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2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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2019 Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge -- December Reviews and Discussion
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LibraryCin wrote: "Karin wrote: "Thanks to Theresa for pointing me in the direction of an essay that explains how I feel when watching kids in shows.."What's it called, Karin?"
I updated my post to show the name, Holidays on Ice :)
Ah-hm, I'm pretty sure I said that I was going to read this anthology 2 years ago lol and I finally DID! Better late than never...
Our Country Christmas
★★★★
Such lovely romantic feel-good Christmas-y reads - perfect for this time of year especially since this country is currently burning in the worse bushfires ever!
The first story by Darry Fraser kinda surprised me because it's set in outback Australia during colonial times and I really really was not expecting it to feature Mr. Nicholas in such a way! It really makes me laugh though.
There are a total of 5 stories in this anthology and all set in outback Australia (or at least, nowhere near any of the capital cities). They are full of hope and as you'd expect, joyful endings ;) There is however a distinct lack of a white Christmas for obvious reasons LOL
I read this for a reading challenge for which I fulfilled other tasks by reading stand alone novels from each authors who contributed in this anthology. I've still got to read the one from Darry Fraser but so far, it seems each author has got their own 'trope'. At times, I feel like I'm reading their other book when it's this short story... Nevertheless, I think this is a positive thing. As guilty pleasure and/or comfort read goes, it's always good to know that you WILL get what you expect from an author!
Seduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Mary Jo Putney3 stars
Oh, regency romance. How I love/hate you. But I have slightly more love for you at Christmas than other times of the year!
This was three short stories. A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter. A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries. ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Against my better feminist judgment, I really enjoyed these stories! They were ridiculous, as they always are. The leads fell in love in a hot minute, as they always do. And the bad boy is transformed by the good girl, as he always is.
I will say that I liked one aspect of One Wicked Winter's Night a lot--the lead woman was like 30 and not the naive 18 year old that you typically find in these stories. She had lived abroad by herself and admitted to shockingly have had slept with several men! You go girl! It was a nice break from the virgin trope.
If you like regency romance, then I recommend this nice little anthology.
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory3 stars
I cannot put my finger on exactly why, but I really enjoy Jasmine Guillory's books. I think it has to do with how she writes her female leads. They always have serious careers, know themselves, and compromise but not in the typical romance way of giving everything up for a man. I adore that. I can relate to that.
This Christmas-themed book is a bit different from her previous three books that focused on women (and men) in their 30s. This book focused on Vivian Forest, the mother of Maddie (who was featured in a previous book). Maddie is a fashion consultant who gets the break of her career to dress a Dutchess for the holidays! Not wanting to spend the time away from her mom, she convinces Vivian to come to England with her for a magical week.
And, of course, Vivian meets the incredibly gorgeous, charming, and single Malcom. The personal secretary to the queen!
I had to suspend disbelief a bit more than normal for this one because of the royal setting and set-up, but it was well worth it for the charming romance. I also find it harder to relate to the romantic relationship of a mid-50s woman who is the single mother of an adult child, but that didn't keep me from appreciating the story.
I will add that the sex was toned down in this one compared to her previous books. I mean, the characters definitely still have sex, but it is not as descriptive as some of her other books. Perhaps because of the cute Christmas setting? Perhaps because of the older characters? Not sure, but I was fine with that!
If you are also a fan of Guillory's, then definitely fit this installment in during the Christmas season.
A Dash of Christmas by Samantha Chase3 stars
Ahhh, my fourth book of the Christmas season has finally hit the sweet spot! This was cheesy and romantic and steamy and Christmasy. This is how I like my holiday reads!
Carter Montgomery is a pretty famous chef with three restaurants in the US and looking to open his fourth in Montauk. But he wants this one to be different. He isn't sure exactly how it is going to be different just yet and he is having trouble focusing because his mom wants him to do a Christmas coffee table cookbook to help her philanthropic group raise money. Carter makes a halfass attempt before his meddling mother sends Emery Monhagan to his apartment to take lead on the book.
But, Emery is really the one being done a favor. She just walked out of her engagement to a political figure after a sexual harassment scandal and the media will not stop hounding her and her mom will not stop trying to get her to "stand by her man." Emery is desperate. Desperate enough to help out Carter, whom she has known since high school and never particularly got along with.
I think we see where this is going.....sparks are gonna fly!
I probably would have given this four stars but y'all know that it bothers me a bit when sexual harassment/assault is used as just a plot tactic. I see that the author was mimicking recent political scandals, but it was a bit too flippant. Couldn't there have been just an affair that was made public without numerous women accusing this politician of sexual assault?! Also, Emery wasted no time in jumping into her next relationship!
But, overall, it was good and I read it in just a couple of days! By the light of my Christmas tree, of course. While drinking some red wine. <3
Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis3 stars
Two great Christmas books in a row!
I love Jill Shalvis books at Christmas. They are cute, they are steamy, they have solid storylines, and they involve a great circle of friends.
This Christmas, we get a glimpse into Ivy's life. She had a rough childhood but has finally decided to put down roots by starting a wildly popular taco truck and allowing herself to make real friends for the first time. Yes, she may still be hiding parts of her past, like her criminal brother, but these are huge steps for her.
Enter Kel. He is a sheriff in Idaho but is on leave from work to help his cousin Caleb out with his security business. Kel also had a difficult childhood and the time has finally come for him to face his past and perhaps finally forgive his mom.
Kel's storyline was a little much for me. He had drama with his mom and had basically ignored her for 20 years. Never giving her a chance to tell her side of the story. Then, when he FINALLY gives her the chance, everything is magically better. And I thought her explanation was odd.
But, other than that, I liked the book! It was overly dramatic and the relationship took place over an intense two weeks, but I woudn't have my cheesy Christmas romances any other way!
A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber2 stars
Hmmm, it has been a couple of years since I read Macomber's Christmas book, but I don't remember them being so religious. I mean, they definitely are sugary sweet, but has there always been so much mention of God and faith? I am just not big on books with super heavy religious themes, and that drastically impacted my rating.
Laurel and her husband Zach are not having a great holiday. Not only are they devastated by their fertility/adoption issues that have resulted in them giving up hope of ever expanding their family, but Laurel's grandmother, Helen, who raised her is sliding into dementia.
Enter Mrs. Miracle. Who, unbeknownst to me when I started this book is an angel sent from Gabriel to help out people on earth.
And, I mean, it is heartwarming to see Mrs. Miracle interact with Helen and help Helen as she struggles with losing her memory. And I think we all can see that Mrs. Miracle is also going to pull some celestial strings to get a baby into Laurel and Zach's lives. But, I was definitely beat over the head with Bible stories and admonishments to have faith because God works in his own way.
Eh. I stuck it out because it was a short audio, but it definitely was not my cuppa tea. But that is on me because I wasn't fully aware of what I was getting into. If you are a fan of Macomber or like Christian-themed Christmas books, then I actually would recommend this!
Santa in a Kilt by Donna Kauffman2 stars
Oh lord. (Insert eye roll here). This was a pretty short novella and the break-neck pace of the story left my head spinning! lol
Shay and Kira live in a small community outside of Edinburgh and apparently know each other somehow. I am guessing that was in the earlier books in this series. It doesn't matter. They apparently each find the other attractive but it is unclear whether they have actually spoken before this book.
Don't worry. We not only get a first conversation, but over the course of about 4 days we get some steamy sex, some super heavy conversations, a complete 180 change in Shay's stance on relationships, and a picture perfect Christmas proposal.
Dude, it was intense. It was totally over the top. It was too much even for me.
I think I would have liked this more if it were a full length novel and we could have drawn some of this out more or had more insight to what the characters were thinking. But, as a novella, it was hard to take.
Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke / 3 stars
** WARNING: potential curse words in this review **
My husband's grandma had this book so I thought I would give it a try for Fall Flurries. I am not usually a cozy mystery type, but I will give anything a chance when it comes to reading.
This is really a 2 star book for me, but I am not going to drive down the goodreads rating for it for a couple reasons.
One, this is like book #23 in this continuing series and I haven't read any of the others. So, this is really meant for people who enjoy this type of book and the reoccurring characters that have been developed over the course of the series, of which I have no background. Presumably you are going to enjoy this more if you have been following along from the beginning, although I think if you like cozy mysteries you could certainly read this out of sequence.
Second, I already knew going in this isn't my genre, so it seems unfair to dock points for reading a book that I already knew I probably wouldn't like.
Things I hated about this book are the endlessly mundane details, like Hannah pulling the coffee pot off and placing her mug under it to fill with coffee then putting the coffee pot back to continue making coffee... I don't give a fuck about it. This is likely one of the things fans of this series enjoy and I could see this being relaxing (?) for some people. I prefer death and destruction and sex and murder >:-)
I hate how much they talk about food. Everything is so fucking delicious. Bitch, shut the fuck up, it's a fucking egg burrito, shit ain't that good. Again, another detail fans probably love.
The weird thing is, this time of year I love those cozy cutsie details in all the Hallmark movies I watch, I just don't like it in books.
I did like that there are recipes throughout, I thought that was a fun detail and a signature of this series, I think.
Joanne Fluke fans, or cozy cutsie mystery fans don't need me to tell them about this book, but if that's you read this... I guess :P
it's a fucking egg burrito, shit ain't that good.😂
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella4 Stars
This was definitely better than the last 4 Becky Brandon, nee Bloomwood books- maybe even put together. Maybe I'm less harsh because this was a Christmas-themed book, but I really enjoyed this installment of the Shopaholic series.
These books are a little formulaic- Becky has something happen, but her family is all there, Suze and her family are all there, and we're going to have a couple laugh-out -loud moments, a pinch of unrelated drama that is altogether unnecessary, some drama that is relevant to the plot, and in the end we'll all make sure everything is all fixed, and tie everything up in a bow. Well that is what happened here.
Becky is hosting her first Christmas and is SUPER STRESSED about it. Add in an ex boyfriend with a girlfriend with an 'agenda', the inability to find her husband the PERFECT Christmas gift, and her parents trying to be trendy and cool- and bam- drama! But never fear, we get pure heartwarming moments, family coming together, all the Christmas themes you would ever want in a holiday book- plus some fun tid bits like text chains, emails, receipts, google searches, and more in between the chapters.
I do question Becky a lot of the time, but she seemed a little less annoying than usual here. I do question some of her tactics for being a mom- but who am I to judge when I'm not? Some bits are obviously more for the humor than showing Becky as a well rounded, sound character. This had more laugh out loud moments for me, as well as "awww" heartwarming moments as well.
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich3 stars
If you like a a funny, fluffy Christmas mystery sprinkled with magical realism then this may well be for you. Nothing brilliant, but at times laugh out loud funny (so there's that--it is no mean feat to make me laugh in almost every single book I've read by an author, even if some of the jokes have grown stale).
A new character, Diesel, is introduced in this in-between book--I already "met" him when I read a different holiday one, and it's Diesel plus a couple of other characters that bring this magic stuff into the picture. Personally, it was a bit of a stretch for me to see this in the Stephanie Plum books, but then I'm not much on magical realism.
That said, it's a bit silly, I think, but fun if you go for this stuff. Ignore the fantasy shelving--this isn't actual fantasy genre, but I'm using it for that somewhere and more than three score people have shelved it that way (it is technically fantasy, but not what I call fantasy stuff.)
The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson 2.49999 starsFun, but nothing brilliant--a bit stereotypical. Set in 1937, the 8 year old protagonist longs for a pony and to see her widowed mother smile again as well as boarders. She meets George and Veronica stranded in town, so they board with her mother, grandmother and her while they wait for George's car to be repaired and later for the snow to melt. I am in between 2 and 3 stars on this one.
The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap by Donna Kauffman
4 stars
We meet friends Clara, Abby and Lily at the town Christmas Cookie Swap auction. Clara, who can't bake without the fire department showing up, bribed Lily to bake her donation. Clara is also coping with losing her job and boyfriend in the same day. Abby has anonymously donated anatomically correct-and erect-gingerbread men in a plainly brown box which is won by a handsome stranger who sweeps in seeking directions. Lily is working on cookie recipes for a big competition at the local ski resort. As the final box of cookies are auctioned, each heads home as a blizzard descends.
Thus ends the prologue setting the scene for each story.
In Where There is Smoke..., Donna Kauffman has tall skinny red-headed Clara reconnect with college classmate Will by a klutzy pratfall at his feet in a bookstore that would make Buster Keaton proud. It doesn't hurt that Will is now a fireman who can protect the kitchen from burning down while Clara bakes.
Kate Angell's The Gingerbread Man will leave you unable to look at a peppermint stick without snickering! Erotic gingerbread men aside, this is a lovely story about how after Abby saves Lander life after he crashes his car in the blizzard. Then Lander helps her heal through her first Christmas alone as they wait out the blizzard in Abby's mountain cabin. We and Abby are introduced to Naked Scrabble...because what else do you do during a blizzard? Why, fall in love of course.
Sugar and Spice has Kimberly Kincaid telling Lily and Paul's love story as they compete against each other in the resort's cookie competition. What was surprising was how touching Paul's personal story ended up being.
There is lots of humor, sizzling sexy scenes, a few tears, and even recipes. Now about Naked Scrabble and those erotic G-men...
Ho-Ho-Homicide-Kaitlyn Dunnett 3 starsLiss MacCrimmon Ruskin is approached by a former classmate Gina with an offer for Liss and her husband Dan to spend a week evaluating a Christmas tree Gina just inherited from her uncle. Liss and Dan have been working nonstop and need a vacation so they agree to go. Once there they find that 7 years ago a body was found netted in a supply of Christmas trees from the farm and that right after that Gina's uncle disappeared. Of course Liss ends up investigating the old murder. I haven't read any others in this series but I liked Liss and Dan and their friends. Not the most complicated to solve but a nice cozy mystery.
Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings - Laurens 3 stars
I really enjoyed this sweet story once I gave up on the monotone, droning audio performance. Adventurous children and a treasure hunt are a perfect compliment to Christmas preparations. Add another low temperature romance and the titular plum puddings; it was an easy book for the season. This is the third book in the series and somehow I missed the middle one! That leaves me one more to squeeze in before the end of the year. Or, save until next year.
Marley - Clinch Audio performance by Matthew Lloyd Davies
3 stars
Marley was not a nice man. I liked him better when he was dead. This book was a somewhat tedious description, decade by decade, of his corruption, his crimes, and his complete lack of conscience. Clinch connects Marley and Scrooge to the British slave trade just as that trade is becoming illegal. Scrooge is the younger partner and a bit of a dupe. Marley conceals his most nefarious business from his partner by assuming numerous false identities. Dickens supplies Marley (and Clinch) with other character names for the long list of fraudulent personalities. I found this a bit confusing because the names did not correlate to the characters in the original books. Unlike the original Christmas Carol, this book didn’t have much humor, an uplifting message, or happy ending.
Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock3 stars
A sarcastic, snarky, guilt-ridden cab driver and a rather realistic depiction of an inane lawsuit forced on a first year law associate save this from being saccharine and inordinately schmaltzy, but make no mistake, it is a Christmas romance. While I can see why it merited a Christy Award (I have read one of their award winners and wonder how bad it must be if that was the best one in that category that year).
Finn is a cab driver, who got burnt out after going from being one of the city's top chefs to a restaurant owner doing work he hated, trying to make his rent when he gets called top pick up an elderly woman. Most cab divers would have driven off, but he went into help the ailing, wheelchair bound Callie into his cab and to take her to the doctor. In the meantime, her granddaughter, Sydney, is at a staff meeting where they are told that there are going to be cutbacks in first year associates due to the loss of a large client. Thus begins this story. Some of it is heartwarming, and it is worth reading if you like Christian romance.
Cross Posted to other Books 'December 2019, then another set of Fall Flurry Chanukah Books next....I thoroughly enjoyed both the book and the series! A funny thing. A number of people have asked me if I thought they would enjoy it, and I am never sure how to answer. I always respond saying you have to appreciate all the elements. Its a little bit historical fantasy, some mythology, fairy tale, Russia and the cold of Winter, witches and other realms, magical power through bloodlines, all of those sort of things wrapped together has to be your thing.
Vasya is a young motherless girl in cold Russia. She also has powers to see that her family doesn't share and her step=mother fears. She is related to royalty in Russia but carries a different kind of bloodline as well. One she eventually shares with a young niece. This tale, told over three books involves mythical twins the Winter King and the Bear, a Nightingale, flying magical horses, Prince Dmitri of Russia and the Tartars, the Priesthood, and a snowy war between good and evil, and everything in between. Sound like your thing? It was definitely mine!
This Chanukah for the first five or six nights, we read as a family all kinds of various books. Unfortunately, the miracle mitzvah moose was unavailable as yet - but catch us next year. For the flurry thread only, here's a sampling of Chanukah...#1)
Yup - Hershel of Ostropol was back with his clever way of defeating and outwitting goblins, saving Chanukah, and the village. Little guy loved it, and so did I, but my family groaned and hated it. Too long and ridiculous they thought, For us, just perfect!
#2
We agreed too young these days. But the highlight was definitely hearing my oldest son read it at 16 with all the voices. We couldn't stop laughing.....
#3
Now this is a favorite and a classic about kindness and inclusivity, and a clever little girl who makes an elder feel welcome.
#4 Then - The Runaway Dreidel; No Cover Link Available.
Another classic about a mystical dreidel that becomes a star in the sky. We loved this one. It rhymes and has some great lines in there that we loved.
#5 Chanukah Lights Everywhere
Another beautiful classic - about seeing the light in everything.
#6 Chanukah in Alaska - also not found.
This one was new to us, and also was beautiful. It incorporated a moose and the Northern Lights.
The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts4.5 stars
We first meet Ambrose, up a scrawny tree on a skinny branch, facing the end of his 9th life - at the hands of a dog no less! - searching for a miracle. And at Christmas! That miracle turns out to be gorgeous fireman Zach. Ambrose decides to move in and guaranty himself a long 9th life by fixing commitment-phobe Zach by finding his perfect mate. Enter Merilee, wannabe vet currently working at a pet super store, volunteering at local shelter, and harboring a pretty cat named Queenie in her No Pets Allowed apartment. Ambrose has to get rid of cougar Blair, Zach's animal-hating girlfriend, first, go on a starvation fast, and even reunite Zach with his family, but eventually all ends as it should.
If this sounds like a Hallmark Christmas movie...it is. This was a delightful read, with Ambrose's amusing efforts to turn around Zach's life and Zach's ongoing fantasies of his green-eyed red-headed Elfette in little more than a santa hat adding just the right touch of humor.
There’s Something About Christmas – Debbie Macomber – 2.5**
It’s a Debbie Macomber Christmas story – cue the music and the snowflakes, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the holiday romance. It’s a fun, fast read, if totally predictable.
My full review HERE
Holiday Hideout - 2 starsThis trio of stories barely qualifies as 'holiday'. Theoretically each occurs during a holiday...Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, but other than Jill Shalvis having her hero avoid Christmas due to tragic memories from 10 years earlier and her heroine decorating the cabin liberally, these romances have nothing to do with holidays.
Ken and Jillian are convinced that their remote cabin in the Sierra Mountains has a special romance magic, and have set out to prove it with our 3 couples.
I already reviewed The Thanksgiving Fix by Vicki Lewis Thompson at the end of November for November Flurries.
The Christmas Set-up by Jill Shalvis introduces us to co-workers and competitors for promotion Jason and Zoe tricked into sharing the cabin, then between bouts of hot sex (which Jason manages even though in excruciating crippling pain from a fall while getting wood), they decide to collaborate on a work project and let the promtion chips fall where they may. Can true love be far behind?
In The New Year's Deal by Julie Kenner we meet Cleo and Josh , college sweethearts and soulmates, who had gone their different ways after college - Cleo to Harvard Law the partner track at a Washington firm, Josh home to save the family mining company after his father's sudden death. On parting they agree to meet 5 year's later in the Sierra Mountains to catch up and, perhaps, rekindle their romance. Can hot sex and true love be far away?
In these stories as a whole, the sex is hot and often inventive, the cabin's romance magic proven, but there are too many life stories for these characters (who are all very likeable) left dangling at the end. Between that and the lack of any real holiday connection in these stories, I was left very dissatisfied.
Amy wrote: "This Chanukah for the first five or six nights, we read as a family all kinds of various books. Unfortunately, the miracle mitzvah moose was unavailable as yet - but catch us next year. For the flu..."Loved this, Amy! Thought of you yesterday when I was perusing the display of Hanukkah children's books at the NYPL gift shop.
Theresa wrote: " Holiday Hideout - 2 starsThis trio of stories barely qualifies as 'holiday'. Theoretically each occurs during a holiday...Thanksgiving, Christ..."
Too bad this was such a disappointment!
Amy wrote: "This Chanukah for the first five or six nights, we read as a family all kinds of various books. Unfortunately, the miracle mitzvah moose was unavailable as yet - but catch us next year. For the flu..."I think hearing your son read that at 16 with all the voices is priceless. Did you film it so you can watch it again???
Sorry the book covers didn’t pop up! Some of these books were/are classics. Some new. I loved Hershel and the Chanukah Goblins! The one my son narrated was Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah! That was a certain memory to keep. It was hysterical!
Hi all, I will be closing out this thread and the challenge ON NEW YEAR’S DAY! I will be finalizing all of the scores and awarding all of the participation points!Please do two things:
1) Be sure to post your lingering reviews by 10:00am on January first.
2) Please review the scoring spreadsheet and PM me any discrepancies by that same time. That will be your final date to contest anything!
The spreadsheet with the score tracking can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
3 stars
Taken from the book jacket. "The year is 1960, and as it is every year, the Christmas pageant at St. John's Episcopal Church, directed by Mrs. Elkins, who used to be in the Theater in New York, and who is tall and skinny with hair the color of the orange part of a candy corn, is a very big deal. Doug is a shepherd this year, which is better than being a Three King, because for one thing, you get to carry a stick." Things happen in this very realistic family setting, some funny and some not. Book is a quick read with a touch of sadness and lots of humor.
2 stars
Narrated by Josh who becomes a reluctant dog owner. Josh has a love interest Kelly, who has issues and does not need to be working at a Dog shelter. The book is puppy story with a touch of romance, well as I see it, it is more like a controlling relationship with Kelly in the driver's seat. I did not like the humans and the puppies and Momma dog are just innocent bystanders in the world of madness.
I do like W. Bruce Cameron writing style and did enjoy some of the book cuteness interactions with the Momma Dog and Puppies,the rest was annoying. Can be a quick read but I took my time with it.
Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings by Stephanie Laurens5 stars
My absolute favorite of the Lady O Christmas novellas!
Lady O and her grandchildren are once again in Little Mosely for all the holiday festivities. This year an especially large plum harvest has Lady O and her staff providing plum puddings to the entire village. While polishing the silver pennies to be hidden inside each, Lady O's grandchildren discover ancient Roman coinage. The search is on for the board allowing the introduction of a couple of scholarly outsiders to the village.
I loved everything about this, the updates on favorite characters, the gentle romances, the lively children. I thought the whole Roman hoard, the history proved, the artifact debate, everything to be the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of the sundae. I am thrilled Laurens has already announced that at least one more of these Lady O holiday stories will come our way next year.
I have time for at least one more Christmas read I think. Maybe 2. Unfortunately I did not find time for more this year.
Lavender & Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman2 stars
Hmmm....this is the second novella by Donna Kauffman that I have read in a row and I just don't think they are my jam. I like Kauffman's longer books, but these short ones leave my eyes hurting from all the rolling they are doing.
Kauffman takes us back to Blue Hallow Falls where Avery Kent works at a lavender farm with her three friends. And, Avery is the brains of the operation. And I mean like genius brain. Double PhD by 19, eidetic memory, and the stereotypical personality traits that you associate with someone so smart that they lack a filter and have trouble connecting with others.
Enter hot veterinarian Ben Chandler. He is a vet with Veterinarians Without Borders and is in Blue Hallow Falls covering for a friend who is out of town for the holidays. Oh, and guess what? He is also a child prodigy/genius! Only he is drop dead gorgeous and not socially inept in the slightest.
It just didn't work for me. If the characters reminded me one more time that they are geniuses then I was going to barf. We get it. You're smart. And then the author tried to throw in some language like, "But really, what is smart? I can't throw a baseball. We are all great at different things!" but then the characters continued to talk about how hard their lives were being smart.
Eh, it just wasn't for me. I am starting to worry that the spark of the cheesy Christmas romances is missing this year....
Cowboy Christmas Redemption by Maisey Yates5 stars
Just when I was starting to panic that my love of cheesy Christmas romances had waned this year I was proven wrong by this gem of a book!
I should have known the cowboys would come through for me.
Ellie Bell is the single mom to her adorable 4-year-old daughter Amelia. But, not a single mom by choice. Her husband, Clint, died when she was pregnant and Ellie didn't know how she was going to survive. But, survive she did. Largely with the help of Clint's best friend and surrogate brother, Caleb Dalton. Caleb helped her through the worst time of her life and she has come to depend on him more than she realized.
But, now nearly 5 years has passed since Clint died, and Caleb has announced that he may be around less than he has in the past as he makes some changes in his life. Ellie realizes that maybe she needs to make some changes to, starting with finding a man to kiss under the mistletoe this year! Maybe Caleb has some recommendations as to what eligible bachelors would be willing to help her out.
Look, this book was cheesy. The dialogue at points was so sappy that I swear no one in the history of speaking has even considered stringing them together until now. But the characters were endearing and the sex was steamy! And, even more than that, I truly felt Ellie and Caleb's inner conflict about their feelings for each other. Ellie is widowed and all of her feelings are tied up in her grief over her first husband. Caleb feels guilt for going after his best friend's wife even though said best friend is dead. While the storylines were not overly deep, I felt like they rang authentic.
I have one more cheesy Christmas book sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to pick up. But, I think I am done for the year. I am thrilled to have ended on a high note with this book, and I read the whole thing cover to cover by the light of my Christmas tree to end by week of holiday vacation.
That feels meant to be.
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson - 4 starsI think that I enjoyed these stories far more because of the way they were presented. The book itself is a beautiful object, and the interleaving of stories and seasonal recipes enhanced the experience. I started it on Christmas Day and thought I might read one story a night for the twelve days, but I soon got carried away and finished it sooner. The stories themselves were entertaining and sweet, but for me, what made this book special were the reflective passages that introduced each recipe. Some of these referred back to the author's childhood and brought back memories of watching Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit on TV (I would have been about 13), others gave a little glimpse into her adult life and relationships with other writers (such as Ruth Rendell, Kathy Acker, and her wife Susie Orbach), and - most powerfully - several explore the history, rituals, and significance of the various festivals associated with this season, often containing nuggets of insight or advice that I hope will stick with me. I particularly loved her writing on the value of ritual as she describes her annual tradition of lighting candles and listening to 'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols' on Christmas Eve, and her habit of pausing for self-reflection and a 'psychic clear-out' on New Year's Eve.
Winter, ChristmasHans Brinker, or the Silver Skates / Mary Mapes Dodge
3 stars
Hans and his younger sister live in Holland and love to skate. Unfortunately, their father had an accident 10 years earlier when Gretel was just a baby, and has been in a coma(?) since, so Hans makes their skates out of wood. But, with a race coming up, a nice girl offers to buy Hans some new skates. Meanwhile, they are still hoping their dad will wake up, as he had hidden away a large chunk of money just before his accident. Money they could really use.
This was ok. I liked Hans’ family’s story, but there was also a section (mostly in the middle of the book) that focused on some of the other local boys. I mostly lost interest when the focus was on them. There was some nice descriptions of the area and the (19th century) culture in the book, and one of the other boys was from out of the country, so some of this was seen through his eyes, in a way. Overall, it was ok.
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson4 Stars
Winterson is an author I've been meaning to read for years. So many readers whose opinions I admire and often match up with just love her, yet for various reasons I hadn't gotten around to picking up one of her books. So when this collection of short stories and essays came up on a best of Christmas books list, I immediately borrowed it from the library. I chose the audio version with plans to listen to one story and one essay per day. I'm so glad I did.
The introduction and essays were read by Winterson herself. She has a lovely reading voice and because so many of the essays, and certainly the accompanying recipes, were deeply personal, having her read them was a nice touch. The essays tended to share her personal history, mixed with others that reveal the history of the holiday season, both social and religious. While much of this information was not new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which it was presented. Each essay concluded with a recipe of sorts that she associates with this time of year. I wouldn't have much luck cooking any of them, but a more skilled cook probably would be fine. It was just another way of personalizing and humanizing the author.
The real gem though, were the twelve short stories. Over the years, I've come to develop a deep respect for well-written short stories. Winterson definitely knows how to write complete short stories in which the reader finds themself emotionally invested. This was quite possibly the best anthology I've ever read, with not a single dud among them. They run the gamut of Christmas romances (my favorite was the final installment, The Glow-Heart), children's tales (Snow Mama would make a perfect read aloud, both bittersweet and fantastical, without a hint of saccharine), religious stories (The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me tells the story of the birth of Jesus from the point of view of the donkey upon whom Mary rode), and the ever classic Christmas ghost story (Christmas-Tide introduces the collection and while not a traditional ghost story was absolutely beautiful. For a more traditional ghost story, The Second Best Bed will definitely send a shiver up your spine.)
This book was everything I needed it to be. I tend to find most Christmas themed novels and short stories a bit too twee for my taste. Christmas Days was anything but. It was rich, deep, and the perfect little way to introduce a little bit of the season into your day. It will appeal to fans of both Christmas stories and literary fiction equally. If I don't finish another book before the year is out, this is a fantastic way to close out 2019.
The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles DickensThis averaged out to 3 stars for me. The beginning was rather slow,but I realize it's not for my age, my kids are too old and I don't have grandchildren to read it to.
This story isn't so much about the actual cricket, but more like the cricket is a fairy. It does start with it--when things are happy, it chirps. It centers on a couple who are very much in love despite their age difference, John and Dot Peerybingle and their awkward maid who manages to bump the poor baby's head in too many places. There are a group of other characters, mostly good but one rather nasty fellow. But fear not, this is a tale for children at Christmas, but what might happen to make this better is better left for you to discover on your own.
The Christmas Crimes at Puzzel Manor by Simon Brett4.5 stars
I managed one more Christmas read for Flurries...a reread actually.
This is one clever but original homage to Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, with the added bonus of cryptics, ciphers, and puzzles to help you solve the mystery along with the hero and heroine. And all set in a snowed in English country manor during a traditional English Christmas.
Jack Tarrant, at 35 retired from Scotland Yard and stuck in a wheelchair, is looking forward to a long holiday weekend with his girlfriend Maria. Jack is not only recovering from a bullet to his hip, he is trying to put behind him his failure to capture the serial killer who shot him. Barely have Jack and Maria arrived, when it becomes clear the murder is afoot and Jack has been lured there to be taunted and teased.
There are plenty of clues to solve the crimes in the story itself, so if like me you find yourself woefully unskilled at solving the many puzzles and ciphers included, you will still easily solve the mystery. Even the murderer's ultimate identity, which isn't actually told to you but requires solving a final puzzle, can be figured out quickly by a process of elimination, even if you fail abysmally at solving the puzzle....or did I. My answer did fit where it should, after all.
I dob ding it for being a tad thin and shallow in some plotting, and leaving a few dangling points. But my copy is the original hardcover published in 1992 and it is just lovely. So that gives it another half star, making it 4.5 stars
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 DaysJeanette Winterson's book is a bit of a gem
She combines 12 stories with 12 essays/articles/recipes about her life, friends and thoughts
The essays were the best part and I absolutely adored them. I loved her contemplative look at the holiday time. It was lovely reading it in the right season, and I literally finished the last chapters on NY Eve around 9pm.
I didn't grow up Christmas - Israel doesn't celebrate it (well, not in the mainstream). You don't feel it in the air. My family of course didn't have any xmas tradition.
I generally have a love hate relationship with traditions. I love the idea of it but I'm a very unreligious person, and I'm battling in finding a way to do holidays (both Israeli and Australian) in a way that is meaningful but not religious.
So her book was quite inspiring in that way. She is very ernest and somber but I liked it a lot.
The stories - some I loved more and some less.
I enjoyed and was creeped out by the ghost stories, liked the few romantic ditties and the snowman one. Others felt a bit preachie - a bit like roald dahl but Dahl is wilder and funnier in his criticism of greed and shallowness and Winterson at times just felt a bit preachie.
The participation points for December have been tallied! You can see the final counts in the Fall Flurry of Holidays spreadsheet.The total points for all three months of the Fall Flurries Challenge will be added to the master spreadsheet of participation points.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days (other topics)The Christmas Crimes at Puzzel Manor (other topics)
The Cricket on the Hearth (other topics)
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days (other topics)
Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Simon Brett (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Maisey Yates (other topics)
Donna Kauffman (other topics)
Stephanie Laurens (other topics)
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Iced in: Ten Days Trapped on the Edge of Antarctica / Chris Turney
4 stars
The author, Chris Turney, gathered together many people in 2013/2014, mostly scientists, to travel to Antarctica to do some research. Antarctica is a dangerous place, as the weather and ice conditions can change in a heartbeat. This group was lucky enough to start off with a number of good weather and ice days, but things quickly changed on Christmas Eve and they ended up locked in by ice.
This was really good. Turney also recounts Ernest Shakleton’s story of being trapped 100 years earlier, so he goes back and forth between his crew and Shakleton’s. As the leader of the expedition, and impressed by how Shakleton had handled things in his time, Turney made decisions based on “what would Shakleton do?”. It’s a different world now, though, as compared to during Shakleton’s time when no one knew what had become of Shakleton and his crew. With Turney’s group, they kept in connection via radio, satellite phone, social media, and were able to call in for help. Even still, there were times where things were dicey, and they really weren’t sure when or if they’d be able to get everyone out safely.