CINDER / Marissa Meyer / 390 pages

CINDER is a retelling of the classic fairy tale but it is definitely NOT the “Cinderella” you might remember from your childhood OR from the landmark animated film. It is Meyer’s debut novel and has all the relevant elements of the original fairy tale: a teenage girl trying to find herself, an 'evil' stepmother and two step-sisters, a (sort of) missing ‘shoe’, a not-to-be-missed royal ball, and a prince with no clue about who (or what) the main character really is. But the story has a science fiction edge, taking place on a futuristic Earth more than 100 years after a devastating World War IV and has Cinder dealing with not only prejudice but also a deadly plague, and interplanetary politics.

The title character, Cinder, is a 16-year old mechanic who lives in New Beijing, capitol city of the Asian Commonwealth. She also happens to be a cyborg which makes her a second-class citizen in the eyes of everyone else including her step-mother Audrey who has two daughters of her own. Audrey is the widow of Garan, the scientist who adopted Cinder as a child after 'repairing' her but she sees Cinder only as a source of income, not as a member of the family.

The story also deals with Prince Kai, the future ruler of the Commonwealth and Cinder's romantic interest. They meet one day when Kai asks her to fix a family android that he needs repaired before the upcoming royal ball; it contains vital information he needs as soon as possible. Although Kai appears interested in her and Cinder is attracted to him, she is sure he would reject her if he learned she is a cyborg -- so she doesn't tell him. Kai is worried about the incurable plague which has been killing his people for years and now threatens the life of his father, the Emperor. And as the heir, he must now deal with his nation's dire economic and political situation, especially the ruthless and powerful Queen, Levana of Luna who is determined to marry Kai.

I wanted to listen to the book and was given access by the publisher to an advance digital audio copy to review before the January 3rd release. The narrator, Rebecca Soler provides Cinder with an appropriate young voice and gives distinctive voices to the other characters with her fully-voiced reading. And although CINDER is marketed for a Teen audience, I think many adults would enjoy the book and/or audio even if they, like me, discover the mystery of Cinder's background early on in the story.

A view-alike might be the current ABC fantasy television series "Once Upon a Time." According to the publisher, CINDER is the first of four books in The Lunar Chronicles; a futuristic series which will continue with alternate versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.

The Power of Six/Pittacus Lore/406 pgs.

The Power of Six picks up where I Am Number Four left off. John Smith (a.k.a Four), Sam, and Six barely escaped death in Paradise, Ohio. They are on the run, and are trying to find the remaining six of nine aliens to help in the forthcoming invasion. Marina (Number Seven) has been hiding out in an orphanage in Spain, but realizes that the Magadorians (the bad guys) are getting closer. There is action, betrayal, and pure entertainment! I'm looking forward to the next installation.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation / Lauren Willig / 388 pages

This was a fun romance novel set in 1805 in France when Napoleon was in power. It is not heavy on history or accurate details, but has great banter between Amy and Richard (the purple gentian). If you like a fun romance set in a time period, this one is good. If details bother you such as Amy entering a secret, closed off room without a candle and being able to see (it would be dark), then this book will drive you crazy.

It was the author's first book and apparently sold well enough as she has several sequels. I listened to the audio of this and it was quite interesting and I love English and French accents. (a couple parts you don't really want to hear in company--it is a romance)

She did use the device of having a present day character who is a graduate student researching the material behind the "pink carnation". This did not really work for me. It was a parallel story which was unrealistic (she is just allowed to take the historical letters that should be archived to her apartment to read by the lady she has just met) and the parallel will be no doubt a romance with a descendent of Richard Selwick. I would have rather just had a straight novel about the purple gentian and pink carnation and those historical romance characters. On the whole, interesting book.

Perfect Chemistry / Simone Ekeles / 360 pages

Rich white girl, poor Latino boy, gangs, love -- hey-is it West Side Story? This time it is in a north suburb of Chicago. I kept trying to guess which one had million dollar homes on Lake Michigan and shared a high school with a poor, gang-infested Mexican neighborhood. Just couldn't see it.

So I just suspended my doubts and went with the story of perfect blond pom pom girl Brittany and unwilling gang-banger Alex who meet in chemistry class.

The chapters alternate between the two characters stories and it becomes pretty engrossing despite the unrealistic features in the story. This author won author of the year from the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She gives Brittany a disabled sister and distant parents who expect perfection which makes her much more likeable than her surface image. Alex is just trying to stay a step ahead of the gang troubles and keep his brothers out of any gang activity. It's good enough that I'll read the next book, but not enough that I'd give it 5 stars.

A Stolen Season/ Steve Hamilton/ 290 pages

This the first Alex McKnight novel I've read and it was pretty good. Hamilton does a great job of making you feel like you are there in the upper Michigan peninsula...people are shivering in July. Alex is an interesting character and his guy friends are there to help him and he watches out for them. Will I read any more Alex McKnight books...possibly.

Christmas Redemption / Patsy Jager / 196 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

As a young man Van tried desparately to get his father's attention. He foolishly participated in a robbery as a lookout. Unfortunately, an innocent man was killed in the robbery. Van was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In prison he learned to make boots. He has returned to his hometown 12 years after the robbery. He hopes to open a boot store, make amends with his father, and apologize to the family of the man killed in the robbery. On his first day in town he rescues Tess. the daughter of the slain man, from a job in the saloon. She desires to be a teacher and begins helping Van clean his newly purchased store and her squatter home. What interest does the judge who sentenced Van have in the robbery and Tess's family?

Chesapeake Shores Christmas / Sherryl Woods / 271 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Mick and Megan O'Brien are planning a New Year's Eve wedding.  They were married once before, had 4 children who are now grown, and were divorced.  Most of the kids are happy about their parents getting back together - except for Connor, who was driven to become a divorce attorney after what he  viewed as his mother's abandonment.  Connor want Megan to sign a prenuptial agreement to protect his dad in the event that Megan decides to leave again.  His refusal to accept his mom back into the family causes Mick to banish him.  Will his estrangement drive a wedge in the wedding plans?

Christmas with Tucker / Gregory Kinkaid / 180 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

It is Christmas, 1962 and one of the worst snow and ice storms to hit Kansas has knocked out utilities and emergency services.  Bo McCray and his wife do not need additional grief.  Bo, the county road maintainer whose job it is to keep ihe roads clean, is already having difficulty coping with the death of his son, John.  John's 13 year old son, George, stayed behind on the family farm when his mom and sisters moved.  He, too, is struggling with his dad's death.  When a neighbor does a stint in the county jail and his dog, Tucker, comes to live with the McCrays, George begins to deal with his grief and to take steps to become a man.

Skipping Christmas / John Grisham / 177 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

For the first time in 23 years, Luther and Nora Crank will be celebrating Christmas without their daughter Blair.  At 23, she has finished her master's degree and signed on for a stint in the Peace Corps in Peru.  Luther suggests that they skip Christmas this year.  They won't buy gifts, spend hours shopping for gifts and food, and avoid the aggravation of preparation.  Instead they will take a cruise to the Caribbean for 10 days.  It will cost $3000, saving them $3000 over the $6000 they spent last year for Christmas.  They had no idea how hard skipping Christmas would be.  This book is great, hilarious  holiday entertainment.

The Christmas Promise / Donna Van Liere / 215 pages / Winter HolidayThemed Book

Chaz takes a job as a security officer at Wilson's Department Store.  When he is told all security officers be finger printed, he devises a scheme to intercept the results of the ID screen before it reaches the store.  Why he does and his real identity are revealed at the end of the story when Miss Glori no longer places a card in an envelope on her Christmas tree, and her difficult neighbor, Miriam, learns the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love.

A Christmas to Remember / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 248 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

The citizens of Cape Light are getting ready to celebrate another holiday season.  Sara and Luke decide to end their year long engagement in a manner which upsets the family matriarch, Lillian Warwick.  Lillian takes a tumble down the attic stairs, breaks several bones, and is confined to a wheel chair.  Her thoughts drift back to the holiday season of 1955 when she met Oliver Warwick - the dashing dandy who would become her husband.  This is an enjoyable read, but I liked it least of the Cape Light novels.

