Claire Keegan’s Christmas novella, Small Things Like These, will not only draw your imagination into the lives of characters in an Irish town during Christmas week in the 1980s; it could also be an argument for liberal education. The main character, Bill Furlong, is a coal merchant with a large family and full days of hard work. Readers receive glimpses into his childhood, though, and someone who saw past status and class and encouraged him to read and think. Furlong’s internal life – questioning and reflecting on what he encounters in his ordinary days – along with his sense of empathy, leads to a decisive moment in the story. Hard as winter; hopeful as Christmas, this is the perfect story for this time of year.