One of the early classics of the Christmas story genre, Charles Dickens’ novella centres on Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man who receives a Christmas Eve visit from three ghosts. Showing Scrooge a vision of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come, the spirits urge him to change his ways. Over the decades, there have been many adaptations of Dickens’s masterpiece for stage, radio, and the screen. These include a star-studded modern retelling called Scrooged (1988) and an animated film more faithful to the original story: Disney’s A Christmas Carol(2009). And who can forget The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)? An enduring tale of holiday spirit, this audiobook version is read by actor Hugh Grant.
Valentine Davies was a TV producer and writer when she came up with the story for Miracle on 34th Street, a classic film about Christmas magic. Set in the 1940s, it follows a Macy’s Department Store Santa who claims to be the real deal and the very sensible little girl who comes to believe in him. The film came first, but Davies also wrote a novel about the story. This audiobook, narrated by Carl Reiner, is an adaptation of that novel.
Although not strictly a Christmas book, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women begins with the classic line, 'Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents!'. So begins the story of the four March sisters living in Concord, Massachusetts with their father away fighting in the Civil War. The novel follows the sisters as they come of age during a great change. Laura Dern, who starred as Marmie in the acclaimed 2019 adaptation, narrates this audiobook dramatisation with a full cast.
Few people realise that the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life is based on a short story, which publishers initially rejected. Author Philip Van Doren Stern self-published The Greatest Gift and distributed it to friends and family as a Christmas present. It eventually found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who made the movie now beloved by households worldwide. Inspired by A Christmas Carol, this is the story of a man on the verge of taking his own life. But then he gets to see how the people he loves would be much worse off had he never been born. Edward Herrmann narrates this audiobook beautifully.
In this fun, contemporary YA audiobook, listeners hear three intertwined stories by three outstanding authors: Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle, and John Green. The stories trace the fates of multiple characters when a freak snowstorm descends on their town, derailing travel plans, providing surprise connections, and maybe even offering up second chances at love. Let It Snow was adapted into an ensemble-cast Christmas movie by Netflix, starring Kieran Shipka, Liv Hewson, and Joan Cusack.
Realising that their only daughter won’t be home for the holidays, Luther and Nora Krank calculate how much they typically spend on celebrating. It adds up to a lot, and they decide to skip Christmas and go on a cruise instead. This decision earns the ire of their neighbours, and an all-out war ensues. Luther and Nora think they’ve won. Until then, their daughter calls with the news that she’ll be able to make it home for Christmas after all. And she can’t wait to introduce her new fiancé to their annual festivities. John Grisham’s novella inspired the 2004 Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dan Ackroyd. This is an excellent audiobook of Grisham’s original work.
A Mrs Miracle Christmas (2021, Hallmark Movies) is a more recent holiday movie but no less heartwarming for it. It tells the story of a family struggling to embrace the Christmas spirit. Jake’s childhood memories of decorated Christmas trees and festive happiness have faded, thanks to a tragedy some years before. These days, for him and his father, Christmas is all about keeping the family business going against all odds. Meanwhile, Holly will do anything to give her nephew the perfect Christmas. But how can she afford the gift he has his heart set on? Enter Mrs Miracle, who delights in helping people out—and bringing them together. The film is an adaptation of Debbie Macomber’s novel, Call Me Mrs Miracle. This is the beautiful audiobook of that original work.
This classic short story, written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffmann, is better known for the famous Tchaikovsky ballet it inspired. But movie adaptations exist as well. The well-known tale is about a young girl who receives a nutcracker from her godfather, a legendary toymaker, and then falls into a fantasy landscape where mice come to life, and the Nutcracker must battle the mouse king. Movie adaptations include the 1993 film The Nutcracker and Disney’s 2018 The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, which reimagines the story for modern cinema.
Here’s the answer to a long-running debate: Die Hard is undoubtedly a Christmas movie. Both of the inspirations for Die Hard and Die Hard 2 are literary; Nothing Lasts Forever and 58 Minutes are thrillers during the Christmas holidays. Die Hard tells the story of what happens when terrorists take a holiday office party hostage. Meanwhile, Die Hard 2 is set at Dulles airport during the height of holiday travel when terrorists hijack air traffic control. While unconventional picks for Christmas listening, both thrillers incorporate elements of the holiday season in clever and intriguing ways.
The Princess Bride might seem unconventional, but it’s a tale that embodies the spirit of Christmas romance. The film begins in winter with an older man reading to his grandson, who’s off school in his sick bed. But the regular setting soon melts into the background as the story progresses. It’s a feel-good, familiar tale of fantasy, love, and adventure that adds up to a great festive listen, especially for those who enjoy the quirkier side of Christmas-time movies. Rob Reiner, director of the 1987 film, narrates this audiobook.
