December’s a busy month for most of us, but most of us have holidays and hope we’ll be able to squeeze in some reading time.
What kind of books do you like to read over the holidays? If you like romance, the publishers seem to think you want Christmas stories. Take a look at the titles and covers. There are Christmas babies, dates, reunions and surprises, not to mention blazing Christmases for those who like it hot. Don’t the heroes look cute in Santa hats and aren’t those Christmas trees so sparkly and pretty?
Of course not every romance published in December has a Christmas theme, but a lot do. And publishers know what they’re doing (at least they always tell us they do!), which means these books are clearly in demand.
For a lot of people, Christmas is a warm, wonderful time when family and friends get together. For others, it can be a sad, lonely time. For many, it’s a Christian holiday that has no relevance to them because they’re of a different faith. What I’m curious about is, why buys the Christmas-themed books?
I chatted with several readers, and found that surprisingly few in my small sample are interested in Christmas romances.
· One comment was, there’s just too much Christmas all over the place, and the last thing we need is to read novels about it. But, on the other hand, winter themes are good.
· Another comment was, Christmas is about family more than about romance, so the romance stories often don’t work so well.
· On the other hand, in this day and age we’re often away from families for the holidays, and in that case a romance can make a good story.
· Or, a theme that’s not so much about Christmas but a “coming together of family” story can resonate even for a reader who isn’t Christian.
· A heroine or hero who helps others in the community, rather than just focusing on their own good time, is a nice theme.
· And negativity often resonates (because not all of us are ecstatic about Christmas) – e.g., even the “bah humbug” reader may smile over a character who starts out with bad feelings about Christmas but moves toward happiness in the end. (I was glad to hear that, because that’s basically the theme of my Christmas 2008 novella!).
Now I’m interested in what you have to say. If you’re a writer or a reader, do Christmas stories work for you? What themes do you like, and why? If you don’t like these books, why not?
And, whatever your thoughts about Christmas stories, I’d like to wish you all a happy holiday season, and all the best for 2008.
December 13, 2007 at 10:38 am
Susan, I love Christmas romances. I always give my husband a huge list of the new Christmas romances to add to his gift list for me. For me these romances are wonderful, often funny exposing the nuttieness of families. Yes Christmas can be vey lonely and, for me, this may be another one of the very lonely years. I may well be on my own again but if I have a stack of Christmas romances I can forget that lonelieness for a few hours.
I am curious about the Christian bit since Christmas was originally a Pagan Holiday which was co’opted into Christianity in order to create more converts to a struggling religion. I know many non Christians who throughly enjoy the holiday. I think Canadians tend to assume that people of other faiths reject the hoilday where as they simply enjoy the hoilday and retain their own faiths.
Carole
December 13, 2007 at 11:59 am
The books I enjoy reading at Christmas have to do with resolving issues. Christmas is the end of our calendar year and the time of new beginnings. Closure and new goals resonate with me. Perhaps I’m looking for inspiration or a fresh perspective.
I also like themes that have to do with the “Christmas” or neighbourly spirit, without necessarily attaching it to any particular faith. If faith is involved its enlightening and enjoyable to read about more than the one faith – cross-cultural understandings.
Without realizing it I actually started reading a book a few days ago that involves all of the above … “Eat. Pray. Love.” Ironically, those three things are what my ideal Christmas is all about, especially love.
December 13, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Hi Susan,
I like romance stories themed around the holiday season, but I look for those that have some edginess to them. You know, a bit of scrooge or humor or some crisis; not in any way shape or form what the hero or heroine expected for their holiday. I’ll look for your Christmas novella. Happy Holidays. Carmine Valentine
December 13, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Hi Susan,
I like romance stories themed around the holiday season, but I look for those that have some edginess to them. You know, a bit of scrooge or humor or some crisis; not in any way shape or form what the hero or heroine expected for their holiday. I’ll look for your Christmas novella. Happy Holidays. Carmine Valentine
December 13, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Carole, you’re definitely right about many non-Christians enjoying the holiday. I have a Muslim friend who is cooking turkey dinner for as many people as will fit in her apartment.
Ramona, cross-cultural misunderstandings would be a great idea for a book or movie. Think of a family such as the one in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” – but now it’s a big fat Greek Orthodox (or Jewish or Muslim etc) Christmas. That could be a lot of fun, and a good demonstration of what Christmas spirit is really all about.
Carmine, I agree about some edginess, humor and/or suprise. That’s what I did in my novella. The heroine avoids Christmas because of bad stuff in her past. But then her girlfriend gives her a special Secret Santa gift – a hot firefighter who just happens to be crazy about Christmas.
