Merry reads

Two weeks of freedom are almost upon us. Two weeks of no responsibilities, no homework, no teachers or tests. I'm going to use some of my free time leading up to Christmas reading a holiday tale. Each year, I head to a bookstore and buy a new holiday release -- these are big on the market today, as best-selling authors are trying their hands at writing Christmas stories.

Unfortunately, in my experience, these attempts at heartwarming stories fall flat. Take, for example, John Grisham's Skipping Christmas -- a good premise, but a pathetic execution. To save you the trouble of picking up a bad book for the holidays, I've complied a list of the good ones.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

Yes, the classic, timeless tale of Scrooge and his Christmas Eve visits from three ghosts. Most of us know this story from theater productions; don't forget it was first written as a novel. It's written in Dickens' sometimes-wordy prose, but it's one of his better novels.

Silent Night: A Christmas Suspense Story, by Mary Higgins Clark

One in a series of Christmas novels produced by the best-selling suspense author, this particular book follows a young child as he trails a thief through New York City. The thief has stolen a family memento the child hopes to retrieve for his father, who is sick with Leukemia. The other Clark Christmas books are good, too.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss

Another story better known for its TV adaptations, Dr. Seuss' Grinch is a beloved Christmas character all the same. It's a children's book, but it's worth picking up to remember that Christmas isn't only about presents. It seems as if our consumer-driven society could use the reminder on occasion, especially the adults among us.

The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg

Exquisitely illustrated and perfectly written, Allsburg's masterpiece has recently been turned into a movie starring Tom Hanks. Before you see the movie, check out the tale of a young boy who rediscovers his faith in the true spirit of Christmas.

A Cup of Christmas Tea, illustrated by Tom Hegg, written by Warren Hanson

Sort of an adult picture book, this is the story of a man who is invited to tea with his elderly aunt. He remembers her as a younger woman, full of energy, and has no desire to visit her in her old age. However, guilt eventually gets the better of him, and he goes - and unexpectedly has a good time.