Play Book Tag discussion

Y'all, IT IS HERE! My favorite reading month of the year!

Please post reviews for any Christmas/Hanukkah/winter/New Year etc.. themed books that go along with the month of December here. If it is not obvious as to why you selected your specific book for December, please include a sentence or two about the connection.

Each review you post will earn you a participation point that can be used in future voting for the monthly tags or in book auctions which are likely to become a more regular occurrence,

Don't forget to also cross-post your review to the appropriate thread for books that fit or do not fit the monthly tag to rack up even more participation points.

Still struggling with deciding what to read? Check out our discussion thread.

OK - The Last Christmas in Paris, is what's called an "epistolary" novel, written entirely through letters from a number of characters in the story, the setting - World War One. Primarily the letters are between Lieutenant Thomas Harding and Evelyn "Evie" Elliot, woman war correspondent, at a time when women didn't do such things, and it caused an uproar for the Harding's family owned Newspaper, the London Daily Times. The novel is about their unfolding love story through letters throughout the war and over time. Its was a beautiful story and cleverly written. One of the things that I liked about it, was in the after pages, hearing about how the process of co-writing the book between the two authors who had met through a connection, was also a process of letter exchange, that each would unfold the tale by writing letters from various characters at various times. The authors had a unique love story too, in their own vein, and that also raised the experience of the book for me.

The book itself. Much of the time it was a solid three - at times it felt actually "meh." At other points, I was more engaged or interested. There is no real twist, not that there needs to be. Everything is pretty much laid out at the start. In that way, the letters were honest, and expressed something of each of their constructed identities in time.

I admit I did become engaged in a few side themes outside the developing love story. The experience and treatment of PTSD, and how that was experienced or perceived by others in 1916. I was also interested in the related idea of varying views characters took about whether to print the truth about war, in the newspaper, and what that meant for the government and how public perception is shaped or altered. And also about who does and doesn't fight at the front, and I had never even heard of the White Feather Brigade, only mentioned briefly in the books beginning, but the were a lot of questions about men's moral fiber, and what they were intended to withstand. Evie and Thomas and their letter exchange was meant to be a thing of beauty, memory, dreams, and light, in a time where there was none. Its speckled with Shakespeare and other authors, and that added to the book and to the characters and their expression.

I guess I enjoyed it more than I thought I'd had reading it, because in the last 40 pages, I am in bed softly sobbing. Which was not how I'd felt reading it, closer to slight piquing engagement. I went from "Meh" to "moved" at the end. And that grew with the author's notes and interviews. Which shows me something I have always known but love to repeat to you guys. Sharing a book, always enhances one's reading of it. Whether I am writing or reading reviews, being in some kind of a book club, discussing sub themes, or iconic moments.... I have loved books more since book clubs and Shelfari and Goodreads and review writing. Books have become friends, and I now also have made friends from around the world. May this season be a blessing for all faiths, and for all of us - no matter who you are, what you believe or practice. May this time be a time of holiness, together, love, and peace.

The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger - 5 Stars

An all-time favorite book of mine (which takes place over a few days very close to Christmas, mostly in NYC). I won't waste time writing a synopsis as I'm relatively confident almost everyone has read this book. What I'd like to talk about is why it's tagged under Social Issues.

Many think of this book as a coming of age story about an alienated anti-hero that refuses to play the 'game' of life. So what's that got to do with social issues per se? I have two thoughts.

First, how close (or far away) is the character of Holden from being the next young, white gun shooter in tomorrow's headline. I think this is the more obvious take on the Social Issue tag given the history of other assassins and the book, namely John Hinckley Jr. and Mark Chapman. Holden exhibits a lot of hate and rage and anger and death is prevalent throughout the book (both active killing and passive dying). So maybe readers tag this book because of the social issues of mental health and guns. Maybe.

Second, I don't know if this isn't just a book chronicling a fragile, young mind going thru the throws of PTSD (which in case you were wondering didn't actually become an official form of diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association until 1980). Many wonder (including the first publishing house that was given the book to review) whether Holden is "crazy". We know now that things aren't that simple and that PTSD is a form of mental injury. Given the title of the book and the story behind the title and how the only time it seems like Holden experiences a brief respite of happiness and joy is when he is watching his little sister on the merry-go-round, I think the social issue at hand is post traumatic stress and how the human mind can only take so much before it breaks and becomes wounded (just like the body) needing time and care to heal. If everyone you encounter when you're a teenager pretends and avoids the obvious pain of losing a sibling and expects you to just be happy, play the game and continue on (as if nothing has 'changed') then why wouldn't you think the whole world is made up of phonies. As a front line soldier, Salinger supposedly experienced first hand some of the worst combat fighting in WW2. I recently read The Forever War by Dexter Filkins and don't understand how anyone comes back mentally whole from war (you almost worry if a person isn't somehow affected).

