2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Holiday Movie Classics
Duration December 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

The holiday season brings out lots of classic movies that families watch together every year. Let's get in the spirit by using these classics as inspiration for our book choices!

1. The Polar Express - Read the children's book, The Polar Express, to a child or children you know. Or read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe.

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community.

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts.

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place.

5. Santa Clause - Read a book where a character has to do good deeds to atone for past mistakes. Read a book where a tragedy turns into a good thing.

6. The Nightmare before Christmas - Read a book where a holiday goes bad. Or read a book that tells a holiday story in a unique way.

7. White Christmas - Read a book about a group of musicians. Or read a book about friends or family opening or re-opening a hotel or resort. Or read a book about a member of the military coming home for an important holiday.

8. Charlie Brown Christmas - Read a book that involves a group of children on an adventure. Or read a book where someone takes something small and makes it grand just like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

9. Miracle on 34th Street - Read a book where a department store plays a major role. Or read a book where a parade plays a major role. Or read a book where a character learns to believe.

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to a child or children you know. Or read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse.

We are looking for someone to lead this challenge!

Cool - with 1st Sunday of advent tomorrow I am really getting into the Christmas spirit! I will try to finish 4 tasks:

✔️ 1 Polar express - The Polar Express ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ 3 A christmas carol (ghosts) - A Caribbean Mystery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ 4 Elf (cold place) - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ 6 The nightmare before Christmas (holiday goes bad) - Hercule Poirot's Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Update 4/4

I will go for 4 for this challenge.

2 It's a Wonderful Life - The Greatest Gift
4 Elf - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
6 The Nightmare Before Christmas - Letters From Father Christmas
9 Miracle on 34th Street - Christmas at Carrington's

4/4

I'll try to read 5 books for this challenge.

***COMPLETE***

✔ 1. The Polar Express: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle ★★★★☆

✔ 2. It's a Wonderful Life: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath ★★★★☆

✔ 3. A Christmas Carol: The Ghost Writer by John Harwood ★★☆☆☆

✔ 4. Elf: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ★☆☆☆☆

✔ 8. Charlie Brown Christmas: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ★★★★★

5/5

I'll join in for five!

1. The Polar Express - Read the children's book, The Polar Express, to a child or children you know. Or read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe. - Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - completed

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community. - It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover - completed

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts. - Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende - completed

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place. - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch - completed

5. Santa Clause - Read a book where a character has to do good deeds to atone for past mistakes. Read a book where a tragedy turns into a good thing. - Black River by S.M. Hulse - completed

6. The Nightmare before Christmas - Read a book where a holiday goes bad. Or read a book that tells a holiday story in a unique way.

7. White Christmas - Read a book about a group of musicians. Or read a book about friends or family opening or re-opening a hotel or resort. Or read a book about a member of the military coming home for an important holiday. - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - completed

8. Charlie Brown Christmas - Read a book that involves a group of children on an adventure. Or read a book where someone takes something small and makes it grand just like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree! - Followed by Frost by Charlie Holmberg - completed

9. Miracle on 34th Street - Read a book where a department store plays a major role. Or read a book where a parade plays a major role. Or read a book where a character learns to believe. - The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller - completed

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to a child or children you know. Or read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse. - The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge - completed

9/5 - challenge completed!!!

I am happy to lead this one.

Count me in. I'll aim for 3 in this challenge.

I'll try for 2 this month.

1. The Polar Express - Read the children's book, The Polar Express, to a child or children you know. Or read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community. - The Dream House by Rachel Hore - community comes together to rebuild the school

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to a child or children you know. Or read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse. - Moab is My Washpot by Stephen Fry - Stephen Fry is candid about his time as a teen who steals at school and then later with a credit card. He feels so horribly once confront by the love his mother continues to show.

Do I wait for a mod to approve me to lead or do I just start tallying? :-)

Mindy, sorry for the delay! Please do lead this challenge! And thanks!

I will try for all ten please

1. The Polar Express - Read the children's book, The Polar Express, to a child or children you know. Or read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe. - Breaking Shackles: A True Story of Adventure and Discovery

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community.

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts. - 13 Minutes

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place. - White

5. Santa Clause - Read a book where a character has to do good deeds to atone for past mistakes. Read a book where a tragedy turns into a good thing. - I Won't Be Home For Christmas

6. The Nightmare before Christmas - Read a book where a holiday goes bad. Or read a book that tells a holiday story in a unique way. The Christmas Promise

7. White Christmas - Read a book about a group of musicians. Or read a book about friends or family opening or re-opening a hotel or resort. Or read a book about a member of the military coming home for an important holiday. - Summer at the Cornish Cafe

8. Charlie Brown Christmas - Read a book that involves a group of children on an adventure. Or read a book where someone takes something small and makes it grand just like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree! - A Christmas Hideaway: A Hideaway Down Novel

9. Miracle on 34th Street - Read a book where a department store plays a major role. Or read a book where a parade plays a major role. Or read a book where a character learns to believe. - Christmas at the Cornish Café

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to a child or children you know. Or read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse. - The Gypsy's Dream

10/10

Please count me in for 7. Thanks! :)

December Holiday Movie Classics Challenge

1. The Polar Express - Read the children's book, The Polar Express, to a child or children you know. Or read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe: The Nightingale This is really a stretch with the train trip theme.

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community: Ordinary Grace

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts: Haunted House

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place: The Life We Bury, for cold place.

5. Santa Clause - Read a book where a character has to do good deeds to atone for past mistakes. Read a book where a tragedy turns into a good thing: Left Neglected

6. The Nightmare before Christmas - Read a book where a holiday goes bad. Or read a book that tells a holiday story in a unique way: Tell No Lies Thanksgiving goes pretty badly in this one.

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to a child or children you know. Or read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse: The Velvet Rage -- speaks a lot about how rage and need for validation in the gay community can come from being shunned.

7/7 - Completed!

Put me down for 2!

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts. A Christmas Carol

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place. At the Mountains of Madness

1/2

No problem, Mary Pat! This is my first time to lead a challenge and I just didn't want to get off on the wrong foot. :-)

Anna 5/5
Claire 2/4
Heather 10/10
Jennifer 0/3
Jessica 7/7
Jordyn 1/2
Lindsay 4/4
Megan 9/5
Mie 4/4
Nicole 0/3
Rachel 7/4
Sam F. 3/2
Sharon 4/4

I don't know any children can I read The polar express to myself ? To be fair I'm basically a child.

Saskya wrote: "I don't know any children can I read The polar express to myself ? To be fair I'm basically a child."

Haha, that's what I am doing!!! I have never read it before, and being so childish I think it counts :-D

I'll aim for 2.

Update to message #4.

✔ 3. A Christmas Carol: The Ghost Writer by John Harwood ★★☆☆☆

1/5

Update msg 3

The Greatest Gift finished 2nd December and I watched the movie too.

Off to a good start :-)

✔️ 1 Polar express - The Polar Express ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ 6 The nightmare before Christmas (holiday goes bad) - Hercule Poirot's Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Post 2 Update: 2/4

Funny, Saskya! Sure, read it to yourself or to your cat if you have one. haha

Great job, y'all! Updated to here. Don't hesitate to let me know if you see any errors.

Finished The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale - who'd have thought such a classic film could come from such a short story :)

1/10

Update msg 3

for Elf. A book set in a cold place.

Just finished #10 (Grinch Who Stole Xmas - community member shunned) - The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. While this book had an interesting concept and I admire the author's obvious message, overall it fell a touch flat for me. The plot took a bit to get moving. Still worth reading, just expect a slow start. 3.5 stars

1/5

I'm in for 3!

Update to message #4.

✔ 2. It's a Wonderful Life: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath ★★★★☆

2/5

Updated to here. December 4.

2. It's a Wonderful Life

A Miracle at Macy's by Lynn Marie Hulsman

3. A Christmas Carol

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists by J.K. Rowling

I'm taking out any of the parts involving reading a book to a child because that's not realistic for me. I will bold the name of the task and the part of it I completed as I finish them.

