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dear mr. hemingway’s 2018 holiday books & pairings 

Holiday-ish Reads

Couple trimming a Christmas tree

Hiddensee:  A Tale of the Once Future Nutcracker by Gregory Maguire

The Best Selling author of the book, Wicked has another magical book for you.

From the Publisher (William Morrow):  “Gregory Maguire returns with an inventive novel inspired by a timeless holiday legend, intertwining the story of the famous Nutcracker with the life of the mysterious toy maker named Drosselmeier who carves him.”

P.S. Pair this book with an actual nutcracker that does not make a mess for a nutty combo.

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and Illustrated by Susan Jeffers

Robert Frost’s famous poem, “Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening”, comes to life with Susan Jeffers’ gorgeous illustrations.  A great family read by the fire on a snowy day. This book is for EVERYONE!

P.S. Along with this book, give the gift of snow with snowflake ornaments for the tree.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

Being with your family for the holidays is not all it’s cracked up to be.

From the Publisher(Penguin Random House):  “It’s Christmas, and for the first time in years the entire Birch family will be under one roof. Even Emma and Andrew’s elder daughter–who is usually off saving the world–will be joining them at Weyfield Hall. But Olivia, a doctor, is only coming home because she has to. She’s just returned from treating an epidemic abroad and has been told she must stay in quarantine for a week…and so too should her family.For the next seven days, the Birches are locked down, cut off from the rest of humanity, and forced into each other’s orbits. Younger, unabashedly frivolous daughter Phoebe is fixated on her upcoming wedding, while Olivia deals with the culture shock of first-world problems. As Andrew sequesters himself in his study writing scathing restaurant reviews and remembering his glory days as a war correspondent, Emma hides a secret that will turn the whole family upside down.  In close proximity, not much can stay hidden for long, and as revelations and long-held tensions come to light, nothing is more shocking than the unexpected guest who’s about to arrive…”

P.S.  Someone’s house will smell divine if you pair this book with a decorative rosemary plant.  Bonus….you can cook with it too.

The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry and Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger

A simple story of the gift of giving.  With no money to buy her husband a gift, Della sells all she has (her beautiful hair) in order to buy a gift.  This is a story for the whole family!

P.S.  A wooden sign sign that emphasises family love is the best to go with this timeless book.

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

Sometimes, a classic murder mystery is needed during the holiday season.  Happy Holidays from the best, of the best…Agatha Christie.

From the Publisher (HarperCollins):  “In Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, the holidays are anything but merry when a family reunion is marred by murder—and the notoriously fastidious investigator is quickly on the case.Christmas Eve, and the Lee family’s reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture and a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed.When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man.”

P.S.  Smell like winter with this soap and lotion pair while reading Agatha’s Christmas mystery.  

Dear Mr. Hemingway’s 2018 Holiday Books & Pairings

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