A Christmas Blizzard / Garrison Keiller / 336 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

James and Joyce Sparrow live in a 10 room apartment on the 55th floor in Chicago.  James dreads Christmas but Joyce is eagerly awaiting its arrival and adoring its preparations. Unfortunately she comes down with stomach flu.  James receives a call from his hometown, Looseleaf, North  Dakota, causing him to fly into the teeth of a blizzard to see his dying Uncle Earl.  Stranded by the storm, he lives in a fishing shack where he encounters several unique messengers who teach him the great mysteries of life.

The Next Always / Nora Roberts / 341 pages

This is book one on the Inn Boonsboro trilogy.  New York Times bestselling author, Nora Roberts, who has written 190 books under her own name and 34 under the name J. D. Robb, has once again written a captivating read.  Set in the author's own bed and breakfast, we are introduced to the Montgomery brothers - Beckett, Ryder, and Owen - and their mother.  The Montgomery's are rehabbing an historic old inn and bringing it back to its former glory.  Is the inn haunted?  What else could explain the humming, the scent of honeysuckle, and lights mysteriously being the turned off?  Beckett loves his office as it gives him a great view of Main Street including the book store owned by Claire Brewster.  Beckett has wanted to kiss Claire since he was 16 years old.  Will he finally get the chance?

Atlantis Found / Clive Cussler / 534 pages

This book is full of adventure as Dirk Pitt and fellow NUMA agents happen upon the possibility that a real Atlantean civilization really did exist thousands of years ago. In the process of the discovery, they also find out that a family of wealthy Germans with ties to Hitler and the Nazis are bent on world dominion at the cost of all human and animal life. It was an interesting book, but I found it a bit hard to get through. I think my husband would love it, though.

Christmas Promise / Mary Balogh 289 p.

Eleanor Transome's father arranges her marriage to Randolph Pierce, Earl of Falloden; he needs her father's wealth and her father wants her protected after his death. Both find themselves not at all interested in the other. She's a cit after all and he's of the ton. Her dying father requested that she celebrate Christmas--and not be in mourning. She invites her father's entire family some 20 including 2 children. Randolph invited his bachelor friends while under the influence. The stage is set for a culture war. Randolph's good manners and Eleanor's boisterous family devise a most enjoyable Christmas.

Find book and ebook in the catalog.

As the Pig Turns/M. C. Beaton/292 pages

This is the latest in the Agatha Raisin series. It includes a pretty graphic murder for a cosy mystery. Agatha may be mellowing in her old age. She seems to be questioning her judgement more and more. I wonder how many more murders can take place in the seemingly quiet English countryside.

Bossypants/Tina Fey/275 pages

I was only vaguely aware of Tina Fey until she did her memorable take on Sarah Palin in the fall of 2008. I still don't watch 30 Rock (although my husband loves it) and I haven't been a regular viewer of SNL since the early 90s. (I was one of the original viewers way back when--I was truly just a youngster.) Still, this was an amusing account of selected times in her life. Good chuckles.

The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life / Jennifer Worick / 200 pages

This book was an enjoyable read. It's a mix between craft book, recipe book, gardening book, and party planning book. All of the chapters are based on a room of the house and have recipes or craft projects to do that fit with the room and are associated with the homsteading life. There's also information on saddling a horse, spinning your own yarn, canning, embroidery, and many other useful skills you should learn. Every few pages there's a vocabulary word or expression from the prairie life that is explained. The author often brings up Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books. It would be a great gift for anyone you know who grew up reading the Little House books. It brings back so many memories of days spent reading by the fire or on the porch, learning about the life of the prairie girls in the books.

The Perfect Christmas / Debbie Macomber / 232 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

After receiving an early Christmas card from a perfect family, Cassie Beaumont decides to take her friend Angie's advice.  She will pay $30,000 to a professional matchmaker to find her perfect partner.  Dr Simon Dodson gives Cassie 3 Christmas-related tasks to perform that turn out quite humorously.  Cassie does meet her perfect match, but it is not the man selected for her by Simon.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle / Debbie Macomber / 253 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Holly Larson works for a difficult boss in the fashion industry.  She has aways put in long hours and short lunches.  This changes when her eight year old nephew, Gabe, comes to live with her while his dad in in Afghanistan.  Gabe wants a special robot for Christmas and Holly is determined to buy it for him.  It is for sale at Finley's Department Store where a mysterious Emily Merkly (Call her Mrs. Miracle as her name tag mistankenly reads.)  nudges the protagonists towards miracles.

The Case of the Christmas Snowman / James Preller / 74 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Jigsaw Jones is the best detective in second grade.  When a classmate reports that a rare nickel that she brought to school has disappeared, Jigsaw Jones is determined to find it!

The Christas Clock / Kat Martin / 145 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Sylvia Winters has returned to Dreyerville.  She left many years ago, one week before her wedding to her college sweetheart,  Joe Dixon.  She was diagnosed with cervical cancer and after surgery and chemo, she knew she could never have the children Joen wanted.  She did not tell Joe her diagnosis but ran away to Chicago to live with her Aunt Bess.  After Aunt Bess's death, she returns home and inevitably runs into Joe.  Joe has "hired" eight year old Teddy to help in his garage.  Teddy lives with his grandmother, Lottie, who has Alzheimers.  This is a heartwarming Christmas story, a romance, and a most enjoyable experience.

Breadcrumbs / Anne Ursu / 312 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"Jack was the only person [Hazel] know with imagination...He was the only person who saw things for what they could be instead of just what they were.  He saw what lived beyond the edges of the things your eyes took in."  Hazel has had to leave her private school that encouraged imagination and individuality when her dad left the family.  She hasn't yet been able to assimilate to her new school.  Thank goodness she has her best friend Jack...at least until he disappears.  This is a tale of magic amid a wintry wonderland, a tale of heroism, bravery, and true friendship.

"School was very easy it turned out if you just disconnected your heart."

Nursery Rhye Comics / 119 pages

What a delightful book!!  It held the attention of my 5 year old grandson to the very last page...and he usually has difficulty sitting still for short picture books.  We even had to go back and do several pages a second time.  Done in comic book format, with innumerable asides, Nursery Rhyme Comics includes 50 classic nursery rhymes illustrated by many contemporary cartoonists.

Missing on Superstition Mountain / Elise Broach / 262 pages

"Knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss, which was more true?...Maybe it depended on what the knowledge was. In the case of Superstition Mountain, ignorance might be better."  Simon (11), Henry (10), and Jack (5) search for their runaway cat, Josie, on Superstition Mountain and become lost themselves.  They are cautioned by their parents and a local police officer to stay away from the mountain.  It is a dangerous place.  At the library, with fifth grade neighbor, Delilah, they discover that over 20 people have disappeared or met violent deaths, including decapitation, since 1880 on the mountain.  The boys, recently moved from Chicago into their local legend Uncle Hank's house in Arizona, encounter 3 skulls while lost on the mountain.  The 4 kids determine to retrieve the skulls and solve the mystery of Superstition Mountain.  Great read!!

A Train in Winter / Caroline Moorehead 374 p.

Women, who were teachers, students, chemists, singers, all kinds of women from 15 to 60 years old, put their life on the line and did what they could to resist Nazi Germany when France was occupied. Most paid for their courage with their lives. Caroline Moorehead gives the account of 230 women captured by the Gestapo and imprisoned first in a fort outside Paris, then on the only train sent with women out France to German concentration camps. This is their story, the women of Le Convoi des 3100. These women formed strong bonds of friendship. They worked hard to keep each other alive in Auschwitz-Birkenau, and in Ravensbruck. They had each other's back. They clung to each other to survive the savage treatment, shoddy living conditions, little food, abominable working conditions, rampant disease. That 42 survived is a testimony to their strong characters, their friendship and their continuous acts of courage in face of unbelievable acts of debauchery, cruelty, brutality. Moorehead continues their story as the few returned home.
Not an easy read. What makes this memorable is the care these women took of each other. How they hid the sickly members of their group, shared their meager rations equally, and how they kept their spirits up during their 3 years in prison.

Find in the library catalog

1105 Yakima Street/Debbie Macomber/366 pgs.

I didn't realize this was the second to last "Cedar Cove" books. I have already read 1225 Christmas Tree Lane which is evidently the series' conclusion. This book is mainly about Rachel Peyton, who has recently moved out of her husband's (Bruce) and step-daughter's (Jolene) house. Jolene liked Rachel until she became her step mom. To further complicate matters, Rachel is pregnant--totally gross to 13 year old Jolene's way of thinking. There are other story lines that readers have been following throughout the series that are wrapped up here--the remaining loose ends are tied up in 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. All in all, it has been an enjoyable series.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor / Lisa Kleypas / 211 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"There are no rules for how to deal with the death of someone you loved.  You had to accept that the loss would always stay with you, like a reminder note pinned to your jacket."  Six year old Holly lost her mom in a car accident.  Her mom had left a note naming her Uncle Mark as her guardian.  Mark enlists his brother's help and suggests that they all live in the Victorian mansion Sam is renovating.  Holly has not spoken a word in the 6 months since her mom died...until...she meets Maggie in her toy store and is granted her Christmas wish.

"It was often in small moments that significant things were revealed."

Holidays on Ice / David Sedaris 176 p.

Humorist David Sedaris presents a series of short stories. Santaland Diaries gives one behind the scenes insight into visiting Santa. This has such a ring to truth that I believe David was once a Christmas elf. Droll humor.

Plum Pudding Murder / Joanne Fluke 303 p.

This Christmas finds Hannah Swensen returning in her 12th mystery. The Cookie Jar, Hannah's shop, is busy busy busy making treats for all including Larry Jaeger to sell at his Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot. She even develops her own plum pudding--with plums--for him to sell. When she goes to pick up her check, she and boy friend find Larry dead. Taking out her steno pad, she lists the suspects and motives. Hannah checks off suspects as she goes about Lake Eden, Minn. overhearing conversations, piecing together folk's whereabouts and getting reports from an investigating mother. Plum full of recipes from Hot Fudge Sundae Cakes to Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake Pie.

The 'spicy' prize for the Blue-and-White week is cookies from the Cookie Jar.

Check the library catalog.

Explosive Eighteen/Janet Evanovich/ 305 pages

Latest in the Stephanie Plum series. A few chuckles here or there, but nothing special.

Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas / Pauline Chen / 133 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"You should only worry about doing your best, not about impressing other people." Peiling told her new friend, Laura Hamilton, that this advice was given to her by her parents.  They are immigrants from Taiwan and do not celebrate Christmas.  Peiling's fifth grade teacher does not celebrate Christmas either as she is Jewish.  For their class winter project they decide to show how the world celebrates winter holidays.  Peiling convinces her family to celebrate Christmas in the American tradition.  Although her mom includes Chicken Fried Steak on the menu.  I enthusiastically recommend this most entertaining story.

The Christmas Angel / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 246 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Emily Warrick, the mayor of Cape Light, finds a real baby in the creche of the church nativity while she is out jogging.  The abandoned baby will change her life and threaten her relationship with her new husband.  (They had agreed not to have children.) As the town pulls together to aid residents of a poverty stricken area of town virtually destroyed by fire at Christmas time, the pastor, Ben's, faith is renewed.

"Mere common consensus hardly makes a statement true."

The Christmas Train / David Baldacci / 260 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Tom Landgon is a disillusioned journalist.  He has covered wars, uprisings, pestilence,... virtually every earthly despair.  His goal had been relatively simple;  "he had wanted to change the world by calling attention to its wrongs.  And he loved adventure."  However, after chronicling all these horrific events and still seeing the conditions of humanity steadily worsen he's started writing light fluff stories for common consumption.  He is based in New York and has a girlfriend in L.A.  Leila does voice overs for Saturday morning cartoons.  After being banned from air travel in the continental U.S. for 2 years due to an incident at the airport, he decided to travel by train to L.A. for Christmas thereby fulfilling the dying wish of his father - to finish a story that, according to legend, Mark Twain had started in his later tragic years.  Tom Langdon is one of the Elmira, New York Langdons that produced Olivia Landgon, who became Mark Twain's wife.  Twain had planned to traverse American by rail to "see some good in the world."  Tom Langdon would complete Twain's plan at Christmas, a time of renewal.  "However, had he known what life-altering event would happen to him barely 2 hours after he boarded the train, he might have opted to walk to California instead."

Christmas in Time / Peggy Webb / 169 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"Nature has a way of making fools of boasting men,"  and so she did when the unsinkable ship, the Titanic, sank on her maiden voyage.  The story begins at Christmas, 1982 when Gilly DeBeau is remembering her trip on the Titanic and her first and only love.  She has told her great niece, Ann, that she will know when she is in love.  Her toes will curl under.  Now an 80 year old woman spending her final days at Windchime House before cancer claims her, she relives her experiences on the fateful voyage.

Christmas in Camelot / Mary Pope Osborne / 116 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Annie and Jack have magically traveled to Camelot where the evil Mordred has cast a spell robbing the kingdom of all joy.  They travel to the Otherworld on the White Stag, rescue 3 knights of the Round Table, battle dragons, and bring back the Water of Memory and Imagination to save King Arthur and the Kingdom.

"A legend is a story that begins in truth.  But then imagination takes over.  Different people in different times tell the story.  They use their imagination ato add new parts.  That is how a legend is kept alive."

Christmas in Canaan / Kenny Rogers and Donald Devenport / 325 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Christmas in Canaan is about the importance of having a place.  "A place where you're loved.  Accepted."  Although the story begins with a fight between 2 boys, DJ and Rodney, it ends with a heartwarming reunion of the 2 boys, now grown men, and the Burton family.  After the death of his Aunt, young Rodney is taken in by the Burton family.  his stories are eagerly received by his new family and eventually make him a well-to-do, renowned playwright.  The celebration of Christmas by this family having hard times will bring happy tears to your eyes!!

"As long as there was family, ther would always be some Christmas."
"Love is made perfect only through sacrifice."

A Cidar Cove Christmas / Debbie Macomber / 280 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Mary Joe Wyse is pregnant and unmarried.  Her 3 brothers are determined to take care of Mary Jo and her baby.  Their parents are dead and the brothers will serve in their stead.  Mary Jo decides to go looking for David Rhodes, the baby's father in Cedar Cove.  David is not to be found and his parents are out of town.  Mary Joe is stranded and is taken in by Grace Harding when there is no room at the inn.  With their house full of guests, the Hardings offer a room over their stable.  The stable is currently housing the animals for the live nativity.  Mary Jo goes into labor and the 3 Wyse men show up in town to celebrate the birth of the babe.  This heartwarming story is sure to please!

The True Gift, a Christmas Story / Patricia Maclachlan / 81 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Lily and Liam are looking forward to Christmas at their grandparents' farm.  They have each packed plenty of books and know that they can visit the library in town to get more.  They plan to spend much of their time at the farm reading nonstop.  When they arrive at the farm, they notice that White Cow is alone.  The owner of his companion has taken the animal to a new home.  White Cow appears to be lonely and Lily and Liam devise a scheme to get him a new companion so that he will not be alone on Christmas.  Self-sacrifice, hard work, determination, and community support should make this endearing book a holiday classic.

Wildwood / Colin Meloy / 541p

While watching her brother and running errands in Portland, OR, Prue's brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows.  They lift him up out of his Radio Flyer wagon and fly off, with him in tow, into the Impassable Wilderness.  Though no one has even gone into the Impassable Wilderness and lived to tell about it, Prue is determined to go and get her brother back.  Her school mate, Curtis, is equally determined to help.

Once Prue and Curtis get into the forest, the first thing they see is a pack of coyotes dressed in soldiers uniforms and talking to each other.  The Impassable Wilderness, or, Wildwood, as the inhabitants call it, is a far cry from what they are used to in Portland.

Now, to be clear, I am a HUGE fan of Colin Meloy (lead singer of my favorite band, The Decemberists) and so I might be biased, but I found this book to be, simply put, charming.  A quick read, even though the page count makes it look daunting, I blew through this book and I can't wait to read the next one in this planned series.

Give to Narnia fans.

A Monster Calls / Patrick Ness / 204p

Conor's mother is very sick.  His father has basically abandoned him and started a new family in America.  And now,  a monster is visiting Conor periodically.  At 12:07 to be precise.  The monster needs to tell Conor three stories.  After that, Conor is expected to tell a fourth story - his secret.

A quick read that is about a teenager trying to deal with some very heavy problems in his life.  Ness does a great job of getting the tone and the inner (and outer) conflict of Conor just right.  The dark and messy illustrations only add to the story.  Give to reluctant teen readers  and/or those who don't shy away from sad subject matter. 

Wither / Lauren DeStefano / 358p

In this near future, men die at age 25 and women die even younger, at age 20.  Because of this, men have become polygamists to help perpetuate the human race while scientists work tirelessly for a cure.  To facilitate these marriages, pretty girls are kidnapped off the streets and shipped to their future husbands.  Such is the case for 16 year old Rhine.  She is stolen off the New York City streets and sent to Florida to marry a man she has never met.  But Rhine is no shrinking violet, she is determined to escape to get back to New York and her brother.

A Handmaid's Tale for teens would be my best description of Wither which would most likely not help promote it to teens and would most likely scare away parents. So, in selling it, I would say for teens (or adults) who liked Condie's Matched, Roth's Divergent, or, of course, Hunger Games since it is one more to add to the ever growing list of YA dystopian literature.  That being said, this story was very interesting with the author deftly handling some tricky subject matter for teenagers.  Wither is the first book in a planned trilogy and I plan to continue on with this series.

The Book Thief / Markus Zusak / 552p

As a librarian that is supposed to be knowledgeable about YA literature, I am embarrassed to admit that it took me this long to read The Book Thief.  I was scared of it.  Scared that it would be too sad.  But, I finally gathered up my courage and checked out the audiobook.

Narrated by Death, the story of a young German girl named Liesel growing up during World War II was, as I feared, quite sad.  However, it was, as I had heard and assumed, also, a beautiful story with wonderful characters, an interesting story telling style (in which you basically know who is going to die quite early on in the story), and a setting in a time period that will always, to me, be both heartbreaking and immensely interesting.  If you haven't read this, just get yourself together and enjoy the ride.  The audiobook is highly recommended - the narrator does a fantastic job and also, when you listen, you don't have to fuss over the pronunciation of the German words.

Penderwicks on Gardam Street/ Jeanne Birdsall/ 308 pages

I listened to the 2nd book about the Penderwick family on CD and it was lovely. The voices of the girls are very engaging and help the listener to understand the personality of each. (Okay, you have to hear Batty....she's totally adorable.) By hearing the story, you also appreciate the beautiful writing and language of the book. You will love these books and this family. Highly recommended for all families to share and young readers about grade 4 & up. These would be great for those precocious kids who read on a higher level and need appropriate content.

Son of Stone / Stuart Woods/ 303 pages

I wonder if Stuart Woods is trying the John Grisham and Harlen Coben route...ie bringing in teen characters? In Son of Stone, his son Peter figures out that Stone is really his dad and not the deceased film legend Vance Calder. If you want a good laugh, read the totally unrealistic dialogue of Stone discussing what life as his son is going to be like for the 16 year old Peter. The character of Peter is totally unbelievable as are all of the other characters. The dialogue is laughable. This one is totally plot driven. Woods does kill off one of his long time characters in the Stone Barrington novels. The only thing I got out of this book is that the rich get richer and well, it's good to be rich. Honestly someone please don't let me read any more of these!

The Puppy That Came for Christmas/Megan Rix/246 pgs

Megan and her husband Ian are trying to have a baby without much success. They hear about the Helper Dogs who train dogs to work with disabled people in England and decide to become puppy raisers. This story is about the two puppies that they raised for Helper Dogs - Emma & Freddy and the puppy who comes to stay - Traffy. Was a good book - focuses a lot on what Megan went through with the fertility treatments and the loss of the puppies - they had to go back for advanced training after 6 months. Not Marley & Me but you may enjoy it if you liked Marley.

Obsidian Prey/Jayne Castle/370 pgs

This is another one of the Harmony series. In this one, Lyra Dore lost her rare amethyst ruin she had discovered and her heart to cutthroat businessman Cruz Sweetwater. But soon they are all in trouble and must join forces to find out who is behind it - with the help of her very artistic dust bunny. Wish we had dust bunnies around here - and not the kind under your bed! Another good paranormal romance.

The Next Always/Nora Roberts/339 pgs.

This is book 1 in Nora Roberts' "The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy." The Montgomery brothers and their mom are restoring a historic hotel in Boonsboro. This is Beckett Montgomery's story--the architect of the crew. He's had a crush on Clare Brewster-- a widow, the mother of 3 young boys, and owner of Turn The Page Bookstore--since he knew her in high school. Clare returned to Boonsboro after her military husband died in war. So, there is romance, a stalker, and "Lizzy" (the hotel ghost). It's an entertaining read, to be followed by The Last Boyfriend coming out in May 2012.

The Christmas Cookie Club / Ann Pearlman / 274 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

I love the format of this book!  It is broken down into chapters that focus on each member of the Cookie Club - her problems, trials, tribulations.  Each chapter is accompanied by several pages detailing the history and interesting facts about one of cookies' ingredients, i.e., chocolate, ginger, sugar, etc.  Each chapter also contains the recipe for the cookie brought to the cookie party by that character.  This book is a great holiday read, focusing on the indomitable strength of women.

" Time doesn't make a full life.  Living your life to the fullest makes it full."

The Spark, The Story of a Christmas Soon to Come / Ray Foy / 174 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"When they observe Christmas, they do so without compassion.  Their celebration is hollow."
This novel is set in the future...a sad world that has collapsed upon itself.  Cities are in ruins.  Some people live in gated communities guarded by soldiers, and some live in communes in the woods lacking many necessities. Christmas has become meaningless.  The Christmas spirit is almost nonexistent.  "If people don't feel that, then Christmas becomes an empty shell.  A meaningless ritual of selling and acquisition."  Santa, his elves, and the North Pole are in danger of disappearing permanently.

Kit's Surprise / Valerie Tripp / 71 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This American Girl book features Kit Kittridge who goes from rich to poor when her father loses his job during the Great Depression. Kit is ashamed of the rickrack her Mom has used to cover the letting down of the hem on her school dress.  She has lost her room to boarders and has seemingly lost her best friend.  Kit begins doing odd jobs for her wealthy, crabby, old uncle.  She decides to save every penny to pay the electric bill so that her family will be able to light the Christmas tree.

Candlelight for Rebecca / Jacqueline D. Greene / 85 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This American Girl book features Rebecca Rubin who is growing up in a big Russian-Jewish family in New York City in 1914.  She and her friend Rose object to making wreaths as a classroom project for Christmas.  Her family does not celebrate Christmas.  Rose puts her wreath together sloppily, but Rebecca is praised for her finished project.  She doesn't want to offend her family by bringing home this symbol so contrary to their beliefs.  She gives it instead to a lonely Italian gentleman in her building who raises carrier pigeons.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette / Jeanne Birdsall / 295 pages

Ah, I love the Penderwicks! If you want to read a book that makes you feel good and that all is well with the world, pick up any of the books about the Penderwicks. In this 3rd story about the family, they are off to Point Mouette, Maine for a 2 week vacation and Skye must stand in as the OAP (oldest available Penderwick) since Rosalind is on vacation with her friend Anna at the Jersey shore. Here you have a story about a contemporary happy family....not as easy to find as you might think. Love the Penderwick books because they include the books the Penderwick sisters like to read, the girls love sports & are very good at them, Skye loves science & math, their friend Jeffrey loves music, and most all of the adults are wonderfully wise, loving and understanding. Read these as a family, use in an intergenerational book discussion, hand to any younger precocious reader, buy them and keep them in your family collection.

