‘Tis The Season: Authors Talk Holidays is a special seasonal feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which some of my favourite authors help me to celebrate the spirit of the season and spread a little holiday cheer. So, pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle in by the fireside as they answer the question: “What does the holiday season mean to you?”
About Kelsey Rodkey
Kelsey Rodkey a burrito lover, banter enthusiast, and young adult author, who strives to create the stories she lacked as a teenager. Before starting her job as a communications coordinator, she helped a British film crew make a documentary about a dog grooming expo and was an extra in a music video as a girl who couldn’t stop playing with her hair. She lives near the capital of Pennsylvania, which a lot of people think is Philadelphia, with her significant other and their cats, Cheese and Tux. She is represented by Bridget Smith. Last Chance Books is her first novel.
“Christmas” movies to watch when you don’t really like Christmas, but don’t want people to think you’re a total grinch
I’m not a Hallmark Christmas person. You know, the singing, dancing, decorating, Christmas-tree-up-after-Halloween type. Don’t get me wrong; I love giving gifts and drinking hot chocolate and watching snow fall, but the magic of Christmas for me is seeing others happy while not having to partake too much in it. Because eventually, it’s hard to find the perfect gift, hot chocolate gets cold, and the snow becomes the main source of my anxiety when my town doesn’t prep and clear the roads properly.
So for others like me, I’ve decided to put together a list of “Christmas” movies that will appease even the Hallmark people in your life this holiday season:
Die Hard
Don’t fight me on this. It could take place any other time of the year, which is a staple of every “Christmas” movie. Proximity to Christmas does not a Christmas movie make, but because of the songs and decorations, people disregard the fact that it has nothing to do with the “spirit” of Christmas, or that it was originally released in July. (Christmas in July is not a thing.) What you’ll like: fast-paced and tight plotting, twists, action, and characters to root for. +10 points for an Alan Rickman holiday movie that isn’t Love, Actually.
Better Watch Out
Not enough people have seen this horror comedy. Do not watch the trailer. DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER. Just take my word for it that if you like raunchy, bloody fun, this movie is for you. It’s like a grown-up Home Alone. And to lighten this dark affair for the Santa-lovers, it takes place in a snowy town, with Christmas sweaters and decorations that amplify the vibes it’s giving off already.
The Night Before
Three dudes on a quest for one last Christmas Eve romp in New York City get more than they bargained for in a night filled with drugs, revealed secrets, and a surprise appearance by Miley Cyrus. It’s the usual hijinks you’d expect from a Seth Rogen-fronted film, but it has heart to match the humor and a ridiculous angel-gets-his-wings plot twist ending.
Office Christmas Party
Like the rest, this movie does not actually need the Christmas setting. Siblings try to woo an investor so their branch doesn’t close by having the most hype office Christmas party ever. As you can guess, it gets way out of hand, but in one of those ‘wow, I wish I could have been there’ ways.
Gremlins
There’s nothing about Christmas that is intrinsic to the gremlins lore. Again, the film just makes use of the snow and pretty lights and the act of gift-giving etcetera etcetera. But Gizmo is adorable and you have to see this through to the end to make sure that little scamp makes it out okay.
Iron Man 3
The best thing about Iron Man 3 being on this list is that if you or your Christmas-loving person haven’t seen Iron Man 1 and 2, you can now do so promptly. There’s heart, humor, action, and that chest-swelling feeling of hope and excitement — some might say the feeling Christmas gives people.
Home Alone
Without saying too much to spoil Better Watch Out (Do NOT watch the trailer!!), Home Alone is kind of the kids’ version of BWO. It stars a child defending his home from burglars in creative and fun ways with minimal carnage. It’s been years since I watched this or its sequels, but I would recommend only watching this one. Because…if this kid is left behind more than once, it’s no longer a comedy, it’s a tragedy. Call CPS ASAP.
You’ve Got Mail
Okay, now this one is more self-indulgent than the others since my debut, Last Chance Books, is somewhat of a You’ve Got Mail retelling. Mine takes place during the summer, but You’ve Got Mail crosses over Christmas. And this year, more than any in the past, it’s important to shop at your local independent bookstores. The Shop Around the Corner didn’t stand much of a chance against Fox Books, but we can all come together to make sure our communities thrive this holiday season and so on. Shop local, shop indie, shop small.
Title Last Chance Books
Author Kelsey Rodkey
Intended Target Audience Young Adult
Publication Date May 18th 2021 by HarperTeen
Find It On Goodreads ● Chapters ● The Book Depository ● Barnes & Noble ● IndieBound ● Books-A-Million
Don’t you just love the smell of old books in the morning?
Madeline Moore does. Books & Moore, the musty bookstore her family has owned for generations, is where she feels most herself. Nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt.
Nothing, that is — until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down.
Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works over at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the unbelievable audacity to be…extremely cute.
But that doesn’t matter. Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. After all — all’s fair in love and (book) wars.
