Holiday Review Thursday: Christmas with Holly

Now that's it's snowed, it's officially time to read and review holiday books! They will range from picture book to teen books to adult romances.

So I'm cheating today to talk about Christmas with Holly - based on the book which I ADORED Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor.

I really enjoyed the movie, but I still think the book's better. 

What I liked: The banter between the brothers (even if they were NOT how I pictured them)

Holly was charming. And she played by twins:

Eloise Mumford as Maggie

The chemistry between Maggie and Mark

What I didn't like: It just didn't have all the magic from the book, which is hard to capture. 

I wasn't crazy about the brothers. None of them were how I pictured them.

Did you see the movie? What were your thoughts?

What's on My Hold List (33)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold.

Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman: Recommended on twitter - love holiday books!

Lady Most Willing: After reading 15 books this year (I counted) of Julia Quinn's, I'll read ANYTHING she writes!

Crystal Cove: Love the Friday Harbor series - did you see Christmas with Holly. (I'm reviewing the movie tomorrow)

Top Ten Tuesdays

Seriously? How am I EVER going to manage this list? Top Ten Books I Read In 2012 - meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Here goes, I'm going to try REALLY hard not to cheat! It's hard to know which are my top reads, there's SO many books that I dearly loved this year. I'll be doing a more extensive look at my favorite reads soonish. Also, it's clear from this post that I was on a massive adult reading kick - more so than usual.


Grave Mercy - YA
Throne of Glass - YA
The Reader - Picture Book
Touch of Power - Adult
The Duke and I - Adult
The Statistical Probability of Falling in Love at First Sight - YA
Affairs of Steak - Adult
I've Got Your Number - Adult
On the Run - Tween
Origin - YA

I really love these books (and others). What books did you love?

Birthdays: a HUB post

Since my birthday's in a week, I'm talking about birthdays in books at the HUB today. I don't have any photos of me with birthday cake (mostly because I choose other desserts for my celebration) Here's a cake I made for my dad's birthday, Boston Cream Pie Jelly Roll. YUM.

Mysterious Saturday Review: 12 Clues of Christmas

 * the 6th book in the Royal Spyness Series*

Lady Georgiana Rannoch can't imagine spending Christmas at her home in Scotland with her family especially when her sister-in-law's been talking about her behind her back. In order to escape, she answers an advertisement for a house party looking for a hostess for a proper English Christmas for guests.

It just so happens to be in the exact quaint village her mother will be spending Christmas. On the day that Georgiana arrives, a man has died. A neighbor fell out of a tree and died. 

For the next several days, another mishaps occurs. As the deaths start piling up, it's hard to tell if the deaths are accidental or something more sinister. 

Georgiana's starting to get worried as more people die. She's not about to let something happen to her new friends or her family. Luckily, Darcy's shown up and she has someone to lean on. However, after hearing her sister-in-law wanting to marry her off, Georgiana's determined to figure out her future.

My Thoughts: A fabulous addition to the series, a perfect Christmas cozy mystery. Bowen executed the mystery beautifully, as it kept me guessing until the end. I loved learning about the old fashioned English Christmas: the food, the past times, and the small village traditions. I adore Lady Georgiana's grandfather and her maid. Their manners make me laugh, both for different reasons. I'm impressed with Lady Georgiana's streak of independence, her morality, and her stubbornness. I like her flirtation with Darcy. He's charming. I'm so curious to the ending of the book and what the means for Lady Georgiana's future. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library 

Review: Thursdays at Eight

Four woman took a class on journaling. The class was horrible, but they formed a bond. They meet each Thursday for coffee and share details of their lives.

Claire's drowning in anger at the through of her broken marriage. She's trying to pick up the pieces and become the person she used to be, before everything happened.

Elizabeth's family just moved away. Now for the first time since her husband died, she's alone. She hates that feeling. She doesn't want to waste any more time of her life. After all, she thought she would have all the time in the world with her husband, but it was not to be.

Karen's an actress who's trying to earn the support of her family. They don't approve of her occupation. She struggles between wanting their support and wanting her independence.

Julia's family seemed complete with two kids and a brand new business. Then she discovers that she's pregnant. She's not happy about the surprise and all the changes it will bring to her life.

Together these women support each other when they're down, they cheer on success, and help counsel through the most trying times. 

My Thoughts: I really love Debbie Macomber's books. I enjoyed the different perspectives of each woman, along with their journal entries. I also liked how the ages of the women varied. I love books on women supporting each other through life. It makes me long for a group of friends just like it! I liked the set up of the book - each woman picked a word to match the upcoming year. At the end of the year, they talked about how the word defined their year.  While they had several problems and heartaches, they also had several triumphs.  A fabulous blend of messy life with glimmers of hope and success. 

Cover Thoughts: Love the new cover
Source: My Library

Similar Teen Reads: Girls Dinner Club, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and The Lonely Hearts Club

Holiday Review Thursday: The Santa Trap

Now that's it's snowed, it's officially time to read and review holiday books! They will range from picture book to teen books to adult romances.

Bradley is a horrible boy, so it's not surprise that each year Santa brings him a pair of socks. Bradley's fed up! He wants something more, something better. He devices a plan to trap Santa to take all the presents in his sack. The plan takes the whole year and involve crazy ideas, that just might work. 

My Thoughts: A funny, clever story about a horrible boy who wants everything he wants at the moment he wants it. Everyone can sympathize with that sentiment. However, his behavior is unpardonable.  I loved this book!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect - love the rest of the illustrations too!
Source: my Library.