Book Reading at Trethewey House: Local writers confront their "Worst Christmas Ever"

We’re excited to host a special literary event this holiday season: “Worst Christmas Ever,” an afternoon of live storytelling with author and former CBC Radio journalist JJ Lee and local BC authors.

These local writers will share true stories from Better Next Year, Upon a Midnight Clear, and Better This Year—collections that explore the pressure to have a “perfect” holiday with honesty, humour, and heart.

Featuring stories by:
• Joanna Baxter's "Vienna" from Better Next Year: A desperate daughter tries to put some European elegance into her mother’s holiday celebrations by attending a choir concert but everything goes wrong. (West Vancouver)
• Lynn Easton's "The Longest Night" from Better This Year: On winter solstice Lynn tries to save a unique family tradition all the while dealing with the loss of her father. (Maple Ridge)
• JJ Lee will recount a story from Upon A Midnight Clear: More Christmas Epiphanies. (New Westminster)
• Goran Yerkovich's "Furby Call Centre" from Better Next Year: It’s Christmas Eve and Goran does his best to get through a late-night shift at a call centre for malfunctioning toys. (Langley)

This event will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 1PM to 4PM at Trethewey House Heritage Site (2313 Ware Street, Abbotsford, BC).

All royalties from the Better Next Year books benefit the Surrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest, supporting the next generation of young writers.

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling!

Also check out other Arts events in Abbotsford, Literary Art events in Abbotsford.