The staff at Crawfordsville District Public Library have lots of reading and listening recommendations this month to help you enjoy the holiday season, whether you are looking for inspiration or relaxation.
If you want to create a homemade holiday, check out one of Michelle’s favorites “Tis the Season to be Felty” (746 She). Michelle shares, “When this book came out in 2015, my daughter and I had so much fun! We made the Beaded Star Baubles (p 17), Dove Ornaments (p 23), Sweet Treats (p 43), Mini Gift Garland (p 73), and Mistletoe Sprig (p 75). The wreath is on my to-do list!” She also recommends another holiday craft book, “Knit Christmas Stocking” (746.43 Kni), because “There is nothing better than a hand-knit Christmas stocking! You can stuff more goodies in them, of course.”
To get into the spirit of the season, Dawn recommends two of her favorite holiday books, “A Peanuts Christmas” by Charles M. Schultz, which is the complete collection of Peanuts Christmas strips from 1950 to 1999, and the classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens & illustrated by PJ Lynch. Dawn loves this one because “the story’s message of love and goodwill holds as true today as it did at the first publication in 1843.” And of course, don’t forget about our holiday CDs on the second floor. Dawn loves to listen to “NOW That’s What I Call Music Christmas Classics” (CD 781.723 Now), which includes classics by Dean Martin, Burl Ives, Elvis Presley, The Temptations, and many more. Dennis also adds “Michael Bublé Christmas” (CD 781.723 Bub) as one of his favorites for the holiday season.
If you need a good fiction recommendation to settle down with, Stephanie K says “The Story of Arthur Truluv” by Elizabeth Berg (FIC Ber) is “charming, delightful, and uplifting! In the novel, an elderly widower, a troubled teen, and a busybody neighbor become friends. I laughed, I cried, and I was touched! Bonus, if you enjoy this book, check out the two sequels.” She also recommends “My Name is Anton” by Catherine Ryan Hyde (FIC Hyd) because “the main character Anton is so easy to like! He has a kind heart, an ability to love unselfishly, and a great sense of humor despite the trauma and struggles of his life. Follow Anton and Edith as their friendship and love span over 55 years.”
Brenda recommends another great fiction book, “Fifty Words for Rain” by Asha Lemme (FIC Lem), a story about a young girl who is abandoned to live with a grandmother who will not accept her and forces her to live in the attic. Brenda says she was crazy about the writing and “the story is at times unbearably sad and yet deeply moving.” Dellie also has some great fiction recommendations to check out, all by bestselling authors: “The Edge of Dusk” by Indiana writer Colleen Coble (FIC Cob), “Black Dog” by Stuart Woods (FIC Woo), and “Foundation of Love” the first in the Amish Legacy series by Amy Clipston (FIC Cli).
These are all on display on the first floor of the library and ready to check out with your library card through the end of December. And if you are looking for even more holiday inspiration, come upstairs and check out our Homemade Holidays & What’s Cooking displays of holiday crafting and cooking books. The library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Megan Taylor is assistant manager in the Reference and Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
