Play Book Tag discussion

Here is a thread to put your December Flurries in. Books about holidays, snow, cold and celebrations can work here or if you are from the Southern Hemisphere -Summer and Barbies(barbecue).

Also see:
https://www.officeholidays.com/calend...

https://nationaltoday.com/december-ho...

Great calendars! Thanks so much

Nature Tales for Winter Nights by Nancy Campbell - 4+* - My Review

Wonderfully curated anthology of both fiction and non-fiction that feature the beauty of nature, particularly the landscapes of winter in the northern hemisphere. These diverse stories, folk tales, poems, and essays are best read one or two at a time. There is a mix of short, medium, and long pieces. I found it a nice way to relax in the evening before sleeping and took my time. If you enjoy writings related to the natural world, wildlife, and especially cold weather, this is a very soothing and meditative collection featuring such writers are Charlotte Brontë, Susan Fennimore Cooper, Charles Darwin, Anne Frank, Kenneth Grahame, Carl Linnaeus, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, and Nancy Campbell herself. As an added bonus, the cover is gorgeous.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy.

You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas

This collection of short memoir stories had me at the cover! The stories run from hilarious to gritty.

The first two stories are my favorites, both from the author's childhood. In the first he describes how he couldn't tell the difference between Jesus and Santa. And in the second he sets out to make a gingerbread house and ends up with a soulless gingerbread tenement building instead.

Most of the stories are from later years as a young and then middle aged adult, and significantly more in line with the picture on the cover. Reader beware, these are not all feel-good stories.

The final story in the collection tells of a home disaster on Christmas Eve, but the holiday is saved by the author's partner, brother and neighbors - this last story was truly heartwarming.

Booknblues wrote: "Here is a thread to put your December Flurries in. Books about holidays, snow, cold and celebrations can work here or if you are from the Southern Hemisphere -Summer and Barbies(barbecue).

Also s..."

Thanks for posting these!

Human Rights seems to be a big one, with Universal Human Rights Month, Human Rights Week and Human Rights Day. Plus related topics - World AIDS Day, Rosa Parks Day, and International Migrants Day - I have a couple migrations books on my TBR
International Epidemic Preparedness Day - Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World fits this and several Human Rights topics.
Pearl Harbor and Anytime Hawaiian Day
World Pollution Prevention Day
Cookie Day
Animal Rights Day
Special Education Day
Pretend to be a Time Traveler - I have a Jodi Taylor book

3.5 stars? I really kind of loved it, but I find I don't have much to say about it. It was charming, quirky, offbeat, and the perfect kind of light holiday read. It was unique and endearing. I really kind of loved it, and it was a lovely first book of December.

A Very Scalzi Christmas by John Scalzi - 4 stars

A (mostly) hilarious collection of Christmas-themed writings by John Scalzi, including a very schmaltzy short story. A lot of it was laugh-out-loud funny, so overall it gets 4 stars. I probably would have appreciated the schmaltzy short more in my youth, when I actually wrote one along the same lines myself (which I rather cringe at now when I re-read it). But it's a great start to the Christmas reads for the month.

Thanks to KTloves2listen for bringing this to my attention! :)

Christmas (book takes place in the days leading up to Christmas)

Whispers Under Ground - Ben Aaronovitch

4 stars

In the third book of the Rivers of London Series, as Christmas approaches, the body of a U.S. Senator's son is found stabbed to death in the London Underground. While on the scene, Peter Grant senses the after effects of strong magic around the body. Thus, Grant and the other members of his team of supernatural detectives must solve the case. This case brings him into the tunnels of the London Underground and sewers to find the murderer. This was another solid mystery in the series. We got to meet some new characters and explore some new parts of London. My favorite part of the book was its sense of place. Reading these mysteries really makes London come alive. The city itself is like a character in the book and I can't imagine the book taking place anywhere else. I look forward to continuing the series and seeing where Aaronovitch takes us next.

Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas by Suzanne Lang


It is a cold, drizzly, grizzly December and Jim Panzee is not feeling the Christmas spirit. He is wet, hungry, and GRUMPY! but his friends all help him to embrace the season.

I think this is my favorite of the series, and might need to add it to my seasonal children's book collection. My favorite scene may just be the woolly bison all decked out for the holidays by Oxpecker bird.

Coincidentally, December so far has been colde, drizzly and grizzly - perfect for this spirit uplift.

Hanukkah

The Matzah Ball - Jean Meltzer

3 1/2 stars

The Matzah Ball is a holiday romance that is centered on Hanukkah rather than Christmas. Rachel is a successful author, but her dark secret is that the daughter of one of the most famous rabbis in New York writes Christmas romance novels. When her publisher requests that she write a Hanukkah romance, she doesn't know where to start. But in walks her childhood sweetheart/summer camp enemy who happens to be throwing the biggest Matzah Ball party ever and Rachel decides she needs an invitation in order to write her book.

This was a fun light romance. Despite the light story it does deal with some deeper issues such as living with chronic illness. It was a nice change from Christmas romances this season and I liked how the the author was diverse with her Jewish characters. I did start to get tired of the repetitive nature of the characters' inner monologues, but overall it was a fun story for this holiday season.

Christmas and Wintery Weather

Greenglass House - Kate Milford

4 1/2 stars

Greenglass House is the story of Milo, a boy who lives in an inn that his parent's run called Greenglass House. The winter break has just begun and Milo is looking forward to a week with his family celebrating Christmas. No one usually stays at the inn this time of year. However, just as Milo is finishing up his homework to clear the way for a relaxing break, the bell rings announcing someone's arrival. Much to Milo's dismay, the bell rings again and again and soon the inn is full of mysterious visitors. Why have all of these people decided to come to the inn this time of year, and at the same time? Milo is determined to find out what is going on.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The setting and atmosphere was wonderful. I loved the descriptions of the old house with its stained glass windows and the snow storm raging outside. I also really liked all of the characters. At the beginning, it seemed that they would all be outrageous charicatures but once you found out their stories and got to know them, they were more complex and interesting people. The mystery was great, it really kept me interested and went in directions I didn't expect. I also enjoyed the touch of magic and wonder. I will definitely read more by Milford.

All is Bright by Rae Anne Thayne

3 stars

Sage is a architect who has returned to her home town of Hope's Crossing. She is there for Christmas and to oversee the final steps of Mason Tucker's home which she has designed for him. Mason was a professional baseball player who sustained injuries in a crash and now has special requirements related this. Mason also has a daughter he is raising alone. He and Sage often cross paths and they become friends and soon form a relationship.

The book deals with family, injuries, confidence and overcoming obstacles. It is a cute holiday story where neighbors help each other and friendships are important. Sage and Tucker understand and appreciate each other and the reader wants them to be happy. It is a sweet story.

Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson - 4* - My Review

Collection of twelve seasonal short stories, a mix of memoir, magical tales, holiday recipes, and the history of Christmas traditions. The included recipes are from the author’s family and friends, and each has a story associated with it. Most of these stories contain elements of magical realism or the paranormal. Several read as fables or folk tales. Many feature children experiencing difficult circumstances, which mostly end on a positive note. A common theme is forgiveness.

The introductory story, Christmas-Tide, includes reflections on the origins of Christmas and corresponding traditions, which borrow heavily from various pagan festivals. My personal favorites are The Spirit of Christmas in which a family traveling with their cat picks up a child who tells them she is the spirit of Christmas and The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me, which tells the Christmas story from the donkey’s perspective (with a few added animals such as the titular lion and unicorn). Several have been previously published, but this is my first time reading them. It will appeal to those looking for a holiday-themed book that is creative, well-written, and not too syrupy.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh

3.5 stars rounded up

While I liked In Search of a Prince better, I enjoyed this holiday romance between Starr and Waylon. There is some family drama in this along with the romance, but one of the best things about books like this is anticipating a happy ending.

The blurb tells you the basics of Starr's story, but the other POV is Waylon who lost his mother earlier that year and also has big decisions to make. The book starts about a month before Christmas and ends with that, but Christmas plays a role through much of the book for more than one reason.

When I looked at the negative reviews I realized that some readers had no idea that this is a Christian novel--characters pray in their minds, etc, so if you can't abide that sort of thing, this book is not for you.

