The Christmas List

My husband gave me a $25 gift certificate for Chapters, a bookstore chain, for Mother's Day.

There was a time when I would have cashed in the gift certificate as soon as I received it. Now my time is precious and any moment I am not at work, I am at home with my little guy.

Earlier this month, however, I needed to pick up a book I ordered. So I left work early and spent a leisurely hour looking at the end displays and special sections I wouldn't usual look at. And because the Christmas season is upon us, the store was filled with all things seasonal - from knick knacks to books.

Not only was it completely relaxing to spend time within a place filled with books, it was a joy to not have to worry about money and simply buy what I wanted.

I found three Christmas books on sale, one of which was called The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans. I read The Christmas Box, also written by Evans, each Christmas.

The Christmas List is as good as The Christmas Box A Christmas Carol with a character more nasty than Ebenezer Scrooge. It was a fantastic book that haunted me days after. It was another book I had to re-read parts in order to get it out of my head.

A recommended read to anyone who loves Christmas and happy stories.

Another Christmas Read

Another Christmas book I read each year is Richard Paul Evan’s The Christmas Box.

I bought this book years ago at a sale and the quick read is a must each time this festive season rolls around.

I am always confused if this is a true story. It reads like it is, complete with a note of where you can drop flowers off in Salt Lake City, however, the front of the book says that is a work of pure fiction.

Regardless of the authenticity of the book, the story is about a man, his wife and their daughter who rent space from an older woman who, despite her tragic story, understands the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s a beautifully written book and one that makes me cry each year.

There are actually two other books that were written after this one, which tells the back story of MaryAnne Parker and her family. They are excellent books but I don’t need to read about that much heartache at Christmastime, or any time really.