1. The Polar Express - Read a book about a train trip. Or read a book about someone learning to believe. - None of the Above, which had a character learn to believe in themselves.

2. It's a Wonderful Life - Read the short story this movie is based on, The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale. Or read a book where someone survives suicide and builds a better life. Or read a book where friends and family come together to help someone in their community. - Emmy & Oliver

3. A Christmas Carol - Read the book the movie is based on, A Christmas Carol. Or read a book with a very stingy character. Or read a book with ghosts. - Anna Dressed in Blood

4. Elf - Read a funny holiday book. Or read a book about adoption (fiction or non-fiction). Or read a book that takes place in a very, very cold place. - Damaged. It's not quite about adoption, but custody of a child is a central issue.

5. Santa Clause - Read a book where a character has to do good deeds to atone for past mistakes. Read a book where a tragedy turns into a good thing. - This Is Where It Ends. Several of the characters try to do good deeds to atone for what they see as past mistakes.

6. The Nightmare before Christmas - Read a book where a holiday goes bad. Or read a book that tells a holiday story in a unique way.

7. White Christmas - Read a book about a group of musicians. Or read a book about friends or family opening or re-opening a hotel or resort. Or read a book about a member of the military coming home for an important holiday.

8. Charlie Brown Christmas - Read a book that involves a group of children on an adventure. Or read a book where someone takes something small and makes it grand just like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

9. Miracle on 34th Street - Read a book where a department store plays a major role. Or read a book where a parade plays a major role. Or read a book where a character learns to believe. - Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture. May be debatable, but there are whole sections devoted to the American Girl stores and shopping for children's toys.

10. The Grinch who Stole Christmas - Read a book where a community member is shunned because he/she is different. Or read a book where a thief steals but feels remorse. - Wonder

Post 2 update: 3/4
✔️ 3 A christmas carol (ghosts) - A Caribbean Mystery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Update to message #4.

✔ 4. Elf: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ★☆☆☆☆

3/5

Updated to here.

Update to message #4.

✔ 1. The Polar Express: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle ★★★★☆

4/5

Update msg 3

9 Miracle on 34th Street - Christmas at Carrington's

3/4

Read book number three - Summer at the Cornish Cafe a story about a couple who start to revive a holiday park.

3/10

Just finished #1 (Polar express - train trip) - Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. Excellent writing, well-plotted script, fascinating characters - everything one could ask for from a book! I'm incredibly impressed, and definitely recommend this book! 5 stars

2/5

Finished my goal of 2 very early, so I'm going to add an additional 2. I'll now aim for 4!

Way to go, everybody! In only one week, you collectively have read 17 books.

Updated to here.

Update msg 3

4/4 Challenge complete

, , ,

Well done, Lindsay :-)
I am also reading The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe, but I am reading it in small bits for the group read.
Your other choices look really good - might sneak them into my "reading schedule" during the Christmas days!

Mie wrote: "Well done, Lindsay :-)
I am also reading The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe, but I am reading it in small bits for the group read.
Your other choices look really good - might sneak them into my "..."

Letters from Father Christmas has got copies of the handwritten letters in it and hand drawn pictures. It's lovely.

Yay, Lindsay!

Read Christmas at the Cornish Café for someone who learns to believe - one of the main characters leans to believe in his family :)

4/10

Update post 2: 4/4 - FINISHED ✅
✔️ 4 Elf (cold place) - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've just noticed this, but is there a reason that two of the options involve a person learning to believe (Polar Express and Miracle of 34th Street)?

Well done, Mie!

Just finished #4 (very cold place) - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I found this novel alternating between fascinating and frustrating. In the best sense, it challenged me to consider my life choices. In the worst sense, it seemed a touch repetitive at times. Writing was good, but the alternate realities could have been edited a touch. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

3/5

Read The Gypsy's Dream for The Grinch, a really excellent book, one of a series I am working through.

5/10