2018 Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge -- December Reviews and Discussion

[Theresa]

News flash for all you Lady O fans! The 3rd will be released in October 2019. It involves plum pudding.

[Nicole R]

Snowed in for Christmas by Noelle Adams, Samantha Chase, Zoe York
3 stars

Whew! That was a bit more descriptive sex than I bargained for!

I have read Samantha Chase previously, and she writes fairly typical contemporary romance novels. I have not read anything by Noelle Adams or Zoe York and their sex scenes were definitely a bit more intense than what I typically read! Not sure they will be going on my list of new authors to keep reading....

Other than that, pretty run-of-the-mill Christmas romance anthology. Each story features a M/F pairing that gets snowed in at some type of isolated cabin with a roaring fire, close quarters, one bed, and limited heat so that body friction is critical to prevent freezing. The couple in the first story probably could have melted a path home through the snow based solely on the number of orgasms these people had.

Each coupling starts their two days of isolation borderline hating each other, but all it takes is 48-hours and a little Christmas spirit to fall madly in love and profess undying devotion.

Short, cute, and exactly as advertised.

[Theresa]

Nicole R wrote: " The couple in the first story probably could have melted a path home through the snow based solely on the number of orgasms these people had. ..."

*crying with laughter* OMG! That makes up for all the tame sweet no sex Christmas stories I seem to have picked this year!

[Joi]

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 YA Authors
3 Stars. Short stories.
A quick, fun selection of YA short stories. Some were amazing-5 stars, some lost me so badly I almost abandoned them- 0/5. A "medium" 3 star rating. The strong stories will stay with me, Rainbow Rowell's, Jenny Han's, maybe it's author bias- but I tended to enjoy the authors I knew more of than the others.

-Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: 5/5. Cute, strong start. Considering I'm pretty mixed with Rowell, this makes me thing she can build characters really well given the shortness.

-The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link: 0/5. This weird paranormalness, I couldn't even understand.

-Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena: 4/5- Took me a while to get into, but I really liked the characters, and their building relationship. Reminded me of the movie

-Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han: 5/5- SURPRISE! There is a story about a Korean-adopter in this book!!

-It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins: 5/5- One of my favorites.

-Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan: 2/5. Yay for a LGBT story, but nothing really happened here...

-Krampuslauf by Holly Black: 2/5- I was fine with this until the weird ending.

-What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman: 5/5- Love the inclusion, even if the Hannakuh was a bit forced.

-Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire: 2/5-I'll probably forget what happened in this one in like 2 days.

-Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White: 3/5. This just seemed like a YA version of Waitress...Cute, but literally the exact same plot.

-Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter: 4/5- Unbelievable- but cute.

-The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 3/5. I liked the premise of this, the 24 gifts for a suitor, and her rebellion. I wasn't super into the whole "dating a demi-god" thing.

[Hebah]

Joi wrote: "My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 YA Authors
3 Stars. Short stories.
A quick, fun selection of YA short stories. Some were amazing-5 stars, some lost me so badl..."

I have this one checked out right now! Not sure if I'll get around to it, but I'm glad it seems to be a decent collection.

[Amy]

Dino- Christmas by Lisa Wheeler



Seriously only reviewing this here, and not to actually add to my list of have-reads. I'm only looking for the Flurry point, for this little picture book.

The Dino Series by Lisa Wheeler, features two teams of Dinosaurs, the Meat Eaters versus the veggies, red versus green. The books are adorable, and they lead into each other. Wrestling to soccer, to baseball, to football, to basketball, to swimming, to racing, to boarding, to dancing. Dancing led to Christmas, which was a little disappointing. But we had to get it to figure out what the darn beloved dinos were doing next. So I don;t mind Christmas books if they have a sweet moral consciousness, value building, or even a little miracle or magic. But this one, did not add anything to our consciousness. Our little Jewish family really doesn't care about dino's in red pom pom hats, stockings, trees, ornaments, etc. I mean I enjoy egg nog, or truth be told, silk nog. And lord knows I love the caroling and the harmony so much. And the love. I love that, kindness. But this book did nothing for me. Was looking to see what sport or activity she was going for next. And drat! What's next? Dino-Halloween. So we will revisit this again in October 2019.... Not really worth picking up in my opinion.

[Theresa]

If you find yourself in NYC between now and January 6th, you might want to see this exhibit

https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions...

[NancyJ]

Theresa wrote: "If you find yourself in NYC between now and January 6th, you might want to see this exhibit

https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions..."

Thanks Theresa! I just found out my brother is coming to stay with my mom, so I might be able to actually leave the house for a few days. I've been browsing art museums online and it would be nice to actually go to some in person.

[Book Concierge]

Nicole R wrote: "Snowed in for Christmas by Noelle Adams, Samantha Chase, Zoe York
3 stars

Whew! That was a bit more descriptive sex than I bargai..."

