One of the great things about being a college student during the holidays is that you usually get a lot more time off. What better way to spend that time between helping your Mom hide your Dad’s presents and trying to guess just what’s inside that really big box from your grandmother, than curled up on the sofa sipping hot chocolate and reading an excellent book? 

“Icefall” by Matthew J. Kirby 

A rich story set in a nordic hall during the winter, readers will want to grab an extra blanket as they follow the story’s heroine, as she wrestles with her feelings of insignificance compared to her siblings. Paranoia and fear grip everyone as they wait for news of the war that they’d been sent away to avoid, and deal with the implications of treachery in their midst.   

“The Thirteen Clocks” by James Thurber 

A truly ridiculous book that make just about anyone laugh. A cold, cruel Duke has imprisoned his niece in his castle and now a prince has come to save the day. The plot is inevitable, as the day is long, but the story is breathtaking for its shear ridiculousness. This story is sure to make anyone laugh themselves right out of their favorite armchair.  

“Klaus: How Santa Claus Began” by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora 

This graphic novel is set in a grim world of fantasy and lore where magic creeps ever present in the corner of the people’s minds. Grimsvig is a town oppressed by a tyrant and desperately in need of a savoir, and despite his lack of interest Klaus finds himself becoming that savoir. Klaus isn’t just the man who brings the toys, he’s also the one who fights to bring the yuletide spirit to everyone. 

“Scoundrels” by Timothy Zahn  

Anyone needing a good Star Wars fix before the new movie, or possibly someone needing to remind themselves why they still love Star Wars after they see the new movie, will love this book. When all is said and done, this book boils down to an excellently written heist story set in the world of Star Wars and featuring our favorite pair of lovable rogues.  

“We Are Not Eaten by Yaks” by C. Alexander London 

My sister bought this book for my brother a few Christmas’s back and I remember looking at the book and thinking, “Wow, that looks really dumb, I can’t believe she thought he’d read it.” Naturally, after only a few hours I got bored and picked it up, figuring that I’d never actually finish it. I’d hate to spoil the surprise, but I will say that the story features falling out of airplanes, yetis and of course, yaks. Much to my surprise, I loved it and read the entire thing almost non-stop, laughing my head off as I did.   

“Moriarty” by Anthony Horowitz  

Horowitz takes readers back into the exhilarating world of Sherlock Holmes in this fast-paced mystery novel. Set after the final confrontation of Sherlock and Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, a Pinkerton detective teams up with a Scotland Yard inspector to investigate a series of violent deaths, and attempt to find the new mastermind taking control of the criminal underworld. Mystery lovers will find themselves enthralled as they try to solve the deviously complex plot before it’s too late.  

“The Lord of Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien  

If you haven’t read this series by now, then Christmas would be an excellent time to start. Light a candle and settle in to travel with a band of heroes struggling against the darkness encroaching upon their world. This classic story is full of elves, dwarfs, orcs and wizards, and has become an inspiration for many fantasy writers trying to follow in Tolkien’s footsteps.  

“Into the Storm” by Taylor Anderson 

The crew of a WWII Destroyer sails through a strange storm and comes out the other side on a completely different world. They soon discover that this new world has its own conflicts and that they must pick a side if they hope to survive. With realistically crafted action and heart wrenching battles this book is sure to draw in readers and leave them wishing for more. Luckily for them, this is only the first book in a long series.