s debut novel, Solitaire and a sequel of her bestselling graphic novel series, Heartstopper, this novella follows the Spring family who spends Christmas together, supporting Charlie through his recovery.
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
A 2020 compendium of Christie’s snowy mysteries. Look forward to a (hopefully) white Christmas with her most iconic detectives including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, curled up by the fireside with the novel in hand.
Sixth Form
A Midwinter’s Tail by Lili Hayward
A captivating mystery that weaves together magic and mayhem. When Murr the cat disappears on Christmas Eve, unleashing chaos with its magical tail, Mina embarks on a whimsical adventure to unravel the secrets of a quaint town.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
A wholesome tale of love, community, and the magic of fiction. Set in Edinburgh, the page-turner follows Carmen whose determination to transform a derelict shop into a festive haven, brings bookish joy to all.
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino
Most refreshing in its seamless intertwining of narratives, Calvino explores the themes of fiction and reality, as well as the essence of reading. It captures the chill of wintery solitude and the redeeming warmth of literary discovery.
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic Becky Brandon navigates holiday chaos, juggling family expectations and a frenzied shopping spree. Hilarity ensues as her plans unravel, blending humour and heartwarming moments in this seasonal adventure.
