Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

 

 Last Christmas in Paris | Gaynor, and Webb | Historical Fiction | 2017

We chose this book for our December book club read without anyone having read it. But the reviews were good and historical fiction is usually a good gamble.  It turns out that I would highly recommend this book!  It is a novel written mostly in letters during World War I in England and France. It starts in August of 1914 when Evie's brother Will and his best friend Thomas enlist in fighting in the war. They all talk about how they will get together at Christmas in Paris in celebration. They all believe it will be a short war and everyone will be safe and at home by Christmas. Of course, four Christmases pass before World War I does end.  

The book is written mostly in letters back and forth between the characters as they describe details about what they are doing on the war front and back at home. I found this so fascinating to just hear about some of the little details that were happening. The authors did a good job of showing how hopeful everyone is at the beginning and how difficult and hard it becomes. Evie is also a writer for the newspaper and so her articles are inserted into the text too. It might take a little bit to get into the pacing of this book.  There are no chapter divisions and you have to pay attention to who is writing to who and when it is happening.  Once you get the rhythm it is easy to read. 

This book is very romantic and hope-filled despite the sadness and discouragement it tells.  I was wondering if it would make a good movie and I think it would. I watched the movie, Tolkien on Netflix this week. It is the biographical story of J. R. R. Tolkien. In this movie, he enlists in WWI and the movie shows the horrors and difficulty of the war. It was a great movie to watch when I finished reading Last Christmas in Paris. I could imagine the book scenes even better.

This book is on my favorite books of the year list!  

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue | V. E. Schwab | Fantasy | 2020

When I picked this book for my Book of the Month choice, it sounded like it was a sure winner. I usually do some checking on Good Reads to see what people rated books and they were gushing about this one. Unfortunately, this was not a book for me.  

This is the story of a girl from the late 1600s who lives in a small village in France. She longs to see the world and have an adventure but instead is having to marry a widower and settle down as wife and mother to his small children. She feels this is the end of life for her.  She gets advice from an old woman in town that she could pray to the old gods to help her. She is warned to not ask a god after dark. So, on the day of the wedding, Addie runs away and begs the gods for mercy. The evening comes and a mysterious person comes and grants her wish with a provision.  He tells her she will be free but no one will ever remember her. Soon you realize that she has made a pact with the Devil. 

Addie finds that it is almost impossible to lead much of a life if no one remembers you.  She spins in circles and leads a pretty pitiful life but refuses to give in.  Eventually the timeline switches to 2014 in New York. Addie has learned how to survive and has picked up a lot of experiences, knowledge, and survival tactics.  One day she steals a book from a bookshop and when she returns it, the bookshop owner remembers her. This is new and Addie has to figure this  situation out and what it means.

About halfway through this book, I wanted to quit. But if I buy I book, I usually try and finish it. The writing is very lovely and some interesting scenes do happen. However, it was repetitive and a little boring to me. There was not a lot of hope and happiness to be had in this book. I kept hoping that she would figure out how to overcome and do better things. Maybe even change the world.  Yes, I like to hope in my reading.  The ending did not make up for anything either. So even though the writing is good, this story was not for me.  Lots of people are loving this book and so give it a try!

My 2020 Favorite Middle Grade Books!

5 Stars | When Stars are Scattered | Jamieson & Mohamed | 

Memoir & Graphic Novel | 2020 | Grades 3-7

When Stars are Scattered is my my favorite middle grade for 2020. When I finished reading it I purchased it for several people as gifts.  I plan on purchasing extra copies for my school library too.  It is a memoir and graphic novel about two orphaned Somali boys who are living in a refugee camp and looking at a future that doesn't sound hopeful. Omar is the oldest boy who takes care of his brother who is nonverbal and needs extra care. He realizes that his education may be the only way he can even hope for a better life.  This book depicts the everyday life of a refugee camp and the community that they live amongst.  Amazingly, Omar  and his brother have various people looking out for them and against much odds, they are able live a hopeful life. 

I hope kids embrace this book and love it. In my school we have so many kids with Somali connections as well as experiences as refugees.  Learning more about places and experiences outside of our city and country is so valuable. Since this book is a graphic novel it will be in a format that they are eager to read and so accessible.   

The following books are also my 2020 favorites and they are in no particular order.  I have links to my book reviews and videos.