The Children's Blizzard / Melanie Benjamin
4 stars

Raina and Gerda are teenaged sisters who have recently become teachers. In January 1888 in rural Nebraska, they are put to the test in their respective schools with a crazy winter storm that rolls in just after a beautifully warm morning. The storm comes in just as or before kids are being let out of school to walk varying distances home. They each make different decisions on this day; one becomes a heroine and one does not fare so well.

Anette is one of Raina’s students, who was sold by her mother to a woman who works her to the bone and does not treat her kindly. Although Raina’s other students stay behind, Anette is worried she will be in trouble if she doesn’t come home right away. Her only friend Frederik follows her into the storm.

The storm, of course, really did happen, and it was called “the children’s blizzard” because of the timing and the fact that so many children (among other people) died that day. I thought the initial part of the book was its strength; this is, of course, the part of the book when the blizzard happens. The book does continue with the aftermath of the storm and, though it is interesting to see where things end up, it’s not the best part of the book.

As always, I appreciate the author’s note at the end. The bulk of the characters in this book were fictional, but some were based on real people. The author did, of course, use David Larkin’s nonfiction book “The Children’s Blizzard” in a big way in her research. I’ve read it, but too long ago to really make any kind of comparison.

Thank you Fran for challenging me to find something different with your holiday and commemorations lists!

For Universal Human Rights Month, Human Rights Week, Human Rights Day, and even International Epidemic Preparedness Day (for one key topic)

Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein , 5 stars

Well, this isn’t all about human rights, but her discussion touches on many human rights issues and freedoms. Her analysis of two anti-vax movements (measles and Covid) helped build many of the ideas in this book… about opposing human rights, how rhetoric is mirrored in twisty ways, and the connection between liberal alt medicine practitioners and alt right conservatives.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also for Human Rights Month, Week, Day

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James Mc Bride, 4.5 stars

This wonderful memoir includes the civil and human rights challenges faced by his Black and Jewish family members, especially in the Jim Crow South.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

On a more traditional note:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - 5* - My Review

I have seen many adaptations of A Christmas Carol but had not read or listened to the book in a very long time so I wanted to remind myself of the original. Published in 1843, it has held up well over the years as both a heartwarming tale of redemption and a reminder of the need for compassion and kindness in the world. Dickens, of course, wrote it as a vehicle to advocate for social changes needed due to the inequalities and injustices that resulted from the Industrial Revolution, especially in the working classes and the poor. Unfortunately, we still deal with many of the same issues in today’s world, such as the gap between the rich and poor, exploitation, and greed. It has such a positive message of generosity, goodwill, and the individual’s capacity to change society for the better. It also contains some of the most memorable characters in literature and certainly deserves its place as a classic. I listened to the audio version read by Tim Curry, who does an excellent job. I may add it to my list of annual holiday traditions.

The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries ed by Otto Penzler
3 stars

This book was a very mixed bag for me. There were some great stories in the mix, but plenty of other levels, although of course some of that depends on what you like in short stories. Reading fiction isn't a strictly objective activity. They range from 19th to early 20th century, but the best part was that the first and last stories were written by the woman who has sold more mystery books than any other writer, Agatha Christie--something like 4 billion at the time this collection when to press.

I did read nearly half of this book in November when I saw how long it was, but finished sooner than expected when I had a week where it was harder to focus on longer stories.

I can't say that all of these were what I'd call mysteries, but they fit the general tenor for the most part.

A Redbird Christmas -Flagg
Audio performance by the author
4 stars

Sweet, but not saccharine. Plenty of small town, Southern USA humor. As a birder, I enjoyed the wounded redbird and his wild cousins. This was a Hallmark movie of an audiobook. A perfect compliment to the season.

Pearl Harbor Day

The Lion in the Lei Shop by Kaye Starbird

5 stars

You all know me. I'm the Queen of Christmas romances and mysteries with an occasionl bit of snarky dark holiday humor tossed in. Yet I read a book for Pearl Harbor Day? Who are you and what have you done with Theresa???