There is a relatively recent article in the NYT about how students today feel about the book and Holden and how it seems to be losing its connection as time goes by (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/wee...). The article ends with a teacher relaying how she, "recalled one 15-year-old boy from Long Island who told her: “Oh, we all hated Holden in my class. We just wanted to tell him, ‘Shut up and take your Prozac.’" This is sad on many fronts not the least of which is the lack of empathy it shows to a universal character that I would hope be used as a helpful lesson to many at such a critical and tumultuous age that it's human to suffer and experience what Holden does. That it's common to get lost and depressed and confused and that having a need to find your way is how you find your true self. I only hope that kids see Holden less as a Rebel Without a Cause and more of a universal symbol that life and people are fragile and can break. And with that as a lesson, that each of us can help people mend and heal (without having to solely rely on them just taking a Prozac).

Amy wrote: "OK - The Last Christmas in Paris, is what's called an "epistolary" novel, written entirely through letters from a number of characters in the story, the setting - World War One. Primarily the lette..."

Great review and thanks for sharing (I've added this to my list). I also referenced PSTD in my own review before reading yours.

Peace to all.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens



In this classic Christmas story, Charles Dickens writes about Ebenezer Scrooge. As Christmas is approaching, Scrooge is visited by his old business partner who has been dead for years. Scrooge is warned by him that the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will be coming to see him. As Scrooge views his life and how others react to him through these ghosts he is scared and wants to change his ways. Dickens created a timeless tale that is still a fun read today.

The Midnight Before Christmas - William Bernhardt
3 stars

Megan McGee, lawyer and ex- Episcopalian priest, takes on the case of an hysterical woman named Bonnie who insists that her former husband, Carl, wants to kidnap and kill their 7-year-old son Tommy. Bonnie relates gruesome details of savage beatings she has suffered at Carl's hands and that he has attempted to kill Tommy in the past. Carl is a cop, currently suspended for drinking, so Bonnie is sure the local police will not help her. While Megan and Bonnie are at the courthouse to obtain a restraining order, Carl manages to get Tommy from school and take off with him. A frantic Bonnie and a determined Megan search for the two hoping to find them before Carl can do something horrible. As Megan investigates the case she sees that things are not always what they seem and some very troubling issues just do not add up.

I am a great fan of Bernhardt's but I can't say that this book is one of his better ones. It had a great twist but was mostly very predictable and simplistic. It won't keep me from reading his other novels.

My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
3 Stars

Quick, cheesy, lifetime movie-esque young adult Christmas-themed book. Nothing that makes you think, nothing complicated- just pure fluffy hot cocoa with marshmallows on top. This is YA- so it has a young voice, simple writing, and the characters are immature and teenager-y. But that's true to the age-range, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

The plot is simple (probably overdone, but who cares). Charlie is a type-a almost-OCD planner, and kind of annoying- but probably relateable to some. Charlie needs a date for a big party, and finds the perfect guy. Too bad he doesn't know who she is. Cue the cousin, who she bribes into helping her find the perfect Secret Santa gifts to. You know where this will go, and that's OK. This isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, so just enjoy the cuteness and fluff and don't think too much about the minor plot holes.

Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne
3 stars

It was 8:00 PM on December 4th and I realized I had not read a single page of a cheesy Christmas romance! That just did not feel right so I decided to take an hour and read for fun. I finished the book 3.5 hours later. And it was just what my little Christmas-loving heart needed!

What is this book about? Honestly, what do you think it is about? Beautiful girl meets hot guy against a backdrop of Christmas lights and festivities. Throw in that the beautiful girl is temporarily housing two young boys who will freaking steal your heart, the hot guy is part of a huge loving family that makes you think about having seven children one day, and the hot guy conveniently lives upstairs from the beautiful girl so that meet-cutes abound. Spoiler alert: they fall in love.

I read Thayne's Christmas books every year, and this one lacked a bit of the heat of her others (yeah, I like a little naughty with the nice!). Also, I felt like some of what I thought were big events were just skipped over completely. Obviously did not impact my reading it cover to cover, but not as big of a hit as her books the last couple of years.

The Deal of a Lifetime

A strange little tale, with a Christmas backdrop. A quick Novella. The book is 65 pages, less with its beautiful illustrations and chapter breaks. Its more of a long eerie yet meaningful short story. Definitely open to interpretation. Bachman suggests he may have wrote it half drunk - and it has that dreamlike quality. This is the kind of review where there's nothing to tell. The story tells itself.

Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Oh we just adored this! How wonderful that Goodreads led me to it. Goblins trying to cancel Chanukah? What could be better for a seven year old adorable curly haired monster? We loved it. Herschel is so smart, and I'm sure its not a spoiler if I tell you that he saves the day. Perfect, and perfect for holiday season.

A Christmas to Remember, Anthology with contributions by Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, Megan Frampton, and Vivienne Lorret
3 stars

Ah, after a couple of contemporary Christmas romances, I gladly switched to a regency anthology. The stories were short, full of Christmas dinner and balls, and had the heat I was missing from the first two books of the season!

Side note: the feminist in me hates that the men in these stories are all rogues who sleep their way through the eligible women in town, while the women can have their virtue ruined simply by dancing more than two dances with a man. And yet, these upstanding young women of noble birth end up acting scandalously with these men!

I just roll my eyes and move on....but it is one of the main reasons I don't read more regency romance.

Return of the Magi: A heartwarming Christmas story by P. J. Tracy - 3.6 stars

This one landed in my lap quite unexpectedly. Not my usual fare, but I enjoyed her Monkeewrench series and was curious about it.

Emil Rice is a career criminal, thief and con man. When he lands in front of the judge just days before Christmas he’s in luck. Rather than straight back to prison, he is offered a year of community service at a mental health facility. But nothing really turns out as he expects and he finds himself roped into a reenactment of the three magi’s visit to the child that turns out quite miraculous.

This is a funny Christmas story where the spirit of the season touches the unlikeliest characters and yields unexpected results.

*With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I got a free copy in exchange for a honest review.

I chose this for the title story for the winter theme.

Snow Queen and Other Tales / Hans Christian Anderson
2.25 stars

This is a collection of short stories by Hans Christian Anderson. I’m not always a fan of short stories, and this one didn’t win me over, either. For most of them, I just didn’t get interested and pretty much skimmed. There were a few that held my interest, but not many, and of those, two were ones I already knew the general story for, so it was easy to pick up if I missed a bit in the middle. The extra 1/4 star is for the few stories that were ok and (somewhat) held my interest.

Christmas in Harmony – Philip Gulley
3***

I love this series set in Harmony, Indiana, and featuring Pastor Sam Gardner, his family and his Quaker congregation at Harmony Friends Meeting.

In this installment, the board of elders has taken Dale Hinshaw’s suggestion (demand?) to skip the Christmas Eve service in favor of a “progressive Nativity Scene.” Well, it started as just a live Nativity scene, but he realized it was too big to house in one location (the local park being unavailable for a religious display). So Dale has built a manger in his yard, with the animals housed at Sam’s house, the Holy Family at Asa Peacock’s farm, the Wise Men at Bea’s home, and ending at Fern’s house where the Friendly Women would sell hot chocolate and cookies.

With Dale in charge, things are bound to go wrong, and Sam will be left trying to clean up the mess – and I’m not just talking about the pigs in his garage.

But, regardless, Sam will find the meaning in Christmas, and he will be reminded of the joys of the season, and the reason we celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

It’s a charming, quick read, full of humor and tenderness. Perfect for this holiday season.

P.S. I know this is a re-read for me, but I have no idea when I first read it. Perhaps a year or so after it was first published.

A Cedar Cove Christmas (Cedar Cove, #8.5) – Debbie Macomber (3 stars) 12/12/17

This is a modern day retelling of the Nativity story. Mary Jo Wyse is pregnant and goes to Cedar Cove to meet up with the father of the baby and his family. He's no show and the family is away. Of course, there is no room at any of the inns. She is offered a temporarily vacant apartment over the barn at the librarian's farm. And so it goes, with her 3 Wyse brothers in pursuit. It was a cute story and heartwarming for Christmas.

Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews
2 stars (cross posted to Dec - other books)

I’ve read some really good books this year and unfortunately this was not one of them. Because I needed a break after reading some heavier stuff, I thought I’d use a lighter “chick lit” book for my December Flurry read. This had been on my Kindle for a while so I decided to give it a go. Cassie was let go earlier in the year and was having problems finding another job. She gets the bright idea to combine her organizational skills with her love of Christmas to start a job doing Christmas errands for people.....everything from decorating, to buying/wrapping present to organizing holiday parties. She recruits her sister and live-in boyfriend to help. Along the way she develops relationships with a few of her clients including a wealthy soon to be divorced dad who need help making a nice Christmas for his kids.

Oh where to start.....I don’t mind plots where you have to suspend a bit of belief (after all it is a Christmas story), but this was a bit ridiculous. First, she watches U-tube videos/pinterest to figure out how to wrap presents, write calligraphy and decorate well enough to create business AND to teach others like her boyfriend. Then, she meets a wealthy handsome guy who trusts her enough on 2nd meeting to organize a trip for him and his kids AND invites her to go along. Of course, he then falls in love with her and wants her to leave her boyfriend after spending 2 days together, despite having almost nothing in common except that she likes/gets along with his kids Cassie's boyfriend, Jim and her sister rolled up their sleeves to pitch in and end of doing a lot of the work while Cassie is off with the client.

So.....the plot was not believable, Cassie was too much of a Mary Sue, but what really brought it down was the writing. Apparently, you can never TELL the reader too many times how depressed Cassie was without a job or how poor Jim and Cassie were so they couldn't get married and start a family. This book weighed in at over 400 pages (which is a bit long for the genre) because there was a lot of repetition. Most of the story was told in first person from Cassie's POV, but interspersed were chapters about Jim told in the 3rd person. Doesn't that break some writers rule??? Even if it doesn't, it was annoying. I really do not understand how this book got so many 4 and 5 star ratings, but maybe I'm just extra grinchy this holiday season.

Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark 3 stars

Alvirah Meehan and her husband Willy have won a trip on the first cruise of the Royal Mermaid. They invite Regan Reilly and her husband and parents along. The cruise is free and is supposed to honor people who have done good all year long. There is a wide list of characters including two criminal stowaways who dress up like Santa to blend in. There isn't much of a mystery, more of a lighthearted Christmas read. The book ends really abruptly especially considering all the plot lines that were going on.

Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis
4.5 stars (I am rounding this down to 4 because of two specific reasons, but my little sappy heart wants to round up to 5. I might still change my mind).

This might be the perfect cheesy Christmas romance novel. Well, it has two flaws but I just loved the characters so much.

Female author of tween bestseller trilogy....hot, rich, engineering genius...both have been hurt and are hesitant to reveal their secrets or give too much of themselves. Close knit group of friends. San Francisco. Christmas. Yeah....that about covers it.

I just loved it. Colbie and Spence were adorable characters, and I could totally relate to their commitment to work and their drive. And, seriously y'all, five alarm fire when they hit the sheets!

But two things have me rounding down: First of all, this was kind of a Christmas-tangential book, there wasn't a lot of focus on the holiday aside from them mentioning that it was coming up and a hurried decorating fit.

Secondly, I adore this group of friends and wanted more of them. Especially more interaction among the totally kick ass women. I know, I know, it is a romance novel and not a 1,000 page epic, but I think I could read a thousand page book by Shalvis.

My little Christmas-loving heart is bursting after that wonderful book. *Sigh* Shalvis's next Christmas novel cannot come soon enough.

I guess I COULD read the non-Christmas books in the series, but Christmas gives me the permission to read so much cheesy romance

The Deal of a Lifetime - Fredrik Backman
4 stars

Christmas Eve. Although the man and his adult son have been estranged for a long time, the two sit together for a heartfelt talk. The man has been extremely successful in his career, less so with his wife and son. A recent diagnosis of cancer placed the man in the hospital where he met up with a young girl who was obviously in the final stages of her disease. The child had an indomitable spirit and tried to placate her already grieving mother with answers to impossible questions about the future. As the man literally stares death in the face, he makes a deal with death that will change everything.

This novella has a surreal quality. It is touching and sweet and a great story for the season of miracles. The illustrations are lovely and truly enhance the tale.

Amy wrote: "The Deal of a Lifetime

A strange little tale, with a Christmas backdrop. A quick Novella. The book is 65 pages, less with its beautiful illustrations and chapter breaks. Its more o..."

Amy, I'm adding books to the shelf, but there are a lot of books with this title. Who wrote it? Thanks!

ETA: Can I assume it's the same one Ellen just posted a review for, as well? By Fredrik Backman? If so, I just shelved it!

Shelf updated, Dec. 15/17

A Rocky Mountain Christmas by by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone - 2 Stars (barely)

My first (and probably last) book by Mr. Johnstone. This is the stuff that Hallmark specials are made of. It was sweet and thank God, it was short. I wasn't expecting Lonesome Dove Christmas style so I wasn't that disappointed but I was hoping for just a little less cheese and sap.

In a nutshell, it's the story of a train that gets stranded due to an avalanche traveling thru a pass in Colorado right around Christmas. There are good guys, bad guys, mountain men, prostitutes, a sick child and lots of thin story lines and trite characters.

Oh well, I read this for you Nicole R. You owe me one, big time!

Charlie wrote: "Oh well, I read this for you Nicole R. You owe me one, big time! ."

I am proud of you....but wish that you would have liked it more!!! And, hoping for a little less cheese and sap at Christmas is a long shot....

Though prostitutes doesn't sounds very Christmasy!

I am going to have to pay you back and let you pick a book/genre for me. We should do that early in 2018. Not before then though, because my reading card is packed with cheese and sap.

Yes Cindy, thank you and I'm sorry for my mistake. Frederick Backman.

Amy wrote: "Yes Cindy, thank you and I'm sorry for my mistake. Frederick Backman."

Thanks for confirming, Amy! I even went to your page, but couldn't figure out where to look to see what book with that title was on your shelf! (I miss shelfari... That was usually how I figured those things out over there!)

LibraryCin wrote: "I miss shelfari... ."

I do too. So very much

Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Lori Wilde
2 stars

I have enjoyed several of Lori Wilde's previous Christmas romances, but this one missed the mark.

Cash Colton is a big time country star whose life fell to pieces and he ran away for the last year. But, now he is back in Twilight, Texas, and Paige MacGregor, the quintessential girl next door, catches his eye. But, can they mesh their very different lives? (Insert eye roll here).

Okay, here were my problems with the book:
-- the author took almost 100 pages for the two main characters to have any kind of interaction other than passing pleasantries.
-- Paige was so against sleeping with Cash and then in the space of a hot second she flipped 180. I mean, I am all about the ladies getting what they want, but I literally flipped back some pages to make sure I didn't miss something.
-- Ugh, the dialogue was painfully contrived. I can handle cheesy, cheesy I love. This was so laden with overwrought similes that I thought I would gag. And, no part of the book was exempt from these.
-- Paige was having deep reflections on her past and her feeling about life and Cash while she was LITERALLY having sex. Ummm...if Cash was doing his job right, there would not be enough focus to go on a 5-page riff about how Paige may finally be able to trust someone.
-- Oh, and my favorite (with apologies to those of you who are not fans of sex in books, avert your eyes now), Cash is the first man to EVER go down on Paige. Fine, whatever, it annoys me but we'll move on. BUT, while he was going down on her Paige somehow, without him noticing, reached...somewhere...and got out a condom and hid it under the pillow to then whip it out a few moments later! WTF? I am all about safe sex, but honey you need to turn off your brain a bit. Nothing about that set up sounds sexy.
-- The cornerstone of cheesy romance novels is that the characters fall in love in like two weeks. I love it, I romantically sigh when the guy (because it is always the guy) makes some grand gesture as a statement of his love. But Cash and Paige were just not convincing in the slightest. They actually barely saw each other.

The whole things was just weird and awkward. I am giving it two stars because it's Christmas, there was a cute dog, and an adorable grammie.

I am moving on to my next cheesy Christmas romance because I need to end on a better note than that.

Nicole R wrote: "Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Lori Wilde
2 stars

I have enjoyed several of Lori Wilde's previous Christmas romances, but this one missed the mark.

Cash Colton is a b..."

I think this is Karma for the book I read.

Lol! Charlie, you may be right. This was just not good.

Mr Miracle – Debbie Macomber
2**

Book ten in the Angels Everywhere (a.k.a Angelic Intervention) series. Harry Mills is on his first assignment on earth and he rather smugly believes he’s got it all covered. But he didn’t quite count on human emotions, and he fumbles with following the rules. It doesn’t help that his supervisor is in the body of a young barista at the local coffee shop, complete with short spiky hair “dyed the color of a pomegranate” and a diamond piercing her nose! Still, his assignment is to help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track. Posing as an English teacher at the local community college in Tacoma Washington, he tries to boost her confidence and steer her in the right direction.

It’s a cheesy Christmas romance, and the plot is exactly what one would expect. Fluffy and light, with a few scenes to tug at the heartstrings. There will be a few obstacles placed in Addie’s path, but every detour will really be ensuring that she finds true love.

Harry really doesn’t do much of anything but stumble around trying to get the hang of humans and their complex emotions. Erich and Addie seem to find their own way just fine with minimal intervention. There is a pretty large cast of supporting characters, most of which are left hanging. What ever happens to College president Dr Conceito? What about the security guard? Or returning war veteran Andrew Fairfax, and his dog Tommy?

It’s not great literature, but it’s perfect for the season … sit by the fire, sip a mug of hot chocolate, or a glass of wine, and enjoy.

I have such a love/hate relationship with Macomber--I read her books every year, but they are never completely satisfying.

Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany - 2.6 stars

I like her Molly Smith series, so I decided to give one a go. Set in Rudolf, the Christmas town, this is a much lighter fare. A quick read, enjoyable enough. But marred somewhat by the fact I read another of her books written as Eva Gates that contained many of the same elements, which made it feel like a reread...

Hogfather - Pratchett
Audio performance by Nigel Planer
4 stars

“Charity ain’t giving people what you wants to give, it’s giving people what they need to get.”

Someone’s put a contract out on the Hogfather. The Assassin’s Guild hands the task to Teatime, an evil, loose cannon among a fraternity of evil. To eliminate the Hogfather, people must simply stop believing in him. If the plot is successful it will be the end of Discworld.

Fortunately, Death comes to the rescue as a stand-in for the Hogfather, complete with fake beard, a pillow tummy, and four sleigh pulling pigs (Gouger, Tusker, Rooter, and Snouter). Also, Death’s grand-daughter, Susan, takes a break from her governess job ( “ It was one of the few jobs a known lady could do. And she'd taken to it well. She'd sworn that if she did indeed ever find herself dancing on rooftops with chimney sweeps she'd beat herself to death with her own umbrella.” ) to straighten out the mess. Along the way a number of new gods pop into existence, including: Bilious, the ‘Oh,God’ of hangovers, the Hair Loss Fairy, the Eater of Socks, and The Cheerful Fairy (more about her later).

Only Terry Pratchett. The plot was convoluted and took so many side trips that I was frequently lost. But I laughed just as often. Laughing did not prevent me from getting the very sharp point of Sir Terry’s satire. As Death struggles to understand humans and the illogic of Hogswatch, Pratchett lampoons the hypocrisy and materialism of Christmas.

THIS IS WRONG. Death hesitated. I MEAN…IT’S RIGHT TO BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT. BUT YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT HAVING. THERE’S NO POINT IN BEING HAPPY ABOUT HAVING NOTHING.”

Fortunately, Pratchett leaves room for hope in the power of belief.

“Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.”

I’m a late starter when it comes to Discworld, but better late than never. Few books have given me as many laughs as I’ve had with Pratchett’s books this year. When I read, Going Postal,I appreciated his references to early childhood teachers, but the Cheerful Fairy really caps it: “The Cheerful Fairy was quite short and plump in a tweed skirt and shoes so sensible they could do their own tax returns, and was pretty much like the first teacher you get at school, the one who has special training in dealing with nervous incontinence and little boys whose contribution to the wonderful world of sharing consists largely of hitting a small girl repeatedly over the head with a wooden horse."

Yup, that’s me, right over there with my sensible shoes and a book.

Tangled Up in Tinsel by Candis Terry
4 stars

I continue my rapid devouring of holiday romance books this year. And, of the ones I have read, this is toward the top of the list. The beginning was overly contrived, the story smoothed out, and then the ending was rushed again.

But, I liked the main characters. I liked Gabriella and how she worked hard for what she wanted and was completely unashamed to initiate and enjoy sex. I liked Parker and his connection to his family and his desire to really set down roots.

I did not like the whole Gabi needing a job and flirts with Parker thing. She didn't do it to get the job per se, but I just didn't like the whole connection given current social occurrences. Though, I am guessing that the main audience for these books (which is likely NOT me) doesn't really care.

I think I have enough time to fit in one more cheesy Christmas romance before throwing in the towel :)

Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts
3 stars

I just cannot get enough of cheesy Christmas romance! These books are not earth-shattering and I cannot in good conscience give them higher than a three-star rating, but if I were ranking based on the sheer joy and good cheer I get from them they would give five lighted Christmas trees!

Christmas in Icicle Falls takes us back to a German-centric town in the mountains of Washington. Local author Muriel has written a feel-good, self-help book on how to make your holidays bright by changing your attitude and reaching out to those around you. It inspires an Ugly Christmas Tree Challenge among friends—to reach out to that annoying/challenging/infuriating person in your life to improve your relationship.

We follow Sienna and her young son Leo reach out to their crotchety old-man neighbor, and befriend (and maybe more) his handsome nephew; Olivia struggles to connect with her new daughter-in-law who is the polar opposite of what she always hoped for her son to find in a partner; and Muriel herself is challenged to be happy for her life-long friend Arnie who seems to have finally gotten past his unrequited love for her and moves on to their mutual friend, Dot.

There are other minor characters as well and these sugary sweet friendships and blossoming relationships are set against the holidays from Thanksgiving to the New Year.

Just adorable, feel good, pure enjoyment. But, I am ready for my next cheesy Christmas romance novel to have a little more heat.

This novel is set during Christmas time and so it was a perfect read for my December Fall Flurry book.

Winter
4 stars
It pains me to report that Winter was not the five star follow up to Autumn that I had hoped it would be. I LOVED Autumn, but I have read a few of Smith's previous works, There But For The, and The Accidental, and didn't love them as much. Perhaps Autumn is the exception rather than the rule? I found Winter to be stunning at times, and the last third in particular was wonderful and I couldn't put it down and I found myself rereading passages just to experience them again. Unfortunately there were also parts that I found just too weird and I felt as though I wasn't really getting them (think unexplained hovering objects). I wasn't able to read big chunks at a time due to the time of the year, and I really do think that Smith is best read uninterrupted, so perhaps I would have appreciated it more if I read it in one sitting rather than over a week. Nevertheless I still find her to be a fascinating writer and I look forward to reading Spring when it is released.

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror

A fun twisted Christmas story to say the least. This is my first book that I have read by Christopher Moore. But I will add more of his books to my TBR for the humor factor of them.

The small town of Pine Grove, CA is preparing for Christmas and the Lonesome Christmas party. During the planning, an "angel" arrives looking for the child; Santa dies; a DEA pilot searching for drugs shows up in town and decides to stay along with his fruit bat, Roberto. It all gets exciting during the Lonesome Christmas party when the "angel" brings the dead back along with Santa....a little neighbor boy wishes for Santa to come back.

I enjoyed this book and the community & personal dynamics that played out in this story. I need to read more.

The Deal of a Lifetime

Wow is all I can say. What a wonderfully written little novella....but sad also.

"What would you be prepared to sacrifice in order to save a life. If it was not only your future on the line, but also your past. Not only the places you are going, but the footprints you have left behind. If it was all of it, all of you, who would you give yourself up for?" What an amazing thought provoking question.

In this book a gentleman dying of cancer, speaks to his son. About how he failed at being a father....all because he wanted more and wanted to do more. His more was more than what he could give his son....himself and his time. He was just never home. Once he received his diagnosis.....he makes that decision in that question. He didn't die for someone. He gave up his life so someone could have their life......but first he had to say goodbye to his son. Again....wow. Backman is a wonderful writer.

Setting Christmas and it’s a Debbie Macomber book... which I always seem to end up either reading one of her Christmas books or watching her Hallmark movies (along with other Hallmark Christmas movies).

Christmas Letters
4.5 ⭐️ Stars out of 5

As a feel good and very quick read, Debbie Macomber books has it all, especially her holiday books. I read this book a few years ago and decided to listen to the audiobook when I subscribed to Audible’s Romance Package. I did enjoy the audiobook. It was fun listening to this while I was very very very busy wrapping presents this month. I already knew the story so if I was never lost. My favorite was when the narrator spoke for the Heroine Katherine. Goodreads does classify this as a Blossom Street series book (book 3.5) but it’s a stand-alone for sure. I think my favorite part was when Katherine told Dr. Jeffries that he was a Scrooge for wanted to “kill Santa”.

Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase
4 stars

At this point, don't we all know the plot of these books? Darcy is unexpectedly snowed in with Ben, a semi-reclusive woodworker, when she is cajoled by her SIL to help him finish a coffee table book that he is working on. He's hot, she's hot, the sparks that fly between them are hot. This is not rocket science here....

But, Darcy kind of reminded me of my myself. She was impulsive and quick to jump to the wrong conclusions. She was fiery and not afraid to speak her mind even if it resulted in a brief yet passionate disagreement. However, she was also not too slow to admit when she was wrong and apologize, then move on.

I also loved Darcy's family. She had five older brothers and five older SILs and I loved the group interaction. I have a large family and I know how they can be protective, meddlesome, infuriating, and the best part of life.

So glad I made this impulse buy based on an Amazon recommendation!

The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman
3 stars

Cute novella (only about 100 pages) about Stevie, a DC botanist/horticulturist who travels to the mountains to help her former coworker and best friend set up a new greenhouse. Of course, a snow storm ensures and Stevie ends up snowed in at the local inn, owned by the deliciously handsome hot lumberjack Noah. Stevie lends a helping hand to keep the inn running smoothly, and Noah thanks by falling in love with her ;)

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
2 stars

Debbie Macomber books just scream Christmas to me. And I read them each year without fail, even though I prefer my Christmas romances less sweet and more steamy.

And this one was pretty par for the course. Merry meets J on an online dating site right before Christmas and they hit it off, but she puts off meeting him in person because she is so busy at work dealing with her absurd boss, Jason Bright (we all see where this is going, right?!)

It probably would have been a 3 star read except that Merry's mother with MS and her brother with Down's Syndrome sign her up for the dating site without Merry's permission because they think she is so sad and pathetic that she needs a dating life. I hate this premise. I hate that she is a working, 20-something but her family thinks her life is pointless without a man and that they freaking disrespect her by signing her up without her knowledge.

Sorry, I can only hold my inner feminist at bay so much during these cheesy Christmas novels and this was just too much.

I am sure I will read Macomber's next Christmas novel regardless, but, Debbie, let's get a little more fire in the next leading lady.

An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne
4 stars

I am a sucker for a guy/girl best friendship that turns into love. Throw in the holiday spirit and I am even more of a goner. This was a short cute story of Kelly realizing that her best friend of ten years, Mark, may have more potential if she takes him out of the friend zone.

And with this, my 2017 cheesy Christmas romance reading is complete. *sigh* But I finished on a good note while drinking coffee by the light of my Christmas tree and snuggled under blankets to keep warm in the subzero temperatures.

Until next year, when I will once again devour my absolute favorite (and least educational/intellectual) genre of books.

Jacob T. Marley - Bennett
Audio performance by Simon Vance
3 stars

This was an interesting concept for a spin-off. Instead of looking into the further lives of the story’s well known characters, this book explores, Jacob Marley, the character who is famously dead at the beginning of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. But, this isn’t really a prequel because for most of this book, Jacob is still dead, dead as that proverbial doornail. Apparently, there is redemption after death. This book is heavy on the details of how Jacob Marley is redeemed.

There were a few points where I thought the author was truly clever in the way he connected Scrooge and Marley as business partners. However, there wasn’t much else that was new, since the rest of the story simply follows Ebenezer on his spectral journey through Christmases past, present, and future. As Scrooge is the unseen observer of those heartwarming and heart wrenching vignettes, so is Jacob the unseen observer of Scrooge. The publisher’s blurb places this retelling with Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West as an adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. But, this book doesn’t begin to have that much originality. Huge chunks of the story are simply lifted from the original. When Jacob’s story does embark on something new, Bennett manages to hit the correct moral tone of the classic, but he completely misses the humor. I’m a big fan of the original Carol and listening to Simon Vance is always a pleasure. That saved the book for me.

Jgrace wrote: "
Jacob T. Marley - Bennett
Audio performance by Simon Vance
3 stars..."

Did I accidentally delete this?! I apologize if I did (I think I did now that you reposted it!)--I was trying to delete one of my reviews directly below yours and I always hit the wrong "delete" link!

Thank you for reposting!

Nicole R wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "
Jacob T. Marley - Bennett
Audio performance by Simon Vance
3 stars..."

Did I accidentally delete this?! I apologize if I did (I think I did now..."

I wondered what happened! It could have easily been my own mistake. I've had a nasty stomach bug the last few days. Not at my best. I was sure I'd just forgotten to save it.

Letters From Father Christmas - Tolkien
Audio performance by Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska
4.5 stars

I found this picture book at a used bookstore years ago. It is a collection of ‘letters’ from Father Christmas, created by Tolkien for his own children. The letters give a chatty picture of a north pole very different from the stereotypical American Santa Claus. While my own children never took to this version of the jolly old elf, it did inspire my husband to write some similarly inventive letters from Santa to our daughter when she was young.

In my opinion, Tolkien’s own detailed watercolor illustrations are, the best part of the collection. I enjoyed this audio production with the very famous voices, but it inspired me to take the book off the shelf to enjoy the pictures one more time.

Mr. Dickens and His Carol: A Novel - S. Silva
Audio performance by Euan Morton
4 stars

A highly fictional Charles Dickens is having financial difficulties. Sales are bad for his most recent book, Martin Chuzzlewit. His publisher is hounding him to write a story for a holiday publication. His house in in an uproar of Christmas preparations. His wife is in labor with their fifth child. So stressful for him. It is seriously impacting his ability to write.

He runs away from home. He develops an infatuation for a mysterious seamstress who works at his favorite theater.

I didn’t have much sympathy for him. Bah humbug.

It does get better. Silva adds a bit of credible biography to a bit of paranormal intervention to round out the creation of the classic Christmas Carol. I thought this was a very clever way to turn the ubiquitous redemption story on it’s head. Pleasant seasonal fantasy, and I enjoyed Euan Morton’s performance.

Last Christmas in Paris - Gaynor/Webb
Audio performance -multiple narrators
3 stars

It’s an impressive audio production. It uses eight different voice artists. It’s historical fiction, epistolary, a love story. I liked it. But don’t be tempted to compare it to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I was hopeful, but it doesn’t come close. This is a WW1 story, the war they thought would be over by Christmas.

This should have been a really good story, but it just wasn’t memorable. I liked Evie Elliot’s letters to her brother and his best friend Thomas Harding. I liked them at first. There’s a spark of humor. Evie’s later journalism is somewhat nauseating in its strident patriotism. Her romantic prevarication was contrived and became tedious. The ending is very touching in the Hallmark movie style. Not Guernesey, but easy entertainment for gift wrapping and baking.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ~ 4 stars

Once final Christmas book and review for 2017

Talk about bringing back my childhood. I used to read this book ever year at Christmas when I was a child. My thought this year was to read it with my daughter, but she wasn't interested. So I read it again on my own. Still just as good.

It's a story about an out of control family. Dad was not in the picture, mom worked all the time, so the kids were left to take care of themselves and each other. Let's just say they were not the nicest kids. So they learn that all the good refreshments with handed out at church. The Herdman kids so up one sunday for refreshments. They were disappointed that they didn't get refreshments but what they got was so much better.....the story of Chirstmas. For one Christmas, these kids were apart of something.....even if they were still a little rough around the edges.