The Giant Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill

Realistic Fiction | Set in Minneapolis | Growing Giant Pumpkins | Cello Playing | MN Author

The Miscalculations of Lighning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Realistic Fiction | Math Genius | Dog Adoptions | Middle School Story

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ghost Story | Historical Connections with Emmitt Till | Police Shooting

Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus

Historical Fiction | France | WWII | Resistant Efforts | MN Author

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell

Historical Fiction | Native Americans 

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser

Realstic Fiction | Family Story

White Bird by R. J. Palacio

Historical Fiction | Graphic Novel | WWII | Jewish

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Fantasy | Chimney Sweeps | Victorian England | Jewish

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamison and Omar Mohamed

Memoir | Graphic Novel | Refugee Camp

The Line Tender by Kate Allen

Realistic Fiction | Grief  | Sharks | MN Author

Winterfrost by Michelle Houts

Fantasy | Danish Nisse | Christmas 

 

The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot

 

3 Stars l The Last Sister l Kendra Elliott l Mystery l 2020

This is a mystery set in the winter in a small town along the Oregon coast and Columbia River. The main character, Emily Mills, is a restaurant owner who comes to check on her waitress who didn’t show up for her work shift. She discovers a double murder at her employee's home. The FBI special agent that is on the case quickly finds out that Emily's father was murdered in a similar fashion twenty years ago. Of course, this past mystery also gives the agent even more mystery to solve. Especially since one of Emily's sisters left town and has never been heard from again. 

There are some elements of a cozy mystery in that it is set in a small town and there a several quirky aunts and other town characters in the story. It has more thriller and violent elements than a cozy mystery would have. The FBI agents on the case have been in other mystery series of the author and so you get minimal character development since they not brand new characters. As a new reader to this author, I felt information about the FBI agents rather sparse. 

Overall, this was a fast paced and enjoyable read. I am not compelled to take up this series but this author might be perfect for someone who wants a little less cozy and more mystery in a series of books. 

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

This book came out in 2011 and is about the depression era packhorse librarian program started by Mrs. Roosevelt. I loved Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and so I had to go back and reread this book by Lynn Austin. You can always count on a Lynn Austin book to be good. I give this 4 stars! I enjoyed it again.

I think the message I received in this reading is that doing hard things is important for our growth and perspective in life. Sometimes funny or dramatic, and a mystery and romance as well. It is a clean read and I got it from my church library.

Libraries are essential for more than providing reading material. Connections are also essential. 

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alex E. Harrow

5 stars | The 10,000 Doors of January | Alix E. Harrow

This is a debut fantasy historical fiction novel that I will read again! It begins in the early 1900's with a young girl, January, who lives in a mansion full of archeological relics that have been curated by an eccentric rich man named Mr. Locke. January's father spends most of his time away searching for these relics and so January is taken care of by a governess and Mr. Locke. There are other stories and stories in books and all them intertwine. The idea of walking through a hidden doorway and being transported to another place is the main fantastical element that hinges each storyline together.

The writing of this book is beautiful, the characters are quirky and interesting and it also has an exciting plot and it concludes with a big ending. It is just a great read!

I started reading this book one evening this winter but I was sleepy and ended up putting it aside. Reading it this summer on vacation... it became a page turner that I couldn't put down. Lesson learned...give books a second chance. I loved this book and will keep it to reread. 5 stars!

 

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

4 stars | The Last Flight | Julie Clark | June 2020

Claire is married to a man who is from a rich and famous political family and he also has major political goals for his life. However, he is cruel and physically and emotionally abusive. Claire carefully plans an escape for months but her plans go awry and she feels the dread of her future as she is sent to Puerto Rico instead of her original planned itinerary. At the airport to go to Puerto Rico, Eva, our second character, who is running away from danger, approaches Claire and convinces her to trade tickets. They look alike and could easily trade identification. Claire agrees and heads to Oakland. When she gets off the plane, she discovers that the flight she was supposed to be on to Puerto Rico has crashed with no survivors. Claire proceeds to step into Eva's life since they also traded keys and wallets. Of course, you realize that this is probably not safe! The story is told from alternating view points of the two women and with different time lines.

I typically don't pick up thrillers but this sounded intriguing. It wasn't so intense that I couldn't sleep...but I also could not put it down! The women in these stories are enslaved to lives they desperately want to change but it is almost impossible for them to find their own happiness and yet they try anyway. I really liked this book and rated it 4 stars. It was a great vacation read. .

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas

 

5 stars | Westering Women | Sandra Dallas | 2020

The wagon train in this novel is headed to California and is made up of single or widowed women looking for husbands at the end of the 2,000 mile trail. It is full of adventure, drama, heartbreak, and sisterhood and just a great story. I actually listened to this book from Audible and the narrator was fantastic. I was very audible myself as I gasped, laughed or exclaimed while listening. I was very invested! I have read other Sandra Dallas books and have enjoyed them...but it had been awhile. I may need to check out other books I have missed.