Never fear - it's me. I stumbled somehow on this book early in the year when desperately seeking something published in 1970 to blow out PBT Birthday Candle #15. It sounded interesting and it was available on Kindle Unlimited which I'd been considering cancelling. I changed my mind about cancelling and put it on the list of books to read for candle. I only remembered about Pearl Harbor Day and December Flurries around August when I'd still not gotten around to reading it, even though it was on both my Clerk and Porter Subdue boards. At that point, it became my first December Flurry read. Some of you will have received a recommendation from me to read this -- it's special.

Also, it is part of librarian Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Rediscoveries series of recommendations, and includes an intro, readers discussion guide and even other similar book recommendations by her. It's thanks to Nancy Pearl that this was even available for me to discover for PBT Birthday Candle #15. I'll be forever grateful.

My Review

Up on the Woof Top by Spencer Quinn
3 stars

Chet and Bernie are back in a book that has a nod to Agatha Christie with the mystery author character named Ariadne, who is also of the right age, who appears in a number of Christie stories, including full length novels and one featuring her on her own.

Ariadne hires them to find her missing reindeer, Rudy, but during the process our detectives begin working on solving a cold case as well, one that might be directly tied into the disappearance of Rudy.

The book is fun and I enjoyed it, but it's not one I liked enough to give it 4 stars.

Oh I just adored this cheesy Chanukah Romance. Just a year after installment one, which was unforgettable, we are back at the Bosch family Chanukah party with side characters turned hero and heroine. I fell in love with Adam and Sarah and the group of friends, which included our couple from #1. Could not be a more perfect Chanukah tale. And Oh, Elliot, my poor wonderful man. Do not fear, there is a third installment waiting for you. Love is around the corner, and by next Chanukah it will be with you and so will I to hear your tale. Thank you for loving Sarah enough to let her go. Will there be a fourth for unsuffering but still single Tamara? Liz, you have two years for that one, I will be patiently waiting. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bosch, keep the venue booked. I am in for a Gelti Martini and more Chanukah love.

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
4 stars

This had everything you could want in a cozy Christmas mystery. Small town, fun names, murder and a little romance. All this with some over the top Christmas festivities! Cute but not sugary sweet.

The setting is Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm in Mistletoe Maine. The main character is Holly, her cat is Cindy Lou Who. Reindeer Games is her parents business, and they count on the 12 days of Christmas as their mainstay of the business. The murder occurs on the first night of the games, and Holly becomes involved in trying to solve it, putting herself and the farm in harms way.

I was completely entertained throughout, and I have to admit, I didn't figure out who done it...I had my eyes on someone else entirely.

Lyn wrote: "Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
4 stars

This had everything you could want in a cozy Christmas mystery. Small town, fun names, murder and a little romance. All this w..."

This has been in my TBR and on my Nook forever. I really am happy to see that review, Lyn!

A Very Scalzi Christmas - Scalzi
Audible performance with multiple narrators
3 stars
I’m a bit disappointed. I usually like Scalzi. This collection didn’t live up to my expectations given my previous experience. It was the perfect entertainment for errand running and most of the sketches made me laugh. But, even after only 3 hours of listening, I found the humor repetitive. I guess I just prefer Scalzi in a book length format.

A Very Scalzi Christmas by John Scalzi
rounded up to 2 stars

This book just wasn't funny to me, and I am not new to Scalzi. It's not even because it's not scifi, because I gave 3 stars to his Starter Villain which isn't scifi, either, but more fantasy.

It's not just because I'm not a fan of short stories--usually there is something I like in any collection by authors I like, but not here. In fact, this is rounded up from 1.5. However, the high average rating indicates that I'm in the minority. I did like the fact that there are a variety of story formats, and there was one story I nearly liked although I could see the ending a mile away.

Once Upon a December – Amy E Reichert – 3***
This is a delightful holiday rom-com set in a magical Julemarked in Milwaukee (my home town). Besides the wonderful fairytale at the heart of this story, I really enjoyed all the references to my city. Reichert is something of a foodie and an unabashed Milwaukee booster, so it’s no surprise that she takes her readers on a little culinary tour of Milwaukee. Good think I was out of state when reading it, or I would’ve been venturing forth to sample all those goodies she mentioned.
LINK to my full review

Snow Day by Julie Lipson, Audible Original; 4 stars

Oh this was a wonderful hour long Christmas audio. A woman takes a train on Christmas Eve Day, to meet her boyfriend in Paris, after months of studying architecture in Italy. She meets an Italian man in the "quiet car" and soon an impassable snowstorm stops their train in the Italian Countryside. Our heroine has the Christmas of a lifetime, and is opened up. It was absolutely delightful. Perfect romantic holiday listen.

