2009 Holiday Reading Challenge - Completed

For the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge hosted by Nely at All About {n}, I needed to read one to five holiday-themed books by December 31, 2009. I was on a major Christmas book binge, and I actually read and reviewed nine books that counted towards this challenge!

Here are the links to my reviews:

THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK
THE CHRISTMAS PEARL
CHRISTMAS CAKE
THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET
SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX
THE CHRISTMAS DOG
THE UNFINISHED GIFT
WISHIN' AND HOPIN'

Another challenge out of the way! Now I need to focus on a few that I'm not doing so well on!

Review: The Christmas Clock

Summary: Sylvia Winters just found a job and an apartment in her hometown of Dreyerville, Michigan, but she is hesitant to return. Eight years ago, she jilted her fiancé, Joe Dixon, telling him that she was moving to Chicago because small-town living was not for her. But she was lying. Syl was headed to Chicago to be treated for cervical cancer. Sadly, Joe never knew the real reason she left him. Confused and distraught, he turned to drinking to heal the pain, until he accidentally killed a man and served years in jail. Now Syl and Joe are both back in town, but it will take a miracle to bring them back into each other’s arms. Also in town is Lottie Sparks and her grandson, Teddy. Ever since Lottie’s daughter was killed in a drunk-driving accident, Lottie’s been in charge of Teddy. He appreciates her love more than she knows, so much so that the industrious eight-year-old hits up Joe’s auto body shop, so he can save enough money by Christmas to buy his grandmother a Victorian clock she adores—one that vividly reminds her of her childhood, even as the rest of her memories are slipping away with the onset of advanced Alzheimer’s. As spring turns to summer and summer to fall, matters in the Sparks’ household take a turn for the worse. And with winter approaching, will a little hope and a big dose of Christmas magic be enough to make everything all right again? -- Vanguard Press

A few weeks ago, I was checking out with some library books and DVDs for my son when I saw a big stash of Christmas books. You know by now that I love holiday-themed books so I grabbed a few and placed them on the counter. Much to my surprise, the library worker told me it would be $4! I thought they were library holdings so I was a little embarrassed, but I figured a $4 donation to the library was a worthwhile cause. One of the books that I picked up was a novella called THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK by Kat Martin.

Maybe it's because I'm overloading on Christmas books, but I thought this one was just okay. I'm glad I read it because it does encompass all the sweet emotions of the season, but it really didn't stand out to me. It tugged a wee bit at my heartstrings, but because it was so predictable, I didn't find myself really caught up in the story.

I did like all of the characters in this book, and as I read this novel, I was hoping that things would work out for all of them. Of course, for the most part, everything was wrapped up in a nice little bow by the end of the story. After I finished this quick little read, I felt a sense of hope for the characters, and it definitely warmed my heart.

I wasn't aware that Kat Martin was a New York Times bestselling romance author but that really makes a lot of sense to me now after reading THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK. There were a few ongoing story lines in the book, but two that stood out were about couples who had damaged relationships. Throughout the course of the story, both couples found ways to forgive, heal and work on their relationships. I am not a huge romance fan, but every once in awhile, a clean book about love and relationships is nice to read.

I recommend THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK if you are looking for a quick, sweet read during the holiday season. It's also a beautiful book that would make a nice gift for someone special.

Review: The Christmas Pearl

Summary: Still spry at ninety-three, Theodora has lived long enough to see her family grow into an insufferable bunch of truculent knuckleheads. Having finally gathered the whole bickering brood together for the holidays at her South Carolina home, the grand matriarch pines wistfully for those extravagant, homey Christmases of her childhood. How she misses the tables groaning with home-cooked goodies, the over-the-top decorations, those long, lovely fireside chats with Pearl, her grandmother's beloved housekeeper and closest confidante. These days, where is the love and the joy . . . and the peace?

