December Challenge - It's the most wonderful time of the year

[Li'l Owl]

Finished my second 2/3
Song :White Christmas
Christmas Past: A Willow Creek Holiday Mystery by Kelli Sue Landon

Really enjoyed this! ☆☆☆☆½ 's

Started my third 3/3
Song: Little Drummer Boy
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

[Li'l Owl]

Wow Brenda! That's fast! I'm not done and I only had 3 to read!
Well done! Maybe next year you should have a go at an EXTRA hard category! =o)

By the way, Brenda, I am wondering what the AA after your ★'s mean?

[Li'l Owl]

Phrynne wrote: "Well done Brenda!
I have read one of mine and am half way through the second. Better get a move on:)"

Exactly, Pheynne! Some of us didn't choose so well! Man! I've never had to put a book down like that! I was really debating whether I was giving up on the Twelve Drummers Drumming, too soon. I'm glad I didn't waste time struggling through it, though. I really enjoyed the Christmas Past: A Willow Creek Holiday Mystery much, much better!
I read half way through this book in the same amount of time it took me to get through 50 pages plus the time I spent agonizing over whether to continue with it.

I'm sure this has happened to most of my friends here. But, how do you decide how much to read before throwing in the towel? I just don't want to work that hard to read a book! It wasn't that I was thinking that it would get better, because I had no idea what was happening enough for it to get better, if that makes any sense? It was almost like I was reading a language that I don't know very well. Maybe I'm being to harsh and impatient, but reading is supposed to be fun, right.? =o)

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 10th and last book for this challenge - Song - "I'll be Home for Christmas" - book - Home by Harlan Coben 5★s

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/sh..."

Brenda, this may be a dumb question, but what does does the AA after your ★'s mean?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks girls :) I thought I'd try to get it done quickly knowing how busy things have started to be here!!

[Zoey]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Brenda, this may be a dumb question, but what does does the AA after your ★'s mean?"

AA = Aussie Author :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Zoey :) And she's right Owl...

[Nicola]

Second one down
3. Hark the Herald Angels Sing – angel
A Gothic Christmas Angel / Anna Erishkigal 5*

[PattyMacDotComma]

5★ for the novel The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore, a fascinating historical 'faction' about the battle of the giants, Edison and Westinghouse.

Factual background with entertaining imagined relationships and romance.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This was for "Silent Night". It's not particularly silent, though.

[Janine]

I have finished my 5th

Blue Christmas (Blue Cover)
I See You by Clare Mackintosh 4*

[Odette]

Just finished my third.

Song - Sleigh Ride
Sleight Malice by Vicki Tyley - 4★
Sleigh is contained within the word Sleight and is by an Aussie author.

[Li'l Owl]

I have finished my third and last for this challenge 3/3

Song Little Drummer Boy
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

[Li'l Owl]

Zoey wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "Brenda, this may be a dumb question, but what does does the AA after your ★'s mean?"

AA = Aussie Author :)"

Ahh yes, of course! I knew it was going to be an obvious answer. Oh well. Thanks Zoey and Brenda! =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Owl!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Zoey wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "Brenda, this may be a dumb question, but what does does the AA after your ★'s mean?"

AA = Aussie Author :)"

Ahh yes, of course! I knew it was going to be an obvious ..."

:D Sorry too - I missed your question until I saw Zoey's answer!

[PattyMacDotComma]

I loved this one! It's my "Blue Christmas" book, Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.

5★ for the Letter Library which has inspired a real ('virtual') Letter Library.

I loved the teens, the people, and the Howling Books Bookshop.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Michelle_Mck]

I have just finished my 4th book of the challenge

Sleigh Ride
Holding by Graham Norton
Word match in song "Holding your hand"

This is a great read 4.5 stars for me.. I loved it.

[MaryG2E]

I've managed 5 titles for this challenge, making the Moderate level, and I think that's about all for this hectic time of the year. Lots of fun in thinking up ways to match book titles with Christmas song lyrics!

Twelve Days of Christmas: Twelve Days by Alex Berenson 4★s
Twelve in song title and book title

Blue Christmas: The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke 5★s
Blue in song title, blue book cover

Silver Bells: Silver in the Sun by Anthony David Parsons AA 3.5★s
Silver in song title and book title

Winter Wonderland: The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition by Lewis Carroll 3.5★s
The classic story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with commentary

We Three Kings of Orient Are: Precious Things by Kelly Doust AA 2.5★s
Gold, frankincense and myrrh were the precious gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus at Bethlehem

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary! Great job :)

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Owl!"

Thanks! It wasn't very challenging, being only three books, but I'm new to challenges and I didn't want to get in over my tail feathers! As I continue joining in more challenges, I'll get more of an idea of what my ability to finish will be. I'd rather go for the easier ones and finish, than try to do too many and fall out of the nest! Supposed to be fun, yes!? ...... Besides, I love being astounded at what some of you are capable of doing.... Yes, I'm thinking I'll go slow for a bit, at least until I learn more of your secrets to success!! =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The main thing is - enjoy! And have fun while you're doing it ;)

[Dree]

Finished my third - Blue Christmas - Ice Station by Matthew Reilly (AA) ★★★★
Starting on A Christmas Carol :)

[MichelleG]

Hi, I finished my 7th book - Song (9): We three kings of orient are A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin, ("King" in the title)

Plus I have added: Song (10): We three kings of orient are - Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett, Shadow on the cover is looks like an Chinese dragon

[Jane]

Finished the challenge with The Four Legendary Kingdoms by Matthew Reilly - as usual a 5* read. Perhaps I could have gone for the hard option but lets not push it - got some Christmas shopping still to fit in! Merry Christmas all Aussie Readers!

Silent Night - Night School by Lee Child (Night) 3*
We Three Kings - The Four Legendary Kingdoms by Matthew Reilly (King) AA 5*
Wonderful Time of the Year - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Time) 5*
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree - Hushabye by Celina Grace (Rocking a baby to sleep!) 4*
Holly & The Ivy - The President's Daughter by Jack Higgins (Holly is my daughter's name) 4*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jane! And a Merry Christmas to you too!

[Suzie]

Finished my first book. Silent Night - Night by Elie Wiesel Very moving, 4★

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "The main thing is - enjoy! And have fun while you're doing it ;)"

Yep! Exactly!!
I had fun putting together my A-Z challenge books!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's quite often the best part Owl :)

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,

I finished a few more :)

Song (10): We three kings of orient are - Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett Shadow on the cover is looks like an Chinese dragon. Rated: 4★ stars

Song (11): Joy to the World - Jealousy by Lili St. Crow (Joy = Couple on love/ joy on cover). Rated: 4★ stars

Song (12): Silent Night - Night Broken by Patricia Briggs ("Night" in the title). Rated: 4★ stars

Song (13): It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett (Looks like Christmas, reminds me of Christmas lights, which "Banishes the dark") ;). Rated: 4★ stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Michelle...you can stop now you know ;)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Michelle...you can stop now you know ;)"

hahaha - thanks... but what fun would that be lol ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL!!!

[Maureen]

Completed my 7th book

Don't you cry by Mary Kubica Song: Santa Clause is Coming to town.. "You better not cry!"

Slow start to this book- but it did pick up towards then end, making it a well worth read 4 ★

my review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Michelle, you have ingenious ways of tying up your book titles with songs. Your imagination is way better than mine:)

[Sally906]

Finished my December challenge - Woo Hoo!

Song: Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane):
Book Chosen: North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus by Candace Jane Kringle - 2★s
How it Fits: Main character is Candy Claus

Song: I'll Be Home for Christmas:
Book Chosen: Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter - 4★s
How it fits: ‘Christmas’ in title of song and title of book

Song: Frosty the Snowman:
Book Chosen: Cold Feet at Christmas by Debbie Johnson - 5★s
How it fits – frosty looking cover and the MC's mood is frosty when she discovers her groom with his hand up the bridesmaids skirts!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Michelle, you have ingenious ways of tying up your book titles with songs. Your imagination is way better than mine:)"

She's clever isn't she!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Finished my December challenge - Woo Hoo!

Song: Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane):
Book Chosen: [book:North Pole H..."

Congratulations Sally! Great job done and dusted before Christmas too!

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Michelle, you have ingenious ways of tying up your book titles with songs. Your imagination is way better than mine:)"

She's clever isn't she!"

Definitely crafty! =o)

Brenda wrote: "Well done Michelle...you can stop now you know ;)"

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Sally:)

[MichelleG]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Michelle, you have ingenious ways of tying up your book titles with songs. Your imagination is way better than mine:)"

She's clever isn't she!"

Definitely crafty! =..."

Haha thanks ladies. I've really enjoyed this one (challenge)... trying to get books to fit has been a lot of fun ;)

[Michelle_Mck]

MichelleG wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Michelle, you have ingenious ways of tying up your book titles with songs. Your imagination is way better than mine:)"

She's clever isn't she!"

Def..."
Its a bit like a cryptic crossword isn't it :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That it is - and I was never a fan, though my sister is! Ordinary crosswords are my limit....

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "That it is - and I was never a fan, though my sister is! Ordinary crosswords are my limit...."

True, it's been fun :)

Though, I don't have the brain power or patience for cryptic crosswords... ordinary crosswords are as far as my brain will stretch i'm afraid

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "That it is - and I was never a fan, though my sister is! Ordinary crosswords are my limit...."

Can't get the cryptic ones - a friend of mine bought be a cryptic crosswords for dummies type thing and I still didn't get it. Love normal crosswords though

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I agree...can't get my brain around them!

[Odette]

Read 4th book and finished challenge now: Not as imaginative as others as I basically matched word in song with word in title of book. Hope this type of challenge comes up again and can give it more thought!

Best wishes to all Aussie Readers for a happy Christmas and New Year.

1. White Christmas
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory - 4★

2. Silent Night
Night Moves by Nora Roberts - 3.5★

3. Sleigh Ride
Sleight Malice by Vicki Tyley - 4★
Sleigh is contained within the word Sleight and is by an Aussie author.

4. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Where the Trees Were by Inga Simpson - 4★

[Suzie]

Finished my second book, song - 12 days of Christmas: Six Days of the Condor by James Grady 3★ an entertaining thriller

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Odette! Glad you enjoyed the challenge :)

[Janine]

Challenge Complete

Blue Christmas (Blue Cover)
I See You by Clare Mackintosh 4*

Here Comes Santa Claus (Author's Name)
The Beekeeper's Daughter by Santa Montefiore 3*

I Saw Three Ships (Main Character Arrived by Ship)
The War Bride by Pamela Hart(AA) 4*

Mary's Boy Child (Mary is a Mother)
The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins(AA) 3*

Silent Night (Night in Title)
Night School by Lee Child 4*

We Three Kings (Three in Title)
The Three Miss Allens by Victoria Purman(AA) 4*