Category: Book Reviews

THE CHRISTMAS PIN SOCIETY by Marianne Coyne

Published on by macjam4713 Comments

 

The Christmas Pin Society

 

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas story!  THE CHRISTMAS PIN SOCIETY by Marianne Coyne is just that and more.  It is an inspirational account of a group of friends who get together each year at Christmas for lunch and a gift exchange, but the caveat is the gifts have to be Christmas pins.  Some were nice pieces of jewelry and some were just a few dollars. This tradition continued for years until life got in the way. Some of them moved, one got divorced, and, well you know, life often takes a different turn. Then one year, Emma, came up with a plan that she thought would draw her friends back together and revive their old tradition, but in reality, it was much bigger than that. I can’t tell too much without giving too much information.

This novella is about giving from the heart, about true friendship, and about sacrifice.  It is definitely a ‘feel good’ story. The characters were everyone’s next door neighbor.  They were a mix of people who got along together in spite of their differences.

Would I recommend THE CHRISTMAS PIN SOCIETY? Absolutely!

Marianne Coyne packed a lot of story into a relatively few number of pages.  She writes from the heart.  If you would like to know more about Marianne, her books, and her art, please check out the following websites:

Her blog Leisure Lane, her Amazon Author Page, or her Goodreads Author Page.

To purchase THE CHRISTMAS PIN SOCIETY and Marianne’s other books:  Amazon.

The Wuther of Elegiac Writings

Published on by macjam477 Comments

Reading this makes me want to read WUTHERING HEIGHTS all over again.

Ste J's avatarBook to the Future

Today something a little different, an Elegy from the perspective of Heathcliff – of Wuthering Heights fame – as written by my mate Amy, who is soon off for a jaunt around Thailand.  Naturally I have been bullying her to get a blog so everybody can share in my jealousy as well as being nosy about the wonderful landscapes yet to be discovered.   I trust you will all have an enjoyable weekend.

Brontë, Emily - Wuthering Heights Picture found at http://www.wermodandwermod.com

The end is never far from the beginning but
my love lasts for eternity.
I can feel him take your delicate touch, your distance gaze, your soft tresses.
My heart weeps as he carries you, lifting your soul to heaven
so hastily.
Before our time.
To see a part of you so alive yet so –
hanging like a thread, angels overhead,
my tragic love. No words can speak the pain my heart bleeds.

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Lauren Hill Gets an Honorary Coach Title

Published on by macjam475 Comments

This is an inspiring story about Lauren Hill.

Christy B's avatarWhen Women Inspire

Basketball, Lauren Hill and Inspiration Lauren Hill is an inspiration. Photo via University Herald website.

Lauren Hill is one inspirational young woman who can make you smile and cry, all in the same five minutes. While she won’t be able to play basketball anymore, she will continue to be a part of the sports world as an honorary coach.

About Lauren Hill

In case you aren’t familiar with her, Lauren Hill is a teenager who had the dream to play basketball at the college level. While that dream itself may seem interesting enough, it is the perseverance that this 19 year old has shown to reach that goal in spite of having been diagnosed last year with an inoperable brain tumor that makes her extraordinary. In spite of her health issues, Hill made it to the college level for basketball, inspiring many people by reaching her dream.

It was only a few weeks after Hill reached the…

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CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS By Susan Wiggs

Published on by macjam474 Comments

Candlelight Christmas

Logan O’Donnell owned a successful insurance business that he started to be near his son Charlie in a small town in upstate New York. However, when his ex-wife’s husband was transferred Oklahoma, he only gets to see Charlie during the summer and holidays. Logan sold his insurance business and bought a ski resort in Avalon, a town on the shores of Willow Lake. Though Logan has had his share of dates since the divorce, he is not ready for a serious relationship.

Darcy Fitzgerald is still reeling in the aftershock of her divorce from her unfaithful husband, Huntley Collins.  She is not ready for involvement with another man, especially one with a child, but when her best friend India introduces her to her brother Logan, Darcy cannot deny she is attracted to him.

The Fitzgerald’s and the Collins’ families go way back and they vacation and do holidays together. Darcy’s sister is married to her ex’s brother, and Darcy cannot bring herself to celebrating the holidays with her family since Huntley will be there. When India invites her to spend the holidays with her family, she accepts.

Will their pasts drive Logan and Darcy apart, or can the romantic backdrop of the wintry ski resort and the spirit of creating a Christmas to remember for Charlie and his cousins allow them to drop their guard?

This is a delightful read. Susan Wiggs is a master storyteller, and CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS is no exception.  Her characters are very believable and the plot has enough detail to keep interest high without overwhelming the reader. It is a quick read, just right for the busy holidays.

Susan-Wiggs-photo-by-Susan-Doupe You can read more about Susan and her books on her website Susan Wiggs, her Goodreads author page, FaceBook author page, her blog The View from Here, or on Twitter.

To buy CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS or any of her other books, you can visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BAM, Powell’s, or your favorite indie bookstore.

Christmas Board Books for the Very Young #3

Published on by macjam476 Comments

This is the third and final installment of Christmas Board Books for the very young. I hop you found something to your child’s liking.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

HO! HO! HO!

By Charles Reasoner

 

I loved this rhyming story.  Santa eats too many cookies and gets stuck in the chimney. A little mouse saves the day by pushing Santa down the chimney.  The pictures are in Charles Reasoner’s style – very colorful and with enough activity in each picture to keep a young child’s interest high.

 

Bear Stays Up for Christmas

BEAR STAYS UP FOR CHRISTMAS

By Karma Wilson

Illustrations by Jane Chapman

 

This was a really cute book.  Bear can’t stay awake, so his friends get him up so he doesn’t miss Christmas.  When they go home, Bear stays up and works on surprises for his friends.  When they wake up it is Christmas and Bear and his friends share their surprises.  Bear gets a quilt that is “just his size” and snuggles up and falls fast asleep. This little book explores the joy of giving.

 

Duck & Goose - It's Time for Christmas

DUCK AND GOOSE IT’S TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

By Tad Hills

 

In this delightful Duck and Goose tale, Goose wants do nothing more than catch snowflakes, go sledding, and just have fun playing in the snow.  Goose constantly reminds Duck there is no time for that. “It is time for Christmas.”  With cute little characters, aka Duck and Goose, and pictures that leave plenty of room for a child’s imagination, DUCK AND GOOSE IT’S TIME FOR CHRISTMAS will please the youngest reader through preschool age.

 

The Mitten

THE MITTEN

By Jan Brett

 

THE MITTEN is a Ukrainian folktale adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett. A boy named Nicki wanted white mittens, but his Baba said they would be hard to find in the snow. Nicki lost his mitten and the animals helped him find it in an unconventional way. If you ever read a Jan Brett book, you already know what a fantastic job she does illustrating her books, and this is no exception.

 

Just a Snowy Day

JUST A SNOWY DAY

By Mercer Mayer

 

Mercer Mayer’s JUST A SNOWY DAY is one of my favorites.  Though this isn’t a board book, it is a wonderful storybook and one of the Golden Touch and Feel books.  I remember sitting with my sons reading this and watching them complete the activity found on each page.  Because the activities on each page involve precise dexterity, I would recommend this to children aged 2-4.

 

Happy Reading!

Autumn’s Last Gasp

Published on by macjam479 Comments

Do you mourn the end of one season, or do you happily await the arrival of the next. Colleen over on Silver Threading gives us a last glimpse of fall.

Christmas Board Books for the Very Young #2

Published on by macjam476 Comments

Reading Christmas stories to my children when they were young was part of our Christmas tradition.  Who can resist a cute Christmas board book for their little one?

Bright Baby Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Bright Baby Touch and Feel book

 

This little Christmas picture book identifies various winter pictures for the youngest reader.  There is a snowman, Santa, reindeer, sleigh, and many more to delight a child two and under.

 

God Bless Our Christmas

GOD BLESS OUR CHRISTMAS

By Hannah C. Hall

Illustrated by Steve Whitlow

 

GOD BLESS OUR CHRISTMAS is a beautiful book about Christmas time activities and ends by reminding children that Christmas is the day Jesus was born.

“The baby Jesus has been born!

A star shines big and bright.

Through Jesus’ birth, God came earth/

God bless our Christmas night.”

I recommend this book for all preschool and toddler aged children.

 

Peek-a-Boo Reindeer

PEEK-A-BOO REINDEER

By Charles Reasoner

 

This is a cut-out board book, with shaped pages and cut-outs or peek-a-boo holes.  I didn’t find the story to be very engaging, but the illustrations are colorful and the cut-outs are fun. It is definitely a book for the very young to page through and explore the shapes and peek-a-boos.  With Santa, snowmen, reindeer and other forest creatures, the book is well suited to Mom or Dad to embellish the story.

 

PeekaBoo Elves

PEEK-A-BOO ELVES

By Charles Reasoner

 

This is another cut-out board book, by Charles Reasoner.  Once again the pictures and the cut-outs will engage young ones is a cute story.  I preferred this story to the PEEK-A-BOO REINDEER.  The elves are making toys and packing up Santa’s sleigh for the big night.

Christmas Board Books for the Very Young #1

Published on by macjam477 Comments

 

Christmas stories are always a popular to prepare for Christmas. Children love the magic of Christmas and enjoy reading the many Christmas story books available.  Still looking for a gift for a little one?  Check out the books on this blog.  There will be two more postings on this topic this week.

 

Frosty the Snowman

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

By Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson

Illustrated by Rebecca Thronburgh

Who doesn’t remember listening to FROSTY THE SNOWMAN.  Whether reading the story or singing the song, or watching the video Frosty has brought smiles to children’s faces over the years.

“Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be,” are magical words to a young child. This beautiful little book with its colorful illustrations is just the right size for toddlers to handle.

Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas

HAVE YOURSELF A FURRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

By Naomi Kleinberg

Illustrated by Louis Womble

Elmo and the rest of the Sesame Street gang are getting ready for a Christmas celebration. Each of them attends to different tasks until all the work is done and they are ready to party.  The boldly colored illustrations of the Sesame Street characters will positively delight all little Sesame Street fans.

Our Little Deer

OUR LITTLE DEER

By Sandra Magsamen

OUR LITTLE DEAR is absolutely darling! Not only are the illustrations attractive to a very young child, the book has soft antlers sticking out the top.  It is just too cute!  The story is full of warmth and love for a little deer/dear.

“You fill our home with so much love.

You’re an angel sent from up above.

We love, love, love you, little deer.”

I would definitely recommend this for children 2 years old and under.

My Santa Claus

MY SANTA CLAUS

By Lily Karr

Illustrated by Jay Johnson

MY SANTA CLAUS is a cute book in verse about Santa and his elves delivering presents. The illustrations are boldly colorful and Santa is depicted as the traditional Santa children know.

Elmo's 12 Days of Christmas

ELMO’S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

By Sarah Albee

Illustrated by Maggie Swanson

Elmo and the Sesame Street gang sing The 12 Days of Christmas with a Sesame Street spin. This book is filled with lots of pictures of children’s favorites, most especially of Elmo.

MY WHISPERINGS By Just Patty (Patty van Delft)

Published on by macjam4718 Comments

My Whisperings

This is the second book of poetry written by Just Patty. Patty delves into deepest emotions in her poetry.  MY WHISPERINGS is a collection of dark poetry, though some of her poems have a more positive note.

One that struck me as being particularly dark and deeply painful is “PTSD”.  The last verse is a good example of the entire poem.

Silently drowning

In a sea of unshed tears I shout

I am chocking

I’m hurting!

Just want to end it

But… I can’t find a way out

“Vengeance” is another of her poems that is very dark as illustrated by the following verse from it. In this poem Just Patty explores revenge.

Ruthless

Ice cold justice got served

In my heart, there’s no compassion

You got what you deserved!

One of my favorites of her poems is “The Warrior” which is more uplifting as Just Patty portrays steadfastness and positive thinking.

Times are hard, life is tough

I know that you think you had enough

Don’t give up, you can still win

Bring out the warrior from within

Though my first choice in poetry is to read uplifting and joyous verse, I enjoyed reading this collection of poetry very much, especially when the poem spoke of redeeming qualities rather than ending just as dark as it began.

About the author:  Just Patty is the poet name used by the Dutch writer Patty van Delft.  She has also written another book of poetry, MY WINGS.

Just Patty is a very talented poet. She is a staunch supporter of suicide prevention and anti-bullying. You can follow her on her blog Petite Magique, on Facebook Just Patty Author Page on Twitter Just Patty, or on Google+ at Just Patty.

You can buy MY WHISPERINGS on Amazon.com.

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.