Again the Ghost sped on, above the black and heaving sea…

“…on, on–until, being far away, as he told Scrooge, from any shore, they lighted on a ship. They stood beside the helmsman at the wheel, the look-out in the bow, the officers who had the watch; dark, ghostly figures in their several stations; but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it. And every man on board, waking or sleeping, good or bad, had had a kinder word for another on that day than on any day in the year; and had shared to some extent in its festivities; and had remembered those he cared for at a distance, and had known that they delighted to remember him.”

–Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Merry Christmas everyone.

Last minute holiday shopping? Some friendly advice from your neighborhood bookseller

I am happy to report that as of 5:07 yesterday evening I finished my Christmas shopping. Judging by the ever present rush of holiday-goers populating my local bookstore, however, I am in the minority. So, as you scurry about trying to check off all the gifts on your list, including that new bestseller your dear old auntie has been wanting, I just want to give a little friendly advice to help your shopping experience be as pleasant and stress free as possible.

1. Know what you are looking for before you go looking for it.
        Booksellers as a species are enormously knowledgable about all sorts of books. It’s part of our job. We are not, however, mind readers. To find your book quickly and efficiently, please come prepared with more than just “it has a red cover” or “it was on NPR once.” Titles or authors are preferred.
2. Patience is not just a virtue, it’s a necessity.
        I am sorry to say that you are not the only one buying last minute gifts. There are many just like you and therefore there will be lines. Lines for customer service, lines for the check out, even lines for coffee. So in advance, I’d like to say we appreciate you not complaining about the really long lines or yelling in a frazzled voice that you have better things to do that stand here waiting for service! We will be with you as soon as possible. Thank you.
3. On a related note, to help things move along at a brisk pace, we ask that you please not request for books to be looked up while at the registers. The registers are for purchasing books and you will receive many nasty looks from the customers in line behind you if the cashier has suddenly vacated her post to grab your book.
4. Next-day shipping does not mean it will arrive the next day.
        We are happy to ship any book we don’t currently have in the store right to your home. However, it will not arrive by tomorrow. Yes, it says next-day shipping. It means it will begin shipping the next day. Sorry, but if you are in need of shipping this late, it will not arrive in time for Christmas.
5. Bookstores carry books of all kinds–even those containing viewpoints of which you may not approve. So please, if you find a book that you do not agree with, do not remove it from the shelves, cover it up, or hide it. You will get scolded. Also, do not complain to the bookseller. We know the book is there. We also can’t do anything about it. Nor can the managers. You are wasting your time, and our time, and the time of other customers waiting in the aforementioned really long line.

With these things in mind, I wish you all happy shopping and a merry Christmas.

Classic Christmas Tales

In these last few days before Christmas, I thought I’d get you in the holiday mood by sharing what are (in my opinion) the top ten Christmas stories of all time!

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, by Robert May
Originally a poem written in 1939 by Robert May for retailer Montgomery Ward. It was later adapted into its iconic song version by May’s brother-in-law Johnny Marks.

9. The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Anderson
Written in 1845 by Danish poet superstar Hans Christian Anderson, this iconic but incredibly sad tale has inspired many a film adaption. You can read the full story here: http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheLittleMatchGirl_e.html

8. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, by Francis Pharcellus Church
The sweetest response to a Dear Editor letter ever! Originally printed in the New York Sun newspaper, the full text can be read here: http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

7. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
The most popular of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia children’s series, this Christian allegory presents us not just with Christmas (and presents from Santa Claus!), but also the Resurrection.

6. The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry
This 1904 O. Henry classic teaches us the true spirit of Christmas is giving up what you treasure for those you love. http://www.online-literature.com/donne/1014/

5.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Suess
Ok, who hasn’t heard of this brilliant Suess story? It makes me believe that even the crankiest green man can be transformed by the power of a Who song!

4. Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
A more contemporary holiday classic (it was written in 1985), this fantastic story about childhood wonderment has quickly become a Christmas staple.

3. A Visit from Saint Nicholas (aka ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas), by Clement Clarke Moore
The quintessential Christmas poem. Although the author of this holiday treasure is still under debate (most believe it was written by Moore in 1822), this poem single handedly transformed Santa into the 20th century version we know and love today. http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blstnicholas.htm

2. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
No Christmas list would be complete with this masterpiece. Although my favorite adaption is the Muppet Christmas Carol, I think the originial is pretty swell too. Luckily, it’s a public domain book and can be read in its entirity here: http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blstnicholas.htm

1. The Nativity, Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
Like Linus says, this story is “what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-20&version=NIV

Merry Christmas!