Karen's Book Nook

For the final book of the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge, I read A Christmas Promise by Anne Perry, on the final day of the challenge and of the year.

About the book (from the jacket) : Three days before Christmas, in the freezing slums of London’s East End, thirteen-year-old race Phipps encounters Minnie Maude Mudway, who is only eight, alone, and determined to find her friend Charlie.

However, Charlie is no ordinary companion: He is a donkey who belonged to Minnie Maude’s Uncle Alf. Gracie is shocked to learn that only the day before, someone brutally murdered Uncle Alf and made off with his rag-and-bones card and the beloved beast who pulled it….

My Thoughts:  This was one of those 5×7 quick Christmas books that I love to pick up and read in one day. I’m glad it was a tiny one though because had it been a long book, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. It was very thick with period correct dialogue and I actually found it distracting. While the story was ok, it was nothing earth shattering and was not the most enjoyable book for me to read with lines and lines of diction like this: “‘E’s a lyin’ git an; all, but that’s prob’ly true, cos’e'ad ter get ‘elp.” It’s do-able but slowed me down too much to really enjoy it. (Maybe I would have liked it more as an audio book…)

Rating 2/5

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans is re-read and one that I like to pick up when I’m looking for a short Christmas story. It’s also part of my Holiday Reading Challenge.

About the book: (from Amazon)  Richard Paul Evans originally wrote The Christmas Box as an expression of love for his two daughters, never intending for it to be published. Many Christmas seasons (and a rich publishing contract) later, this touching tale relates the meaning of Christmas in a profound but simple way. Rick, Keri, and their 4-year-old daughter, Jenna, are hired as caretakers and are welcomed into the home of Mary, an ailing widow, just in time for the holidays. Before long, it becomes apparent that Mary cherishes their companionship, and this young family begins to understand that their relationship to Mary is more special than any one of them could have realized. These tender relationships, fraught with real-life struggles, are the backdrop for unraveling a mysterious secret that gently propels the reader through this short story. Unlike most generic Christmas stories, Evans manages to bypass triviality, imbedding these pages with humble truth and emotion. This tiny treasure will cause you to rejoice in the blessings of the season while stirring up a childlike vigor as old profundity is revealed anew. In a season often shrouded in selfishness and materialism, Evans reminds the reader that the only way that we can genuinely love one another is by accepting the greatest gift of love ever given–that of a Father who “so loved His children that He sent His son, that we might someday return to Him.” –Jill Heatherly

My thoughts: I hadn’t initially intended to reread this story this year because I had a lot of books on my Holiday Challenge reading list but since I read the “story behind the story”, The Christmas Box Miracle, I picked it up again. This is the book that started it all off for Evans and I can see why it was passed around and around. Like his other work, it makes no attempt to hide his Christian values and it becomes part of the story. It’s the kind of story that makes you think and can bring a tear to your eye and makes you want to hug your kids extra tight.

Rating 4.5/5

Continuing on my Holiday Reading Challenge, I sat down with Wishin’ and Hopin‘ by one of my favorite authors Wally Lamb.

About the book:

It’s 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he’ll never forget.

LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone’s turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy.

Back in his beloved fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, with a new cast of endearing characters, Wally Lamb takes his readers straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School—where Mother Filomina’s word is law and goody-two-shoes Rosalie Twerski is sure to be minding everyone’s business. But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette, straight from QuÉbec, and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kabakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants, Wishin’ and Hopin’ barrels toward one outrageous Christmas.

From the Funicello family’s bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off),Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we’ve been—and how far we’ve come.

My thoughts: I LOVED this book and found some parts to be laugh out loud funny!  Right from the start, it hooked me in.. set in New England, growing up in the 60′s, going to Catholic school I could totally relate!  First, I love the feel of the 5×7 little Christmas Book and the fact that it’s usually a single sitting read (which it was!)  Second, I’m a nostalgic person and this brought me back in time to days of my youth. He totally captured the essence of  Felix’s life during that time period.  I think  WL is brilliant and is a master story teller.  This would make a cute movie and I hope he has a few more mini books in his head and on the way!

Rating 5/5

Starting another of my Holiday Challenge books, Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans.

About the book: There are stories, Christmas stories that are stored away like boxes of garlands and frosted glass ornaments, to be brought out and cherished each year. I’ve come to believe that my story is a Christmas story. For it has forever changed the way I see Christmas.” The Christmas season is supposed to be full of joy, but not for Mark Smart. Life had dealt him one body blow after another: he lost his scholarship and had to drop out of school; his beloved mother had died in a car crash; his girlfriend dumped him, and now, late on a snowy night in November, his car had broken down. Stumbling into a coffee house, he was looking for a phone to call a tow truck. What he found was a beautiful young woman with an unusual name who, through a simple act of kindness, changed his life forever. More here.

My thoughts: This was one of the few books by Evans that did not include supernatural miracles and was more realistic fiction. It was actually read by the author and it took me a minute or two to be sure that it was actually fiction and not partially about his own life. Nothing in the story was so out there that it couldn’t have happened. I liked the story of two strangers who helped each other and didn’t want it to end. (I would like to see a sequel some day. ) His books always put a smile of my face, and I love that they’re small enough to read quickly and allow me to devour as many as I can during the holiday season.

Rating 3.5/5

I got lucky to be the first on the waiting list at my library for the newest Kate Jacobs book, Knit the Season. It’s a sequel to Friday Night Knitting Club and Knit Two and since it’s a holiday book, the timing couldn’t be better! I’m including it in my Holiday Reading Challenge list (although I’ve already surpassed the 5 for the challenge.)

About the book: The members of the club enjoy the holidays from Thanksgiving through Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. The third book in The Friday Night Knitting Club series.

A new heartwarming novel from the #1 New York Times- bestselling author. (Amazon)

Knit the Season is a loving, moving, laugh-out-loud celebration of special times with friends and family. The story begins a year after the end of Knit Two, with Dakota Walker’s trip to spend the Christmas holidays with her Gran in Scotland-accompanied by her father, her grandparents, and her mother’s best friend, Catherine. Together, they share a trove of happy memories about Christmases past with Dakota’s mom, Georgia Walker-from Georgia’s childhood to her blissful time as a doting new mom. From Thanksgiving through Hanuk­kah and Christmas to New Year’s, Knit the Season is a novel about the richness of family bonds and the joys of friendship.

My thoughts: It took me awhile to have a chance to actually sit down and read this book and needed to start it over when I had the time to just do it when I had a good chunk of time. I always love books in a series as I like to revisit familiar characters. This one was no different and I really liked getting to know more about Georgia and her family through this book. It had lots of flashbacks and gave insight to what happened before  the FNKC formed.  I certainly hope that in some way the series keeps on going. It’s an easy read and one that anyone who enjoyed the previous books will enjoy.

Rating 3.5/5

Starting yet another book in the Holiday Reading Challenge and it’s by a classic Christmas story author, Richard Paul Evans. This one is The Gift and it’s an audio book.

About the book (From Richard) : Healing is the premise of my newest book, The Gift. Nathan Hurst meets Addison Park when they’re snowed in at the Denver airport. As Nathan is falling in love with this woman, he discovers her son’s gift of healing. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one. As Addison tries to protect her son, Nathan is drawn into the melee that unfolds. But there are things Addison doesn’t know about Nathan’s past….and her own son’s future. More here.

My Thoughts: While his books tend to be predictable and always are  feel-good stories, this one really stretched the limits in terms of being “out there”.  While I knew all along where it was going I enjoyed it just the same and had a hard time putting it down. When you read Evans you just get used to miracles and suspending your belief.  He always creates likable characters and you can’t help rooting for them. During this season of miracles and feel good stories, I can accept reading such a book.

Rating 3/5

Jumping over to a memoir in The Christmas Box Miracle by Richard Paul Evans for my next book in the Holiday Reading Challenge.

About the book: It has been six years since Richard Paul Evans’ debut novel, The Christmas Box, catapulted him out of obscurity and onto to the bestseller lists. Now, the international bestselling author reveals the tragedies, triumphs, and turning points that led to his initial publishing success. In his first work of nonfiction, Evans is also at his most intimate. “This book is about forces that move about us like wind – unseen, yet powerful enough at times to knock us over. And it’s about a little Christmas tale I wrote that was the result of such forces. Some call these forces divinity, others call them coincidence. Some just call them magic.” More here.

My thoughts: I particularly enjoy memoirs and find my attention span when reading them to be the best of any type of book that I read. I tend to fly through them and don’t get distracted. It was nice to hear the story behind the story of his first book and the struggles that he endured to get it published and “make it”.  I read this little book in one sitting and inspired me to check out and reread The Christmas Box. (It’s in my TBR pile again.) This book is an inspiration to anyone who follows their dreams and their heart. I warmed my heart and made me smile.  It also renewed my faith in mankind and in divine intervention. I loved it!

Rating 5/5

Starting my 3rd book in the Holiday Reading Challenge,  Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber. It takes place on Blossom Street but I don’t think it’s about any of the same characters that were in the rest of the series that I’ve met thus far.

About the book:Katherine O’Connor often spends her days at a cozy café on Blossom Street in Seattle–where she writes Christmas letters for other people. She’s good at making their everyday lives sound more interesting. More humorous. More dramatic.

But for Dr. Wynn Jeffries, who also frequents the café, Christmas means lies and deception. In fact, the renowned child psychologist recommends that parents “bury Santa under the sleigh.” Katherine, however, feels that his parenting philosophy is one big mistake–at least, based on her five-year-old twin nieces, who are being raised according to his “Free Child” methods.

My thoughts: This was a typical Debbie Macomber tame read. Hers are always happy ending, feel good, predictable reads and this was no different. I chose it because I’m making my way through all of her series. As in most romances of this sort, the characters initially don’t hit it off then you know what happens in the end. Even though hers are sweet, rated G reads, I still like her style for a feel good, curl up with some tea in front of the fire read.  I also like it when authors reference in “old friends” from the neighborhood even if it’s just in passing. It always makes me smile and feel that I’m in on something.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Starting the second book in my 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge, A Family Christmas by Caroline Kennedy. It’s an audio book version and I’ll be reading it while switching my decor from Fall to Christmas.

About the book: A Family Christmas Caroline shares the Christmas poetry, prose, scriptural readings, and lyrics that are most dear to her, drawing on authors as diverse as Harper Lee, Nikki Giovanni, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Collins, John and Yoko, and Charles Dickens. There are also many lesser-known gems throughout and personal treasures from her own family — including a young Caroline’s Christmas list to Santa Claus and a letter from her father as President to a child concerned about Santa’s well-being. This diverse and unique anthology will become a timeless keepsake, and will enrich your heart and mind with the spirit of Christmas.  More here.

My thoughts:  I read this via Audio Book and I think it added so much to it. It began with Caroline Kennedy talking about her Christmases as a child growing up and also gave quite a bit of history about the Christmas holiday, Santa Claus, traditions, and Christmases around the world. I honestly learned quite a bit about Christmas that I had never heard before. Then it went in to various essays, memoirs, stories, songs, and poems each read by different readers; some by the authors and some by actors. Once again, reading this via audio book added so much to it!  There’s something to be said for hearing stories from around the world and from different eras read in the voices that were intended.  Since it was a collection set up as an anthology there were natural breaks between stories which were identified by the unique reading styles and voices of the readers.

This will be one that I’ll likely read again and again.

Rating 4.5/5

Beginning my first book in the Holiday Reading Challenge.  It’s A Christmas Grace by Anne Perry. I’ve never read her before but wanted to start with audio books so I could be sure to have time to get through the challenge.

About the book: With Christmas approaching, Emily Radley, Charlotte’s sister is suddenly called from London to be with her dying aunt.  Alone, she makes the journey to Connemara, on the west coast of Ireland.  A tragic legacy haunts this close-knit community and a lone shipwreck survivor threatens to unlock old wounds, but also to offer a solution to an old crime and bring peace and resolution to the community.

My thoughts: This was my first holiday book for the season and it really didn’t have that much to do with Christmas other than Emily having to miss Christmas with her immediate family.  I had never read Anne Perry before and the book was ok and was a quick read.  It was enjoyable enough and was light reading. I always like to “read” books set in another country  and period as an audio book, especially if the reader has an accurate accent. I was able to be transported to the time and place and could picture the characters and settings. I would read her again.

Rating 3/5