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen - 4 stars

A sweet little Christmas romance. It's been awhile since I visited Klassen's Regency world, and her writing is as good as ever. Of course, I would start with a book that comes after the four in the series. I liked the characters enough to start on the first book, which I'm reading now. The romance wasn't sappy, and the story focuses on the characters rather than plot, which I like. I enjoyed even the secondary characters, particularly the young orphan boy and the dog. This is nice for a palate cleanser between heavy books.

A Very Scalzi Christmas - John Scalzi

3 1/2 stars

These are a collection of short stories. Most were written for his blog/website, but a couple were written just for this collection. Overall they were a collection of silly stories related to Christmas and the holidays. There was nothing deep, but they were entertaining. It is perfect for playing in the background while I am doing gift wrapping and cookie baking. Overall, the humor is what I would expect from Scalzi. I appreciate his imagination.

The Christmas Dare – Lori Wilde – 2**
Two immature people with lust in their hearts, but somehow think this is love. There are some nice steamy sex scenes to distract from all the drama of Kelsey’s unhealthy relationship with her narcissistic mother. I think Wilde was trying too hard to be “relevant.” Just give me schmaltz (and sex)… that’s all I’m looking for when I pick up books such as this.
LINK to my full review

Perfectly Fine Christmas by La Jill Hunt
3 stars

This is a double romance and also encourages body positivity. At least one main character comes from a wealthy family (it's been 9 days since I finished since I am woefully behind on reviews.) While Kendall encourages and helps the teen Niya, she also undergoes some character growth. Niya's grandmother is an elitist who she moved in with weeks before the novel starts after her mother died.

Everyone could benefit from having a friend like Kendall, and we should all aspire to be such a friend. But how the romance stories go is something you have to find out by reading the book yourself :)

Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Puddings - Stephanie Laurens

4 stars

It has become a holiday tradition for me to read the next volume in Stephanie Laurens' Lady Osbaldestone series as I wrap Christmas gifts. This year, I listened to Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Puddings. It did not disappoint. Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren are back. This year, while cleaning up silver pennies that were donated for the towns plum pudding trinkets, the boys discover three very odd coins. It turns out that they are ancient Roman coins. The children begin a quest to discover who donated the coins and if there may be a hidden Roman hoard somewhere in their village. To help them in their quest, they invite a Professor that specializes in antiquities to identify what they found. Along with the professor comes his niece who works as his assistant and a rival antiquities hunter.

I enjoyed returning to the world of Lady Osbaldestone and her grandchildren. The stories are sweet, predictable little love stories that are exactly what I am looking for this time of year. This book had the added bonus of learning about Roman antiquities and the ethical questions of the business of finding and preserving them at that time. The added touch of the Christmas timing of the stories is the icing on the cake for a great holiday tradition.

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

3 stars

It's December 26th and Maelyn is having a terrible day after Christmas. She's awakened full of morning after regret from spiked eggnog and a brief awkward make-up session with the wrong brother that was witnessed by the right brother, news that the cabin the two families have celebrated holidays in together is to be sold, and general misery about her job and life. Enroute to the airport, there is a car accident, only instead of waking up in a hospital, Maelyn wakes up on the plane heading to the cabin 6 days earlier. Mae gets a do-over, again and again until she figures out her happy ever after in life.

This was fun and just quirky enough to set it apart in a goodway from most contemorary Christmas romances. There are genuinely steamy moments but great humor as well. And the cover pulled me right to it.

Charles Dickens' Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens - 4* - My Review

As the title suggests, this book is a collection of short stories related to Christmas, including a batch of lesser known of Dickens’s tales. They are written in his elaborate and elegant style, which I always enjoy. My favorite is A Christmas Tree (1850), in which Dickens presents “a lively realisation of the fancies of childhood.”

