In case you haven't been in a retail store since Halloween, Christmas is apparently coming whether we're ready or not - I'm in the not category. When I was younger and actually watched TV, I used to look forward to this time of year because all my favorite shows would do special Christmas programs. They weren't always good, but they did seem somehow to add to the season. Now I don't think many of them do that - although it's such trash that I haven't actually watched any 'hit shows' in so long I can't tell you which ones are popular - nor understand why they would be since they're written for a slow witted seven year old. Oh, sorry, editorial opinion there. But in the spirit of Christmas - and making money, a growing number of popular authors are releasing books that use Christmas as its central motif. Like the TV of yesterday, they aren't always good - but they do offer something different! And most are entertaining reads that may make a good movie someday - or be absolutely horrid, ie. John Grishams' Skipping Christmas (good)and the dreadful Christmas with the Cranks (disaster). Here is a brief rundown of the season's new books - all are available at the library either now or very soon after Thanksgiving!

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry
Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol!
First Impressions by Nora Roberts
A Carol for Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher
Sugar and Spice by Fern Michaels and others
Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber
A Christmas Secret by Anne Perry
Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews