I am so
happy to be part of Maestra Amanda's 25 days of holiday book reviews! This time
of year (the end of November to the first week of January) is by far my
favorite time of the year - it is about family, giving and cheer. Last year
when Jen and I participated in There's a Book's Twelve Days of Christmas I wrote about Let it
Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle and I
wanted to write about something else this year. When I couldn't think of
anything, I sent a text to my mom and we started reminiscing about holidays.
First, we talked about movies, because that is really how we as a family bonded
during the holidays. Then, I reigned in the conversation and asked her to focus
on Christmas reads that we read when I was a child. She immediately listed 2
short stories and a book: The Gift
of the Magi by O. Henry, The
Shoemaker and the Elves by The Brothers Grimm and Merry Christmas from Betsy (1970) by Carolyn
Haywood. I was so sad that I only vaguely remembered them, so I
immediately got the two short stories and reread.
Title: The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Publisher: Various
Publication
Date: 1906
Genre/Format: Romance/Short Story
Goodreads
Summary: In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she
counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband,
Jim. A gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: selling her long,
beautiful hair. Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less
difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each
has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of
Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine
store. O. Henry paints a masterly portrait of unfaltering love, a haven from
the harsh world outside.
What I
Think: O. Henry
has put so much emotion in a bit over 2,000 words. It is a beautiful story that
left me tearing up and truly embodies the meaning of Christmas, the holiday
spirit and true love. You, too, can read this great story thanks to
Project Gutenberg- http://www.gutenberg.org/files/7256/7256-h/7256-h.htm
Snatch of Text: "One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was
all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time
by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's
cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that
such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and
eighty- seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little
couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up
of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating."
Writing
Prompts: Della
wants to get her husband the best gift possible for him, so she was willing to
sacrifice her most precious belonging- have you ever sacrificed a precious item
to help you get something for someone else? If not, would you? For whom? What
is your most precious belonging?
Topics
Covered: Love,
Sacrifice, Giving
Title: The Shoemaker and the Elves
Author: The Brothers Grimm
Publisher: Various
Publication
Date: 1806
Genre/Format: Fairy Tale/Short Story
Goodreads Summary: The
beloved story of a poor shoemaker, kindhearted elves, and the giving spirit of
Christmas.
What I
Think: When my
mom mentioned this story, I knew the story and almost didn't reread it, but
since I already had Grimm Fairy Tales on my Kindle, I decided to quickly read
it. Although I did remember the gist of the story, I did not remember the
ending and it just warmed my heart. You too should reread (once again available
thanks to Project Gutenberg)- http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/grimm10a.txt
Snatch of Text: "In the morning, after he had said his prayers, and was just
going to sit down to work, the two shoes stood quite finished on his table. He
was astounded, and knew not what to say to it. He took the shoes in his hands
to observe them closer, and they were so neatly made that there was not one bad
stitch in them, just as if they were intended as a masterpiece."
Writing
Prompts: Write
about a time when someone has helped you even when there was nothing in it for
them.
Topics
Covered: Work,
Giving, Income
I *heart* Them Both:
Happy Holidays!
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