Week 2 - Christmas Reading Challenge 2015

The 13^th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith

This story revolves around a family who loses their husband/father.  It also plays on the 12 days of Christmas as someone is leaving them gifts during the Christmas season.  The story is vivid and well written. I am able to feel sympathy for these characters; however, I found it a bit depressing.  I tend to like Christmas stories that are more joyful.  3/5 Stars

The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

Crossed lovers, natural disasters, tragedy, it is all in this book.  I felt it was very reminiscent of the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  There is a few scenes that one can practically overlay this story on top of that one.  It was different enough to keep my interest though.  I did enjoy the crossed lovers storyline.  4/5 Stars

Santa Claus is for Real: A True Christmas Fable…by Charles Edward Hall

Charles Edward Hall plays Santa Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City.  This is a “true” story about how he became Santa.  It is a little out there in points, but it was never boring, that is for sure.  It is a quick read, and I enjoyed this one. Was it well written, eh, not really. But whatever.  3/5 Stars.

Movies:

Elf:  Will Ferrell is the best!!

The Flight Before Christmas: This was a Lifetime movie. I usually don’t watch Lifetime but Mayim Bialik stared in it as well as produced it.  Here she plays a half Jewish, half Catholic woman who takes a flight home for the holidays.  The reason for the trip as well as what happens during the trip make this story well worth the watch.  I love Mayim anyway, and her co-star Ryan McPartlin (hottie) were great together.  4.5 / 5 Stars

The Road to Christmas:  Apparently this is an older movie, but I’ve never seen it. And to be honest it took a while before I realized that the lead was Jennifer Grey.  Jennifer plays a high powered fashion photographer who is trying to get to Vale for her wedding to her Italian fiancé.  Her flight gets canceled and she has to find a way to get to Vale. She comes across a father and her 12 year old daughter and they offer her a ride.  Since this is Lifetime, I don’t have to tell you much about this, and we all know how it ends.  But I did like the interesting twist.  I was REAL bored, and this was on (This was on before The Flight Before Christmas that is why I was on the channel to begin with).  3/5 Stars.

Christmas Book #6 / 25 Days of Christmas #11, #12

 Christmas Book # 6

'Tis the Season (Main Street #3) - Christmas is coming to Camden Falls, and Flora and Ruby don't know how to feel about it; it's their first Christmas without their parents, and the memories are both happy and sad. Luckily, Flora and Ruby are surrounded by people who care about them -- from their grandmother Min to their friends Olivia and Nikki, who are dealing with challenges of their own. There's also an unexpected visitor: Flora and Ruby's aunt, whose presence promises to shake things up. It's going to be a Christmas that nobody ever forgets....                                                      I tend to read a lot of Children's Books at Christmas time, I think they are cute.  I have never read another book from this series, but I thought this one was pretty nice.  Not a tear jerker, which I like because I often cry reading Christmas books.   3 / 5 Stars.

Brooks Bears (In the widow of Brooks Brothers)

#11

One Tin Soldier

#12

Christmas Book #5 / 25 Days of Christmas #9, #10

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris:  I listened to the audio version of this and I am glad I did. I think it translate much funnier in spoken form. This book is hilarious. I understand Sedaris has a different type of humor, sometimes it leans toward the macabre, but oh my, what a fun read/listen. 

I'm used to Christmas stories having a formula, but there is none here. It is just filled with reality checks and some things that make you go ooooh and ewwww.

I don't know if it is in the print version, but the audio version has a section where he does a little stand up. I thought that was the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. That story (section) is entitled 6 to 8 Black Men. 

I don't usually laugh at outright disregard for political correctness, but my goodness, this man is too funny.  4/5 Stars


The weather here has been pretty bad. We had a Noreaster, so I haven't been able to take any outdoor pictures.  So for the last 2 days, my pictures have been indoors.  

25 Days of Christmas

Day 9

Holiday Greetings

 Day 10

Lantern

Christmas Book #4 / 25 Days of Christmas 8

In How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas, Jeff Guinn combines solid historical fact with glorious legend to deliver another heartwarming holiday book for the whole family.

It's 1620 and Mrs. Claus's dear husband is off in the New World planting the seeds of what will become a glorious Christmas tradition. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus has chosen to stay in England, where the first signs of a dangerous threat to Yuletide cheer are in evidence. The Puritans have gained control of Parliament and appear determined to take all the fun out of Christmas. But Mrs. Claus knows that it's time for serious action when, in 1647, a law is passed by Parliament that actually punishes anyone who celebrates Christmas. Using as its springboard the actual events of a day in 1647 when ten thousand peasants marched through the streets of Canterbury demanding their right to celebrate a beloved holiday, How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas is rich in historical detail, adventure, and plain ol' Christmas fun. (from Goodreads)

My Review:  I didn't enjoy this as much as the first book in the series The Autobiography of Santa Claus.  I felt the first few chapters of this book were a recap and since I just read it, I felt it was unnecessary.  It did pick up when the story actually turned to how she saved Christmas.  I found that history fascinating.  I gave this book 3/5 stars.  I will read more books by Guinn, although no more Christmas ones for now.

Day 8

The New York Public Library Lion at Christmas

Deck the Halls!

Christmas Books #1, #2, #3 and 25 Days of Christmas Day 4 and Day 5

Jacob T. Marley by R.William Bennett

Marley was dead to begin with . . . These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he? Written with a voice reminiscent of Dickens, Jacob T. Marley is to A Christmas Carol as the world-famous Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz as this masterfully crafted story teaches of choices, consequences, and of the power of accountability. It is sure to become a Christmas favorite.

My Review: Experience the journey of Rose, an orphan who teaches the meaning of hope to all those around her. Share a slice of Christmas sweetened with friendship in this poignant story based on a classic holiday tale.

3/5 stars



The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guin

An enchanting holiday treasure, The Autobiography of Santa Claus combines solid historical fact with legend to deliver the definitive story of Santa Claus. And who better to lead us through seventeen centuries of Christmas magic than good ol' Saint Nick himself? Families will delight in each chapter of this new Christmas classic-one per each cold December night leading up to Christmas!

My Review: OK, you know what, I loved this book. I was trying not to, I was trying to be fair, but it grabbed me and hugged me and I just couldn't hate it. I love how the Saint meets the Secular. I love how Guinn explains everything with people from history, giving us a short history lesson (best for kids, most adults know who and what these people did).

5/5 Stars




The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements

For Hart Evans, being the most popular kid in sixth grade has its advantages. Kids look up to him, and all the teachers let him get away with anything -- all the teachers except the chorus director, Mr. Meinert. When Hart's errant rubber band hits Mr. Meinert on the neck during chorus practice, it's the last straw for the chorus director, who's just learned he's about to lose his job due to budget cuts. So he tells the class they can produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It's all up to them. And who gets elected to run the show? The popular Mr. Hart Evans.

Hart soon discovers there's a big difference between popularity and leadership, and to his surprise, discovers something else as well -- it's really important to him that this be the best holiday concert ever, and even more important, that it not be the last.

 4/5 Stars


My Review:  This was a quick read, it held my interest.  I've nothing bad to say about it, it was a typical Middle School read.

 

25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

 

4 / 25 

Prancer

5 /25

Nut Crackers

5th Annual Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

 
It's back. Sign up, it's loads of fun!

I'm going for the following Level:
-Christmas Tree:  read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)

  Additional levels:

  --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!

It will all be documented here, books and films.  

Some of the books I might read for this are:

The Mistletoe Promise  by Richard Paul Evans
Christmas Poems edited by  J.D. McClatchy
THe Christmas Mail Order Bride  by Kit Morgan

Of course I have already started reading Christmas books, so I will only count books I read during the challenge dates.

 

A Winter Dream - Richard Paul Evans

Richard Paul Evans' new Christmas book "A Winter Dream" is out in bookstores now.  This story is based on the Bible story of Joseph and his brothers.  This modern day account has ad exec sacrificed & banished due to jealousy.  Joseph Jacobson has a few bumps along the way and one wonders if he will ever find happiness.

I don't want to give too much away because I know several people are reading this one.  I enjoyed it. 

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

This is my FIRST book for the challenge.

Christmas Books Christmas Movies

The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits
by Les Standiford

If you can believe it, this is the 2nd non-fiction Christmas book I've read in my life. This one was about Mr. Dickens and how his writing of "A Christmas Carol" revitalized Christmas in England and throughout the world.

It talks about how he came to write and the circumstances surrounding it. Though it is not a Christmas book per se, it does basically describe how the holiday we know and love today became something we can cherish.


The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne

A young boy is asked to play an elf for sick children in a hospital.  He may find out that Santa is real, but more importantly, he gets a bigger gift than he anticipated and he gives a gift that means the world to one patient.


Currently Reading:

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson
A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflower Series #5) by Lisa Kleypas



MOVIES

Christmas in the Clouds - Takes place on a Rez, a Hotel owner is confused by one guests intentions and falls in love.

Battle of the Bulbs - Charming story about old friends who became enemies and then became neighbors. Who has the better decorated house? Can they live as neighbors without killing each other?

The Muppets Christmas Carol - Of course I've seen this before, but I always love a good Christmas Carol telling.

The Dead - Based on the short story by Thomas Hardy from his book The Dubliners. Starring Angelica Houston and Colm Meany. I thought it would be pretty good, but I was bored to tears. I was going to read the book, I think I will skip.

Anyone Hosting a Christmas Reading Challenge?

Not that I NEED one, because I read Christmas (Holiday) books yearly, but it is fun, and I get to see what others are reading. I've already found some books I want to read. And my personal challenge starts before the official ones do anyway. Mine usually run from November 1st until December 31st.


This year I'm not going to limit the number of books to read. I'm just going to read and see what comes out! Here are some of the books that made it to my list:

I figure I can read one a week and be done by or before Dec. 31. Six is my limit usually before I get tired of all the Joy and Good Will Toward Man. I will have to break them up with some other reading that is non-Holiday related.

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans is the latest in a string of Christmas books for the author. This year’s offering revolves around a woman named Beth and her daughter Charlotte. This book is about the sacrifice of a mother and a mother’s love that knows no bounds. It is a lovely romantic story with Christian values, although the Christian values are so cleverly entwined that you don’t even realize they are there. This is the first time Evans has written something with a heavy fantasy theme, and the reader won’t realize it is fantasy until toward the end, although the reader will probably figure out something supernatural is going on mid-way through the book.

I enjoyed this year’s offering. I usually enjoy his Christmas books, as well as his other books. I am glad a few years ago I picked up one of his books because I thought the cover was pretty and I was looking for a quick Christmas read. Since then I’ve been on my library page every July requesting his latest Christmas book to be stocked by Christmas. In the past, I’ve had to request, however, this year, I did not have to, they were on the ball. I suppose I’m not the only one who is requesting these, but I am usually in the first batch of recipients, therefore, I'm always reading this Christmas book in October. More Christmas books to follow, next month or December.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Ease of Read: Easy
Estimated Reading Time: 2 days