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

 The Book of Longings | Sue Monk Kidd | 2020

I was a little fearful reading this book because it is imagining that Jesus was married as a young man to Ana. I was hoping it wouldn't be irreverent. The author did extensive research on the culture and history of the first century and was careful to respectfully write this non-traditional story about the humanity of Jesus during his years when we know little about his life. It was well done! Read the author's notes in the back when you get started reading to find out Kidd's thought process for writing this project. 

The book is a story about his wife and how, as a woman at this time period, she has few rights and means to follow her dreams and longings. She is a writer who was raised in a wealthy home and was given some opportunities that were not typical. But she could never be independent and follow her own will. When an arranged marriage goes array, Ana finds herself in a predicament that could mean her death. Jesus, who she has briefly met, saves her and a relationship and marriage develops quickly. The story takes us through their marriage until the crucifixion of Jesus and what happens to Ana in her later life. 

Experiencing the lifestyle of 1st century Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Alexandra, Egypt in both the wealthy and poor communities is one of my favorite things about this book. The author describes the scenery, food, clothing, smells, cities and homes with lots of details to help the reader see and feel this era. I was glad I read this as an eBook because I also looked up quite a few unfamiliar words for further definitions. The author shows us Jesus' perspective as he begins to see he is destined for ministry and how that plays out in the Gospels. You may not agree with every detail in this book, but overall, Sue Monk Kidd was successful in looking at the question...what if Jesus was married?

I don't know what to read next...this was really quite a rich experience that gave me plenty to think about. I may be rereading this book someday. 

The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix

Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler | John Hendrix | Grade 5 - 9 | 175 pages | 2018

This is a memoir about the Lutheran pastor from Germany who wrestled with what to do about the horrific acts of Adolf Hitler and decided to join the resistance as a spy. This group of men planned to assassinate Hitler because they believed it was the only way to stop him. Not only do you learn about Bonheffer's life, but the author also details the rise of Hitler and the politics of the day.  

I recommend this book for high school and adults as well. It is a graphic novel but not a funny comic book. The illustrations are interesting...sometimes it even looks like you could put on 3D glasses and have more dimension to the art. The art has a political cartoon look. I did have to find some reader glasses to read this book even though I usually don't need them! The print is tiny at times and the black type is sometimes over a dark color resulting in less contrast. 

I would assign this book to students or adults to help understand the complexities of World War II. It also explores faith, moral struggles, integrity, and sacrifice. This true story is a must read! 

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

5 stars | Orphan Train | Christina Baker Kline | 2014

This is a historical fiction novel about the life of a young Irish immigrant girl who is orphaned and sent on the orphan train in order to find a family. She endures hardship but is resilient and survives despite her harrowing experiences. The story moves back and forth between current day and the past.

I couldn't put this book down...it was a compelling read. Part of the book is set in Minnesota which added to my interest. The author found historical records of her husband's family when she was visiting and was able to write this book from that inspiration. This dramatic and inspirational story is my favorite kind of book! Kline has a new book coming out this August that I don't want to miss! It is called The Exiles.

 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

5 stars | The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek | Kim Michele Richardson

This is my 3rd packhorse librarian story this year...and I loved this one too! This one features a rare and inherited blood condition which makes the skin blue. People who were blue were treated socially as black. If you take a certain type of medication, your skin will lighten and pink up. Sounds Sci-fi but this book is based on a real condition.

I just loved this historical romance and also shed a few tears as well.

Read these two books for more packhorse library fiction!

Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

My 2020 Favorite Books! (Adult Reads)

It is time to look at my reading year and declare my favorites!  I had a lot of 4's and 5's this year. I read about 130  books. When I looked at my reading log, I realized that my 4 and 5 ratings may have evolved over the year. Sometimes in the year I was more stingy with my ratings than others. Sometimes I enjoyed a book and yet knew it wasn't as excellent as other reads and yet at the time it was so enjoyable. 

I love a book that I don't want to put down or have to talk myself into reading. Or the the dreaded...how many more pages do I have left?  My favorite books are the ones that I want to put in my bag and take to work in case I have time to read.  Of course, I never find time to read for myself at school! But I will wake up early and read. 

So my favorite book was The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. But it was practically a tie with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson. They are both about Appalachian pack horse librarians in the 1930's.  I also loved Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin which was also about the same topic.  It was a reread for me this year and I rarely do that but I wanted to compare all three books.  It was just as much fun the second time around. This book has more comedy in it.  I guess I do forget what happens in novels. Not sure why I don't reread more than I do. Another book came out this fall that is also about an Appalachian librarian. It is called Librarian of Boone's Hollow.  It is a Christian Historical Fiction book which I plan on reading soon. 

I loved these stories because they are about women who find their strength, despite their doubts, and are able to survive and help others as they reach poor and underserved people with education, books, and a lending hand. They are women with determination despite lots of obstacles and hardship.

Books about Appalachian Pack Horse Librarians

Here are the rest of my favorites.  I would glady buy all of these and place them into your libraries! Instead of another summary, I will just give you the genre and a few subject headings. You already know I like them! Search in my blog for a review that I already wrote earlier this year. 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Historical Fiction and Romance | Appalachian Librarian | Blue People and Racism | 

Orphan Train by Christine Baker Kline

Historical Fiction | Orphan Train | Dual Timeline

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Historical Fiction and Romance | Epistalory | World War I | England | Dual Timeline | Book Club Choice

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow

Fantasy and Historical Fiction | Coming of Age | Folktales

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Contemporary Fiction and Romance | Woman Firefighter

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

Contemporary Fiction and Romance | School Librarian | Galveston Island 

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

Contemporary Fiction and Romance | Accident | Rehab 

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Historial Fiction | Jewish Women | Wife of Jesus | Nazareth | Writer

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Thriller | Abusive Relationship | Drug Dealing | Runaways

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

Murder Mystery | Australia | Family Secrets

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

Biography | Graphic Novel | World War II 

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas

Historical Fiction | Wagon Train of Women | Listened on Audio

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

Contemporary Fiction | Nigeria | Indentured Servant | Book Club Choice

Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

4 Stars | Christmas at Little Beach Bakery | Jenny Colgan | 2017

Polly lives on a small Cornish Island called Mount Polbearne. It is based on a real island village called St. Michael's Mount. It is a tidal island which means you can't access it at times by foot or car when the tide is high. Check out the map below to see where Cornwall County is located in England. 

Polly runs a bakery on the island and lives in a drafty old lighthouse with her American boyfriend Huckle and a pet puffin. She has been very busy all summer keeping her business afloat and is looking forward to sharing a quiet holiday with Huckle. However, her best friend and her ultra-rich and egocentric husband need her to help cater food for their Christmas guests. Reluctantly, she agrees, but they encounter some bad weather and other problems to make the quiet holiday turn into lots of drama.  This book feels like a situational comedy that takes place in an exotic and quirky location. Just what I was looking for! 

The first book in this series is called Little Beach Street Bakery. I have not read the second one which is set during the summer. I was able to get up to speed when I read this Christmas one.  I think it would be a good idea to read at least the first one before you read this Christmas one!

The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin

The Queen of Hearts | Kimmery Martin | 2018

Set in Charlotte, North Carolina, best friends Zadie and Emma are doctors who encounter a former medical school colleague who causes them to unearth lots of past history and secrets. This book is a medical drama and a book about friendship. There is a bit of comedy sprinkled throughout which can make you laugh out loud. And since it is a medical drama, expect some heartbreak.

I have been missing my medical dramas this fall on TV. This book fit the bill nicely! I will be on the look out for more from this author. The cover is really gorgeous too!

The Girl with the Loading Voice by Abi Dare

The Girl with the Louding Voice | Abi Dare | 2020

Adunni is a fourteen year old Nigerian girl living in contemporary times in a rural village. Despite her mother getting her husband to promise to help Adunni get an education on her deathbed, he marries her off instead. Adunni is now forced to live with a much older man and his other wives and children. Through all of her misfortune she is determined to accomplish something more. After escaping her horrible marriage she lands herself in a slave trafficking situation where she is a maid with no hope of payment. She meets some very helpful people along the way and Adunni manages to find hope in her hopeless life. Education and becoming a teacher is her calling and despite how little she has or knows, she makes the very best of her opportunities.

The one thing that is so interesting about this book is how you can watch her progression in her education by her speech in the book. Her very poor speech begins to gradually get better as she grows and learns. Adunni is also amazingly positive despite her troubles and doesn't fall apart in the tough times.

I feel like this book ended well but is begging for a sequel! I think she has more story to tell. I have to admit...I went down a rabbit trail of learning about Nigeria on the internet. A great book to learn more about our world. My book club read this one and we really liked it!

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

What You Wish For | Katherine Center | 2020

This romantic comedy is about an elementary librarian who works in a private school in Galveston, Texas. She has to deal with a new principal who is trying to turn the place into a prison with all his safety measures. Samantha used to know him in her past teaching job where he was a joyful, extroverted and greatly loved teacher. She had a huge crush on him then. Now, as there paths cross again, Samantha wonders what happened to Duncan Carpenter to make him change so much.

Samantha deals with her own anxiety and also suffers from epilepsy. She has learned to live a life a joy despite her difficulties. She wonders if she can help Duncan do the same. She gets assistance from colleagues at school and lots of funny hijinks occur!

This book has a bit more comedy than the last two I read....yet there are serious issues included so it is not all fluffy! I liked reading about a school and especially about a librarian which rang true to the job. Galveston sounds like a dreamy island community and made it an interesting setting. Another good Katherine Center book.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

How To Walk Away | Katherine Center | 2018

Maggie has finished grad school, landed a great job, bought a condo, and is anticipating an marriage proposal. However, her plans are shut down after an accident which puts her into intense rehab.

I have decided that this book is definitely a romantic comedy despite being set mostly in a hospital and dealing with some major disappointing life obstacles. I thought it was funny and reminded me that joy and love can be found in even some dark times.

This is my third Katherine Center book and I have enjoyed each one! She is my new favorite author.

The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan

The Christmas Surprise | Jenny Colgan | 2014

I enjoyed being back in the town of Lipton and with Rosie Hopkins and her boyfriend as they navigate the disappointments and happiness of starting a family.  Part of the plot takes us to Africa where something life-changing happens to them.  There is a lot of comedy in this story despite a few plot points that were heartbreaking. I like a small-town life story and this one was very enjoyable. 

Click on this link to hear about Christmas at Rosie Hopkin's Sweetshop. 

The Paradise series by Elin Hilderbrand

 

Winter in Paradise | Elin Hilderbrand | 2018

What Happens In Paradise | Elin Hilderbrand | 2019

Troubles in Paradise | Elin Hilderbrand | 2020

This series surprised me and I really enjoyed the characters and the setting of St. John's Island. It starts out with a plane crash and Irene Steele of Iowa discovering that her husband has died along with the pilot and a woman. She heads to St. John's and discovers that her husband was leading a double life with a family in the islands. The two grown Steele sons, Baker and Cash, also venture down to the island where they begin to unravel secrets as well as begin to make their own attachments to the lifestyle of the Caribbean. The entire family falls in love with St. John's Island and makes plans to live there.

This series is like a soap opera set in St. John. There is an entire cast of characters with secrets, problems, love, and various entanglements. It is a mystery, a romance, and a great escape. It is a great winter read, especially, if you can't get to a warm location yourself.

Three Book of the Month books - All 3 Stars

 

The last three books I read were Book of the Month books. This is a monthly book subscription service that several of my friends have subscribed to. I borrowed two of these books from them. This makes it really fun when we can trade books.

The books were 3 Star books...meaning that I completely read them and enjoyed parts of them but they are not going to be put on my really liked or loved shelf of books. However, they may be a perfect read for someone else.

In a Holidaze | Christina Lauren | 2020 | 304 pages | Romantic Comedy

Maelyn is in her mid-twenties and is spending a Christmas holiday with family and friends at a cabin which they do every year. She has a crush on one of the men who she has grown up with but has never talked about it with him. As she leaves from the stay at the cabin, she wishes that she could know what would make her happy. It turns out she gets to repeat the entire gathering again and again until she finally figures out what will make her happy in life. 

This book is light and fluffy and the time travel plot is a little strange with no clear reasons for why it happens. It takes a while to keep track of the characters at the beginning. You are dropped into a lot of family and friend history that you have to sort out. It has a little salty language and some open door steamy situations to be aware of. It is not a squeaky clean romance, so stay away if that is not for you. I think this book has a little too much young adult angst problems for me.  I did finish this book and was compelled to find out what happens so it does have an entertainment factor going for it. I have tried several Christina Lauren books in the past from my public library and have always abandoned them.  I know I finished this book because I bought the book! I think this author just isn't for me. 

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird | Josie Silver | 368 pages | Romance

The story begins with Lydia Bird having to face the tragic and fatal car accident of her fiancé. Of course, this is devastating. She gets some sleeping pills from her doctor to help her sleep. When she takes them, she finds that she is transported into an alternate reality where her boyfriend is alive and seems to be in technicolor and real. Lydia or the reader is never quite sure how this works and if it is all imagination or a new world situation.  