But this is, after all, a magical time. Someone very special has heard Theodora's plea—and is about to arrive at her door with pockets full of Gullah magic and enough common sense to transform this Christmas into the miracle it's truly meant to be. -- Avon

A few months ago, I opened a package to find a copy of THE CHRISTMAS PEARL by Dorothea Benton Frank along with a cute little jingle bell. I thought it was a very cute marketing idea, but I just wasn't ready for holiday books back then. Well, you know that I've been reading a ton of Christmas books the past few weeks, and I finally got around to taking a look at this one. It was a cute, heart-warming read that I think resonated with me because of the holiday season. I'm not sure had I read it any other time of the year, I would have appreciated it as much.

The mass market paperback version of the book is a perfect little stocking stuffer. THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is actually a very quick read -- you can read it pretty easily in a sitting or two. When I started reading the book, I was surprised to see that although the book looks to be a "normal-sized" paperback, it is actually more like a novella -- around 150 pages. I was thrilled to see that the rest of the book was filled with tons of terrific sounding recipes. This sweet little book is actually a Christmas story and cookbook in one!

THE CHRISTMAS PEARL tells the story of Theodora, a 93 year old woman whose family is just a mess. They are all completely self-absorbed and just plain miserable people. Theodora's entire family (her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren) come to spend Christmas in the family home with her, and things quickly take a turn for the worst on Christmas Eve when everyone gets into a shouting fest. I was really shocked how cruel the family members were to each other.

A "special" person from Theodora's past makes a very surprising visit and helps make Christmas magical for the entire family. I think my favorite parts of this story were the scenes with Pearl and Theodora. I thought the author did a nice job of showing the women's love and respect for each other. I also loved it when they reminisced about their past together, when Christmas was much simpler. As I read this book, I found myself shaking my head at how commercial we (myself included) have made this holiday; and I think this book gives a gentle nudge about keeping things in perspective during this very hectic time of the year.

Of course, THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is a holiday book and eventually there is a happy ending! The characters all see the errors of their ways and realize what truly is important in their lives. The story is rather predictable, but it's Christmas and I know I want the story to be wrapped up in a neat little bow and for everything to work out for the characters. That's really all I ask for holiday book -- to touch my heart and make me feel good!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.

Review: Christmas Cake

Summary: With the holiday season drawing near, the ladies of Hope Springs, North Carolina, are making plans for a cake cookbook—a project that will hopefully lift the spirits of a beloved member of their close-knit quartet. But Margaret Peele is downhearted and uninspired now that her cancer has returned. All she wants this Christmas is to visit her mother's Texas hometown . . . and to see their absent friend, pastor Charlotte Stewart, who left Hope Springs to run a battered women's shelter. So impulsive Beatrice Newgarden Witherspoon commandeers a very inappropriate—but comfortable—van to transport Margaret, Louise Fisher, and Jessie Jenkins across the country for a Lone Star State reunion with Charlotte. And over the course of a remarkable journey they will rediscover the greatest Christmas gift of all: eternal friendship. -- Avon

When Book Club Girl announced that she was giving away copies of CHRISTMAS CAKE by Lynne Hinton, I absolutely jumped at the chance. I am on a major binge on holiday reading, and I thought this book looked perfect for this time of year. I thoroughly enjoyed this story about the strength of women and their friendships, and I think it was just what I needed/wanted to read during this busy holiday season! CHRISTMAS CAKE reminded me of all the wonderful things that friends do for each other.

I'm not going to lie -- CHRISTMAS CAKE made me cry, and I'm guessing that I'm not going to be the only one with that reaction. Even though this novel is a tear-jerker, I still was left with a joyful feeling when I finished the story. Given the past month that I've had with health scares for me and my grandmother as well as a car accident, I've decided that it's the sad things in life that really make me appreciate everything I have. I know that CHRISTMAS CAKE further demonstrated this concept to me.

I absolutely adored the cast of characters -- quirks and all; and I really enjoyed the dynamics between the women. It was refreshing to see women who were a little older portrayed in such a way; and these women were all very real to me with their various problems including cancer and depression. Rarely do I read books about women in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and I think a book about older (and wiser) characters will appeal to many women. I especially loved how all of the women (even those who bickered) supported each other and basically just picked up the pieces when their friends needed help.

