As the Christmas season comes to a close, I thought I'd write about two Christmas books I read this season.
The first is Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb. A friend got it for me last spring when she went to a workshop where Lamb was one of the speakers, so I even have an autographed copy! It is a short book - especially for Lamb! -and a wonderful one. Set in an elementary school (largely a 5th grade class) in Connecticut in 1964, it follows the escapades of the students as Christmas approaches. It has a pageant on a par with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I laughed out loud all the way through this one. The main character, Frank Funicello, is the second cousin of Mouseketeer Annette, and that's a significant theme. Be sure and read all of Lamb's notes at the end - there's a little trick to the whole novel. Even as Christmas comes to an end, this is a great winter read.
The second one is The Last Noel by Michael Malone. I really like his writing. Handling Sin is one of the best novels ever about forgiveness and grace, and Foolscap is a hilarious romp through the English countryside and the world of playwrights and drama, modern and 17th century. The Last Noel is a little bit predictable is some ways, but it is a lovely story, following two people - one black, one white - who meet up as 7-year olds and meet each Christmas after. It's an interesting walk through the racial tensions of the '60's, especially how it would affect children and teenagers. Malone lives in North Carolina, and probably knows these themes well.
So on this last day of Christmas, I wish you all a Happy New Year and very happy reading.
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