Storytime: Escape into a novel on your holiday break

The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activities like finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones, and hosting and attending parties. During this busy time, it’s important to find space for self care.

Losing yourself in a captivating book is an effective way to relax amid the merrymaking. Reading in a bubble bath with a glass of wine is even better! Look Local asked our trusted local booksellers for some of their top holiday reading picks. The following titles make great gifts and are ideal for your own downtime.

If you enjoy a darkly humorous twist, Marnie Mycroft of Pickwick Books recommends Krampus: The Yule Lord, by Brom, a tale that mixes fantasy and mythology. As Mycroft explains, Krampus is “a Christmas story for those that don’t love Christmas. This book blends together the secular traditions of Santa Claus with Norse mythology and other pagan influences. It’s intended for an adult audience, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.”

On Christmas Eve, struggling songwriter Jesse Walker is caught up in an ancient feud between Santa and Krampus (a goat-like, demon-like creature from Central European folklore who punishes kids on the naughty list!). Dark secrets about Santa are revealed as the lines between good and evil become intertwined. Jesse tries to navigate the feud, realize his own dreams, and help the poor people in his town.

Mycroft’s pick for a cosy murder mystery is I Am Half Sick of Shadows: a Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley. Set in rural England in the 1950s, eleven-year-old Flavia loves sleuthing and chemistry and is working to set a trap to prove the existence of Father Christmas. Her plan derails as a film crew visits her home, and a fierce snowstorm cuts everyone off from the outside world. After midnight a murder takes place. Flavia has another mystery to solve, at her own peril!

For some, the holidays are a time to reflect on life: past, present and future. Ian Elliot of A Different Drummer Books strongly endorses Walking with Beth: Conversations with My Hundred-Year-Old Friend by Merilyn Simonds. This is “an instructive, encouraging and enriching book from a great author and her generous and wise older friend,” Elliot says.

In 2021 Author Merilyn Simonds had just turned 70 and wasn’t sure what the future held. For the next three years, Simonds embarked on weekly walks with her 100-year-old friend Beth Robinson, and their intimate conversations are the basis for this uplifting book.

The holidays are about sharing love with family and friends. Another of Elliot’s picks is The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin by Tracey Lindberg and illustrated by acclaimed artist George Littlechild. This collaboration uses story and art to explore love in the Cree experience.

The book’s inspiration comes from a teaching by an Elder that in the Cree culture, love as defined by Western society doesn’t exist. The book responds to this teaching using fiction and painting to explore the seasons, and family love, kinship, romantic love, and self-love.

If you have a pre-teen on your shopping list, Mycroft recommends A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig. Eleven-year-old Nikolas lives with his father in a small cottage in Finland and has only received one toy in his life, a doll carved out of a turnip! When his father goes missing Nikolas embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole meeting up with reindeers, elves and trolls along the way.

These are just five book titles to get you started — your friendly neighbourhood booksellers will gladly share more. Happy reading and happy relaxing!