December 13, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Interesting, Susan. And yet books with Christmasy covers and titles seem to sell very well. I guess that, like everything else, it depends on individual tastes.
December 13, 2007 at 4:18 pm
One thing I’ve heard – and I don’t know if it’s truth or rumor – is that while Christmas books do well in the US, those titles tend not to make foreign sales.
December 13, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I’m one of the Christmas books out this month. You can view The Christmas Date cover in the sidebar.
Instead of doing a typical Christmas story, I paired the girl next door with a jet-setting photojournalist who only bought a house because his accountant told him he needed a tax deduction. He doesn’t even own a tree, and his neighborhood goes all out.
Throw in some matchmakers who actually want to keep the couple apart, and the story is definitely different.
I have had my holiday stories translated into other languages, but not necessarily released at Christmas.
December 14, 2007 at 3:33 am
I love Christmas stories because it’s the one time of year when we have permission to be sappy.
December 14, 2007 at 9:16 am
Michele, I like the idea of matchmakers who try to keep the couple apart. That’s a fun twist.
Jacquie, I hereby give you permission to also be sappy on Valentine’s Day and family birthdays!
December 14, 2007 at 10:36 am
Susan, coming in late on this one, I love Christmas movies, Christmas books, Christmas songs. I haven’t read any holiday books this year because I’ve been focusing on one I’m writing for 2008 for Kensington with Fern Michaels. (I’ve spent the past week writing while listening to Celtic carols, which has been fun.)
In the hopes of making readers hearts grow three sizes (as you said, if you can’t be sappy at Christmas, what’s the point? lol), I came up with a cross between the Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street. My heroine is essentially the Natalie Wood character from that movie, grown up. Who, at the end, is forced to put aside her long-held disbelief in not just the spirit of Santa Claus, but love and all things merry and bright.
One thing I’ve never quite understood about holiday books is that fact that they seem to mostly come out in October. Even in those organized years when I’d finish my shopping by July, I’m not really into the holidays until Thanksgiving, so that’s always seemed a little early.
I do think holiday books make super stocking stuffers, so I’ll make you a deal — next year I’ll ask for yours, and you can ask for mine, and we’ll each be ensured of at least one sale.
December 14, 2007 at 11:13 am
Christmas books are like every other book for me – it’s all about the story, not necessarily the specific setting.
If there’s a great story with intriguing characters, I’ll grab it whether I come from the same background or not. In fact, if the background is not the same as mine, I’m more likely to learn something as well as be entertained – that’s a wonderful bonus!
In the dark days of winter, though, I admit I want cheery stories – stories that make me laugh are golden!
December 14, 2007 at 3:37 pm
JoAnn, it’s a deal. I swear, if we writers didn’t buy each other’s books, we’d have pitiful sales! Interesting that it’s your heroine who is anti-Christmas. Same with mine, due to yucky stuff in her past. Her girlfriend gives her a very special Secret Santa gift: a hot guy. But not just a hot guy, one who happens to absolutely love Christmas and makes it his mission to convert her. It was great fun to write.
I agree with you that it’s just plain weird to see Christmas books in October. I don’t know my release date yet but I’m hoping it’s November.
Rachel, I agree with you about the dark days of winter. I want stories that will lighten the days. I actually love reading beach reads in winter – but then I’m definitely a summer girl!
December 14, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I love Christmas & holiday books! I can’t read them quite as fast as I buy them, but I have a separate box set aside that I store them in, then each year I go thru & try to dig out a handful to read. They really seem to put me in the holiday spirit, just like listening to Christmas music or baking Christmas cookies. Honestly, I’m not sure it would be Christmas for me without reading at least one wonderful Christmas romance novel. (This includes holiday anthologies, btw.)
My favorite Christmas story of all time is a novella by Lisa Kleypas called “Surrender.” It is soooooooo good, I read it every year–usually on Christmas Eve–& never, ever get tired of it.
And *finally* I was also able to write a story with a Christmas theme, CHRISTMAS IN HIS ROYAL BED, which came out in November from Silhouette Desire. I’ve always wanted to write a Christmas romance, so that was a real thrill. I hope I get to do many more. Although I was lucky to be able to write that one right around the holidays last year…I don’t know how I’d handle having to write a Christmas story in July or something! LOL
December 14, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Heidi, I agree, it would be so weird to be writing a Christmas story in July. But then, that’s what fiction’s all about – imagining ourselves into a situation that doesn’t really exist. All the same, getting a little help – like from the weather and the environment – certainly doesn’t hurt!
December 20, 2007 at 5:44 pm
My grandmother always got excited about the Christmas books, especially anthologies. This year, I decided to read Christmas books all through the month, and I’ve really enjoyed them. I don’t know if I’ll make it a yearly thing, though.