I must admit I tend to be in the bah humbug holiday camp at times, but I can totally get behind something like this. Yes, holiday spirit all around here at a Work in Progress. Thanks to Buried in Print for mentioning this lovely little boxed set of, drum roll please, 24 wonderful (I know they are going to be wonderful, I can just feel it) short stories. Enough to lead up to the Christmas holiday (sure to please and fill one with holiday joy). One story for every day of Advent (each story is in a booklet format and then nicely slicased).
I had never heard of the Short Story Advent Calendar, but pleased to meet you 2016 edition! It is from a Canadian company and the teaser they give as to who is included:
- Anakana Schofield (Martin John)
- Daniel Handler (Adverbs, Lemony Snicket)
- Sheila Heti (How Should a Person Be?)
- Charles Demers (Vancouver Special, CBC's The Debaters)
- Katie Coyle (Vivian Apple at the End of the World)
- plus [redacted x 19]!
I'm guessing the authors will be all (or primarily) Canadian, so I will get a nice taste of authors I should know, and now will. When I saw the box had arrived yesterday I let out a loud mental cheer and then dashed to my bedroom, grabbed the scissors and ripped open the box. And here it is, what I have been waiting for. This is so up my alley. If I have been lax on short story reading of late, I am going to make good in December and hopefully set the tone for 2017.
BiP has a copy and I am sure we will discuss as we go along. I already checked to see if the plastic wrap came off her box, but as it hadn't, I will leave mine under wraps as well. It's only a week now until the first day of Advent anyway. If twenty-four is the lead up to Christmas Day, how will I possibly follow these stories? I need a Christmas surprise, surely. Right?
Does anyone else have this set? We could all read along if you do. I think this is a limited edition, but it seems as though they still have copies. It was, granted, a bit of a splurge, but I think it is totally reasonable when you think of the cost per story. If you like short stories, maybe you will be tempted, too? Now we just need to pull up some comfy chairs, sit in front of a toasty fire with a glass of mulled wine or hot apple cider and let the reading begin! I promise, no peeking until December 1 . . .