Holiday reading for all

Before we take off for the rest of the week, I've put together a short list of holiday-themed book recommendations for a variety of tastes. (Never say I'm not here for you, dear readers—this list covers the holiday mood from schmaltzy to murderous.) And another tip: if you need to visit a bookstore, don't go until about an hour before closing on Christmas Eve. Apart from a handful of relatively mellow dad-types wandering around—guys who do 100% of their Christmas shopping between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on December 24th—the stores will be empty.

For the romantic: A Wallflower Christmas, by Lisa Kleypas

Unlike Kleypas's other Christmas-themed novella, this one is actually worth $17. It's sweet and comforting and straightforward, while somehow managing to skirt outright soppiness.

For the unromantic: Jeeves and the Yule-tide Spirit, by P.G. Wodehouse (summarized here)

Classic P.G. Wodehouse. There's a Christmas setting, but otherwise this short story neatly avoids romance, morality, or lesson-learning. In many ways, the ideal antidote to A Christmas Carol.

For the totally fed-up: Envious Casca, by Georgette Heyer

...in which a Christmas gathering serves as a setting for murder. This is one of my favorite of Heyer's mysteries, and an excellent choice for anyone looking for an, er, unconventional reading choice to get them through a holiday with the relatives.

Merry Christmas, guys! Thanks for reading!