CHRISTMAS CAKE is a sequel to FRIENDSHIP CAKE which was released nine years ago. Normally, I like to read series in order because I am such a nut; however, I decided to read CHRISTMAS CAKE first since it is so timely! I felt as if the author did a pretty good job of introducing the characters and the friendship, but I still feel like I was missing out on some pertinent information from the first novel. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it got in the way of my enjoyment of the novel (it definitely didn't.) I just think I was missing out on some past behavior that might have made me feel like more of an insider into the women's friendships. Now, I want to go back and learn more about the characters' lives in FRIENDSHIP CAKE. I'm also hoping that there will be more future books in this series!

As I read CHRISTMAS CAKE, I couldn't help but think how much some of my friends and mother might enjoy this story. It truly is a beautiful story about women and their friendships. It actually would make a wonderful book club during the holiday season. It is a very quick read with memorable characters, and the messages in this story are perfect for this time of year. I was happy to see that there is a reading guide available, and I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to discuss the characters and the way they supported each other. Some of the themes that came to my mind while reading this book were friendships, grief, loss, hope, and forgiveness to name a few. I also think the recipes at the beginning of each chapter would make for a very delicious meeting! Instead of a traditional cookie exchange, each book club member could make one of the cake recipes from the book and then take home a piece or two from all the different cakes.

Tomorrow evening (December 15th at 7:00 p.m. ET), Ms. Hinton will be joining Book Club Girl on BlogTalk Radio to discuss CHRISTMAS CAKE. I am really looking forward to hearing Ms. Hinton discuss the inspiration for this novel, and I already have a few questions ready to ask her. Make sure you register in advance so you can participate in the chat room. You can set a reminder for the show here. This BlogTalk Radio show should be a great way to get in the Christmas spirit!

Thanks to Book Club Girl for sending me a review copy of this book.

Review: The Body in the Sleigh

Summary: It's Christmastime, and the Fairchild family is spending the holidays on idyllic Sanpere Island in Maine while the Reverend Thomas Fairchild recuperates from surgery. His caterer wife, Faith, is rejoicing in the rare, holiday family-time together—watching ice boaters, snowshoeing, and doing plenty of reading in front of the fire.

But Faith's high spirits are dampened when she discovers the body of a young woman in an antique sleigh in front of the Sanpere Historical Society. The victim, Norah, was a teenage drug addict who apparently died by her own hand. Beloved by many, her untimely death rocks the isolated, tight-knit island community.

Meanwhile, Mary Bethany, a local spinster who raises goats, happens upon a newborn baby boy lying in the manger of her barn on Christmas Eve. The only clues to his identity are a note in the basket asking her to take care of him, as well as an alarming amount of cash. As Faith helps Mary locate the baby's mother, she soon finds that the truth behind the abandonment is connected to Norah's last days—and that, just as death and life are intertwined on Sanpere, so are evil and redemptive goodness. -- William Morrow

It's been a few days since I've posted a review for a Christmas book, but that doesn't mean that I've stopped reading them! I recently completed THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH by Katherine Hall Page, and I found it to be a terrific read for this time of year. Prior to THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH, I hadn't read any of Ms. Page's Faith Fairchild mysteries. However, I enjoyed this one so much that I might have to revisit some of her earlier novels.

THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH definitely can be read and enjoyed without having ever read any of the earlier books in the series, but I'm kind of a stickler and like to read books in order. I really liked Faith and her family, and I just would have liked to have known a little bit more about them. I have to give the author a great deal of credit for giving the reader enough background about the characters so there aren't any gaps or questions. I would think it might be a challenge to write a series in such a way that each book is its own entity.

I used to read a lot more mysteries than I do now, and what I realized as I read this novel is that I really enjoy a good mystery. I liked how Ms. Page had interesting characters, and I also thought Ms. Page laid out her mystery very well. I was definitely interested in learning what happened to the victim (along with the book's characters); and I thought the author did a wonderful job of humanizing the victim. It wasn't one of those books where I was on the edge of my seat guessing about the potential culprits, but it was one of those stories that just unfolded so well.

What I think I enjoyed most about this novel is how Ms. Page brought the story to life. Her descriptions of the Maine coast land were vivid, and it was apparent to me that Ms. Page is very familiar with this part of our country. In addition, I liked how she portrayed the small town and its people. I think it was the perfect setting for this mystery. Another thing I really appreciated was how she wove the theme of Christmas into the story. The character of Mary Bethany, a spinster, discovers a young baby boy who was mysteriously left in her goat barn on Christmas Eve. I think you'll see some of the parallels to the Christmas story. I especially liked the overall theme of hope in this novel!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Review: The Christmas Secret

Summary: When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love. Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for.The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day. -- St. Martins Press

I hope you aren't getting tired of all of the Christmas books that I've been reading and reviewing, but I just finished another one and I really, really liked it -- THE CHRISTMAS SECRET by Donna VanLiere. Maybe I was just in the mood since I read it on my bus trip to New York to see the Rockettes, but I don't think so. I absolutely loved his novel and it was the perfect read for this time of year.

THE CHRISTMAS SECRET tells the story of a young mother, Christine, who doesn't seem to have much going right in her life lately. She is a single mother of two very cute kids, but her ex-husband is a dead-beat dad; and she is struggling to keep her job and pay the bills. When she is late for work yet again (this time because she stops to help an unconscious woman), she loses her job and then gets evicted from her apartment. She has no one to help her watch her children, and she doesn't even have any money for Christmas gifts. It's a pretty pitiful existence for Christine to say the least!

Now, I don't want to make it sound like this is a depressing story because it really wasn't. Of course, my heart went out to Christine and her children, but I think all of their problems just made the ending that much sweeter! Throughout the course of the book, Christine realizes that there are many kind and generous people who come to her aid (there are even a few secret ones!) She also begins to realize a lot about herself, her faith and her family. It is just a very sweet story that made me feel all happy inside!

There are many supporting characters in this book that I also liked including Mr. Wilson, the owner of the department store, Betty, the owner of a cafe, and Gloria and Miriam. However, I think I most liked Mr. Wilson's grandson Jason -- although that wasn't always the case. When the book begins, Jason is an arrogant man who thinks he is too good to be working in his grandfather's store. I liked how he grew up and became a real man; and I also loved how he realized what's really important in life.

I can't recommend THE CHRISTMAS SECRET enough if you are looking for a feel-good Christmas book! I loved the story and and the characters, and I can definitely say that this book touched my heart. Since I enjoyed this novel so much, I am planning on going back and reading Ms. VanLiere's Christmas book trilogy -- THE CHRISTMAS SHOES, THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING, and THE CHRISTMAS HOPE. I have heard so many good things about Ms. VanLiere's books, and I want to see for myself!

And if you don't have time to read all of these wonderful Christmas books during the busy holiday season, I have another option for you. The Christmas Shoes, The Christmas Blessing and The Christmas Hope have all been made into movies and will be shown on December 13, 2009 on Lifetime! I am definitely setting my Tivo! Here's the schedule:

4:00: The Christmas Shoes
6:00: The Christmas Blessing (Acquired - LMN Premiere - one telecast only)
8:00: Christmas Hope (Premiere)
10:00: The Christmas Shoes (encore)
12:00am: Christmas Hope (encore)

You can also visit Lifetime's website for a giveaway of THE CHRISTMAS SECRET!

Thanks to Anna from Authors on the Web for sending me a copy of this book.

Review: Secrets of a Christmas Box

Summary: Enter the magical , festive world of the Christmas ‘Tree-Dwellers', as Larry, a Christmas snowman, and his pet companion Tinsel, wake up after the long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing.

Unable to accept his loss, Larry, along with Tinsel, his girlfriend Debbie, and a newcomer Splint, break the laws of the ‘Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues to his brother's disappearance.

Away from the safety of the tree, and desperate to piece back their families in time for Christmas, the small Tree-Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret, that threatens their whole way of life. However, they soon realize it's not just time that's against them, as they begin to unravel the ‘ Secrets of a Christmas Box '. -- Ecky Thump Book

As part of my holiday reading, I recently read the middle grade fantasy book SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX by Steven Hornby. SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX provides a unique twist on traditional Christmas stories. In this novel, the Christmas ornaments come to life at night when no one can see them.

I liked SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX, but I'm pretty sure that this book isn't geared for me since it is a middle-grade fantasy book. However, I can definitely see the appeal for youngsters. It's a very cute story filled with fun characters and lots of action. I think SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX would make a terrific read-a-long story; and I think my five year old son would love it.

In many ways, SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX reminded me of a book that we read for our Mother Daughter Book Club called THE DOLL PEOPLE. THE DOLL PEOPLE was a story about two doll house families that came to life when no one was watching. Both SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX and THE DOLL PEOPLE were filled with lots of excitement and close calls for the characters; and both books even had a cat who caused some trouble. Most of the girls in our group loved THE DOLL PEOPLE, so I can assume that they would enjoy SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX as well.

One thing that I especially appreciated about SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX is that there were some valuable lessons in it. I liked how loyal the character of Larry was, and I even enjoyed seeing how devoted Tinsel was to Larry. In addition, I liked that Debbie's character actually matured throughout the book and even realized how wrong she was to judge Splint before she knew his entire story. There were also some characters who weren't quite on the up and up and were driven to bad behavior out of their jealousy. I don't think the messages in this novel were heavy-handed, but I do think kids will pick up on them!

I read that the author initially planned to make a movie of SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX but then decided to tell the story as a novel. I can absolutely see this book as a movie, and I think it would be a terrific one. There are a few illustrations in the book to give the reader an idea of what the ornaments look like, and I can only imagine how beautiful these "characters" would be in a movie setting.

I recommend SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX for any family with children. Middle grade children will enjoy this fun story, and I think even pre-readers will enjoy having the story read to them. I can certainly see how SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX could become a family favorite! Check out the book's trailer:



Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Review: The Christmas Dog

Summary: Christmas miracles can come from unlikely sources.

Betty Kowalski isn't looking forward to the holidays. She just can't seem to find Christmas in her heart. Maybe it's because her husband is gone. Maybe it's because she's missing her children. Or maybe it has something to do with her obnoxious new neighbor, who seems to be tearing his house apart and rearranging it on the lawn.

But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn what Christmas is really all about. -- Revell Books

I have heard so many wonderful things about Melody Carlson, but I had never actually read one of her books until I picked up THE CHRISTMAS DOG. I figured since I enjoy Christmas -themed books so much, that THE CHRISTMAS DOG would be a good one to start with! Plus, I couldn't resist the adorable puppy on the cover -- isn't he just precious?

THE CHRISTMAS DOG is sweet little book about all sorts of relationships -- relationships between family members, friends, neighbors, and even pets and owners. It's a very quick and light read (about 170 pages) that's just perfect for this time of year. And it will remind you that sometimes love appears when you least expect it!

Betty Kowalski is having a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas. She will be all by herself for the holidays and she is missing her husband. In addition, she is upset about her "crazy" neighbor Jack. When a puppy appears on her doorstep, she assumes that it belongs to Jack. The poor puppy goes back and forth between Betty and Jack because neither one wants to claim the dog as their own. The "war" between the neighbors doesn't reflect positively on either party!

In the meantime, Betty's granddaughter Avery runs away from her family and shows up at Betty's house. Avery is kind of a lost soul who just needs some time to figure things out in her life. While neither Betty nor Jack wants anything to do with the dog, Avery falls fast in love with the adorable canine. While Betty wants to support Avery, she finds herself caught in the middle between Avery and her parents, Avery and the dog, and Avery and Jack!

THE CHRISTMAS DOG is really a story about the beauty of the holiday season. It's a time when we all need to reflect on how blessed we are and remind ourselves to "love thy neighbor as thyself." I especially enjoyed the message that love can appear when we least expect it. This novella definitely gave me something to think about -- will I be willing to embrace that love when it appears or will I miss out on it because I wasn't paying attention?

I have another one of Ms. Carlson's Christmas stories THE CHRISTMAS BUS downloaded on my Kindle that I intend to read in the next few weeks. If THE CHRISTMAS DOG is any indication of her other books, then I definitely think I'm in for a treat. I also discovered that Ms. Carlson has written books for middle grade and young adult audiences, so Booking Daughter and I will have to check these out too.

I highly recommend THE CHRISTMAS DOG is you want a feel-good book about Christmas and the importance of "loving your neighbors." I am passing along my copy to my mother, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks. And then, I think I'll had it over to Booking Daughter. THE CHRISTMAS DOG is just an ideal book for any age.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel.

Review: The Unfinished Gift

Summary: Can a gift from the past mend a broken heart?

Ian Collins is an old man without his son. Patrick Collins is a young boy without his father. On his Christmas list are only three items. He wants the army to find his father. He wants to leave his grandfather's house. And he wants the dusty wooden soldier in Grandfather's attic--the one he is forbidden to touch.

Set at Christmastime in 1943, The Unfinished Gift is the engaging story of a family in need of forgiveness. With simple grace, it reminds us of the small things that affect powerful change in our hearts--a young boy's prayers, a shoe box of love letters, and even a half-carved soldier, long forgotten. This nostalgic story of reconciliation will touch your heart. -- Revell

Now that Thanksgiving is over and I'm all decorated for Christmas, I feel like I can kind of relax a bit. Since reading is one of my absolutely favorite (and most relaxing things) to do, I've decided that I'm going to spend some time over the next few weeks reading some holiday-themed books. I absolutely love Christmas and especially books about Christmas. For some reason, reading these books just gets me in the right mood for the holiday.

I recently finished a Christian fiction book called THE UNFINISHED GIFT by Dan Walsh, and it is definitely a book that epitomizes the spirit of Christmas. This novel about a young boy who is forced to live with his grandfather is guaranteed to touch your heart. It might even bring a tear or two to your eyes as well. This novel is a relatively quick read that is perfect for this time of year.

I enjoyed THE UNFINISHED GIFT a great deal, and I can't get the characters out of my mind. Patrick is a young boy whose mother dies in a car accident and whose father is overseas fighting in World War II. Since Patrick's grandfather is the only living relative, he is forced to live with him until his father can come home from the war. Patrick's grandfather is a very bitter old man because he has lost everything dear to him -- his wife has died and he and Patrick's father have had a falling out. Patrick's grandfather is so miserable that he takes his anger out on Patrick.

Of course, my heart went out to Patrick. He was so young to be dealing with the loss of his mother as well as a missing father. In addition, he had to live with his grandfather who was a stranger to him and a mean one at that. But, I actually felt very bad for Patrick's grandfather too. I can't imagine living with so much anger and resentment -- it just seemed like he was wasting his life. I was so glad that by the end of the book, he realized the error of his ways and could start healing the relationships with his son and his grandson.

I loved the lessons in this story and they definitely made me reflect on my own life. I've recently been reminded that life is too short not to appreciate each and every day. And I am also constantly reminded of how important family is in my life. I liked that THE UNFINISHED GIFT showed that it's never too late to open your heart to love and ask for forgiveness. In addition, I appreciated that even though Patrick's mother had died, she still could affect others' behavior through the strength of her Christian faith. There were just so very many beautiful messages in this story.

THE UNFINISHED GIFT is Mr. Walsh's first novel, and I absolutely loved the characters. I thought the story ended perfectly, but I admit that I'm curious about what happens to the characters after the book ends. I was glad to see that there is a sequel to THE UNFINISHED GIFT called THE HOMECOMING which will be available in June 2010. I am looking forward to reading this novel as well as Mr. Walsh's future books.

If you are looking for a story that will definitely tug at your heartstrings, then you might want to give THE UNFINISHED GIFT a try. I also think this novel would make an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys stories about the magic of the Christmas season.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Review: Wishin' and Hopin'

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

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

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

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

I am a HUGE fan of Wally Lamb so when I discovered that he had a new book out, I could hardly wait! (This time I only had to wait a year instead of 10 plus years!) And then, when I heard that it was a holiday-themed book, I was practically beside myself. You know by now how much I love Christmas! Mr. Lamb's new novel is called WISHIN' AND HOPIN': A CHRISTMAS STORY, and it's very different than his prior novels. I mean that in a good way, though -- this book is extremely entertaining and very, very funny.

When I first picked up this book, I knew little if anything about it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's a light, easy read; and it's just a perfect way to escape the hassles and stresses of the holiday season. The story is narrated by 10 year old Felix Funicello (great name, right?); and he is most definitely a character that I will remember. I fell in love with his insight and honesty as well as his naivete. I could really relate to not being "in the know" like the rest of my classmates. Felix also happens to be one of the sweetest and funniest narrators that I've "met" in recent memory.

As far as I'm concerned, the best thing about WISHIN' AND HOPIN' was the way Mr. Lamb told this story. I absolutely love that he chose Felix to tell this story. Not only was the character of Felix developed extremely well (I mean it is a Wally Lamb character) but he was also very believable. Through the use of Felix as a narrator, the reader was able to look back at his/her own childhood and remember what it was like to be 10 years old. In addition, Mr. Lamb did an excellent job of taking the reader right back to 1964. I truly appreciated all of the cultural references, and I can imagine how much fun this book would be for a reader who had actually been a child during this time period.

WISHIN' AND HOPIN' definitely reminded me a little bit of Barbara Robinson's book THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (one of my all-time favorite Christmas books) and THE CHRISTMAS STORY movie. All three are hilarious stories told in a young kid's voice, and they all manage to touch my heart. I can easily see including WISHIN' AND HOPIN' as part of my yearly must-read/must-see holiday entertainment list.

If you're like me and love Wally Lamb, you might want to check this out -- it's "Wally's Wishin' and Hopin' Time Machine. I found these links after finishing the novel, so I thought it was a great way to visualize some of the cultural references in the story. (I know what you're thinking -- I'm old, but not quite that old!) In addition, you can visit the publisher's Wally Lamb page to discover some of his essays, his favorite books, and even some photos of Mr. Lamb through the years.

I highly recommend WISHIN' AND HOPIN' to anyone and everyone this holiday season. It's a very entertaining read that is perfect for this time of year. The novel is funny and at the same time heart-warming; and I think it captures the essence of the Christmas season perfectly!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

2009 Holiday Reading Challenge

Two challenges in one day -- am I crazy or what?

I have decided to join the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge hosted by Nely at All About {n}. I love all things Christmas and I was already planning on reading some Christmas books. Here are the details straight from All About {n}:

Challenge Requirements:

1- Challenge will start Friday, November 20 and will end Thursday, December 31.

2- You can read anywhere from 1 to 5 books for the challenge and, of course, if you're like me, you are more than welcome to surpass that number.

3- And now, here's the clincher... they must be holiday related books. That's right, the holiday doesn't really matter, but it would be more "jolly" if your choices were Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.

4- The size of the book does not matter, nor does the genre. It is also okay for the book to overlap with other challenges. The only thing I ask is that they are not children's books. YA is okay. And so are re-reads. I for one tend to read the same books every Christmas - they are tradition.

5- To sign up - leave a link back to your challenge post. There will also be a post for review links as well as one for challenge wrap-ups.

6- And.... there will be goodies. That's right, we'll call them presents. At the end of every week that the challenge is running I will choose one winner from the review links and I will allow them to pick a book of their choosing (of course, I will provide a list). Meaning the more books you read, review and link up, the more chances you have at winning a "present".

I've decided to read at least five of the following books:

WISHIN' AND HOPIN' by Wally Lamb
THE CHRISTMAS DOG by Melody Carlson
THE UNFINISHED GIFT by Dan Walsh
THE CHRISTMAS BUS by Melody Carlson
SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX by Steven Hornby
THE CHRISTMAS PEARL by Dorothea Benton Frank
THE BODY IN SLEIGH by Katherine Hall Page
ONE WEEK IN DECEMBER by Holly Chamberlin
THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK by Kat Martin

I have already read one two holiday books but I'm guessing they don't count since I read them before the start day of the challenge:

KNIT THE SEASON by Kate Jacobs
THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CLUB by Ann Pearlman