Friday, December 14, 2018

Christmas Traditions: Re-Read Books

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Christmas is a time for family, friends and yes, traditions!  Do you have a family tradition? What about a personal tradition you do every year?  

I’ve always been a reader and reading the Christmas story, the famous birth of our Lord Jesus seems fitting on Christmas Day. Then reading seems almost a perfect thing to do during this time. I don’t know when did it start, but I’ve re-read Pride and Prejudice every year the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It wasn’t really planned, but possibly because that time of the week, school’s off and I didn’t own many books besides textbooks. Living in New York, the weather’s usually chilly, so I love to cozy up with a comfy blanket, hot cup of tea and with my bedside lamp’s soft yellow glow, read the night away.

Classics I read every Christmas season!

Classics

My typical stack of Christmas reads will always include Pride and Prejudice and one other Jane Austen’s novel. It changes yearly, but the first will always be the story of first impressions. Even years later, married, this personal tradition continued on, but with one change - more titles were added to the mix.  Classics such as The Christmas Carol and The Little Prince added to the tradition, along with some inspirational titles I’ve came across during my initial exposure to Christian Fiction. 

Some of my favorite Re-Reads

A Spin off a Tradition

With my re-reading tradition, I’ve decided to make it a standing tradition to not only reread some of my favorites, but make that particular week just for re-reads. Since I’ve started reviewing books, I haven’t had that much opportunity to reread novels in its entirety. So in the last two years, I’ve decided to carve out specific times in the year to focus not on titles I’ve not read, but on titles I’ve already read and have enjoyed tremendously.
 
Titles I'm adding to this year's re-reading season!

I know many fellow readers think re-reading books is a waste of time, especially with so many great books published every year. For me, I think every time I read a book, even if it was a previously read title, I grasp something entirely different, or that I can find it more relevant this time versus the last. I also think even if we read a book, what we’re meant to take away from it, may not necessarily be the right timing. Sometimes it’s not about the message, but just pure entertainment, and that is also enough for me.

💬   How about you? Do you reread books? Any classics or recent favorites? Do you also have a personal Christmas tradition?


Christmas Giveaway 


I’m gifting one US winner a mystery box of books! And it will include at least one of the books photographed in this post!  To enter, just answer one or more of the questions I asked above.  
Subject to Seekerville giveaway terms and conditions.


Seekerville Advent Giveaway


Don’t forget, Seekerville is hosting a month long Advent Giveaway for 2 winners to each win a Kindle Fire!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

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THANK YOU!

85 comments:

  1. Occasionally I will re-read a book if it's one that I really enjoyed! A couple this year that I've loved are Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt and At First Glance by Susan L. Tuttle!

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    1. Yes! Beth's was great too for me. I'm looking forward to Susan's. I heard great things!

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  2. I enjoy re-reading a favorite book (both fiction and non-fiction) on occasion, too. And it's amazing how there are NEW things that I notice in the re-reading that I 'missed' the first time through!

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    1. I agree. I'm always surprised by that when I re-read. It never gets old. Lol. 😉

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  3. I will re-read favourites. Susan Meissner's Blue Heart Blessed and Siri Mitchell's The Cubicle Next Door are two books I've read countless times. I've been thinking that I should re-read the Mitford series.

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    1. Yay! Thanks for the New recommendations. I haven't had the chance to read either of those. Will be sure to add to my TBR list. Thanks!

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  4. I have reread books I love, but not as often as I would like. When I do, I also discover new or forgotten things in reread books. Sometimes the older you are gives a new perspective to what you are reading. I am trying to reread the Bible nowadays. The more I read the Bible the closer I feel to God.😄

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    1. Amen to that! Our life experiences sure shape and influence our mindset. Thanks!

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  5. Annie, I love your tradition!! I sometimes re-read books. Pride and Predudice is one of them! I would do it more often if my TBR pile wasn't so huge. haha

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    1. Lol, Missy! So many great books, and so little time! #readerproblems

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  6. I don’t usually reread books but I have read Francine Rivers, The Scarlet Thread many time. An old classic that I’ve also ready many times is called Mrs Mike. I don’t have a lot of Christmas traditions but I do make Buckeye candy for my family every year. We are transplanted buckeyes from Ohio living in Oklahoma.

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    1. O fun! I love that tradition. My Darcy's been trying to start a sweets related tradition for years, like baking together and gifting our candy or cookies we make. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a baker (we'll just leave it at that!). Hehe.

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  7. I love your tradition of rereading books. I also love to watch movies over and over again. With a huge TBR pile I don't get to do it often enough.

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    1. O, I totally understand. There's just not enough time, unless I make it. Lol.

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  8. I reread books all the time! Like you, I pick up something new or simply recall things I was forgetting. People we watch movies all the time so why wowou re-reading be different! 💕

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  9. I don’t usually reread books unless they’re for my children. My children’s favorite Christmas tradition is to have a “camp out” in our living room on Christmas Eve.

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    1. I love that tradition! I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas, so it was never something we did as kids. Now, may be a bit too old for me, but maybe I'll try it some year. Lol.

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  10. I reread all the time--what's the point of owning a book if you aren't going to pull it out and savor it again and again? I'm sure I've read Beauty by Robin McKinley (a Beauty and Beast retelling) a dozen times by now, but I still love it every time I read it. And if a new book is coming out in a series, I will often reread the entire series--it ramps up the excitement as well as reminds me of what happened previously.

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    1. Yes yes yes! Agreed with everything you said! Why let the book collect dust? Lol. Thanks.

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  11. What a great tradition, Annie. With so many books stacked up in my TBR pile, I usually don't reread books. Ironically, the ones I do reread are Pride and Prejudice and A Christmas Carol. Truly, one can never read those too many times. Thanks for this great post. It made me want to go home, curl up in my recliner and read the day away (Which I can't- but a girl can dream)

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    1. I'll dream with you! Lol. Pride & Prejudice and A Christmas Carol are great classics that never gets old.

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  12. I usually do not re-read books because I can’t keep up on my TBR list. My favorite tradition at ?Christmas every year is to start reading Christmas books starting at the end of November so it puts me more in the spirit of Christmas. These last 2 have been difficult as we have lost family members.

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    1. I'm sorry for your lost, Sharon. I do love your tradition of reading Christmas stories in Decembers.

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  13. I usually don't reread books. Two of my recent favorite reads were Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt and The Amish Teacher's Gift by Rachel Good. Our favorite Christmas tradition is going to the Christmas Eve service and then driving to see Christmas lights on the way home.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  14. Yes. I reread an Austen book almost every year. And Little Women. And Anne of Green Gables. I usually have a couple others I go back to as well. Love your tradition.

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    1. Fun! I'm hoping to add Little Women in the mix this year. I'm thinking of a rotating Classics in addition to my typical trio. 😂😉

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  15. Lately the only time I read a book again is when I have a hard time writing a review because I waited too long to write it. I love to make fudge for Christmas.

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  16. ANNIE!! First of all THANK YOU for including A Passion Redeemed in your reread list -- I am honored, my friend!

    Secondly, you said: "For me, I think every time I read a book, even if it was a previously read title, I grasp something entirely different, or that I can find it more relevant this time versus the last. I also think even if we read a book, what we’re meant to take away from it, may not necessarily be the right timing. Sometimes it’s not about the message, but just pure entertainment, and that is also enough for me."

    I couldn't agree more! I bet I reread Gone With the Wind 10 times in my lifetime and the sequel, Scarlet, at least 2 or 3! And every single time I seem to get more and more immersed in the story, almost becoming a part of it!

    Christian books on my reread list are Christy by Catherine Marshall, Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz, The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers, and The Lowlands of Scotland series by Liz Curtis Higgs -- classics all, in my opinion.

    And this may sound silly, but since my fictional family, the O'Connors, are like real family to me, I used to reread all the books written in that series prior to the latest release in that series, just for fun. I don't do that anymore, but I do reread one or two when the mood strikes because like I said -- they are like family to me. :)

    Thanks for a great post and MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Awww! Thanks Julie! I love your O'Connors. I would put any of the novels of the series on this list, since I do reread all of them. However, last two years, it was A Passion Redeemed that I gravitated towards. Lol

      I love love Gone witht he Wind and Scarlet. Unfortunately, due to its size, my rereading them have taken a break for a few years already. Lol.

      Thanks for your encouragement always! Merry Christmas!

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  17. I rarely re-read books. As noted by others my TBR pile is just so high that I’d rather tackle that than read something I’ve already read. Thx for sharing about your reading habits! I may have to rethink my no re-read policy.

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    1. You're very welcome. I think a good story can be reread countless of times. Lol.

      I'm happy my TBR lis is never ending with so many great books published every year, but sometimes, I need a break from new stories, to my beloved ones. Lol.

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  18. I never tire of reading the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke. Several years ago I read The Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright and I've re-read it several times. Restoring Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti is a recent favorite. When I was still working as a librarian I often spent the days after Christmas reading Christmas stories because I could then truly enjoy them. This year I've enjoyed reading some before!
    Thanks for your giveaway. Merry Christmas!

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    1. So fun, Connie! The Christmas story in Matthew and Luke are great. I think depending on the year, my Darcy and I switch between them to read together. I love Cynthia's Restoring Christmas as well.

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  19. I am an avid reader, but rarely re-read books 'cause my TBR stack is high! I am thankful for all the authors on Seekerville and want to read ALL of their books.
    Thanks for your giveaway!

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    1. You're very welcome. It's definitely on my agenda to read all the Seekers' works as well!

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  20. I love to re-read my favorites! It doesn't happen often as I do have a big TBR pile, but there are some I grab when I'm in a rut and need to energize my reading brain again. Merry Christmas to all the Seekerville ladies!

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  21. O yes! Sometimes we need a classic or a favorite to just get our minds back on reading again! Lol.

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  22. I love to re-read! For many years, I buying new books wasn't an option financially, so I re-read all my old favorites over and over. All the Jane Austen novels, Anne of Green Gables series, Chronicles of Narnia series, the first two books in the Space trilogy by C.S. Lewis, the Little House on the Prairie books, Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, and the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke.

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    1. These are great selections! I've been wanting to read CS Lewis' space series. I've heard great things!

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  23. I don't re-read entire book every often, but I LOVE your choices!! I see a few I need to read for the first time. I DO love to read a good Christmas book every December though!

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    1. O yes. Christmas stories in December are especially nice!

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  25. I love to reread my favorite books! For me, it's comforting to read a book that you love and is familair to you; it's like drinking your favorite tea or wearing your favorite fuzzy pajamas. I love reading new books too, but I always love going back to the ones I enjoyed.

    The last book I reread was The Last Summer by Brandy Bruce. And this month I plan to reread A Cliche Christmas by Nicole Deese and A December Bride by Denise Hunter. Both are fantastic reads for the holiday season!

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    1. All great choices! I totally get it. Rereading favorites is quite calming.

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  26. I'm not a re-reader. The only time I might re-read a portion of a book is if it is a series and it has been a while between books.

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    1. I also like to skim through series when the next book releases, just to refresh my mind on some pertinent plotlines. 😅😉

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  27. At least once a year I re-read Karen Hancock's Guardian-King series. Lately I've been re-reading Susan May Warren's Montana Rescue series. Orson Scott Card's Enders Game is always a good re-read. One of my goals for 2019 is to re-read a lot of the books on my bookshelves. I've missed spending time with them!

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    1. Sweet! I think the Montana Rescue series gets better and better. I love it!

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  28. Occasionally I will reread a book I loved. I would do it more often if I had the time. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄

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  29. I don't re-read books. There are so many to enjoy!

    Have a blessed Christmas!
    Caryl

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  30. In the past I have often reread books, but lately I've been reading so many new books, I haven't had time to go back and reread some of my favorites. I enjoyed reading your thoughtful post, Annie. Thanks for the fun giveaway.

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    1. Thanks Winnie! Reading is fun no matter what! LOL!

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  31. I am not in the habit or re-reading books, but I do have some books (mostly series) on my keeper shelf that I hope to re-read one day!

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    1. Yes. I love keeper shelves! Just need more shelves. LOL!

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  32. what a fun post! it makes me want to go back and read some of these this holiday season too!

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  33. I have re-read a few books but I haven’t re-read as many as I would like to. For several years, we all gathered together as a family and read Christmas books out loud together. I enjoyed that so much. It was fun to all share the story. Now that our son is a teenager, we don’t do it. . .but I was thinking it could be fun for hubby and I to do sometime and he would provably be game for it.

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  34. I occasionally recread books. My tradition of reading at Christmas is newer Christmas book such as the Dickens inspired ones by Michelle Griep. I am going to start a tradition of reading A Christmas Carol. We already watch several adaptations.
    A tradition our family enjoys is the Candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

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    1. I love the Candlelight service at Christmas Eve. Back in NY, our fellowship would also go Christmas caroling immediately afterwards!

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  35. Great thoughts! I love re-reading my favorites. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson is my go-to for a happy fix. I also love the Timeless Romance Anthology novella collections since I can get a happy-ending fix when life gets pretty busy. Another I read more than three times this year is Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt. It's really engaging!

    Please enter me in your book giveaway! :)

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    1. Yay! I know how much you love Edenbrooke! I have yet to read it, but hope to in the future.

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  36. I re-read ALL the time. And in fact, I am doing it right now. During hectic times of the year, since I too review so much, it's enjoyable to sit down with a comfortable favorite and let myself get lost in the story once again, without having to watch for key points or memorable moments.

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  37. I re-read books. There are some books that I cannot gave away or lend. I enjoyed A Christmas Carol and other Christmas stories. During this time of the year I watch Lord of the Rings.

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    1. What fun! We do our annual It's a Wonderful Life viewing this time of the year. LOTR for some reason happens a lot in the Spring for us! Lol.

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  38. It's definitely not easy to find time to re-read when the TBR is never ending! lol However, there are always those favorite books that I have to go back through and at least read some of the best parts again. :)

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    1. O, most definitely! Plenty of books like that for me. I'm thrilled for thos page flags that I can use and mark those pages!

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  39. "A Christmas Carol," usually, and then I treat myself by reading something NOT related to my writing era, the 1940s and WW2!

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  40. Obviously I'm a day late commenting, however I had to come and read your fabulous post Annie! I am generally not a re-reader myself, with one exception, my Bible. My church participates in a yearly Bible study program and I love it! I've often re-read many familiar passages of scripture and the Lord has shown me something new in them, and I love that! :-)

    I've not read classic books in my reading career. I think I may have started a few but never really gotten into them. BUT in my defense, I LOVE old classic movies!! I think they are WAY better than some of these films that try to pass themselves off as movies these days....too much garbage in them!

    I will have to add some of the classic books to my reading list that you have posted today. Pride and Prejudice especially since I have yet to read it but always intend to! :-) Thanks for the recommendation.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours Annie! I loved reading your post and seeing some of the fabulous books you've read :-) Thanks for sharing them.

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    1. Thanks Trixi! Please excuse my late late, very late response! Lol.

      I love classic old movies! The black and white ones for sure. I'm not a fan of those color enhanced ones that turns their faces reddish.

      Pride & Prejudice, have you seen the miniseries or the movie version? The book is still a personal favorite and can't wait to dig in next week!

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  41. I do re-read some of my books. They're like old friends! I usually pull out a few of my Christmas books as it gets close to Christmas. One of my absolute favorites has been The Chataine's Guardian.

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  42. I am a bigtime re-reader! I love to revisit old friends!

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    1. Ditto! Love to visit those great heroines and heroes! Lol. 😍😏😂

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  43. Yes, I re-read books. After I'm done reading a book, I pass it around to many friends locally. Then I take lots of books with me when I visit out of town friends or to my husband's sister's for them to read. By the time I get them back after making the rounds, there are a lot of them that I re-read because I greatly enjoyed them the first time. Although the anticipation may not be there because you know whodunit from the first read, it's fun to revisit people and towns that you loved reading about the first time. Once recent book that I just reread was "Christmas at Carnto" by Tamera Alexander since it was a Christmas book.

    My personal holiday tradition I learned from my Mom. Beside my Mom, we would bake tons of goodies and then box them up to deliver to loved ones - both family and friends, especially the elderly and the shut-ins. I learned that sharing baked goods AND spending time with them as we delivered them was as big a treat to us as to them - if not more so. How can it not be holiday cheer if both sides get great joy out of it?

    I try to continue that tradition even now. Both hubby and I love to be in the kitchen making magic happen. Although I think my baked goods are special, isn't time the best gift to give? It's something that you can only give once, no one wants to return it because it's not wanted, one size fits all, and everyone seems to really love the gift. Some times you are the only one to give them that gift making it all the more special.

    Getting older and slower, but as long as we can knock out some goodies that taste good, we will continue to make up goodies boxes to deliver as we go visiting.

    Thanks for this great opportunity. <3

    May you have the merriest of Christmas' and the happiest of New Years!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Aww Kay! Your tradition is so sweet! My Darcy and I baked gingerbreadcookies this year and put it in a box and wrapped it up with a ribbon and candy cane. It really brings out the festivities! Lol.

      That is such a great way to share your books! Awesome idea!

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  44. Re-reading a book every Christmas...I never thought about that. It's only been over the past few years I started reading Pilgrim's Progress every Thanksgiving. My husband and I are trying to make a point to read How to Win Friends and Influence People at some point every year. I'm not sure what my traditional Christmas read will be, of course, other than the Christmas Story.
    I also want to mention that I just got done reading AD 30 by Ted Dekker. Super awesome book. So awesome is it, that I'm considering not only reading it again sometime, but also buying it (I got it from the library). The same may go for AD 33, the sequel.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours! And happy reading, re-reading, and writing!

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    1. I remember reading the Pilgrim's Progress! Such a great book. I think I'm due for a reread too of that one. Might need to add it to nextyear's list though! I'm lucky to finish the ones I've listed above. Lol.

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