Guest post by Henry the Librarian
There’s something for everyone at your local library this Christmas! This December, we have eco storytelling with Joanna Gilar, party hats, mosaic snowmen, wintery paperchains and Graham Bartlett, bestselling author, police procedure and crime advisor.
And as it’s the festive season we’ve chosen a selection of seasonal reads with Christmas-themed books that are both heart warming and horrifying!
Top Fiction
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House prepared to play the perfect Victorian governess. However, she struggles at every turn to stifle the horrid compulsions of her past until her chillingly dark imagination breaches the feeble boundary of reality on Christmas morning.
Reserve the paperback of Victorian Psycho
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke; illustrated by Victoria Sawdon
One snowy afternoon, out with her dogs and Apple the pig, Merowdis encounters a blackbird and a fox. As darkness falls, a strange figure enters in their midst – and the path of her life is changed forever.
Reserve the hardback of The Wood at Midwinter
12 Ways to Kill your Family at Christmas by Natasha Bache
All Olivia wanted was one last miserable Christmas with her husband’s awful family before moving to Australia. She didn’t expect a murder. Or another. Or another.
Olivia must survive the season, clear her name and uncover the killer.
Reserve the paperback of 12 Ways to Kill your Family at Christmas
Top Non-fiction
The Batch Lady Saves Christmas by Suzanne Mulholland
The festive period just got easier with The Batch Lady method: save on holiday expenses, minimise waste and spend less time worrying this Christmas. Take the stress out of Christmas with 100 budget-friendly, made-in-advance, freezable recipes, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family.
Reserve the hardback of The Batch Lady Saves Christmas
Green Christmas: Sustainable Celebrations that Won’t Cost the Earth by Jen Chillingsworth
Jen Chillingsworth will show you how to get the most out of the season and make considered choices in how you prepare, decorate and gift this Christmas. Featuring 30 projects, this practical, illustrated book showcases simple changes you can make for a greener Christmas. Jen offers achievable advice on how to sustainably shop for the season, forage for your own wreath and create beautiful handmade gifts.
Reserve the paperback of Green Christmas: Sustainable Celebrations that Won’t Cost the Earth
Top Audiobooks
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan (and read by Eilidh Beaton)
Carmen is at a loose end. Her gorgeous bookshop is the filming site of a cheesy Christmas movie, she’s been ousted from her sister’s house and the love of her life has just flown thousands of miles away. It’s threatening to be a very unjolly Christmas!
But with the help of their neighbours, her nieces and nephew and a very cute male nanny, Carmen might just pull her greatest magic trick yet…
Listen to Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop on uLibrary (with no wait)
Reserve the hardback of Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop
Christmas Days 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson
These tales give the listener a portal into the spirit of the season, where time slows down and magic starts to happen. From trees with mysterious powers to a tinsel baby that talks, philosophical fairies to flying dogs, a haunted house and a disappearing train, Winterson’s innovative stories encompass the childlike and spooky wonder of Christmas.
Listen to Christmas Days 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days on Borrowbox
Reserve the paperback of Christmas Days 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days
Top Children’s books
Three Little Monkeys at Christmas by Quentin Blake (read by Olivia Colman)
Beep! Beep! The three little monkeys are back in an irresistible new story! Hilda Snibbs is taking her three mischievous monkeys to visit her mother in the country. But what is supposed to be a calm and peaceful holiday is soon filled with chaos and hilarious havoc!
Listen to Three Little Monkeys at Christmas on Libby
Reserve the paperback of Three little monkeys at Christmas
Cat’s Christmas by Alison Murray
Cat HATES Christmas. He hates the fancy decorations. He hates the sickly food and the silly presents. And he hates the surprise visitors that come to stay – but maybe Christmas isn’t ALL bad. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the festive season can surprise you.
Reserve the paperback of Cat’s Christmas
Christmas Stars by Emma Dodd
‘Christmas Stars’ is a sweet, snowy celebration of the festive season. Snuggling together under the stars, Christmas reminds us how lucky we are. A super cute fox family embrace the joy of being together during the most magical time of the year.
Reserve the paperback of Christmas Stars
