Picture Book Review: Snow Horses

Tim and Tom are always excited on New Year's Eve as they pull their sleigh around town giving everyone a wonderful experience. First the kids take a sleigh ride, then the adults get their turn. 

I love how everyone in town comes together to celebrate - the young and the old and the old and the new. This is a wonderful story for New Year's Eve -and it makes me wish I was in that town for the night. So much fun and joy spread amongst everyone. 

* Book sent for review

Review: Alias Emma

 

Emma's mentor has asked her to bring in a doctor whose parents worked for the Russian government but shared secrets with Britian. At first, she can't convince him, but after an attack on the two of them, he relents.

There's only one problem - she must get him across London safely without backup. The Russians have hacked the cameras and they are searching for the two of them. 

Can they make it to MI6 safely - and who will be there to greet them?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it's the first in a new series. I'm a sucker for spy novels. The majority of the book takes place over the course of 12 hours - getting across the city of London. Lots of action and danger kept the me turning the pages. I liked the chemistry between Emma and Michael. I'm intrigued by what will happen next and I'm quite looking forward to the second book.

Cover Thoughts: Not terrible, but not great

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this new series start for your thriller section! Highly recommended.

Review: Whiteout

 

Just before Christmas - a blizzard hits Atlanta. It throws the city into a tailspin - shutting own traffic and trapping people everywhere.

For Stevie, it's the worst timing possible. She's about to make a huge apology to her girlfriend after messing up big time.

Stevie's recruiting all her friends to help. If she pulls it off, it will be a miracle. 

But the snow is wrecking havoc on her plans. Will everything come together in the end? Will it be enough?

My Thoughts: This is from the same author team as BLACKOUT - which to say this book had a lot it had to live up to. And it did! You could feel the cold and the desperation to be anywhere else but trapped in the snow. I loved how again all the stories wove together to make one giant story - but how they all had their stories end too. A happy story that's just perfect to reading inside in front of the fire - and with a cup of cocoa.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your teen romance collection!

Picture Book Wednesday: Snow Board Books

We got some new board books about SNOW in at the library - just in time for my winter story time.

 This book is all about friends having fun outside in the snow. 

This is charming - I love the illustrations. And it's part of a seasonal series. If you like this one, be on the lookout for the rest.

An alphabet book about snow and winter. 

The illustrations are great and there is lot of vocabulary here. I even had to look up one of the words. A great book to share.

If you're looking for something more scientific - this is your book. But it also talks about playing in the snow. 

A great mix of information and fun.

What do you like best about snow? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Gifted Books

 This week's topic is books gifted to us over the holidays. I don't ask for too many books because most of them come from the library - but I did ask for a few.

From my family:

Gifted by my Secret Santa:

Lots of fun reading happening soon! 

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Hope your day is filled out friends, love, laughter, tasty treats, and of course lots of great books!

In front of our tree

Hanging with Sven the Reindeer!

It's my Birthday!

 

Another year over...

and what a year it has been!

Bringing Knightley home...

I'll share some more highlights towards the end of the year

TikTok

 This isn't a bookish video - but more a puzzle video with a Christmas twist.

@yabooknerdlibrarian A few fun Christmas puzzles 🧩🧩🧩 #christmas #puzzles #puzzletok #christmaspuzzle #booknerd #nerd ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Holiday Review: Royal Christmas Wish

 

Jenny knows she isn’t the princess type. Sure, she’s friendly and caring, but with her clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, glass slippers would only make her trip. When Dom, the cute guy she runs into in the park, turns out to be the prince of San Noelle, she figures he must not be her happy ever after.

But a mysterious countess grants Jenny’s one wish, and she finds herself married to this handsome prince! Unfortunately, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, her life will go back to normal.

In funny and touching ways, Jenny navigates royal traditions the best she can. But even as she grows closer to Dom, the clock is ticking. With love and a little holiday magic, could she somehow make the enchantment last forever? - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. There were some very funny moments with Jenny and her clumsiness, Jenny trying to figure out royal protocol and things she should already know. There were lots of sweet moments as she struggled to make herself noticed and a part of the royal family. I admired how to gathered friends to help her muddle through the difficult moments and soar with her ideas. I loved Prince Harry. A funny sweet story that's perfect for the holiday romance reader. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Great for your romance collection - hand this out to fans of royal books and also Hallmark movies. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Christmas Books

 

Some more books that arrived at the library and a few older ones.

Peter Rabbit is so excited about Christmas! But he hid his presents in a special place and can't remember where they are. Readers can help him discover the missing presents.

First off, Peter Rabbit and I have a lot in common. I'm forever putting something in a special place and forgetting where that place is. Second this is a cute book that readers will enjoy. Third - it's hard to place in the library because of the flaps. 

Christmas is a little bit different in the country - and it's something to look forward to each year.

What a cozy, warm story that fills your heart. The illustrations are lovely. 

The Christmas Carol mixed with Cats

If you're a cat lover, this book is a must read. True to cats, adorable, and sweet - this book is a winner. I hope there is one about dogs next year. 

A different take on the Night Before Christmas Story - with Tinsel the mouse stuffing the stockings for Santa.

Everyone needs help - even Santa Claus. A great message for everyone. And a fun twist on an old story.

A Native American version of the Night Before Christmas

Another twist on a classic tale - it's fun to notice the differences between the stories.

Another retelling - this one I love for the art. 

I've always been a fan of Mary Engelbreit. I poured over these illustrations. There's so much detail here. 

Another twist on the classic tale - but this one is full of dancing and ballet.

A clever story about the anticipation of a performance and the night itself. So many details in the illustrations here. I loved it. 

This is a really neat book showcasing Christmas holiday celebrations around the globe. I love learning about how different cultures celebrate. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Santa Please Bring Me

 This week's topic is all about books we wish Santa would bring us. 

These are all books I can't wait to read next year from some of my favorite authors.

It's going to be a great reading year!!!

Are any of these on your reading list???

Happy Hanukkah

Here are a couple new books added to the collection this year. 

This one shares the history to Hanukkah and the celebrations of the holiday.

Ruby's cousin is sad because her mother will miss Hanukkah. Ruby decides to create a scavenger hunt for her cousin to help cheer her up. But she's having a hard time thinking about the one big gift.

A sweet story about helping others and spreading cheer.  

A blizzard makes it impossible for the family to have their traditional Hanukkah meal of Latkes with Applesauce. A kitten and a dog come along, both needing love and a home. They fit right in and help bring joy to the holiday.

A sweet story about how things don't go according to plan, sharing what you have, and love. 

TBR Check In

 I just posted my winter TBR, so it's time to see how I did reading my fall books. 

Answer:

Not great.

I read 4 books. 

But I do have a few checked out and waiting to read on my shelf...

We did have a budget freeze at our library, so new books were not arriving. It did make it harder to gain access to the ones I wanted to read.

Hopefully I can read them soon! 

Christmas Photos

 We're a little late this year with the decorating - thanks to a lovely early December vacation. But better late than never...

We added more lights this year

Getting the tree - there's a funny story here

What we thought was a lovely tree - turned out to be two trees together

But it looks cute inside all decorated up

Some fun decorations my parents made

Just a fun greenery bouquet. When I made it, it reminded me of my grandmother.

Emma hates having her picture taken - but she wanted to try this one.

Knightley had a little too much fun with the lights