Other stories include:

What Christmas Is as We Grow Older (1851) – A short essay written after the deaths of Dickens’s father and daughter, this is a poignant reminder of the need for acceptance and understanding.

The Poor Relation’s Story (1852) – A “poor relation” tells a story around the Christmas fire, first a sad story of his life that turns into a more optimistic one, at least in his mind.

The Child’s Story (1852) – The narrator relates a parable about an explorer who meets six individuals, representing the narrator’s life from childhood to old age.

The Schoolboy’s Story (1853) – The narrator relates the story of Old Cheeseman, who went from fellow schoolmate to instructor, which created animosity among his former peers. It changes tone by the end (which is set at the holiday break) into one of friendship, where the bad feelings have been overcome.

Nobody’s Story (1853) – A hard-working man has little in material wealth but takes comfort in his family. This one criticizes Victorian society and highlights the needs of the marginalized.

I had not previously encountered any of these stories and this collection was a wonderful read for the holiday season. I always enjoy Dickens’s emphasis on the need for compassion and understanding in our world, a message that continues to be relevant today.

Its time to put in all my brief audios! Especially the holiday ones!

I listened to this about 9 days ago, so its farther from my mind. But I really enjoyed this quickie 1 hour Christmas mystery thriller. I thought she was great. Last week a patient gave me another of Frieda McFadden's books that she loved. New author for me.

Christmas

The Christmas Doll by Elvira Woodruff, 4 stars

Heart warming story about two destitute orphan sisters in 1800’s “London.

My full review
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dare s – Rachel Cohn and David Levithan – 4****
This is a delightful young adult meet-cute rom-com featuring an implausible quest and two extraordinarily bright teenagers, set in the fabulous city of New York during the Christmas season. It’s charming and clever and the two main characters are very likeable. And I loved the literary references.
LINK to my full review

The Santa Klaus Murder – Mavis Doriel Hay – 3***
This is a classic locked-room mystery. There are plenty of suspects, not only family members, but two male guests, as well as Sir Osmond’s private secretary and other staff members. It moves a bit slowly by today’s standards for the genre, but I was engaged and interested throughout.
LINK to my full review

A Homespun Regency Christmas – Carla Kelly, Emma Jensen, Sandra Heath, & Amanda McCabe (4 stars)

Four romances set in Regency England celebrate the Holiday season.

Carla Kelly presents Captain Lynch with a young woman and her teenage brother, wards of his deceased First Mate. The responsibility forces him to take a hard look at his past and make some changes that will effect his future. A favorite author and a great story.

Emma Jensen tells of a penniless woman being forced from her home when her cousin, the new heir, sells her dilapidated home. She has a short time around Christmas to convince the new buyer’s man to change his mind. Another good story.

Sandra Heath’s story focuses on a couple who parted ways 5 years prior when she married another. Now they have a second chance to correct misunderstandings. OK story.

And lastly, Amanda McCabe brings together a physically and emotionally scarred sea captain and a West Indian woman who has a touch of magic and a wish for his happiness. Another OK story.

The Hanukkah Hookup; 4 stars by Jessica Topper



This was the perfect Chanukah Romance Read! It hit all the high notes and all the lights. But I must say its completely audience specific. If you are Jewish, you will not believe how incredibly well crafted and perfect it is. If you are not, honestly, not only might it not hold the same power for you, it might not hold any power in the least. The cultural allusions are everywhere, and the author did not miss a single one. Jews will LOVE this, and everyone else might just kind of be like huh?

Turns out this is one of a series, where this one and the Dreidel Do Over, are all happening at the same time, on the same weekend, and it doesn't matter which one you read first. We have already met the couple, and each are connected to our current hero and heroine, who are adorable. The series stars 8 friends from a year in Israel, the OG Motzah Ballers, and we will soon see a book on the other six coming soon. This one felt special to me, and I adored it. Read it in a three hour period, largely in a Jacuzzi.

A Holiday Yarn (A Seaside Knitters Society Mystery, #4) – Sally Goldenbaum (3 stars)

Review:
Izzy’s Seaside Yarn Studio hosts a knitting group every Thursday with potluck and wine by the fire in her back room. They are working on a variety of knitting projects for charity groups and sharing gossip.

