As a gift to all of our students, we are sharing a few favourite readings to celebrate this festive season.
Christmas Vacation by Truman Capote
Known for his break out work "In Cold Blood" and his unofficial biographies of Socialites such as "the Swans", Truman Capote also had sucess when he shared sweet memories of his childhood in popular short stories, such as "Christmas Vacation", in which he speaks nostalgically of his sweet Southern childhood in Alabama (with his best friend and neighbour, author Harper Lee).
Bertha Weisser's Wish : A Christmas Story Novel. c.1865
by Mary Bissell
Created almost two hundred years ago, Mary Bissell's work documenting the lives of Victorian children includes stories of poverty and perseverance, kindness and consequence. This work was lost to the world for a long time, until thanks to digital preservation and provision of the American Antiquarian Society, it had been brought back and continues to inspire gratitude and trepidation in all, who read it.
A History of Sukkot in the Second Temple and Rabbinic Periods
by J. Reubenstein
Reubenstein's esteemed and thorough academic work covers everything from the Aggada to Zechariah and has a great chapter on the Maccabees for this time of year. This book also includes an easy to read yet comprehensive tracing of the history of the tabernacles (Sukkot) without leaving out reference to the many interpretive symbols, which have attached to them from ancient through to modern times.
Success is a Private Matter: Nabokov’s Christmas Stories by Leona Toker
Although not a Christmas tale in itself, Nabokovian fans will revel in the liquid language that Toker revisits as she showcases the inner workings of the master's mind and tangible tale teller's tongue. The Christmas Stories of Vladimir Nabokov were written during the interwar period he spent in Berlin, when he was first falling in love with Vera and recovering from the Soviet revocation of his life in Russia. Beauty hidden in between joy and sorrow sparks to knowing readers glimpses of what he will become as a writer of the 21st century.
A Christmas Carol: In Prose. Being a Ghost Story Of Christmas. By Charles Dickens: With Illustrations By John Leech
It wouldn't be a classical Christmas list without "A Christmas Carol". Many of you have seen the films or heard of the story, but this year you might treat yourself to a copy of this beautifully illustrated edition now available free online. Many credit this book with inventing many of the Christmas experiences and traditions we know today.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year from the Online Library!
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