The story continues with Lydia sleeping in order to live in a world where this death never happened. This continues throughout most of the book. I was starting to wonder when something would happen.  It felt rather sad and I ended up reading it pretty slowly and always hoping something more would happen in the plot.  This book is set in England and I like to look for those English cultural details in what they eat or how they do things. The plot finally picks up at the end but overall I was a little bored by this story.  

The Beauty in Breaking | Michelle Harper | 280 pages | Memoir

Michelle Harper is an emergency room doctor who writes about her life from childhood to the present. She focuses on her abusive family situation growing up and how the experiences she had affected her psychologically as she matured.  She also writes about being an African American woman and doctor in the medical field and how both things were sometimes hindrances in being able to get the positions and jobs she wanted. 

I loved the stories about the emergency room and the people she encountered. These stories are always fascinating to me. Harper usually delved into a lot of counseling and psychological ponderings as she explained her feelings and perhaps the situations of her patients.  One patient told her she should have been a counselor.  I was thinking the same thing.  Sometimes I just could not connect with her descriptions of her inner thoughts and had to do some skipping.  Harper is smart and writes really well. I would reread many of her sentences just because they were so lovely.  Overall it was a quick read but I got bogged down in the psychology.  

Winterfrost by Michelle Houts

 

Winterfrost | Michelle Houts | 2014 | 4 Stars | Grades 3-5 | 4 Stars

I enjoyed this middle grade story about a nisse from Denmark.  Nisse sounds like nissa.  I had to do a little research about the pronunciation since there wasn’t a clue in the book.  Apparently, nisses are  Danish gnome-like creatures who live in barns or houses and helps out the farmer or family in unseen ways.  Swedish people call them tomtens.  The Finnish people call them tonttus.  On Christmas eve the custom is to put a bowl of rice porridge in the barn for the nisse.  In the morning, kids like to check and see if the bowl is empty!  This is proof that you have a nisse in your barn. 

In this story, Bettina is left alone with her baby sister while her parents have to rush off on Christmas Eve because of some emergencies.  In their haste, they forget to set out the rice porridge.  The nisse is not happy and does some trickery. He actually takes the baby while she is napping.  Bettina is horrified to discover that baby Pia is missing on her watch and so she goes searching.  Meanwhile, the winterfrost has arrived in the forest and everything is coated with a beautiful sheet of ice. It is said that this is the time that magical things can happen. And so, as Bettina goes searching for her sister, she falls into the tiny and magical world of the nisse.  

I love this story for a holiday read-aloud but it is also a cozy read for anytime and is based on Scandinavian folklore. I really enjoyed reading this book. 

 

Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard

 

This is another novella that I listened to while crafting. I kept listening and ended up staying up pretty late in order to finish it. It is not your typical Christmas story with lots of festivities. It is the story of a mother who finds out that the migraine she is suffering from is very serious. She is told to draw her family close as she spends the little time she has left with them one Christmas eve.  This is a reminder that in a season of joy there is also sadness for others. It makes you think about what is treasured and important.   I really enjoyed this audible version of the book. 

Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland

 

Unwrapping Christmas | Lori Copeland | 2007 

This novella was a sweet little story of a woman in Minnesota who gets over her head in helping others and getting ready for Christmas. When she realizes that something has to change, something happens and  she is forced to slow down and change.  

I listened to this book as I was doing crafts.  It always makes me smile when narrators use the Minnesota accent.  At the end of the story, the author includes an inspirational essay about finding balance in our lives and seeking God's best for our lives. I enjoyed this story as an audio book. 

Christmas on the Island | Christmas at the Island Hotel | Jenny Colgan

The setting is a small and remote Scottish Island where Christmas time brings cold weather and isolation after a busy summer of tourists.   Flora is the main character who runs the local restaurant. She has moved back home and has discovered a new career running a restaurant and being a part of her family and community again.  Family, friends, and neighbors make up the rest of the quirky and endearing characters in this book. I found the tone of this book to be less of a comedy and the plotlines were serious and sometimes very sad.  However, I love books about small communities where many people make up the storylines. 

Another year and another Christmas brings the reader back to the Scottish Island of Mure. This Christmas Flora is involved and getting a hotel owned by her brother open for Christmas.  This time you can expect lots of comedy and heartwarming plotlines.  It was fun to be back in the island village. 

I liked this series because small-town stories are my favorite books.

 Here is the Mure series list: