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Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
42 posts | 27 read | 17 to read
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini celebrates Christmas, past and present, with a wondrous novel inspired by the classic poem Christmas Bells, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I heard the bells on Christmas Day/ Their old familiar carols play/ And wild and sweet/ The words repeat/Of peace on earth, good-will to men! In 1860, the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow family celebrated Christmas at Craigie House, their home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The publication of Longfellows classic Revolutionary War poem, Paul Reveres Ride, was less than a month hence, and the countrys grave political unrest weighed heavily on his mind. Yet with his beloved wife, Fanny, and their five adored children at his side, the delights of the season prevailed. In present-day Boston, a dedicated teacher in the Watertown public school system is stunned by somber holiday tidings. Sophias music program has been sacrificed to budget cuts, and she worries not only about her impending unemployment but also about the consequences to her underprivileged students. At the church where she volunteers as music director, Sophia tries to forget her cares as she leads the childrens choir in rehearsal for a Christmas Eve concert. Inspired to honor a local artist, Sophia has chosen a carol set to a poem by Longfellow, moved by the glorious words he penned one Christmas Day long ago, even as he suffered great loss. Christmas Bells chronicles the events of 1863, when the peace and contentment of Longfellows family circle was suddenly, tragically broken, cutting even deeper than the privations of wartime. Through the pain of profound loss and hardship, Longfellows patriotism never failed, nor did the power of his language. Christmas Bells, the poem he wrote that holiday, lives on, spoken as verse and sung as a hymn. Jennifer Chiaverinis resonant and heartfelt novel for the season reminds us why we must continue to hear glad tidings, even as we are tested by strife. Reading Christmas Bells evokes the resplendent joy of a chorus of voices raised in reverent song.
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Deblovestoread
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Karisimo ❤️ the weight of ink! 3mo
Eggs Chiaverini is prolific! 3mo
Suet624 I often think of The weight of Ink. 3mo
43 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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My #midwintersolace while reading in between Christmas breakfast & Christmas dinner. A little tea and one of many shortbread cookies, a gift from my neighbor. This cookie is pistachio and delicious with tea.

TheBookHippie Oh how lovely!! 11mo
TheBookgeekFrau What a perfect gift of a downtime moment!! 11mo
AllDebooks Wonderful ❄️ 🎄❄️ 11mo
batsy Love the photo and all the colours 😍 11mo
63 likes1 stack add4 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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An enduring poem for today. Longfellow wrote this shortly after his son was wounded in the Civil War. This war broke his heart. I am glad I read What Longfellow Heard before starting this Christmas Day novel. I think it‘ll add more depth to my reading of Chiaverini‘s book.

dabbe 💙❄️💙 11mo
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mshookquilts
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

A side by side story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a group of modern day individuals involved with a children‘s choir who would be singing Christmas Bells. I have to admit I preferred the modern part of the story, but I also enjoyed learning about the origins of the lyrics to the song.

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Mshookquilts
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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So excited for my Christmas reads!

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intothehallofbooks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Mehso-so

I can‘t believe it took me over a month to read this short book! I liked the story, both timelines. I love Civil War stories, I love historical fiction. But this one had a couple of slowly-paced places, and it was a chore for me to finish it.

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sblbooks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#12BooksOf2022 #12DaysOfChristmas @Andrew65
#Historicalfiction
A dual timeline my favorite being the historical one, of course. 1863 in the midst of the Civil War Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is grieving the loss of his beloved wife. This is the story behind his famous poem, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Andrew65 This sounds brilliant, stacked. 2y
34 likes1 comment
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sblbooks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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I just read this book, today look what I found, the movie! Sadly, it was not in my local theater anymore but I was able to stream it. It was very well done. Perfect for Christmas time.

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sblbooks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#WinterReadathon #ChristmasReading #poetrymatters
I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel based on the Longfellow poem.
@GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

Andrew65 This sounds really interesting. Stacked. 🎄🎄🎄 2y
TheSpineView I like this poem. Need to read this book. 2y
24 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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LiseWorks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Eggs Perfect 🔔 2y
8 likes1 comment
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Eggs
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#Bells #DivineDecember @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

This sounds good and I love the vintage cover 🔔

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful cover!! 2y
Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🔔❤️🔔 2y
52 likes2 comments
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intothehallofbooks
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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I‘ve been meaning to read this for years. No better time than now. The cover is so pretty.

#currentlyreading #winterreadathon

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BookBosomed1
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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What can be better than Saturday afternoon coffee, a book, and my animals beside me. Home ❤️

SamanthaMarie I love that mug! And I so agree. Home is the very best. 3y
BookBosomed1 @SamanthaMarie Isn‘t it fantastic? I have an entire set :) 3y
SamanthaMarie Ahh!! Even more amazing. Do you remember where you got them?? 3y
BookBosomed1 @SamanthaMarie at a little local boutique. I‘ll look at the bottom to see if the brand name is printed 3y
16 likes4 comments
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MeganAnn
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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December #bookspin list.

Included some wintery books from my shelves, an Isabel Allende book on my shelf + a spot for one more for #authoramonth, & the books from my #readromancerepeat box.

Both old & new categories including “from a previous bookspin list” & “received in a swap” for a book I haven‘t read from a previous swap; ❄️ “winter/holiday book” for something seasonal.

Added a spot for a book I receive in the #wintersolsticeswap

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
45 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#littlechrismasswap #LCS #bookandchocolate
Thank you so much Amy!!!! I wated until I got home from work. This was a great swap idea! Making hot chocolate right now!!!

bookish_wookish I hope theyre good! 4y
64 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#DecemberSong #CaroloftheBells #sleightheShelves #joy
#festivespirit #christmasBells

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!

——-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Two time periods.The present time,& 1860s,with the start of Civil War.Grief,healing,Christmas,music,church bells, romance,Cambridge/Boston as backdrop.

https://youtu.be/WSUFzC6_fp8

Cinfhen Pretty photo 💚♥️ 4y
Eggs Beautiful❣️ my choice too 4y
Ncostell Beautiful picture! Sounds like a great Christmas read! 4y
48 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Eggs
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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This HF with dual timeline, celebrates Christmas, past and present, inspired by the classic poem “Christmas Bells,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Creative mix of sadness and #joy #sleightheshelves @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620
#carolofthebells #decembersong @Eggs

OriginalCyn620 Sounds good! 4y
53 likes4 comments
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TheSpineView
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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OriginalCyn620 Pretty cover! 4y
TheSpineView @OriginalCyn620 Yes! Kind of makes you wish for simpler times... until you realize things like no indoor plumbing! 😆 4y
51 likes2 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#bookreport #weeklyforecast

Finished 2 Christmas reads. Still listening to Louise Penny. I should finish this audiobook this week. Plan to start a Jane Austen Education sometime this week. #sundaymorningbuddyread #audiomystery #AJaneAustenEducationbuddyread #festivespirit

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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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36 likes1 stack add
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StaceGhost
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

@shellleigh33 @morgankaileigh1 @Crazeedi @BeaG beautiful cards so far 🎄finishing mine up today #holidaycardswap #litsylove

Crazeedi I love how you're hanging them! I put mine around my doorways but this is lovely 4y
StaceGhost @Crazeedi thank you!! I love seeing them while I‘m in the kitchen—& that‘s usually where I am! 4y
27 likes2 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#letitsnow #festivespirit #porchlife

Our first snow. Big flakes! ❄️❄️❄️

Cathythoughts So nice to see ❄️ 4y
Laughterhp It‘s still raining here. I don‘t think it‘s supposed to turn to snow until like 9pm. 4y
Gissy Nice to remember❄️ 4y
kspenmoll @Cathythoughts @Gissy @Laughterhp It was so beautiful and uplifting! Also it turned to rain after an hour or so but it was wonderful to experience those fat flakes! 4y
Laughterhp It ended up starting to snow at like 230 😂 and we got probably an inch to stick and now it‘s all frozen. 4y
61 likes1 stack add5 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Gissy Nice photo!❤️ 4y
kspenmoll @Gissy Thanks! 4y
45 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kspenmoll
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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#bookreport #weeklyforecast
#Pemberlittens #memoir #cozy #sonbuddyread #audiomystery #Christmasread #sundaybuddyread

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️When Time Stopped

Seems ambitious but A Lesson Before Dying is ongoing with no time limit set. We met in December is a month long #buddyread.