The story is told from Izzy’s Aunt Nell’s point of view. This holiday season the talk is about the death of a femme fatale who’s family is meeting in their hometown to reorganize the business after the death of the patriarch. She has no short list of possible murderers.

This was an OK mystery with a bit of a side story about Izzy and her boyfriend who seems to have a secret.

The Christmas Card Crime: and other stories - edited byM.Edwards
Audio performance by Gordan Griffen and Anne Dover
3 stars

Overall, this was a very satisfying anthology of short stories from the British Library’s series of Crime Classics. Each story has introductory information about the author and the publication history. Some of the stories were originally published only in magazines before being ‘rediscovered’ for this collection. As far as I remember they were all written from the early to mid 20th century. As is usual with an anthology, I liked some stories more than others. This was a good mix of suspense, horror, puzzle, and spooky mysteries. It provided perfect short entertainment breaks while I did holiday chores.

This book was available for checkout from Hoopla in audio and ebook format. I’ll be looking for other titles in this series. The cover art on these books is so beautiful, I am tempted to look for paper editions to have on my shelves.

Christmas Pie - Taylor
Audio performance by Zara Ramm
3 stars

Another short story from the St. Mary’s time travel series. This has become a Christmas tradition for me. Clever marketing guarantees that a new audiobook will be released on Christmas day. I make sure it’s downloaded and cued for listening as soon as I have a quiet moment. (After the house is emptied of holiday guests…phew! The book was great for cleaning up the kitchen and driving back from the airport.)

This story is told in Markham’s voice. The usual trio, Max, Peterson and Markham recruit Sykes for a not so major investigation into contemporary time. They jump to Restoration London to assist Mrs. Mac with a cutthroat British bake-off. The purpose of the mission: research recipes of truly authentic Christmas pies. In addition to pies there are illegal time travelers, undercover Time Police officers, and everyone’s favorite recovery agents. It’s a mash-up. I didn’t always follow the rambling plot, but I still enjoyed the fun. .

Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

The Very First Damned Thing, by Jodi Taylor, 2.5 stars rounded up

This is a short prequel to the Chronicles of St Mary’s by Jodi Taylor. It’s not terribly exciting but it provides some background about how the group of time traveling historians was formed. The character development was very weak on its own, but I imagine it would be pleasurable to hard core fans to see their favorite characters being hired. I read the first book in the series but I didn’t remember enough about the characters to feel like a true fan.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Christmas
A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton, 3 + stars

A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton is a feel good Christmas book with a little mystery thrown in. Set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands, it features Police Constable Hamish Macbeth. He is a great example of small town community policing at its best and worst - he gets to know every resident well (with little concern for privacy). I liked the overall story with its gentle humor. It’s heart warming but not too sappy.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

NancyJ wrote: "Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

The Very First Damned Thing, by Jodi Taylor, 2.5 stars rounded up

This is a short prequel to the Chronicles of St Mary’s by Jodi Taylor. It’s not terribly exciti..."


I do love the idea of 'Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day'. I might have had some fun with that if December wasn't already too full of holidays.

Christmas
Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets (Wyoming Cowboys, #3) – Jill Kemerer (3 stars)

Review: While waiting for admittance to the nursing program at the University of Wyoming Ainsley Draper takes a six week nanny job for a family with 5 week old quadruplets. She finds a very dysfunctional family with both parents leaving much of the care to an exhausted uncle. He welcomes the help but makes excuses for the mother, his sister, and her distant husband. Needless to say, Ainsley has trouble keeping out of the family’s problems. Everyone had issues and history as well as Ainsley. A little too much is going on here.

Christmas
Off the Grid Christmas – Mary Ellen Porter (3 stars)

Review: Arden DeMarco is in hiding while she tries to break an encryption program guarding data that may prove that government secrets have been compromised and murder has been done. Hiding because the bad guys and the FBI are looking for her. But her cat’s need to go to the vet has jeopardized her location due to his microchip ID. Before she can run Kane Walker, her brother’s business partner arrives to bring her home for Christmas and protect her. And then the bad guys arrive, and they go on the run. Well plotted action, romantic suspense with a bit of religion thrown in.