On Christmas Eve

By Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

From the book jacket:

“Lucy and Charlie’s relationship has been on the rocks. With the newfound confidence that comes with her nursing career, Lucy realizes she doesn’t need to put up with Charlie’s nonsense anymore. But just as she’s about to call it quits, a lost-looking teenager crosses her path. … Seeing that the girl is sick and alone, Lucy takes her in despite Charlie’s protests.

Betty is a busy woman, but with a grown son embarking on his own life, and an ex-husband starting a new family, she realizes she’s been too busy to find a life partner of her own. That is until Santa bears an unexpected gift at the Rotary Club’s Christmas party: himself. … Has the holiday cheer gone to her head, or is she really attracted to a struggling magazine writer who plays dress-up?”

I hadn’t read any of the Cape Light novels before, so this was a good opportunity to try one. The authors made the book interesting and even though it was full novel length, it was a fast read during this busy time of year.

Although I could tell who was writing which part of the book, I still enjoyed it and the cover is gorgeous with one of Thomas Kinkade’s lovely paintings.

This book is really two stories in one and both are fun reads. However, they don’t really seem to connect, so I wish the authors would have written them as separate books. That took a bit away from the book as I kept waiting to see how they would blend together.

And that’s why I gave this novel only 4 books instead of 5, which would have put it on the list of one of my favorite holiday reads. Still, it’s well worth your time to pick this one up or choose it for a gift this Christmas.

Inspirations

By Paulo Coelho

From the back of the book:

“Paulo Coelho is one of the world’s best-loved storytellers, bringing joy and wisdom to millions. In this collection of extracts that he has specially selected from classic books, Paulo explores the emotions and reflections in works as diverse as The Art of War, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Frankenstein, and takes us by the hand on a wonderful journey of discovery with Alice through the Looking Glass; danger with Dracula’s human pet; and thrills with Jekyll and Hyde in nineteenth-century London."

Although this isn’t a holiday book, what better time is there to reflect on life than during the Christmas season? And that’s exactly what Paulo Coelho does in this book, which is arranged in four sections – water, earth, air and fire – to echo the four elements of the Ancients.

Coelho takes an in depth look at each element, then finds stories, tales, poems, etc., to demonstrate the meaning of them. He shows us how each teaches us specific lessons we can use to gain insight into life, love and truth.

Whether you agree with his interpretations or not, you can always use his book as a guideline for designing your own journal of “Inspirations.” Think about some of the books you’ve read and how they affected you. Then take those feelings and use them to reflect on the purpose of your own life.

You might be surprised at what you discover.

The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus blog tour

By Tim Slover

Welcome to the final day of the Pump Up Your Book blog tour for The Christmas Chronicles. I really enjoy working with these folks and plan to do more reviews for them in the future, so keep a watch out for those. If you follow my blog, you won't miss the reviews for the great books they promote, or those from the other companies I review for, either.

So, let's get started ...

From the back of the book:

“The magic begins in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas – and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.”

I love the way the author approaches the writing of this book. In the story, the main character finds a book that is basically the biography of Santa, written by someone who is apparently close to the jolly man. After reading the Green Book, he is given the task of sharing the story with the world.

Thus begins “The Christmas Chronicles” and we learn a lot about Santa – how he started his career of bringing joy to boys and girls, how he met Mrs. Klaus, how he got the reindeer and the sleigh and more. It’s a delightful tale that is sure to renew your faith in the holiday.

The edition I read was an advanced reader copy, so it may have changed a bit before final print. I hope not much, though, as this is such a great story, I’d hate to see it altered.

Also, the ARC has a different cover than you see here. Instead of the winter scene, it just had a picture of Santa on it. My little grandson, who is just 21 months old, loves the picture and would constantly point to it and say, “Santa.” So, that added to the fun I had reading this book.

If you are looking for a book to add to your holiday reading, check out “The Christmas Chronicles.” You can purchase it here.

Historic Photos of Christmas in Chicago

Text and captions by Rosemary K. Adams

From the book jacket:

“In Chicago, as wherever Christmas is celebrated, holiday traditions reflect both universal themes and local color, both the spirit of giving and snow-covered State Street. In 1913, Chicago decorated its first civic Christmas tree, while many others arrived on the fabled “Christmas tree ships” of the era. Holiday shoppers crowded the sidewalks in front of stores such as Marshall Field & Company, Santa Claus held the rapt gaze of children, and churches and charities reached out to the needy. So Christmas was then, and so it has remained.”

This fascinating book contains almost 200 photos of the Christmas season as seen through the historic celebrations in Chicago. It certainly takes me back to the days of my childhood, when downtown Akron, Ohio, was a joy to visit. Store windows were decorated with animated characters, while busy shoppers hustled about looking for the perfect gift. And Santa was sure to be on hand to greet young and old.

Yes, looking through these wonderful pictures indeed brings back fond memories. It was a different era. Special gifts were found in the classic department stores, not malls and chain (box) stores. You relished the idea of spending the day walking the streets and smiling at passersby who were on similar missions.

There is such a great mixture in this book – storefronts, houses, portraits, card collections, office buildings, skyscrapers and more. I know you’ll have fun with this book.

Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol pop-up book

By Chuck Fischer

From the back of the book:

“A Christmas Carol: A Pop-Up Book invites you to experience Dickens’s beloved tale in an entirely new way. With an animated Scrooge, a towering Ghost of Christmas Future in a bone-chilling graveyard, and finely crafted Victorian tableaux, every spread will delight and dazzle.”

I was amazed at the intricacy that went into creating this mesmerizing book. The author has created a variety of pop-up books that use his wonderful talent as an artist and an editor. Each page is accompanied by a little companion booklet that explains the scene you are looking at.

The first booklet tells the reader about Charles Dickens and why A Christmas Carol has had such a wide appeal to audiences throughout the years. Each subsequent book takes you on the journey faced by Ebenezer Scrooge.

I really loved this book, but I found a couple pages difficult to close and I worried I might tear the pop-ups. 

This is a wonderful addition to my Christmas book collection, as well as my yearly decorations. Just lovely! 

The Paper Bag Christmas

By Kevin Alan Milne

From the book jacket:

“When Molar Alan and his older brother, Aaron, fill out their Christmas wish lists front and back, the Santa at the mall informs the boys they won’t be getting anything they asked for. Instead, he says, they will receive everything they never wanted. This isn’t your garden-variety Santa, he’s Dr. Chris Ringle, a pediatric oncologist, and he enlists the brothers as Santa’s elves at the children’s ward for the holidays.”

The two boys in this story find themselves having to volunteer at the cancer wing of the local children’s hospital where they encounter issues they haven’t faced yet in their young lives. As they meet the kids who may or may not survive their illnesses, they learn some key lessons about what’s important in life.

I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. It’s rare that someone can take this sensitive a topic and turn it into a positive read.

The story is absolutely charming and well worth taking the time to read it. I know I’m glad I did!