Cinfhen My IRL bookclub just suggested When Time Stopped💓I read it already but I‘m open to a re-read 4y
53 likes2 comments
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MittenGirlPeach
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Oooohhhhh, this looks like great fun! I have lots of Christmas themed books in piles all ready to go when we get to December 1st. I‘m in! #AVeryMerryChristmas
@Jadams1776

Jadams89 Yay!! Thanks for sharing!! 4y
10 likes1 comment
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Booknerd2
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

💜💜💜 this book! Some history, some romance, some magic, and an enormous amount of Christmas feels. 😊🎄

47 likes1 stack add
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EadieB
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🎄 5y
FantasyChick 21pts 5y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Butterfinger
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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I had to take a break from Buddenbrooks. Had an awful bout of flu and didn't want my germs to get near my other group members. I was so sick, I'd wake up and not feel like reading. That hasn't happened in years. I haven't been able to spend Christmas with my two little girls, but I did move into the living room to watch them open their presents that their daddy wrapped. Thank you Lord I feel like opening a book. Love books about classic artists.

BookishMarginalia Hope you feel better soon! 6y
Kaye Get well soon ! 6y
11 likes2 comments
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TaciturnWhenReading
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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SilversReviews Great stack....ENJOY!! 6y
46 likes1 comment
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Branwen
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Did I perhaps go a bit overboard in my stash of Christmas books from the library? Perhaps! But I regret nothing! 🎅🎄❄⛄📚💕 #bookhaul #librarylove

saresmoore Never! Yay, Christmas!! 6y
Branwen @saresmoore That's exactly how I feel about it too! 😁👍💕 6y
40 likes2 comments
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EllieDottie
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Reader651
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

I may be a little off season, but moving from one state to another has slowed my reading down this month. Heartwarming historical holiday read. I enjoyed learning more about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life and the era in which he wrote. The modern-day story juxtaposition was also enjoyable, if a little stilted.

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StaceGhost
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

A lovely story of Christmas Day told from multiple perspectives in both an historical and contemporary timeframe. Everything is wrapped up beautifully by the end, but not without tragedy along the way. Altogether a perfect, quick Christmas Eve read! Merry Christmas, everyone! "Peace on earth, goodwill to men." ???#seasonsreading2016

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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Pickpick

Finished this read now. Loved the contemporary chapters and unexpectedly loved the alternating chapters set in Civil War times featuring Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. All in all, I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bklover Had this one in my hand and put it back!! Gonna have to go back and get it!!!! 8y
CocoReads @Bklover it was really good. I'd only read her Quilting books before never any of her historical one 8y
35 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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My take on #redsandgreens: a red read and a green glass for my wine while I relax and snack until the cookies are cool enough to put away. #seasonsreadings2016

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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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When the college down the road is mentioned in the book you're reading....

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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Home from work. Taking a nice break to read before I pull what's sure to be an all nighter in the kitchen! Halfway through this gem and loving it!

38 likes1 stack add
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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Before I do some holiday baking I'm going to enjoy a #hotdrinkandabook with some tea and this holiday read! #seasonsreadings2016

PrezBookster I just received a mug just like that! 😍 8y
CocoReads I knew someone did! My sister got me this one for my birthday last year. So far I have 3 bookish mugs. 8y
Lynnsoprano Love the mug😍 8y
charl08 Another fan of the mug... 8y
41 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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It's warmed up to a balmy 3 degrees and the family has temporarily left the house. So instead of doing the zillions of things I need to do, I'm on a reading break!

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CocoReads
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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Only 3 books to go for my Goodreads 2016 challenge of 110 books. While my nook is charging, I'm going g to start this little gem!

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Lynnsoprano
Christmas Bells: A Novel | Jennifer Chiaverini
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The ornaments on our tree are primarily music-related. We have lots of drums because hubby is a drummer, and, after I started teaching handbells, bell ornaments started showing up, too. Here's my silver bell for #12booksofChristmas.

Louise Love it! ❤👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌟❤ 8y
Lizpixie I have the same bells on my tree!🛎 8y
62 likes2 comments