Okay ... so I'm at the beach and picturing them turning the sand to glass with all that heat! LOL

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "If you find yourself in NYC between now and January 6th, you might want to see this exhibit

https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions..."

Thanks Theresa..."

There is also this exhibition of Dickens' prompt copies from his readings of A Christmas Carol: https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitio.... That's at the Schwartzman building - NYPL main building with the lions. Also is beautifully decorated for Christmas and has a great bookshop/gift shop.

Let me also recommend the History of Magic/Harry Potter exhibit at NY Historical Society - and an evening visit is best, or right after it opens. Also there are several other wonderful exhibits there.

[Theresa]

Be still my heart! Crime at Christmas may be my absolutely favorite subgenre. This is fascinating and explains the lovely reprints I found on trip to London in 2015.

https://crimereads.com/christmas-myst...

[Cora]

Jingle Bell Pop - John Seabrook

4 stars

This short audible original was the perfect thing to listen to when I was wrapping presents. It presented a short history of Christmas songs, both traditional and contemporary. It was informative and fun and even made me want to buy a couple that I am missing. It talked about what made some songs a success, but really it seemed like luck - hitting the right note at the right time - was the primary factor. I loved that it included snippets of the songs they were talking about and that they had interviews with the song writers. It was a great holiday listen.

[LibraryCin]

I may end up not reading a Christmas book for December! :-( This makes me sad.

I had an ebook on hold all month. Came in yesterday. But, I've been having intermittent problems with Adobe Digital Editions, and it won't download this one due to those problems. It's also a pdf, so I can't even use Libby on my tablet. :-( My library does not have it in print.

So... unless I have something here at home, or I can get to the library to pick up a print copy of something else, this may be the first year I don't finish the Fall Flurry. :-(

[annapi]

LibraryCin wrote: "I may end up not reading a Christmas book for December! :-( This makes me sad...."

Sent you an email, Cindy!

[Theresa]

The Joyous Season by Patrick Dennis, the author of Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade, which of course gave us the brilliant stage play and movie.

I include lots more in my Christmas-themed reading than just romances and cozy mysteries. In fact, I love good holiday humorous satire, as evidenced by my annual reread of Holidays on Ice. The Joyous Season is likely to join it!

A witty satire told entirely in flash back from the perspective of Kerry, a precocious 10 year old, The Joyous Season tells the story of Kerry, his 6 year old sister Missy, their parents, grandmothers, and extended household, starting with Christmas, 1963. Let's just say, for the record, that Christmas does not go well, and before you can say Happy New Year, Kerry's parents are headed to divorce court, new relationships, and even remarriage. Along the way, Kerry introduces the reader to a hilarious and scathing look at upper crust and social climbing New York just as the 1964 World's Fair opens.

There is much to like - Kerry's vocabulary misunderstandings and deadpan delivery of the most outrageous things, the brutally sharp characterizations, the madcap pace of events, and the dramatic and satisfying denouement. It reminded me frequently of the classic 1939 movie The Women without the cattiness. The one criticism I had was that the actual plot was highly predictable. Yet it was so deftly and hilariously told, I really didn't mind.

Best of all, it made me smile as I read, and even laugh out loud in public. It makes the most fraught of family Christmases look tame.

[Amy]

Am I the only one who intended this as a cross post? I waited for this one for December given its Winter Theme. Most of Russia is year long Winter and the imperial court is referred to as the Winter Palace.

I really so enjoyed this! Right up my alley. Historical Fiction and court intrigue. Politics, succession, warring sides. Relationships, espionage, lavish balls, masques, and dances. Paranoia, crafty long sight planning.

I had always wanted to know more about Catherine the Great. And since this book was all about her rise to Empress, I suppose now I will have to read the sequel.

I think what what was hardest for me about the book, is the way children are treated - particularly children of heirs. Kept from their mothers, possibly imprisoned or poisoned. Trained to be rulers, yet trained to be alone. The truth of that is difficult to digest, but is embedded in the history of all court and royal life.

I have read this book with a few other people and so look forward to hearing your thoughts. Since I picked it, I pray you enjoyed it, or if you didn't, that the discussion will enhance your experience of the book.

[Karin]

Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke 3 stars

This is a flashback to the origins of the Cookie Jar, when Michelle is still in high school, etc. I took it out looking for what happens after the last book in the series (a series that fit with a reading challenge, and the main reason I read it :) ). One of the things that is going on is a recreation of a Christmas ball. The Christmas cake in mind is not the typical one that "nobody" seems to like (I have relatives who like Christmas fruitcake, but I have never cared for it).

It's a fun read--I always skip the recipes (far too much sugar for us), and when I read it in print skim over or skip the food preparation scenes as I don't find that particularly entertaining, even though I love to cook, am part mad scientist in the baking department (read that in on bread, I think it was a library book by Beard, but not sure) and used to make my own pie crusts and cakes from scratch, etc.

If you like Joanne Fluke, read it. If you like mysteries where food is an important part of it--meals with friends and family, etc--then read it. If not, you aren't going to miss a brilliant literary masterpiece.

[LibraryCin]

annapi wrote: "Sent you an email, Cindy!"

Thanks so much, annapi!

[LibraryCin]

Amy wrote: " Since I picked it, I pray you enjoyed it, or if you didn't, that the discussion will enhance your experience of the book. ..."

Just wanted to say that, for book clubs (or, similarly, buddy reads), even if I end up not liking a book, I love to hear other people's thoughts and always enjoy the discussion afterward, anyway!

[MargieD2017]

Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas by Julia Kent 3.5*s

What a wonderfully humorous, light, joyful Christmas story! A couple has their first child and ventures out to her family’s home for Christmas and the celebration of baby’s first Christmas. The rollicking sense of humor and the ‘Chevy Chase Vacation Movie’ storyline were well done. Found myself laughing out loud at the narrative and the sight gags. Just what I needed to escape the holiday stress.

[Theresa]

Season for Desire by Theresa Romain -3 stars.

It was time to read another Christmas romance, and I decided to finish off a series I started a couple years ago, thus clearing another from my TBR list.

Giles, an American on a quest with his father to find his late mother's jewels hidden when his parents eloped and fled to Amerca, finds himself in an inn in wet and freezing cold York just before Christmas. Homesick, Giles gets pulled into assisting the Earl of Alleyneham stop his eloping youngest daughter. Only Audriana, who is not as proper as she looks, was kidnapped by a scoundrel looking to get her dowry if not through marriage then through blackmail. You see, her elder sister is about to marry a very starchy duke, whose wealth will save the family from penury whike escalating their social standing, and scandal could put the kibosh on it all.

Thus opens the very enjoyable final chapter of Romain's Christmas Season quartet. The quest involves finding Japanese puzzle boxes and solving the codes hidden inside. Saving Audriana leads to more than one romance (including the suggestion of an unconventional one), reconnecting with a few characters from the rest of the series, and a number of twists, turns, likeable new characters, decking a Hall of Antiquity with holiday greenery, and many revelations.

Romain has a way of writing contemporary stories in Regency England settings, and while bothersome for some readers, I find it refreshing. Not all heroines are virgins, most characters ultimately choose to live their lives as they wish and not according to 1820's conventions, and there is always both pathos and humor in the various stories intertwined.

[Rachel N.]

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson 3 stars

Garrison Brown's grandmother has died and as stipulation of her will Garrison must find homes for her 6 cats. Garrison is highly allergic to cats so heisn't very excited about his task. Garrison isn't given much character depth. The only things I could tell you about him are the endlessly repeated facts that he was a missionary in Uganda, he helped build wells, and he contracted malaria (because he was stupid and stopped taking anti-malaria medicine). The author repeats these facts at least 30 times, I stopped counting after that, except for Garrison's stupidity, I added that :-). There is a light Christian element to the story. I liked the cats and it was a fast and short read. If you are looking for a light, easy Christmas read you could do worse.

[Amy]

Just Delightful! A beautiful tale about two kids who travel through time to save Camelot, bringing joy and laughter and music and color back to the castle at Christmastime. Its also the introduction of Merlin, who becomes a key figure in the series, sending the two kids on lots of magical adventures. Since my older kids were young, they have now split the series into the regular Magic Tree House Series and the Merlin Missions. This one is Magic Tree House number 29, and Merlin Mission number 1. Great times are ahead for Jack and Annie and for Cameron and Mom.

Here's his dictated review....

"I really liked that. Jack and Annie are superstars! I wish there were a thousand books in the series. This is the best series ever!" He says the same about A to Z mysteries, Ballpark Mysteries, (which I truly think are his favorite), Horrible Harry (mine), and now the Third Grade Detectives.

Happy holidays and new year everyone!

[Nicole R]

Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne
3.5 stars (round up to 4)

Let's be honest here: any book that has some form of lighted holiday boat parade is easily going to get 4 stars from me. Because lighted holiday boat parades are the best thing in the history of coastal holiday traditions!

I like RaeAnne Thayne. I read her Christmas book each year. But, I was pretty ticked that she published this as a more expensive trade paperback as opposed to her typical mass market paperback. Look, no one wants to spend a ton of money on light-hearted sappy Christmas reads. I totally had her crossed off my 2018 list but then the library pulled through for me. Thanks, library!

This book was cute and predictable. Dani Capelli had packed up her two daughters—6-year-old Mia and 13-year-old Silver—and moved them from Boston to the small town of Haven Point. Dani is finally fulfilling her dream of being a vet while living next door to the local deputy sheriff Ruben Morales.

Dani has no family or roots. Ruben has an abundance of family and roots. Dani is skeptical of anyone or anything that seems to be going her way. Ruben is an open and accepting optimist. Dani's ex-husband left a legendary reputation—a bad one—that Dani is desperately hiding from everyone. Ruben is determined to get to the bottom of what has Dani so closed off.

I think we see where this is going.

Two things really irked me and I almost bumped this down to 3 stars: (1) the secret about Dani's past was outrageous. It was off-the-charts crazy and could have been something so much more simple to get to the same end-result. (2) Ruben was an irritating mix of Mike Brady and Danny Tanner. He had zero children but had no hesitation doling out advice and life lessons like this was a family-oriented sitcom. And, Dani just nodded her head at them all and though, "oh, Ruben. You single, childless man, you. You are so totally right about how I should raise my children! Why didn't I see this earlier. Please, share other life lessons/jewels of wisdom/moral-of-the-stories with me and my daughters."

But, then the boat parade hit and I was like, "Oh! You have a boat! With lights! And Christmas treats on board for your whole family! I love you too."

All in all, a good book to read in the airport as I traveled home to my family for Christmas.

[Theresa]

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Barbara Shook Hazen with illustrations by Richard Scarry - 5 stars, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer adapted by Rick Bunsen, illustrated by Arkadia - 4.5 stars

My sister, who has perfected these past few years the touching nostalgic gift, gave me these 2 Little Golden Books for Christmas. What happy memories they bring back! And I daresay they hold up today.

The first is the original Hazen story published in 1958, 10 years after the song was published, and 6 years before the animated tv show. It is just as sweet and amusing as I remember, and Scarry's illustrations could not be more charming. I definitely would give it to children today.

The second is an adaptation of the popular 1964 animated tv program, and is well-done. But I kept waiting for the singing and dancing! 🎶"We are Santa's Elves!"🎶

[Theresa]

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - audiobook read by Patrick Stewart - 5 stars

The classic story of Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim, and a bunch of ghosts, read in audiobook by the actor, Patrick Stewart.

Stewart has made the reading, nay, the performance of this Dickens' classic one of his calling cards. I was blessed some years ago to see him perform it on stage, and it truly is a performance. That vibrancy comes through in this reading, and in fact, he is what drew me to the audiobook this revisit over rereading the print version.

[NancyJ]

Theresa, thanks for the reminder and the info on the Dickens exhibit. I read about the dramatic readings that Dickens loved to do, so I wanted to hear a performance of A Christmas Carol. A friend sent me a link to a reading by Neil Gaiman which was pretty good, but I imagine that it wasn't as exciting as the one you heard.

[NancyJ]

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 5 Stars

After I read Mr Dickens and his Carol, I picked up this book with the famous story, and I also heard a performance of the story by Neil Gamain. The writing and performance were both delightful. I liked the movies, but I had never read the book. I didn't consider myself a Dickens fan before, but his writing in this story was more playful and energetic in spots than I remembered from other books. In the biofiction book about Dickens, I read about the dramatic readings that he loved to perform (even though they were exhausting. I heard an online show (I think it was NPR) in which they mentioned that Dickens always did something different in each performance. The Neil Gaiman performance was very good, and his intonations were expressive but not overdone. (I don't think I ever heard Patrick Stewart's performance but I can picture him in the role - from pictures or a movie I suppose).

I am somehow always able to enjoy this story, knowing full well it's a fantasy. The biggest fantasy isn't the ghosts, it's the change in Scrooge. We know he'll be back to his real personality before the New Year, but maybe he'll be just a little more generous and tolerant of other people once in a while. He spent a long life building and reinforcing those attitudes and behaviors, so they aren't going to go away without a fight.

[NancyJ]

Meli wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Meli wrote: "Sounds like y'all are enjoying many wonderful Christmas stories, but unfortunately I think I will have to abandon my Mrs. Miracle. It is just too saccharine for me ... e..."

Re Baby Driver. Oh, I don't really know if it was based on a book at all. There are many books with a similar title, but I didn't want to even try. The magic of the movie for me came from the incredible things the director did with sound, rhythm and music. I normally find car chases boring, but with the music I felt like I was watching a great dance number.

[Meli]

NancyJ wrote: "Re Baby Driver. Oh, I don't really know if it was based on a book at all. There are many books with a similar title, but I didn't want to even try. The magic of the movie for me came from the incredible things the director did with sound, rhythm and music. I normally find car chases boring, but with the music I felt like I was watching a great dance number."

Agreed on all counts! Such a good viewing experience. And that Baby Driver kid is freakin' cute.

[Jgrace]

Christmas Days: 12 stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days - Winterson
Audio performance by Jeanette Winterson and Imogen Church
4 stars

Twelve entertaining stories separated by twelve personal essays of holiday rituals involving food. This was so much more enjoyable than I expected. Short stories are perfect for reading or listening in a season of interruptions and extraneous activity.

The stories are a good mix. The majority of them are tales with creative, magical interventions that bring love and prosperity to needy characters. Four of the stories are gothic and ghostly. I was prepared to resent them. Who needs more tension in the run-up to Christmas? But, they were such exceptionally good ghost stories!

Yes, there are recipes, more or less. I’m not sure I could duplicate any of the ‘feasts’ from the imprecise directions. But, they all sounded delicious, even the pickled cabbage, which is something I would never eat. The best part of the twelve ‘feasts’ are the personal anecdotes. It’s Ruth Rendell’s red cabbage that is featured in an essay which also includes details of World War 2 food shortages and a nation of dedicated picklers. More than that it is the story of a warm friendship in the years before Rendell’s death. Winterson connects several of her holiday rituals to loss, grief, and the value of good memories. She also gives a peek into her current relationships with the concurrent melding of life styles and traditions.

All in all, this was an enjoyable collection.

[NancyJ]

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great, by Eva Stachniak. 3.5/5.0.
I love historical fiction, and I was craving a spy story, so when I saw Amy's note about a buddy read, I knew this book was a good choice for me. This story is told from the perspective of Barbara (or Varvara), a Polish born orphan who grew up in the winter palace as the ward of Russia’s Empress Elizabeth in the late 1700’s. She eventually becomes a confidante and supporter of the girl who will grow to become Catherine the Great. We learn about Catherine’s arrival in Russia, her marriage, her struggles, and her initial rise to power. However, we get just a hint of the powerful woman she will become. (The rest is presumably in the sequel). I would have liked to learn more about Catherine given that her name is in the title, however, I was happy to read about Barbara, the true protagonist of the story. We get an intimate view of her life. As a girl, she was unobtrusive and observant, and she is trained to be a spy in the palace. I was reminded of the “little birds” in Game of Thrones - the children, servants and others who spy on, or for, royals and their advisers. Barbara’s excitement, fear, and emotions were sometimes palpable, as she navigated the demands of her complicated secret life. Palace life is filled with glamour and squalor, intrigues, romances, betrayals and fear. It is a dangerous world for both Royals and servants alike. I enjoyed the audio performance by Beata Pozniak, however it was slower than normal.

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great, by Eva Stachniak. 3.5/5.0.
I love historical fiction, and I was craving a spy story, so when I saw Amy's note about a buddy read, I knew this book..
I enjoyed the audio performance by Beata Pozniak, however it was slower than normal."

NancyJ - I learned recently that you can increase or decrease speed on audiobooks! I checked a couple of audiobooks I own and it is true. I actually listened to Patrick Stewart reading A Christmas Carol at 1.25 speed. There was a sliding speed gauge at lower left corner, similar to a volume gauge.

I listen to very few audiobooks, not a format I really like, but still a great feature to know exists when I do.

[Theresa]

Jgrace wrote: "
Christmas Days: 12 stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days - Winterson
Audio performance by Jeanette Winterson and Imogen Churc..."

Excellent summary JGrace! I discovered and read this treasure during Christmas season 2017. I had borrowed it from the library and loved it so much, I added it to my gift wishlist on Amazon. My niece gave me a beautiful hardcover copy for Christmas this year. Now I can reread stories from it every year.

I gave it 5 stars. I thought the essays around the recipes were so interesting and revelatory. Plus how she tied in the different stories...masterful.

[Jgrace]

Theresa wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "
Christmas Days: 12 stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days - Winterson
Audio performance by Jeanette Winterson an..."

It is a beautifully bound book. That would have gotten and extra half star from me if I'd had a paper edition.

[NancyJ]

Theresa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great, by Eva Stachniak. 3.5/5.0.
I love historical fiction, and I was craving a spy story, so when I saw Amy's note about a buddy read, I..."

Yes. I tried it with this book, but it sounded too clipped. Maybe if I started it at the beginning I would have gotten used to it. The slow speed didn't bother me as much as it did other people. I can't adjust the speed CDs though, which is still how I prefer to listen to books in the car (and sometimes at home too). It's less distracting than fiddling with my phone.

The libraries have so many free CDs but new cars don't have CD players! My husband's car was hit and he's shopping for cars, I'd rather he picked a 2 year old car with extras and a CD player than a brand new car without them.

[Theresa]

new cars don't have CD players!

Tell me about it! I live in NYC so I do not own a car. But I rent, especially when vacationing which often are roadtrip-centric. Since rental cars are newer cars, you do not find cd players in them anymore. Plus when you plug in your phone or tablet via the car's USB port, it constantly keeps requesting access to sync with bluetooth, every time you turn the car on or plug in again. I am not going to sync anything on a car I do not own, and certainly not my smartphone which includes my work email! Drives me nuts.

I believe there has to be a way to connect cd player like a discman (I still own one) to the speakers using the car's USB ports. Just need to do some research.

I have so many cds...would really like to use them on trips.

[Jgrace]

The Christmas Hirelings-Braddon
Audio performance by Richard Armitage
3 stars

This was the 2018 freebie to audible subscribers. It’s a very Victorian Christmas tale. There’s a grumpy, Scrooge-like widower, Sir John Penlyon. He is nearly alone at Christmas except for his niece and his persistent friend, Danby. As Christmas without children is too somber, Danby suggests renting some children to provide entertainment. Naturally, the children conquer the heart of the old curmudgeon. The nearly fatal illness of the precocious 4 year old results in the final reveal and a reconciliation of missing family members.

It wasn’t Dickens. The writing was verbose without elegance or irony. The plot was maudlin and sappy without the bite of humor or sarcasm. It was seasonal and sweet. I did enjoy the story, especially as told by Richard Armitage.

[Theresa]

Snowed Inn by Heather Horrocks - 4 stars - first in a series,

Full disclosure: I have had this ebook in my Kindle library for a year or two. Or three. I always thought it was set at Christmastime or at least in deep winter (i.e. January or February). I mean it has a snowman on the cover, and the word 'snow' in the title, right? WRONG! It is set in October. And there is a blizzard which dumps 3 feet of snow non-stop during the weekend covered by the story, which is never commented on as unusual or abnormal by any character. I saved it to read in December because I thought it was either set at Christmas or was suitably wintry. Well I am leaving it here and not putting it in the October Flurries folder [unless NicoleR insists 😒] because there is nothing October about it at all. Zip. It does fit winter though. Perfectly.

Of course, I should have remembered that in the Rockies, you can have a blizzard on the 4th of July, let alone in October. I have vivid memories of one about 10 years ago in Breckenridge, CO. A foot of snow fell in an afternoon in July.

"Was it legal to shoot morning people for being too perky before ten?"

How do you resist a cozy mystery that has lines like that? Or one set in a mountain top inn during a blizzard where a bunch of authors and their agent are spending the equivalent of a corporate retreat that includes solving a fake murder mystery? You don't. You settle in and just enjoy young widowed innkeeper Vicki, her identical twin sister who arrives on her doorstep unexpectedly without her husband but with their pistol-packing colorful Granny, her son and his invisible dog, her brother the local police chief, the group of actors performing in the mystery, and of course the unexpected mystery guest.

I actually enjoyed this, the first in a series set at Who-Dun-Him Inn. Oh, did I fail to mention this delightful inn on the top of a mountain is mystery themed? Sign me up for the Jessica Fletcher Room, please, which even boasts a bicycle just like Jessica's as part of the decor, and yes, I would love to play Clue in the parlor of an evening.

Yes, there actually is a rather good intricate plot amongst all this adorableness, even though considering there is allegedly the worst blizzard in history raging ouside for 2 days, an awful lot of people manage to wander in and out of the Inn and up and down the mountain without harm, hypothermia, or even getting wet. And all the bits of history about Vicky's ancestor and his 3 sister wives just added to the unusual charm of this cozy murder mystery.

And how did I forget to mention that this is set in Utah, within a Mormon family? Well who cares when you get to imagine staying in the Kinsey Milhone room, all tricked out to replicate exactly Kinsey's rebuilt studio in G is for Gumshoe.

[LibraryCin]

Yay! I did it! Thank you, annapi!

The Snow Queen / Mercedes Lackey
3.5 stars

Aleksia is the “Snow Queen” or “Ice Fairy”, one in a long line of snow queens – she took over for someone else in the position. This also makes her one of the Godmothers of the kingdoms. As she goes about her usual business, she discovers that someone seems to be impersonating her to do terrible things. She must find out who is doing this and put a stop to it.

This actually had a few different storylines, which made it a bit confusing for me at the start. I enjoyed the second half much more after one of the storylines wrapped up (Aleksia’s “usual business”) and the other two storylines (including searching for the imposter) joined up.

[Theresa]

A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer - 4 stars

I snuck one more Christmas-themed book in before midnight last night! This brought my December Christmas reads to 17, if you add the 3 that I read over Thanksgiving, 20. I still have one in the works which just did not get finished. As it only starts during the month of December, evolving over years, it really isn't a December Flurry in the end, despite the title and cover art.

I tried to post here ladt night, but could not find the 2018 Activities Section! Being clearer of mind today, I had little problem.

A friend describes this book as the Christmas House Party from hell. You know it is indeed by the end of chapter two. Is it any wonder that murder happens?

We very quickly meet the Herriard family and hangers on: (view spoiler)[
*Nathaniel('Nat') the eldest, wealthy, perpetually unpleasant, an elderly curmudgeon, never married and childless.
*Joseph, Nat's younger brother, disingenuous, a thespian and rolling stone who has rolled up into permanent residence with Nat, and whose idea was this Christmas gathering. Perpetually performing the role of peacemaker even though no one wants him to do so.
*Maud, Joseph's wife, singularly lacking any sensitivity, sense, humor, or personality. Joseph and Maud are also childless.
*Stephen, nephew to both Nat and Joseph, presumed by all to be Nat's heir, rude, sarcastic, and generally quite unpleasant. Makes little effort to kiss up to Nat, and in fact frequently picks quarrels.
*Valerie, Stephen's fiancee. Loathed by Nat. A bimbo.
*Paula, sister to Stephen and niece to Nat and Joseph. Type A personality, rude,and seeking an advance on her inheritance from Nat in order to launch her thespian career.
*Roydon, Paula's guest, banker by day, and the playwright whose 'thought-provoking' play is to launch Paula to stardom. Quite feckless.
*Matilda, a distant cousin about same age as Stephen and Paula, and the only sensible, truly likeable guest at Lexham Manor.
*Edgar Motissfont, business partner to Nat, at odds with him. (hide spoiler)]

And so they have gathered, they quarrel, are forced to listen to a reading of Roydon's awful play, and before too long, someone is stabbed in a room locked from the inside, and Scotland Yard arrives.

Georgette Heyer is best known for her Regency historical romances, in fact she invented the genre and her oeuvre remains in print, still read and loved today. What most don't know is that she also wrote several excellent classic mysteries during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, capable of standing alongside Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr. Often using beloved plot mechanisms of the time, such as the locked room, Heyer's whodunits are filed with memorable characters and contemporary settings. Fortunately, they too are currently in print!

The Christmas Party is a reissue with a new title of Envious Casca which of course is a reference to Julius Caesar. While the title change probably has more to do with making it part of the hot market for Christmas mysteries, I suspect there was some thought to dumb down the title as no one will understand the title reference. Irritating as that is, it is still a first rate detective story, and I was very happy to revisit it in this handsome new edition

[Nicole R]

I have one more to post tonight! It was a record year for me and, while I loved it, I am ready to move on.

[Jgrace]

The Children of Green Knowe - Boston
Audio performance by Simon Vance
5 stars

This is the wonderful first book of a children’s fantasy series. Green Knowe is an ancient manor house. When Tolly arrives for his school holidays, it’s only other inhabitant is his Great Grandmother. It’s only other living inhabitant. Green Knowe has an empty stable yard, topiary in the gardens, antiques in the dusty rooms, and ghosts of past residents. It’s the perfect place for a lonely child to spend his Christmas break.

It was the perfect book to reread at the end of a hectic season.

[Jgrace]

Mr. Timothy - Bayard
4 stars

It is mid-December in 1860. I knew before the end of the first chapter that it wouldn’t be a nice Christmas story. This isn’t Dickens. Mr.Timothy Cratchit is narrating his own story. He is, in a way, an unreliable narrator. It’s his story, but he isn’t really sure who he is in the world. He doesn’t trust his own memories or his current perceptions.

Timothy is a young man. He is having a bit of an identity crisis. He is mourning his losses; brothers and sisters, dead or gone; his mother, and most recently his father, deceased. Timothy is tired of being the Victorian equivalent of ‘poster child’. He is trying, with limited success, to separate himself financially from his Uncle ‘N’ (Ebenezer Scrooge). He’s an emotional mess. He lives in a brothel; teaching the madam how to read in exchange for room and board. He earns a bit of money dredging the Thames for bodies. He sees phantoms of his father all over London. Life is not very good for him.

And then he stumbles over the mutilated bodies of two very young girls.

Dickens wrote about the underbelly of London. He wrote about thieves and murderers and the occasional prostitute. But, Dickens had to stay within the boundaries of Victorian sensibility. Louis Bayard has no such restrictions. Timothy Cratchit tells it as he sees it, and he sees all of the raunchy, ugly, violent activities that surround him. His narration is ironic, sarcastic, and filled with self loathing. So, definitely not a Hallmark Christmas story.

This is not a sequel to A Christmas Carol despite its use of characters from the original story. It is not pastiche or parody. The story stands on its own, although the events of the previous book do provide background history for the adult Timothy.

It is an action filled murder mystery. The writing style is different from the usual murder mystery. Bayard doesn’t use quotation marks. Timothy sometimes switches from first to third person narrative; a bit of metafiction as the character refers to himself as a character. It was easy to get lost in the London fog as the story progressed. This has been my experience with previous Bayard books. The story loses some tension with superfluous details in the middle. In this book the descriptive details are wonderful and full of Dickensian references, but the circuitous chases through London become tedious. Timothy is a bit slow to identify all of the bad guys, but I had plenty of time to work it out.

Although the writing style was very different, I think this book is worthy of Dickens. Bayard creates some wonderful characters. Colin the Melodious is a precocious Artful Dodger, but Philomela is more assertive and intelligent than most of Dickens’ heroines. I enjoyed Captain Gully with his misplaced pronouns and the box-end wrench that replaced his left hand. But the best, the very best, was the brothel madam, Mrs. Sharpe.

I was not in the mood for Timothy’s unfiltered observations of whorehouse activities when I started this book. I would have put it down long before the mystery started had it not been for Mrs. Sharpe’s reading lessons. They are priceless. I have a reading teacher’s sympathy for Timothy as he and his pupil struggle with the early lessons, “We spent a full week on gh words alone because she couldn’t see why the same combination of letters should produce such radically different sounds, and I myself could not explain the wisdom behind these divergences.” As Mrs. Sharpe becomes a proficient reader her literary comments light up the page. They progress to literary criticism and Robinson Crusoe; “ At times, she has even surprised me by stepping outside the written word altogether and offering her own supra-textual commentary. —Oh, he should never have let the one savage go, Tim. Mark my words, he’ll regret it. Or else: —Isn’t it amazing when you think on it? Hasn’t poked a woman in twenty years! I shouldn’t wonder if he buggers Friday before long. “

No, definitely not a Hallmark Christmas story. But, priceless, truly priceless.

[Magdalena]

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak - 2.5 stars

I don't know that much about Catherine the Great. In fact before I read this I knew almost nothing so I was exited to learn about her by reading this. Unfortunately I was slightly disappointed by this. I think because I didn't realize that this wasn't really as much about Catherine as it was about Barbara, a fictional character who becomes a spy in the Russian court.

Barbara comes from humble beginnings and slowly rises though the ranks at court. The problem was that her ascent was so slow that it became tedious and I found myself dreading having to pick the book back up. Another thing I that bothered me was the writing. It was told in in first person narrative which I think in this case limited the story since Barbara was not always there for important scenes.

But I didn't completely hate this. The pace picked up near the end as the plot to put Catherine on the throne was planned and secrets were revealed It definitely peaked my interest in Catherine and a few of the other characters and I will be on the lookout for more books about 1700s Russia for sure.

[Nicole R]

A Season to Celebrate by Fern Michaels
2 stars

My last book for cheesy Christmas reads was a bit of a let down. Though, in the book's defense, perhaps I was just a little burned out after Christmas to continue on in this genre. But, I think the most I would have given this book, even at my peak Christmas enjoyment, would have been 3 stars.

Christmas Homecoming by Fern Michaels: 1*—sweet Jesus this story was horrible. It was about two people who were new/newly returned to a small town and want to ask each other out. But, through a series of misunderstanding, incorrect assumptions, and just immaturity, they dance around each other for 100 pages. And then the story ends with them finally realizing they are actually both single. It just did not work for me.

An Unexpected Gift by Kate Pearce: 2*—this story was better than the first. Though that is not saying much. I did like that it was about two people in their late 50s who have known each other their whole lives but finally realize that they have a spark. That was cute. But, oh my word, their romantic interactions were freaking painful. I cringed while reading it. And then they were magically in love after like a hot minute despite knowing each other since kindergarten. Eh.

Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman: 2.5*—I wanted to like this one more, but it was a classic case of a man telling a woman he just met everything that is wrong with how she is living her life and she changes everything for him while he doesn't change a damn thing. It was a little too much pontification on life for me. But I now want to live in a refurbished train car, so there is that.

Holiday Homerun by Priscilla Oliveras: 4*—save the best for last! This was a cute story about a young woman from Puerto Rico who is working a temporary event planning job in Chicago in hopes that it turns into a full time gig. Of course, her future career hinges on a successful Christmas fundraiser to benefit local children with Chicago Cubs All-Star emceeing the event. I just liked these two people. The guy was a little too intense, the girl doth protest just a little too much. But I can overlook that when there are adorable children involved.

[Theresa]

The book cover rates honorable mention at least. Even if unrelated to any of the stories. Was there even a cute dog in one? Or a vintage truck?

[LibraryCin]

Shelving done!

Total number of titles read in 2018 for Fall Flurries (all three months): 143

WOW! Check that out in comparison to the past two years:

fall-flurry-of-holidays-2016 (72)
fall-flurry-of-holidays-2017 (83)
fall-flurry-of-holidays-2018 (143)

[Nicole R]

Wow! We were reading machines!!!

[Amy]

We also have grown exponentially. Not to mention this year we had Theresa, who rivals Nicole for literary Christmas spirit!