Disclosure: I received these books to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

If you walk into a craft store or even a large department store, you’re likely to see Christmas items already even though Halloween isn’t even here yet.   Yesterday I ordered some Christmas plates and have even considered pulling out the decorations to put up in November.  Yes, the bug bites me hard this time of year! I’m also reading some Christmas themed books.  I realized what a great gift these would make for a secret pal!  Many people like to read holiday books; these are sure to bring a smile to your secret pal or secret Santa this year! 

The first Christmas book I read was Where Treetops Glisten. In this trio of short stories, we see WWII America through the eyes of young people.  The underlying theme of the stories tie in classic Christmas songs.  We get to experience the beauty of the past in old-fashioned treats like a soda shop.  The main characters of the three stories are siblings so there’s a common thread that makes it really blend.  By seeing the situations through different perspectives, we really get a feel for the characters.   Authors Clara Putnam, Tricia Goyer, and Sarah Sundin created a realistic, believable world in which there really might be a White Christmas (which was my favorite of the three stories).   This one needs to find a place on your bookshelf this year!

If your pal likes books that have a little more romance in them, check out Our First Christmas.  I really liked Lisa Jackson’s book Close to Home which I read over the summer.  For this collection of short stories, Jackson collaborated with authors Mary Burton, Mary Carter, and Cathy Lamb.  This man-sized book will keep you company over several days.  Now, this book isn’t all about warm and fuzzy feelings.  It’s got quite a bit of mystery and confrontation, drama galore.  It’s a book for grown-ups.  There are several mentions of alcohol and mature topics, although nothing graphic.  The nice thing about this book is that each story is filling enough to be a meal in itself, yet you get four courses.  Consider this one for that friend who likes to read but doesn’t have time for a full-length novel.

Do you have a Duck Dynasty fan on your list this year?  You’ve got to check out Miss Kay’s book A Robertson Family Christmas.  It’s a novella that’s short enough to finish in one sitting.  Miss Kay uses those Duck Dynasty faces in this work of fiction; you’ll recognize several of the characters.  She says loud and clear in the prologue that it’s a tall tale, but you’ll wonder if it’s all true!  I seem to remember watching Phil as he talked about Jason Bourne, but am I just imagining that?  You see, the story is very convincing.  Then we have the whole issue of the golden duck call.  Like a golden ticket to get you into the Chocolate Factory, one lucky DD fan is destined to receive the chance to spend the holidays with the Robertsons.  Now, some people might imagine this as a vacation (kind of like winning a spa vacation full of serenity and luxury).  If you’ve ever watched Duck Dynasty, though, you know that this prize would be more like guest starring on an episode of Dirty Jobs. A Robertson Family Christmas is heartwarming and thought-provoking with plenty of one-liners to earn your chuckles.  There are mentions of drug use (pot) and some teenage angst which the Robertsons deftly maneuver.  My only complaint?  I hoped there would be a recipe or two at the end of it. All in all, this book is like sitting down with the Robertsons and saying blessing just before a satisfying meal.  You don’t want to miss it!

Which of these books would you like to read?