#Review: The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit

Summary:

Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives -- while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.

My review:

I want to first say that I do not watch or listen to Glenn Beck. I never have so, I do not know his opinions or anything much about him. Having said that this review is not based on the celebrity himself but simply on the book.

When I first got a copy of this book (two years ago), I only read a few chapters. It was the end of the Christmas season and I felt it to be a Christmas book so, I put it away until this year. I have found even though the book is set at Christmas time, it could be read at any time of the year because the message is the same. Be grateful! Be grateful for the people and things you have in your life because, in an instant, they could be gone.

I liked this book...such three stars...but I was not wowed by it either. Amazingly, this book was somewhat, memoir but disappointedly, not either. The character, Eddie, was 12/13 years old and was nothing but a whiney preteen throughout most of the book. He felt he was wronged and entitled. Truly, this grated on my nerves but I plowed through the book and got to a formidable ending. The only problem I had with the ending was it was one of those soap opera kind of endings where it was all a dream. Ugh! Was this not supposed to be somewhat a memoir?

However, as I said the point was made and it was a decent story. The best part of the whole book was how Glenn Beck himself wrapped the book up. With a tear dropping back story the author tells about the real characters in his life and how it took him a lot longer to come to terms with death and reality. Again, for me, that made the whole book.

The book is still worth the read for me. 

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle

#Review: Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit

Summary:
A fourteenth wedding anniversary is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott Banner knows, but it's not exactly a landmark year—like fifteen, or twenty, when he plans to take his wife, Laura, to Paris. But when a headache on the drive home from their anniversary date—two days before Christmas—turns out to be more than a migraine, he wishes he had celebrated every year as though it were their last.

In this poignant, touching, uplifting story, a woman calmly gathers her family around her during the Christmas holiday to celebrate their lives together—both past and future—and to truly count their blessings.

A family history unfolds in a single night in this deeply affecting story that speaks volumes about love, trust, and letting go—a perfect holiday read that underscores the true meaning of the season.

My review:
This book is a marvelous story that can be read in a few hours. I do caution though that this is not a sweet, sappy, or even happy Christmas book. The truth is, the only real "Christmas" thing about the book is it is placed during this season.

No, in fact, it is a sad book and reminds the reader that even though there may be a holiday in the mix of things, that life and death still go on. It reminds to be grateful for life and to live in the "present" and to enjoy it as it is now.

It also reminds us that even in the face of tragedy that life will continue and that even though loved ones may not be here for the big things, like Christmas, that there is hope, love, peace, and joy. 

That my dear readers, is what it is all about.  4 stars.

Disclosure: I own a copy of this book. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Michelle

Christmas Spirit & Christmas Read-a-thon: Now in full swing! #CSReadathon #ChristmasSpirit

Hey, there! The holidays are now upon us and I start thinking about books I want to read to go along with the season. This year is no different. I also join Michelle S. as she revs up the Christmas spirit with eating, movies, and of course, reading. The fun has already started but that does not mean you cannot jump in and join in decking the halls too. I may not post all of the books I read here on the blog but you can catch them on my Goodreads page or on the official Facebook even page. Happy reading! Michelle

Annual #Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge-Sign Up! #ChristmasSpiritReadingChallenge

Are you up for the challenge this year. I will be doing the Christmas Tree level and Fa La La Films!
Come join the fun!
~Michelle

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and my Christmas Book Lists #ChristmasSpirit

For the last few years, I have taken upon the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. Even though this particular challenge started on November 20th, I got a little behind in my start. Even so, I have already read four books that are Christmas related and just bought another today to read.

It is not too late to start, you don't even need a blog. Just click on the picture above and go for it!

Here is my list thus far:

1. Operation Christmas Child-Franklin Graham & Donna Lee
2. Christmas Sweater-Glenn Beck
3. Ghost Tale for Christmas-Pope Osborne
4. The Mistletoe Inn-Richard  Paul Evans
5. Christmas Spirit Memories-Joel Osteen
6. Snowman Maker-Barbara Briggs Ward (reread)
7. Reindeer Keeper, Believe Again!-Barbara Briggs Ward (reread)
8. Christmas Magic-Michael Garland
9. Grumpy Santa-Greg & Evan Spiridellis
10. Christmas Prayers Collection-various authors
11. Christmas, Present-Jacqueline Mitchard
12. The Christmas Thief-Mary & Carol Higgins Clark

~Happy Reading, Michelle

Review: How the Grandmas and Grandpas Saved Christmas by Richard J. Gausselin

Summary:
What happens when the Elves come down with colds am week before Christmas? Santa Claus call on special helpers to work his magic! Can the grandpas and grandmas from around the world save Christmas? Join Santa and his friends on this incredible journey to find out.

My review:
"Toys are to be made with hands and hearts." This is the whole summation of the book and how some grandparents saved the day because they love their grandchildren. This book took a long time to get to the meat of the story. In fact, it was almost not until the end before it did. It is not that the writing was bad because it wasn't, just in my mind it could have been much shorter and to the point faster. 

I did think this book, at first was a picture book, but then I discovered it is a book more for children who can read pretty well or at very least, be read too. This would not be a book for a very young child because attention span would not be kept.

The illustrations were cute but I was not overly impressed either. To me they looked like color book-ish and really not well done. That is rather sad because the illustrations could have lent so much more to the story.

I have seen that this book is a first in a series, I do hope the second book is much better because it does have potential.

I give this book, 3 stars for the story only.

Disclosure: I was sent this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:
Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub/Illustrated by Scott Magoon

Summary:
This parody of Clement Clarke Moore's well-known poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is kid-friendly, clever, and just plain silly―sure to become a holiday classic of a different kind.

My review:
I have given no secret to the fact that I adore this author and her books. This little gem just gave me a good chuckle. She has taken the traditional telling of "The Night Before Christmas" and turned it with a poetic twist of laughter.

The three very good Knights with funny names defend the castle, that also has a funny name, from the likes of an invader. Who would this invader with the "dragons" be? Well, I am sure you might guess.  Their fight to defend is downright hilarious with the sugar plums, and other things flying back and forth. Oh, how I wish I could tell you, but that would ruin it for you if I did. 

I also loved seeing the cartoon-ish pop up bubbles that tell what each knight is thinking. Of course these little bits are Christmas sayings or song related.

The author is so good at what she does and obviously can see a good bit of humor in everything. She manages to get the feel of what children would think is funny in every book she writes. This book is no exception!

The illustrator was also able to envision what the author was going for. His large, somewhat exaggerated characters enhanced what was already a great book. The colors are muted to give the feel of medieval times and yet has spots of Christmas colors that you would expect from such a book.

You would be amiss if you did not get a copy of this book. 5 stars and a HO HO HO!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook

Review: Can You See What I See? Night Before Christmas by Walter Wick #Scholastic #ISpyBooks

Summary: 
Scenes from Clement Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas inspire twelve elegant and fascinating compositions where readers search for dozens of intriguing hidden objects.

The first photograph, "The Night Before Christmas," features a gingerbread house, Christmas cookies, candles, bulbs, and more. "Visions of Sugarplums" is an abstract composition of Christmas confections; and "Such a Clatter!" is a dynamic explosion of objects. In "It Must Be Saint Nick," Santa is shown in shadow; and in "A Bundle of Toys," the presents in Santa's sack are revealed as a magnificent jumble. The final photograph, "Happy Christmas to All" is a beautiful, pastoral landscape, lustrous under new-fallen snow. 


My review:
As I do with all the book reviews I do, I look up the author to see what makes him/her tick and what other books he/she may have written. In this case, I found out that the author has photographed and collaborated with another author  on everyone of the "I Spy" books there are out there. That in itself is awesome.

This book takes the traditional telling of "The Night Before Christmas" and breaks it into pages of fun-filled toys and games to look for. The objects on each page are cleverly arranged so that the reader has to go on a "hunt" of sorts. This is no surprise if you have read any other "I Spy" books. 

The photographs are clear and concise. Each page has large photographs with traditional Christmas colors in the background. I had a bit of a hard time finding items but the fun of this book is looking at it over and over.  The pages are two spread with one giving clues as to what to look for. 

Finally, the end pages have the story of the "Night Before Christmas" which to me is a nice touch.
The weirdest thing I found about this book is that some pages are upside down until I got about half way through the book. I am not sure if this was intentional or accidental, either way, it makes the book that much more fun!

Oh, and one more thing, this book is from Scholastic books, so I can be reassured it is worth children to look at and read.

5 Stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may not reflect yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: The Snowbelly Family of Chillyville Inn by Cheryl Hawkinson/Illustrator Mike Esberg #HallmarkBooks

Summary:
"It's holiday time at the Chillyville Inn, and the Snowbelly family is in quite a spin..." Every year the Snowbelly family open their inn to frosty holiday travelers. This spirited story tells how their bustling preparations this season go a little differently than planned...

My review:
This is a cute little rhyming book that tells the tale of a snowman family. Who doesn't like a snowman tale after all? I love how they are doing what many families do when getting ready for the holidays. This family is also getting ready to greet guest as they are the owners of an inn.

I found it humorous to see what the Snowbelly children and their pets get into when they go to help Grandma. Of course, I cannot tell you that or it would give most of the book away. Trust me, it is what ends up making this book cute.

The rhyming in the book is ok, but the illustrations are awesome. With colorful pinks and blues, and of Christmas-y colors throughout, this makes for the perfect companion to a cold night and a cup of hot chocolate.

Oh, and one more thing, this book is from the Hallmark series of books, so you and I can be assured it is a book that is wholesome enough for the whole family to enjoy.

I give the book 4 stars and a brrrr.

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:
Goodreads