Kate's Choice - Louisa May Alcott

In this heartwarming story, Kate is faced with a difficult choice. Her father's dying wish was for her to live with each of his estranged brothers - ultimately choosing one family with which to make her home. Although their motivation varies, all are anxious to have her - one because of her money, another because her great-grandfather had been a lord, a third in hopes of securing her hand for the son of a close friend, and a fourth because of love for her alone.

Which will she choose? Join us for the memorable story of how Kate makes the best choice of all.

Although the title of this book is Kate's Choice there are actually two other stories, What Love Can Do and Gwen's Adventure in the Snow. I have to admit that the last story is actually my favourite, not the main one. Written for newspapers or magazines when Alcott was first embarking on her writing career, these remained undiscovered until recently. Each of the stories centres around Christmas in some way. In the title-story, Kate is left orphaned just before Christmas and moves from England to America to be with her father's relatives. It was his wish that she visit each of his brothers in turn and choose who she wanted to live with. But Kate discovers her father's mother, alone in her big family home, and sets about bringing all of the relatives together at Christmas in order to cheer up her grandmother. In What Love Can Do the neighbours of a poverty-stricken family overhear the children talking about how they can't afford any Christmas gifts and decided to surprise them. And in my personal favourite, Gwen's Adventure in the Snow, Gwen and her cousins go for a sleigh ride and are struck by a blizzard. Sheltering in the family summer house, they have to make do with the few supplies they can scrounge and camp out until the storm is over. I think this one is my favourite because, as a child, I always adored stories about children "playing house" with the odds and ends that they discover in a shed, cellar, tree-house, abandoned house, etc. 

This book would be perfect for any Alcott fan, young or old. The editor has included lots of background information about Alcott, her writing and what can be learned from these stories, which would be interesting to a collector. And the shortness of the stories and the large print make the book perfect for a child who has enjoyed having Little Women read to them but isn't ready for full-length chapter books yet. While those unfamiliar with Alcott's work may find the stories rather predictable, long-standing fans will adore this and recognise her typical characters and values immediately. The presentation of this book is also beautiful, a little hardback with a lovely cover and illustrations and decorative fonts throughout. The perfect stocking filler for a girl who loves old-fashioned stories. 8/10

Rachel's Top Ten Holiday Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. 

Each week they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers. Don't worry if you don't have ten or if you have more than ten! Post what you can!

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott This was one of my favourite books as a child and I try to reread it at least once a year. I don't always manage this, but I always make sure that I watch the film over the Christmas holidays! Although the book doesn't focus primarily on Christmas there are several Christmas scenes throughout and it just has a lovely, family-orientated, wholesome feel that is perfect for the Christmas season.

2. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery This is another book that doesn't focus on Christmas but has wonderful values in it that I always associate with the season. Another childhood favourite!

3. Christmas with Anne: and Other Holiday Stories by L. M. Montgomery This is a wonderful little collection of stories that I read last Christmas and adored. Two of the stories come from the "Anne" novels but he rest are taken from newspapers and magazines that Montgomery wrote for. The stories focus on events surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. The themes can be rather same-y but I'd recommend reading one every few days for the month of December and it'll definitely get you in the mood for Christmas and cheer you up! 

4. A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman I read this a few months ago as a review book for Abingdon Press and loved it! I'm a fan of Amish fiction, romances and Christmas stories so this was perfect for me. Check out this review to find out more.

5. Grace by Shelley Shepard Gray This is another recent read with a wonderful message and Christmassy setting. Check out the review for more information if you're a fan of Amish romances and happily ever afters.

6. Akin to Anne: Tales of Other Orphans by L. M. Montgomery You may have guessed who one of my favourite comfort-read authors is! I just think that Montgomery suits the holiday season perfectly with her sweet stories and wholesome values. This is a collection of stories about orphans who either get reunited with family members or make their own new families. Plenty of happy endings and will definitely put a smile on your face. Click here for more information. 

7. The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows I read this around Christmas 2009 so for that reason will always associate this book with Christmas. I do think it suits the season as it's an easy read and made me smile a lot. Juliet, the main character, reminded me a lot of Jo March so perhaps that's why this book reminds me of Christmas.

8. White Boots by Noel Streatfeild One of my favourite children's authors, although I didn't read this book until 2008. As I read this over Christmas I, again, associate it with that season but I'm fairly certain that it was also set in winter. Anything by Streatfeild is perfect for the holidays, much like Alcott and Montgomery.

9. Forever Rose by Hilary McKay McKay is a severely underrated kids author who I absolutely adore. This is the fifth book in her Casson Family series but you could easily pick it up and read it as a standalone novel. This book is partly set over Christmas and I loved the angst that Rose had because her class teacher hated the holiday season.

10. Mallory's Christmas Wish by Ann M. Martin Indeed, I was a massive Babysitters Club fanatic as a child and this book has always stuck with me because it was one of the first I ever read. Incidentally, I will be blogging about the BSC later today - check back sometime this evening!