Reading Lists - Twelve Days of Christmas - Inspirational

The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin

Orphaned eight-year-old Teddy appreciates his grandmother’s love so much that he hits up Joe’s auto body shop so he can save enough money by Christmas to buy her a Victorian clock she adores—one that vividly reminds her of her childhood, even as the rest of her memories are slipping away with the onset of advanced Alzheimer’s.

The Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

After journalist Holly Jensen's apartment is robbed on Christmas Eve, someone leaves her a jar full of money labeled "Christmas jar," and she sets out on a quest to discover the origins of these mysterious jars. Local author Wright has also written Christmas Jars Reunion and The 13th Day of Christmas.

The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway

Brought up by his grandparents after the loss of his parents, Will Martin makes a shattering discovery about his much loved late grandfather's past, but a request from his grandmother helps him reconcile his feelings and rediscover the loving impact that one man can have on those around him.

The Dogs of Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron (new!)

While nursing a broken heart, Josh Michaels is outraged when a neighbor abandons his very pregnant dog, Lucy, at Josh's Colorado home. But Josh can't resist Lucy's soulful brown eyes, and though he's never had a dog before, he's determined to do the best he can for Lucy—and her soon-to-arrive, bound-to-be-adorable puppies. Soon in over his head, Josh calls the local animal shelter for help.

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Despite job stress and a crumbling home life, workaholic businessman Lou Suffern gives Gabe, a homeless man, a job in his company's mail room; but the mysterious Gabe seems be in two places at once and he's meddling in Lou's private affairs.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

In this holiday classic, a husband and wife sacrifice treasured possessions in order to buy each other Christmas presents. 

Kris: the Legend Begins by J.J. Ruscella with Joseph Kenny

The remarkable story of Kris gives you back the hero of your youth in the compelling tale of a man who, amidst his greatest struggles, gave to others. Be transported into the mind of Kris as he grows from tragic boyhood experiences in Norway into the inspiring man who brings joy every Christmas season. This book, written by a local author, tells the story of the man in the red jacket. (Meet the author here at Samuels Library on December 18!)

Matchless by Gregory Maguire

Maguire entwines the classic fairy tale of the little match girl with a story of Frederik, whose mother is seamstress to the queen and who spends many evenings crafting a village in the attic of their small, cold home.

The Mountain Between Us by Cindy Myers

A blizzard blows through the town of Eureka, Colorado, affecting everyone, including Maggie Stevens, single and pregnant, and Olivia Theriot, the mayor's daughter, who is harboring a painful secret.

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

In a tiny and remote Alabama town, an unexpected, unusual, and life-transforming event that occurs one Christmas morning changes a family and a town forever, in a heartwarming holiday novel.

Santa & Pete by Christopher Moore

While stuck in a blizzard, a bus driver shares with his grandson the story of the long-time friendship of Santa Claus and Pete, his African partner, who worked together to bring the spirit of Christmas to America's earliest settlers.

The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck

Years after losing her mother in a car accident that rendered her father emotionally distant, Rachel resolves to escape from an abusive marriage to protect her young daughter. Also read Beck’s The Christmas Sweater.

A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans

A holiday tale inspired by the biblical story of Joseph follows the modern story of Joe, who after being forced out of the family business by jealous siblings becomes the chief advisor to the CEO of another company and his own family's savior in the face of a troubled economy. Evans is a prolific writer of inspirational titles, especially holiday tales—check out The Christmas Box, Finding Noel, Lost December, Promise Me, and The Christmas List.

Reading Lists - Non-Fiction Dog Narratives

They star in movies.  They survive shipwrecks and live on desert islands.  They stop robberies and solve crimes.  They provide service to the needy.  Perhaps most importantly, they fill our lives with love, joy, and excitement.  Yes, dogs truly are man’s best friend.  Here is a list of true stories involving our fine four-legged friends:

A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

Best-selling author Dean Koontz’s A Big Little Life may be quite different from his suspense novels, but fans of the writer and dog lovers of all kinds  will enjoy this entertaining and emotional narrative.  Koontz and his wife become first-time dog owners after many years of marriage, and the book tells how Trixie, a Golden Retriever, enriches their lives in unexpected ways.

