Edited by Stephanie Perkins
To be published on October 7, 2014
by St. Martin's Press
Source: e-ARC from Netgalley
Synopsis, adapted from Goodreads: If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with these holiday stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Stories by: Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Pena, Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor and Kiersten White.My take: In September, I didn't think I was even remotely ready for holiday cheer, but one particularly stressful day, I picked this book up. I'm so glad I did. This collection features many of my favorite YA authors, and is full to the brim with meet-cutes and adorably mismatched odd couples. These are not just "Christmas stories," they incorporate a variety of religions, ethnicities, and sexual preferences, and also feature different genres, from contemporary to somewhat fantastical.
I really enjoyed all the stories, but here's a quick rundown of some of my absolute favorites:
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: a cute friends-to-something-more romance that spans several years -- or several New Years' Eves, to be exact...
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena: told from a guy's POV, it's a "mysterious neighbor" story and a trapped-in-a-blizzard story all in one. Get the hot cocoa ready!
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins: adorable romance between a guy working on his family's Christmas tree lot and a girl who has a lot of special requirements for her tree...
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman: an NA-ish story that takes place on a college campus and includes tons of witty banter!
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire: this one, about a (somewhat) repentant prankster, reminded me of my all time favorite Christmas book of childhood, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robertson.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter: identity switching -- a character impersonating an Icelandic girl named Hulda -- and a city-country romance. Super cute!
I haven't even started to think about holiday shopping yet, but this collection of stories would make a great gift -- for someone who loves the holidays, or even for yourself :)
oooh! *wants* This sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I love short stories! and this book have some of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me now about it. Can't wait to read it!
Lis @ The reader lines
OMG THEY ALL SOUND SO GOOD! Thanks for giving very brief synopsis of all of them. I think the one i'm most excited about is Gayle Forman's one! Since i'm 23, I prefer college settings.. still they all sound so cute :D
ReplyDelete- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
I loved this book. I have to get a copy of it the minute that it comes out!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good but I'm not a fan of short stories. I guess it all depend son how short the stories are. Glad you enjoyed it though!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought a lot about the holidays either, but does sound like cute collection
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this.. Many of my favorite authors in one place..
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of all the variety of stories in this, one of my biggest peeves with compilations is when all the stories just blend together but it seems like this one wouldn't have that problem. Loving the sound of the one by Rainbow Rowell, although I like stories than span years like that in general. So many awesome authors!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I will have to check this book out. I love holiday theme books.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading this and Star of Bethlehem was a standout for me too though I liked all the stories quite a lot!
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