The Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook by Reader's Digest (1997, Hardcover, Spiral)

This is one of the best Christmas piano music collections ever published. The pieces are of medium difficulty and pleasingly arranged. They're easy to play and sing along with, and they're easy to embellish or transpose. There's a good selection of traditional, 40s-50s pop/show tunes, and 60s T.V. special tunes. It's a must-have for Christmas music lovers!

This is the best book for playing Christmas music, written for a immediate to advance piano player. All of the songs are special for the holiday season and have history written about most of them. I appreciate the history part, lets me know why and when the songs were written.
Great Book, if you want just one for the holiday season - get this one!!

Great variety of songs that we tend to forget to include in the season. Varying levels of piano playing skills required, but easy enough for most players. Enjoy singing along, too.

The book is perfect - exactly what we were looking for. It was a book from my husbånd's childhood. Previous searches had determined this book out of print. So thrilled to have found it! It arrived in perfect condition too.

The book arrived in perfect condition. It is a collection of songs from the 1950s. I play music at nursing homes and for senior clubs - they will love this mix of songs from show tunes to Elvis!

Everything was great! The book was a great hit and it was delivered fast and in great condition! Would definately do business again.

The book was immaculate. It was clean and free of marks. It looked new. Love it! We will enjoy it for many seasons to come. Excellent service!

I was so thrilled to find a copy of this - in good condition - for a more than reasonable price. I was also lucky enough to get the songbook - a copy of the book with only the words. Both books were in TERRIFIC, almost pristine condition.

The very best aspect of this songbook is the number and variety of songs in it. The songs from my childhood - I'm 40-ish - which you can't usually find. Really old traditional songs that my mom was reading and remembering - ones I don't remember, but she loves.

The arrangements are simple enough to be played by an average piano player. There are also guitar chords - so the guitar can be added - or you can make up your own accompaniment using the guitar chords - which is what I usually do.

The book is divided into sections - and at the beginning of each section is a summation of the song - what the history is of it. It's pretty neat to find out some of them. For instance, "Oh Tannenbaum" - or "O Christmas Tree" - has two origins. The first theory is, at the time of Christ's birth, all of the trees, all over the world, suddenly bloomed with delicious fruit. The other is that Martin Luther, while walking through the woods, looked around and thought of the Christmas story, and so took home some evergreen cuttings and decorated them with candles, etc., to remember the night and his thoughts. No matter which version you choose to believe, both are set in Germany - so there is no doubt as to the country of origin! :)

Anyway - this book would make a tremendous addition for a music teacher, for choirs or classes, a book to enjoy at home, or a book to use at church. You'd be the hit of the party pulling out this book and starting up playing!

Obviously I am extremely happy to have purchased this book. GOOD LUCK on finding a good copy for yourself! :) Phyllis S.

Ever since I recieved a copy of this book as a gift many years ago, it has been my favorite Christmas music book. It is great for personal enjoyment, for sing-alongs and as a collection of music for entertaining. Music is for piano and comes with chord names with grids as well as lyrics. The carols are divided into categories, and each carol has background information written about the song. The best Christmas carol book you can buy, and sure to be a favorite in your home!