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Calm By The Christmas Tree
"Christmas isn't a season;
It's a feeling"
- Edna Ferber
Christmas is a magical time of the year. In fact, some would go as far as to describe it as the most wonderful time of the year. One of the best parts about December is the build up to Christmas. Let your inner child be indulged, as you join author Katie Burton for her debut collection of short stories and pieces of flash fiction in the lead up to one of the busiest times of the year.
Calm By The Christmas Tree invites readers to indulge in some reflective “me-time” once every few days, spacing each story out through the month of December, and allowing them the chance to reflect on the hope, love, and magic of the festive period. From lovers’ tiffs, to making amends, and from old to young, each of Burton’s protagonists are relatable in both character and the lessons they learn.
Written for reading before bed, on your travels, or during a brief moment of peace with a comforting drink, these tales whisk you away to a world where Christmas is as magical and important as it was during your childhood. Despite the often painful realities of life, there is always a lesson to learn and a reason to celebrate.
It's a feeling"
- Edna Ferber
Christmas is a magical time of the year. In fact, some would go as far as to describe it as the most wonderful time of the year. One of the best parts about December is the build up to Christmas. Let your inner child be indulged, as you join author Katie Burton for her debut collection of short stories and pieces of flash fiction in the lead up to one of the busiest times of the year.
Calm By The Christmas Tree invites readers to indulge in some reflective “me-time” once every few days, spacing each story out through the month of December, and allowing them the chance to reflect on the hope, love, and magic of the festive period. From lovers’ tiffs, to making amends, and from old to young, each of Burton’s protagonists are relatable in both character and the lessons they learn.
Written for reading before bed, on your travels, or during a brief moment of peace with a comforting drink, these tales whisk you away to a world where Christmas is as magical and important as it was during your childhood. Despite the often painful realities of life, there is always a lesson to learn and a reason to celebrate.
170 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 8, 2023
This collection of short stories is exactly what you need to get into the festive spirit. They’re perfect for when you only have a short amount of time for your reading, especially with the holidays coming up! These stories are unique to the Christmas tales you’re used to, some with unexpected twists and I’m pleased to see coverage on topics you don’t very often see in these kinds of settings. Great read!
September 7, 2021
I really enjoyed Calm By The Christmas Tree.
The fact that this book is a collection of short stories around the theme of Christmas is absolutely perfect for one of the busiest and most chaotic times of the year.
Calm By The Christmas Tree consists of fourteen short stories to kick off the festive spirit.
This book is perfect for those who don't get much spare time but like to escape the hustle and bustle and get lost in a story without the commitment of a long read.
The beauty of Calm By The Christmas Tree is that you can easily pick this book up and read one story in a few minutes and then not pick it back up again for a few days and spend a longer time reading a few stories at a time; without the worry of forgetting characters or a complicated plotline.
You can dip in and out and just read in short bursts and enjoy each story in its own at your own pace.
This book was such a delight to read, as each story is really different.
I was worried it would be too much of a Hallmark movie type vibe but it isn't!
This collection of short stories have so many twists and turns to them and unexpected plot twists that sometimes had my draw dropping.
There's heartwarming stories that evoke all the fuzzy warm festive feelings mixed in with thrilling and shocking tales too - which certainly kept me on my toes.
The fact that this book is a collection of short stories around the theme of Christmas is absolutely perfect for one of the busiest and most chaotic times of the year.
Calm By The Christmas Tree consists of fourteen short stories to kick off the festive spirit.
This book is perfect for those who don't get much spare time but like to escape the hustle and bustle and get lost in a story without the commitment of a long read.
The beauty of Calm By The Christmas Tree is that you can easily pick this book up and read one story in a few minutes and then not pick it back up again for a few days and spend a longer time reading a few stories at a time; without the worry of forgetting characters or a complicated plotline.
You can dip in and out and just read in short bursts and enjoy each story in its own at your own pace.
This book was such a delight to read, as each story is really different.
I was worried it would be too much of a Hallmark movie type vibe but it isn't!
This collection of short stories have so many twists and turns to them and unexpected plot twists that sometimes had my draw dropping.
There's heartwarming stories that evoke all the fuzzy warm festive feelings mixed in with thrilling and shocking tales too - which certainly kept me on my toes.
September 19, 2021
Calm By The Christmas Tree is an adorable short story collection that set me up for the Christmas mood so well.
It is realistic, relatable with topics that you don't usually find when talking about this festive period. (Hat off to Katie for taking the plunge!)
The reason why I've given it 3 stars (and I'd love to do 3.5) is because of the passive voice used in all stories. It is a slow read, and the stories don't really work like stories but more as windows into other people's lives. What I mean by that is that they are not as engaging as they could be if there was a problem, drive to fix it, climax and resolution.
It is a perfect evening read, but a different book may be a better choice for a more engaging one.
You can find a full review here.
It is realistic, relatable with topics that you don't usually find when talking about this festive period. (Hat off to Katie for taking the plunge!)
The reason why I've given it 3 stars (and I'd love to do 3.5) is because of the passive voice used in all stories. It is a slow read, and the stories don't really work like stories but more as windows into other people's lives. What I mean by that is that they are not as engaging as they could be if there was a problem, drive to fix it, climax and resolution.
It is a perfect evening read, but a different book may be a better choice for a more engaging one.
You can find a full review here.
June 2, 2021
I loved that this book is written by one of the bloggers I follow, 14 short stories to kick off the festive spirit. This book was such a delight to read, it made me feel so festive and Christmassy and the stories were fab. The collection of short stories had so many twists and turns to them.
Really enjoyed reading this and if you are looking for some light-hearted content to read whilst you enjoy a cuppa, this is the book for you. Katie’s writing style is brilliant and I hope she releases another one in the future.
Really enjoyed reading this and if you are looking for some light-hearted content to read whilst you enjoy a cuppa, this is the book for you. Katie’s writing style is brilliant and I hope she releases another one in the future.
December 28, 2022
Really enjoyable short story collection! Such heartwarming and cosy stories, the perfect Christmas read! 😊
September 9, 2023
Lovely short story collection that's perfect for Christmas!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews