Reading by Starlight Christmas Read-Along

Hi guys – guess what? I’m hosting a read-along!

Okay, this isn’t new. You might recall my announcement post back in November? But, the read-along begins with a Christmas Carol tomorrow so I figured why not touch base and give you all the details?

The thing is I’m super excited because not only do I love a good cozy, Christmassy book but this is also my very first read-along! [And I have no idea what I’m doing but let’s just roll with it]. I would love for you to join us.

So let’s get into the details so we can get to reading!

So what’s a read-along and what and when are we reading?

Basically the Reading by Starlight Christmas Read-Along is a read-along of two seriously festive books; a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and the modern retelling the Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand.

The main point of the read-along is to have fun so there’s absolutely no pressure. Unlike a readathon, a read-along is a casual group read. So don’t stress – you won’t be needing to read them within twenty-four hours.

The books:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Dates: December 11th – December 17th

With A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens created a modern fairy tale and shaped our ideas of Christmas.

The tale of the solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of the season by a series of ghostly visitors and given a second chance, was conjured up by Dickens during one of his London night walks, who “wept and laughed” as he composed it.

Taken to readers’ hearts for its humour, compassion and message of redemption, it remains his best-loved book.

 

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
Reading Dates: December 18th – December 24th

On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she’d become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways. She didn’t. And then she died.

Now she’s stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge–as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past. Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly’s afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .

Why A Christmas Carol? 

Do you know that it is to Mr Charles Dickens to whom we owe a lot of our modern Christmas traditions?

During the Victorian era society slowly began to lose their faith in Christmas. For the working class, they led a bleak existence brimming with hardship and woe. Poverty, work houses and hunger were a constant threat. Christmas was a luxury.

When a Christmas Carol was published it met with immediate success. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim inspired people to rediscovery the true meaning of Christmas; hope, love and charity. To this day it’s message of redemption and hope still inspires.

So how can I participate?

As I said before, the Reading by Starlight Christmas Read-Along is super casual. You are perfectly welcome to just read-along with us and comment your thoughts below.

But, to really share the experience and spread the festive cheer I’d love for you to join us on Instagram at Readingbystarlightblog.

You’re welcome to find me by following the link above and DM me so I can add you to the group chat. I have also created some festive templates which you can grab off my Instagram Story. They are perfect for sharing your progress or jotting down your thoughts.

 

And that’s it!

Will you be participating? Have you read a Christmas Carol before? Leave me a comment below! Happy reading!

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