The Silent Girl/Tess Gerritsen/318 pgs

This is the latest title in the Rizzoli and Isles series and was probably one of my favorites. They are both called to a murder scene in Chinatown and find a woman's hand with the gun still in it in the alley. When Rizzoli does some checking, they find the rest of the woman on the roof of a building with her head just about cut off. Isles is having a hard time trying to figure out what weapon was used to kill the woman until a small sliver of metal dating back hundreds of years is found. The investigation brings back memories of an earlier murder/suicide which happened in a Chinatown restaurant. A very good story filled with Chinese legends and tales.

Silver Master/Jayne Castle/307 pgs

In this Harmony series title, Cadence City matchmaker and para-resonator Celinda Ingram meets her match in security specialist Davis Oakes, who just happens to have a very special ability. He can work silver light - a very rare ability. Davis is hunting for a powerful relic that Celinda had bought thinking it was a toy for her pet dust bunny. Celinda, Davis and their dust bunnies join forces to protect the relic from forces who wish to steal it for the power it can control. Another very good paranormal romance - going to miss those dust bunnies.

A Christmas Promise / Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer / 298 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"We never know what God has in store for us around the next bend in the road.  Anything could happen at any moment, one's entire life could change in the blink of an eye, in the time it took to draw a single breath."  This is certainly true of Leigh Baxter and James Cameron.  Leigh is fleeing an abusive ex-husband in an attempt to keep her unborn baby safe.   He is the owner and CEO of one of the oldest textile mills in New England and wields great power and influence.  He is searching for her.  When her used car experiences difficulties in Cape Light's first snowstorm of the season, she is rear-ended by James Cameron's car, which has slid on the snow, and ends up in a ditch.  James is a visiting minister, staying in Cape Light to recover from malaria contracted during mission work in Nicaragua.  The rest of the story is heartwarming and inspiring as the town welcomes Leigh and she becomes a part of the rush to celebrate Christmas.

The Girls Revenge / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor / 150 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Caroline Malloy, who loves an audience more than chocolate cream pie, devises a scheme for revenge on the Hatford brothers.  She and her sisters, Beth and Eddie, will give each of the brothers a Christmas present beautifully wrapped, of course,..but inside each box will be something really awful.  The brothers have pulled several mean tricks to convince the Malloy family to leave Buckman, West Virgina and move back to Ohio.  Mr. Malloy has taken job coaching college football in Buckman for one year.  Beth and Eddie refuse to help saying it would not be in the Christmas spirit.  Caroline, however, proceeds with her plan...and meets with disastrous results.  This is a fun read!!

Who's Afraid of Haggerty House / Lind Gondosch / 134 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"We'll always have work to do...but we won't always have friends, not unless we talk to them now and then."  This is 80 year old Mrs. Haggerty's interpretation of Robert Frost's "A Time to Talk'.  Kelly McCoy realizes that after her big fight with her two best friends, Jennifer and Adelaide, over selling greeting cards that she hardly ever talked to them anymore.  She has been spending much of her free time at Mrs. Haggerty's haunted house, helping her prepare for Christmas and the arrival of Arthur, her hospitalized husband, and Tyler, her movie-producing son.  "Was there anything better than a day off school, seven inches of snow, and Christmas only six days away?"

Sebastia (Super Sleuth) and the Santa Clus Caper / Mary Blount Christian / 55 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Sebastian needs a disguise to get out of the department store without John, his police detective master, seeing him.  When he sees a Santa costume in the employee work area he thinks that his and Santa's personalities are a great deal alike.  "They are both generous, handsome, and modest."  Sebastian, a dog, had followed John to the store to spy on his Christmas shopping.  Someone set off the sprinklers and old Cheatum, the store's owner - who is worse than Scrooge - asks John to investigate.  After playing Santa, detective Sebastian joins the investigation.  Great chapter headings and illustrations!

Blue Christmas / Mary Kay Andrews / 198 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

The week before Christmas Weezie Foley is scurrying to complete work on the decorations for the Savannah historical district decorating contest.  She is determined to win and to beat a competing shop which has failed to follow the contest guidelines.  When Weezie arrives at her shop on the morning of the contest, however, she discovers that her decorations have been vandalized and she quickly redecorates very creatively with an Elvis theme - Blue Christmas.  In the spirit of the season, Weezie exchanges gifts with a homeless lady in a unique fashion.  The identity of the homeless lady is a happy, although anticipated, surprise.

Family Blessings / Fern Michaels / 236 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Right before Thanksgiving, a freak tornado descends on Larkspur, a small town in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains.  Candy magnate, Loretto Cisco's home is leveled and most of her possessions are lost.  She is planning a Christmas Day wedding and so the blow is especially devastating.  Cisco's triplet grandchildren are likewise experiencing difficulties.  Hannah and Sara believe their husbands are having affairs.  (They have actually secretly bought a boat and have been taking classes on sailing.)  Sam's wife has left him because he became angry to discover that she had accidentally gotten pregnant.  When the ladies confront their husbands the story really gets interesting and entertaining.   This is chic lit at its finest!

Felicity's Surprise / Valerie Tripp / 69 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This American Girl book features Felicity Merriman, a nine year old girl growing up in the American colonies in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Felicity has been invited to a Christmas Ball where dance lessons will be given by a master to recommended students.  Felicity practices hard, but misses lessons as she cares for her ailing mother.  Despite the tensions of split loyalties and family hardship, Felicity has a very Merry Christmas.

Addy's Surprise / Connie Porter / 65 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This American Girl book features Addy Walker, a courageous African American girl growing up during the Civil War.  Addy and her Momma have escaped to freedom in Philadelphia, but her father and baby sister are still in the South.  She hopes and prays that they will rejoin her soon.  Addy wants to purchase a scarf for her mother for Christmas and she carefully saves her money.  When she encounters someone collecting for a fund to help slaves escape to freedom, she gives her money to them instead.  At the Christmas Shadow Play, Addy receives the gift she has been praying for.

Happy New Year, Julie / Magan McDonald / 76 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This American Girl story is set in San Francisco in the 1970's.  Julie's parents are recently divorced and this is their first Christmas as a separated family. Julie is disappointed when she realizes that the traditional  ornaments used to decorate the tree are at her Dad's.  She, her  Mom, and her sister, Tracy make homemade ornaments instead.  Celebration of the fifteen day Chinese New Year with her best friend, Ivy Ling, and her family helps to bring he own family a bit closer.

Body of Lies/Iris Johanson/340 pgs

This is the fourth book in the Eve Duncan series. It begins with a call from a United States Senator. He wants Eve to drop everything and come to Baton Rouge to identify the remains of an unknown murder victim. At first, Eve wants nothing to do with the project. But when she is given information that the body that she believes is her dead daughter is not Bonnie and that Quinn is the person who lied to her, she flees to Baton Rouge to take on the project of identifying the skeleton. Forced to work in secrecy and given only the minimum of information, Eve can't help but wonder if the security that surrounds her is meant to protect her - or imprison her. And then people start dying who had anything to do with the case. Good story - even though Eve is still obsessed with her daughter's death.

Ice Cold/Tess Gerritsen/322 pgs

Maura Isles is at a conference in Jackson Hole, WY and meets up with an old college acquaintance. When he invites her to join his daughter and himself on a ski trip, she decides to go. This leads to a terrifying trip for Maura. When a body is found in a burned out SUV and Maura is pronounced dead, Rizzoli and her husband go to Wyoming to find out what really happened and when Maura calls them, they try to find her. A very good story and keeps you guessing as to who is really the bad guy in this story.

Dark Light/Jayne Castle/387 pgs

This title is another one of the Harmony series. In this one, investigative reporter Sierra McIntyre is trying to prove that there is a link between missing ghost hunters and the latest drug, Ghost Juice. She feels that the Guild may know more than they are saying. But when the new Crystal City Guild boss, John Fontana agrees with her and offers her a marriage of convenience so that they may investigate the matter together, she isn't sure what to make of it. Of course there is the usual love story and of course the dust bunnies make another appearance. Another very good paranormal romance.

Inside Out & Back Again / Thanhha Lai / 262 pages

This is an amazing look at what it is like to be a refugee and what it takes to gain acceptance as an immigrant to the United States. Ten year old Ha must flee Saigon as it falls with her 3 brothers and her mother. She eventually winds up in a refugee camp in Guam and then is adopted by a family in Alabama. Lai does a terrific job of relating what Ha must go through to succeed in her new life. The entire book is beautifully written in verse and is a pleasure to read. This would make a great read aloud for a family, classroom or book discussion group. If empathy can make us all better humans, then this book provides that important look at what it feels like to be someone else.

Shock Wave / John Sandford / 388 pages

Virgil Flowers is someone you'd really want to meet. His job is serving as an officer in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and his life is fishing. He brings his boat to every single case and always fits in some fishing time. He's the social investigator who solves crimes through conversations with police, townspeople, and a myriad of suspects. Virgil also talks to God every night about what's on his mind...sometimes it's about his women friends. He just can't seem to have a successful relationship tho' women really love him. Sandford does a marvelous job of portraying small town life, impact of big box stores on small towns, and what motivates people to commit crime. These mysteries are more about the people than the job of finding out who the bomber is that continues to set off bombs in a logic known only to him.

Wonderstruck / Brian Selznick / 629 pages

Selznick, trailblazing author/illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, does it again in Wonderstruck, his newest book that uses images (460 pages of illustrations) and text to tell the story. This time around, he creates two plotlines one taking placing in Hoboken, NJ in 1927 involving a deaf girl named Rose and one taking place in 1977 in Gunflint, MN involving a partially deaf 12 year old boy Ben. Both characters set off on a desperate quest that brings their lives together in an awesome and heart wrenching conclusion. You really must read this book and be wonderstruck. If we are all really curators of our own lives, you will want to include Wonderstruck in your Cabinet of Wonders.

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog / Dave Barry 116 p.

The Christmas pageant at St. John's Episcopal Church is a very big deal in 1960. Mrs. Elkins, a professional, who used to be in The Theater in New York, is in charge. Doug Barnes and his fellow shepherds have a new job this year. As wise men, they blew it when while horsing around the vase for myrrh was broken and a rolodex was the nearest substitute. This year their dancing antics may bring the house down. The girl he is interested in is playing Mary opposite Joseph played by a smart, athletic, and handsome guy. The family dog is doing very poorly. Doug’s sister is an angel and loves the dog above all else. Dad gets a flat tire, which means Doug may not make the pageant at all. Its Christmas miracles do happen. A warm funny Christmas story that may be enjoyed by all.

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A Season of Gifts / Richard Peck / 164 pages

This book is a companion book to "A Year Down Yonder" and is a Christmas book as all the stories lead up to the Christmas finale. The story is about the indomitable Mrs. Dowdell, an old woman who can wield an axe, shoot her shotgun, can food, and everything else. This is the story about how she helps the new family next door as well as the whole town. It isn't as good as the first book, but all the incidents are interesting and amusing. I think the reader should read the other book first.

Richard Peck captures 1958 pretty well and it is set in a rural Illinois town. I think an older child would get more out of this book. Actually, I think seniors would quite enjoy this as well since they remember 1958.

V Is for Vengeance / Sue Grafton / 437 pages

Sue Grafton has not lost her touch for writing suspense novels with meaty characters. Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone is as crusty and diligent as ever. To quote Kinsey, "I know there are people who believe you should forgive and forget. For the record, I'd like to say I'm a big fan of forgiveness as long as I'm given the opportunity to get even." This time around Kinsey gets involved in organized crime and finds out that some criminals have ethics. In the end, vengeance is served. Still love it that Kinsey has that one black, all-purpose dress that never wrinkles, continues to eat revolting Hungarian food at Rosies, and sticks by her friend Henry. I do miss the VW though and so does Kinsey.

1225 Christmas Tree Lane/Debbie Macomber/283 pgs.

This is mainly Beth Morehouse's story; she lives at 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. She has been divorced from Kent Morehouse for 3 years. Her college age daughters, Bailey and Sophie, decide it's time to get their parents back together--and when is a better time than at Christmas? Throw in the usual complications and misunderstandings, plus 10 puppies needing homes, and you have a typical Cedar Grove Christmas. A fast read for the holiday season!

Christmas Footprints / Todd Stiles / 85 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This is an inspiring look at biblical references to the Christmas story.  The author encourages us to follow in the footsteps of Mary, Joesph, and the Magi.

"When Christmas becomes only about presents without the significance of presence, it turns into an ugly human event instead of a holy holiday."
"The inner desire to do the right thing all the time is called integrity.  Character."
"Faith factors in the supernatural and when God becomes the mathematician everything changes."
"Faith is not a blind leap; it is and informed step of trust."

Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol / Tom Mula / 166 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

"May we all find our ways home...May our lives bring joy and light to those around us, and may we bless the darkness as bright shining stars.  And may God bless us every one."  With these profound words, Tom Mula, an award-winning Chicago playwright, director, and actor, ends his attempt to correct the injustice of Marley's fate in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  After playing the role of Scrooge for 5 years and several hundred performances, he decided to write this companion piece with apologies to Dickens.  Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol offers "a unique and entertaining new twist on this classic holiday tale" - revealing for the first time Jacob Marley's heroic behind the scenes campaign to save Scrooge's soul.  Funny, irreverent and moving, this enchanting Christmas story offers quotes from The Wizard of Oz and unique, captivating perspectives on hell.

O Little Town / Don Reid / 166 pages / Holiday Themed Book

Don Reid, a member of country music's legendary Statler Brothers with 3 Grammy Awards, 13 gold albums, and 8 platinum albums, has written this awesomely inspiring Christmas story. Inspiration for the story came from an actual event that occurred in Staunton, Virgina at the turn of the century.  A member of a traveling circus group was murdered.  Her name was Eva Clark.  Every year mysterious flowers were placed on her grave.  We learn about this fateful incident through Walter, a hospitalized grandfather, who had flashbacks to his young days at the Crown Theater.  This heart warming story is filled with seemingly insurmountable problems - shoplifting, infidelity, abrasive personalities, unplanned teenage pregnancy...and God's love and forgiveness, and the true meaning of Christmas.

"Life comes in stages and when each stage leaves, it takes a hunk of the soul with it."
"Fair is doing all you can for your family."
"If you just talk from your heart, you usually can't go wrong."

Benny, a Tale of a Christmas Toy / K. C. Scott / 126 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Benjamin is a real estate broker in Rexton, Oregon.  Unfortunately, the real estate market is "in the toilet."  Even though he knows he shouldn't, he bought his 6 year old daughter, Annie, The Amazing Talking Bluebear Brother.  He paid $70.00 for the toy, money he should have saved for the lean months ahead.  When Annie opens Bluebear Brother on Christmas, she immediately names him Benny and is chagrined when his mouth does not move.  He is broken.   Ben tells his wife that he will exchange the  bear the next day.  Annie hears and her parent have to explain that Santa is not real.  Ben buys a second Bluebear Brother  and brings Benny back home.  He becomes Ben's confidant and Ben is convinced his guardian angel.

My Christmas Angels / Jason W. Chan / 137 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Inspired by a true story, My Christmas Angels is the story of Greg, a near homeless, unemployed man and his daughter Angie.  Greg's mother was alcoholic and he never knew his father.  He quit high school in eleventh grade to support his Mom.  An unfortunate affair gave him his daughter, Angie, and the mother ran off to Las Vegas.  Due to the recession and the downturn in the economy, Greg is reduced to begging on the street and is evicted from his apartment when he cannot pay the rent.  At a homeless shelter he meets Jessica, a former girlfriend he had cheated on.  She offers her spare room to Greg and Angie.  Angie falls on a slippery sidewalk, suffers, a head injury, and emerges from surgery in a coma.  Her treetop angel watches over her with hope and determination.  Greg effects a miraculous recovery in the teenage psychiatric unit.

The Christmas Child, a Story of Coming Home / Max Lucado / 85 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

A Chicago journalist and his wife have separated just before Christmas.  She says she needs some time apart.  He has an assignment in Dallas so he gives her her wish.  His adoptive fathers had received a photo of a stone church in the mail without knowledge of who sent it.  The return address said Clearwater, Texas, so the journalist decides to visit there on his Dallas trip.  Here he discovers a hand-carved nativity, its creator, a very special Baby Jesus, his true father, and the true meaning of Christmas.  This is a story of mistakes, mercy, and Christmas miracles.

Christmas, Present / Jacquelyn Mitchard / 132 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This is a very sad story about a wife and mother who has a brain aneurysm just before Christmas and her fourteenth anniversary.  She is given 8 - 12 hours to live and spends it planning for her family's future.

The Christmas Basket / Debbie Macomber / 238 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This is a delightful, amusing story of two feuding females, formerly best friends.  A tea service was borrowed under false pretenses and then stolen, thus starting the feud.  The son of one family and the daughter of the other had planned to elope, but both believed the other had jilted them.  How the families reconcile at Christmastime is heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking.

The Bells of Christmas / Virginia Hamilton / 59 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Here is a traditional story that shares with us Christmas in 1890 along the National Road near Springfield, Ohio.  The joy of family, homemade presents, and gifts prepared specifically for the receiver, along with full-page color illustrations make this a notable holiday story.

Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise / suzy Kline / 54 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

Horrible Harry's teacher, Miss Mackle is hurt when her rocking chair collapses as she is reading to Class 2B.  She must spend Christmas in the hospital and the principal is their sub.  Harry is determined to give Miss Mackle the perfect gift.  His fellow classmates fear a horrible gift and plan to disappear it before Miss Mackle sees it.  The gift is a pleasant, wonderful, appropriate surprise.

The Christmas Rat / Avi / 135 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

It's the week before Christmas and Eric is already bored with his vacation.  His parents have to work, his friends are out of town, and the city is snowed under.  When Eric opens his apartment door to Anje Gabrail, an exterminator, he is dragged into the adventure of a lifetime.  Eric has discovered evidence of a rat when he goes to the basement to get the family's Christmas decorations.  An angel that his Mom has had since childhood has been badly gnawed.  Eric agrees to help the exterminator, who is armed with a crossbow, and later regrets his decision.  An afterword gives excellent information on the Angel Gabriel's appearances in the Bible.

The Mysterious Howling / Maryrose Wood / 267 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This is a most unusual Christmas story featuring wild children and howling.  The Incorrigible Children - Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia were raised by wolves and discovered in the forests of Asherton Place.  Miss Penelope Lumley, a fifteen year old graduate of Swanburne Academy, is hired to civilize the children.  Her own origins remain a mystery and she is determined to win acceptance, if not love, for her charges from lady Constance and Frederick. 

"Things may happen for a reason, but that doesn't mean we know what the reason is - at least not yet."

Crossed/Ally Condie/367 pgs.

This is the second in the "Matched" trilogy--even though it's referred to as the "sequel." Anyway, Cassia is trying to catch up with Ky who was sent to the Outer Provinces (almost a guaranteed death sentence!) There is adventure and suspense, kind of. I had a hard time getting through this book--maybe because it's been awhile since I read the first in the trilogy, Matched. However, I will want to read this trilogy's conclusion!

Christmas box / Richard Paul Evans 125 p.

Young parents, Richard and Keri, find a new start-up business irresistible as it lets them move back home. Now with a daughter, Jenna, Richard and Keri need a larger space. They take the job of live-in caretaker for lonely widow Mary Parkin. When they move in Richard discovers the ornate wood music box in the attic. The families blend with true warmth. Jenna looks upon Mary as a grandmother. However, Richard is drawn in more and more with the business at the expense of family time. Mary urges him to adjust his schedule as this time will not come again and to understand the gift of Christmas. Richard is just too busy. As Mary lays dying, Richard gets it-- love is God's greatest gift.

Holiday themed story

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All I want for Christmas / Nora Roberts 109 p.

The six-year old Taylor twins write to Santa for just two things: a real mom and a bike. When they see the new music teacher, Nell Davis, they have found The Mom! She meets all their requirements even down to baking cookies. The fun in this story is that Dad doesn't have a clue what exactly is up but he does get that something is. The twins try their best to be good cause that's what Santa wants to bring The Mom! A fun read about the joy of anticipation and wishes that come true.

Winter Holiday theme

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Even Money / Dick Francis & Felix Francis 350 p.

Ned Talbot has been in the bookmaking business forever--since his grandfather had the business that is now his. At Royal Ascot, a gray-haired man comes to him and says he is his father. Ned disbelieves since he has always been told that his parents died in a car crash when he was a baby. Barely an hour later, his father is stabbed at the course and later dies at the hospital. Ned finds himself in a race to solve his father's mystery-- a race that may cost him more than just money. Added to his problems is move of the large techno-based bookmaking business to takeover of his small firm and a wife who is hospitalized. Readers who like Dick Francis may enjoy Sam Llewellyn nautical based tales or John Francome works.

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Ghost Hunter/Jayne Castle/340 pgs

This title is another of Jayne Ann Krentz's, writing as Jayne Castle, paranormal romances which take place on the planet Harmony 200 years in the future. In this story, botanist, Elly St. Clair calls off her marriage to ghost-hunter & Guild boss, Cooper Boone, and moves to Cadence City. But when her friend goes missing, she goes to Cooper for help and ends up as a target herself of a group manufacturing illegal drugs in the catacombs.

Abandon/Carla Neggers/329 pgs

Deputy U.S. Marshal Mackenzie Stewart is trying to get over being dumped by FBI Special Agent Andrew Rook and goes to the lakefront cottage of her friend, federal judge Bernadette Peacham. While there, she is viciously attacked and is rescued by Rook. They decide to join forces to find out who attacked her and why. Shortly after their return to Washington, the judge's ex husband is found murdered and the judge goes missing. Was a very good story.

Kisscut/Karin Slaughter/341 pgs

This is the first title of the Grant County series that I have read - missed the first one and I am not sure whether or not I like it yet. This story was very hard to get into at first - it is very dark. A young girl is shot by the police chief when she pulls a gun on a former boyfriend and when a dead baby is found in the ladies restroom, everyone thinks that the baby was hers and that she had killed it. When the autopsy is done by the local medical examiner who is also the girl's doctor, they find

out that she was not and had been a victim of self -mutilation. The chief is having problem with the fact that he killed the girl and his deputy is still trying to recover from trauma she sustained in a previous attack. Story deals with child pornography among other difficult subjects.

The Holly Joliday / Megan McDonald / 100 pages / Winter Holiday Theme Book

Judy Moody and Stink star in this delightful Christmas story.  Stink wants snow for Christmas - just snow.  Judy tells him that snow in Virginia in highly unlikely.  Stink decides to be a snowflake in the Christmas program instead of the mouse in "The Night Before Christmas" that he is supposed to be.  He has studied snowflakes and recounts their various kinds and occurrences.  He explains that snowflakes are so important that Snowflake Bentley, a man who photographed snowflakes, can be found twice in the encyclopedia - under S and B.  Jack Frost visits as the new mailman and predicts that Stink just might get his wish.

11/22/63 / Stephen King / 849 pages

Jake Epping, a 35 year old teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, is given the opportunity to change the past...and, in fact, the whole world.  His friend, Al - who owns the local diner, tells him that his storeroom is a portal to the past - to a particular day in 1958. Illness prevents Al from completing a task he had set for himself and he wants Jake to take up the challenge.  He wants him to save Kennedy and thereby save his brother, Martin Luther King, stop the race riots, and maybe even stop Viet Nam. He just has to get rid of Lee Harvey Oswald.  Jake accepts the challenge and leads the reader on page-turning voyage into the past and a frightening jaunt into the resulting future.  Thought-provoking suspense marks every page of this Goliath must read book.

"I don't think it is in the stars, but I do believe that blood calls to blood and mind calls to mind and heart to heart."
"Who can know when life hangs in the balance, or why?"
"Life turns on a dime."
"Isn't that what writing is supposed to do?  Evoke a response?"

All I Got for Christmas / Rebecca Shelley / 214 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

When Principal Green announces that Santa will not be coming to the school's Christmas party this year Monkey is devastated.  His Mom would not let him mail his list to Santa because she said he had asked for too much ...and a wiener dog was entirely out of the question.  Johnny Lovebird, a.k.a Monkey, and his friends in the Smartboy Club come to the rescue of Rainbow Elementary.  Although some of Monkey's ideas get him in trouble and he is promised a bucket of coal for Christmas.  Monkey puts it to good use to heat the house when a blizzard cuts power to the town.  This book contains amusing illustrations including notebook paper like pages with printing and sketches describing various Christmas traditions. 

Part of a series.

The Christmas Shoes / Donna Van Liere / 129 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

A young boy's mother is dying of cancer.  A lawyer's marriage is over as he has devoted himself to his job instead of to his family.  On Christmas Eve, he pays for the shoes a boy wants for his mother, and realizes that his wife and family are what really matter.  Based on the #1 single "The Christmas Shoes: by NewSong, this is an awesome, inspiring read.

The Christmas Thief / Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark / 224 pages / Winter Holiday Themed Book

This quick Christmas read features a stolen Christmas tree - the one destined for Rockefeller Center in New York.  The tree unfortunately was the hiding place for a flask of diamonds stolen by Packy Noonan.  Packy has just been released from prison, plans to collect the diamonds, and flee the country for warmer climes.  Much to his dismay, a jealous neighbor has decided to cut branches from the chosen tree so that it will be rejected in favor of one of his trees.  The setting is Stowe, Vermont and the forecast is a delightful suspense story filled with comic characters and holiday cheer.

The Medeterranean Caper / Clive Cussler / 384 Pages

In the Aegean, there is adventure afoot in this, the second Dirk Pitt novel. A WWI plane attacks a naval base and then a research vessel, and our old friend Dirk Pitt is there to help catch the bad guys and get the girl, all while trying to keep from getting killed. Like most of Cussler's novels, this one has lots of intense action and is fast-paced and attention-grabbing.

Kill Alex Cross / James Patterson / 364 pages

I do believe James Patterson's Alex Cross novels are some of his best. Alex is such an interesting character and when you throw in Nana Mama and his kids, well you're reading about old friends. This book was disturbing on a number of levels: the plot lines (abduction of the President's children and terrorism), the character who abducted the children, and what happens when all the alphabetical agencies try to solve a crime by throwing thousands of people at it. I thought it was wrapped up a bit too quickly and strangely, but still a fun, fast read.

Explosive Eighteen / Janet Evanovich / 305 pages

Evanovich does it again...this is a great Stephanie Plum novel and you will be howling all through the 305 pages. Lula does not disappoint in her choice of attire or openness to the power of suggestion! Stephanie lives up to her reputation as a trouble magnet, continues to be torn between the two hot men in her life and is pursued by multiple people who want to kill her. Grandma Mazur and the Burg do not disappoint either. If you're having a bad day, pick up a Stephanie Plum novel and life will be great. Evanovich is truly gifted in providing characters that her readers love and may even feel like they know.

December's Reading Challenge

Happy Holidays to you all! This is the last Reading Challenge of the Year! So to end with a bang I am awarding "3" Bonus Points for every Winter Holiday Themed book you read. So get out those books about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa; Anything that celebrates the winter season.


And Thank you all again, for participating in the MO Book Challenge!! I have a good feeling that me might actually win this year!!

Locke & Key - Head Games / Joe Hill / 144 pgs.

The three Locke children: Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode, are rebuilding their lives after the brutal home invasion that left their father dead.  As the kids return to school, Tyler becomes friends with the evil ghost Lucas/Luke who is the real reason behind the home invasion and is still out to further destroy the family.  Bode finds another mysterious key in the Locke House; and this key is able to open the top of a person's head and lets them take memories and feeling out.  Weird, but quite fascinating when you begin to see all the possibilities that something like this can do. 

I am enjoying this series, I feel very sorry for the Locke kids because the lived through such a violent attack in the first book and this volume is more about their recovery.  The different keys found throughout the house with their mysterious, magical powers is fun to read about and discover along with the kids.  I really liked that this volume shows more of the back story on some of the side characters like Uncle Duncan Locke and his boyfriend; as well as Elle and her mentally handicapped but very insightful son Rufus. 

Y: The Last Man - Motherland & Whys and Wherefores / Brian K. Vaughan / 308 pgs.

The last two volumes of the series, and it doesn't disappoint.  In "Motherland" you learn more about Dr. Mann's family and finally find out where the plague started.  This chapter also closes up some of the side stories which was a nice touch.  The final book "Whys and Wherefores" shows where the main characters go and then really advances forward in time to show how the world and the characters are coping in the new world. 

This is one of the best graphic novel series I have read.  Its funny, has action, and deals with many different topics (moral/social/gender/medical issues).  The main characters are not perfect as they all have their flaws.  This book is for an Adult audience as there is nudity, strong language, violence, and sexual content.  If that doesn't bother you than I highly recommend you read this series.

The Golem's Eye / Jonathan Stroud / 562p

My theory on why I never wanted to read these is the covers - I hate them.  But, as my last post also mentions, I am ever so glad I started them.

About a 2 1/2 years later after the end of Book 1, The Golem's Eye picks up with Nathaniel (or John Mandrake as his magician's name) is working for the government and is apprentice to a new and highly respected magician.  He quickly realizes, however, that no one can be trusted once things start going wrong and all his fellow magicians are quick to put the blame at his feet.  His only ally?  His old "friend" Bartimaeus of whom he summons and gets an earful (seeing as they ended the first book with a  promise of parting for good).  An evil magician has created a Golem and Nathaniel needs Bartimaeus's help in finding the culprit.

Once again, Nathaniel isn't very like able (even though you see some potential shine through occasionally) but Bartimaeus is hilariously snarky.  I am anxiously awaiting book 3!

The Amulet of Samarkand / Jonathan Stroud / 462p

When the Prequel to the Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Ring of Solomon, won the School Library Journal Battle of the Books this past year I knew I had put it off for long enough - I needed to read this series.  I decided to try audio since it's set in London and that means the narrator would be British and would, automatically, be a better narrator than most audiobooks (sorry Americans, but we all know a British accent is the best) and Book 1, The Amulet of Samarkand, did not disappoint!

Nathaniel is a young wizard apprentice who is smarter than he is given credit for and much more driven than his underwhelming master.  Nathaniel's bad experience with a powerful wizard brings out his spiteful side as he calls up djinni Bartimaeus to help him steal the Amulet of Samarkand.  All does not go as planned...

Bartimaeus is a wonderful character and overshadows any flaws that appear in the story (like how unlikeable Nathaniel is).

Recommend to fans of Angie Sage, Eoin Colfer, Rowling, etc.

Chime / Franny Billingsley / 361p / National Book Award Nominee

I read this because of the National Book Award issues between this and the accidental (and poorly handled) nomination of Lauren Myracle's "Shine."  (I'll be reading Shine quite soon...)  Briony is living with a secret - she is a witch.  A witch living in a time where witches are hated and hanged.  She believes she is evil - that she caused her sister's personality quirks through creating an injury as a child and causing her stepmother's illness before she passed away.  Briony does not allow herself to live a normal teenage life until Eldric comes to town and seems to automatically lighten the mood, opens up a world of true living to Briony, and introduces her to some hard truths.

It took me a minute to get into it, but once it started rolling, I really enjoyed the book. I've never really read anything quite like this so I'm not sure of true read-a-likes, but I would try to pass it on to fans of Kristin Cashore and Megan Whalen Turner perhaps?