Born to Bark by Stanley Coren

Psychologist and canine expert Coren, author of many dog training manuals, shares the story of the beloved pet that inspired his research.  In training Flint, a rambunctious but lovable Cairn Terrier, Coren gains new insight into the complex inner lives of our canine companions. 

 

A Famous Dog’s Life by Sue Chipperton

A Famous Dog’s Life is the biography of Gidget, a Chihuaha famous for a series of Taco Bell commercials.  Told by her owner and trainer, it is an insightful behind-the-scenes account of a dog trainer’s job in Hollywood.  Also included are many delightful anecdotes of Gidget’s life among the stars. 

A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner

Gardner tells the story of her autistic son Dale and the dog that dramatically changed his life.  The family sees almost instantaneous results when they adopt Henry, a Golden Retriever puppy, to help Dale cope with his autism.  Readers will be brought to tears as Henry helps Dale open up to the world around him. 

Last Dog on the Hill by Steve Duno

When Steve Duno finds an injured Rottweiler mix on a hill by the side of a country road, he rescues the puppy, nurses him back to health, and christens him Lou. From these humble beginnings Lou goes on to amass a long list of impressive achievements, including stopping a rapist and preventing a robbery,  while also providing Steve with 16  years of devoted companionship.

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Marley, a Labrador Retriever, is the world’s worst dog.  He is full of energy and is always getting into trouble, yet Grogan and his family love the adorable rascal anyway.  The author goes into great detail about Marley’s 13 years with the Grogans, from his hilarious puppy mishaps to his heartbreaking final days.  A perfect read for anyone who has adopted a dog as a member of the family.    

 

Merle’s Door by Ted Kerasote

Ted discovers Merle, a Labrador mix, while on a camping trip and decides to bring him home.  Once there, Ted gives Merle the freedom to come and go as he pleases, and the two strike up a unique friendship in which both man and dog learn a great deal from each other.  Merle’s Door is a fascinating book that will cause dog owners to rethink their relationships with their pets.

 

My Dog Skip by Willie Morris

My Dog Skip is a heartfelt memoir about a boy and his dog growing up together in Mississippi in the  1940s.  The tender nostalgia of Morris’s descriptions of a bygone era merge beautifully with his fond memories of his adventures with Skip, his Fox Terrier.  

Part Wild by Ceiridwen Terrill

Part husky and part wolf, Inoyo is adopted by the author for protective purposes.  As Terrill tries to train Inoyo, she begins to question whether the wolfdog can ever be completely tamed.  An engaging mixture of personal testimony and thorough research, Part Wild is extremely informative and powerfully moving. 

Rin Tin Tin by Susan Orlean

The history of Rin Tin Tin, the famous German Shepherd of countless films, is so amazing that one might believe the story was taken straight from a movie.  Found in the bombed remains of a dog kennel near a battlefield in France during World War I, Rin Tin Tin was brought back to Hollywood, where he would become the biggest box-office draw in the nation.

Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson

Charleson and her Golden Retriever, Puzzle, work together as a search-and-rescue team for the Metro Area Rescue K9 unit in Dallas, Texas. Charleson writes about her decision to become involved in search-and-rescue, the intense training she and Puzzle must undergo, and the difficult but rewarding nature of the job.

Sophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog by Emma Pearse

A genuinely remarkable tale, Sophie relates the details of an Australian cattle dog’s unbelievable adventures as a castaway.  When Sophie is lost at sea during a storm, she beats incredible odds by swimming six miles to a deserted island, where she survives for five months before being reunited with her owners.

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalván  

Tuesday is a Golden Retriever with trust issues.  Luis is an Iraq War veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries.  When Luis is given Tuesday as a service dog, an incredible bond is formed that brings healing into the life of each. 

Reading Lists - Gentle Fiction

Whether or not they are written for the Christian audience, Gentle Reads have an old-fashioned, unhurried feel to them. Frequently humorous and filled with colorful characters, these tales are quite charming and leave the reader with positive feelings. They generally contain no graphic material.

Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
Rebecca is a fifty-three-year-old grandmother who discovers that she has turned into the wrong person, and she begins an exploration to find out who she really is. Elements common to Tyler's work are present here: a Baltimore setting, eccentric characters, and thoughtful themes related to marriage, aging, and making difficult choices.

Blessings by Anna Quindlen
When a baby is left on their doorstep, the lives of Lydia , the elderly town matriarch, and Skip, her down-and-out caretaker, are transformed. Skip wants to keep the baby and raise it himself. To his surprise, Lydia wants to help. Quindlen's realistic dialogue complements the narrative, which is old-fashioned in a positive way. This is a dramatic story told through changing, developing characters.

By the Lake by John McGahern
A year in the lives of the unforgettable inhabitants of a modern-day Irish village--the Ruttledges, Londoners seeking a new way of life; the womanizing John Quinn; Jimmy Joe McKiernan, local head of the IRA; locals Jamesie and his wife Mary; and "the Shah," the wealthiest man in town--unfolds through a cylce of work, play, religious festivals, and the changing seasons.

Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg
Strange things begin to happen when Mrs. Shimfissle, an eighty-year-old woman, falls out of a fig tree in her own front yard, in a tale of one woman's offbeat experiences in the hereafter. Combining southern warmth with unabashed emotion and side-splitting hilarity, Flagg takes readers back to Elmwood Springs, Missouri and asks, “Why are we here?”

Civil and Strange by Cláir Ní Aonghusa
Three very different people are confronting a crossroad in life--Ellen, escaping a failed marriage and Dublin to recapture her magical youth in Ballindoon; her uncle Matt, a local farmer; and Beatrice, a widow recovering from the suicide of her son. This is a nice portrait of small-town Irish life studded with characters worth caring about.

A Country Affair by Rebecca Shaw
The first in a series of enchanting novels set in a veterinary practice on the outskirts of a Yorkshire town introduces Kate, the receptionist in a busy veterinary practice; Scott, the flirty Australian vet; her faithful boyfriend, Adam; and the entertaining animal patients. Shaw’s humorous novel is populated with fun, eccentric characters.

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
Berry’s celebration of life in a Kentucky town continues with the stories of Port William matriarch Hannah Coulter, an 80-year-old woman who has been widowed twice and has watched the town's sense of community deteriorate. Berry writes an impassioned, literary vision of American rural life and values.

Hens Dancing by Raffaella Barker
Abandoned by her husband, former urbanite Venetia Summers finds herself marooned in the country, surrounded by her three children, a dilapidated house and garden, a houseful of animals, and an abiding family love. This amusing novel is perfect for grownups who like their women quick-witted and their fairy tales fractured.

Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley
The new pastor in a small Indiana town experiences one hilarious adventure after another as he acclimates to his new congregation and lifestyle. Gulley blends humor with nostalgia effortlessly in the anecdotal sermons of his alter ego, Quaker minister Sam Gardner. Quakers, non-Quakers, and even non-religious readers will love the characters of this simple, heart-warming book.

Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann B. Ross
When developers threaten to bulldoze the old courthouse to make way for condominiums, Miss Julia hatches a plot to scare off the money by exposing the town's many eccentric characters. The memorably droll Ross elevates such everyday matters as marital strife and the hazards of middle age to high comedy, while painting her beautifully drawn characters with wit and sympathy.

Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber
Thirty-eight-year-old widow Anne Marie Roche, the owner of a Seattle bookstore, creates a list of twenty wishes. While acting upon her wishes, she encounters an 8-year-old named Ellen who helps her complete her list--with unexpected results. Readers will find themselves rooting for the women in this hopeful story while surreptitiously wiping away tears and making their own lists of wishes.

Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly by Rob Dalby
With her favorite market, the Piggly Wiggly, on the verge of closing, Laurie Lepanto launches a campaign to save the store, enlisting the town's influential widows to help. The Nitwitts of Second Creek, Mississippi are feisty and opinionated widows, with all the eccentricities that come with age and life in a quirky Southern town.

The Winding Ways Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
Change is afoot for the quilting circle of Elm Creek, PA. The arrival of newcomers into the circle of quilters heralds unexpected journeys in this often powerful and poignant novel. Pieced together more like a quilt than a driving narrative, this installment is an easy starting place for readers new to the series who aren’t starting with the first book.