pickWith Christmas stories, both movies and books, my favorites will always be the ones that build on the foundation of the Holiday. Where the storyline can't just edit out a few scenes or chitchat for the story/characters to easily be transported to another season.
This wasn't festive throughout, yet it would have been weird if it had been, due to the disaster.
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so-soI‘ve loved or really liked almost all of the other books I‘ve read by Cusk, but this didn‘t quite make it for me. Sadly. I felt kept at a distance, & that might have been intentional
At university Micheal is invited home to one of his friends, Adam, for the weekend. Adam‘s family seems so perfect. Years later, married & with a kid Micheal visits Adam‘s family again, to help with the lambing. Adam‘s family may not be as perfect as he once thought
so-soCute epistolary novel about two people who connect through an online dating site. Izzy lives in North Carolina and Brodie lives on a tiny island. I loved their mutual Lord of the Rings obsession and passion for books. I did feel like it should‘ve been edited down and quite a bit of family back-and-forth could‘ve been cut. A fun read with a subplot of great family supporting each other, just went on a bit too long.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 A book I never would have picked up if not for the #ToB25 short list! Unique structure of telling the stories if 8 teenage girl boxers as they fight in matches at a tournament in Reno. It was interesting enough while reading, but I finished it a few weeks ago and none of the characters or stories stayed with me. Soft pick.
I did do a #bookspin list at the beginning of the month and never posted it. I saw that Summerwater (an old fave from my #roll100) and Shanghailanders (a new find at BN) were chosen.
Things are still crazy here. We‘ve gotten Dad mostly settled in the nursing home (after his second major stroke), and Mom or I is visiting every day. Today, I got clearance to bring Molly, and she came with me. It‘s just still a lot logistically and emotionally. ⬇️
pickI‘m glad I finally read something by this author. I‘ll definitely read more by her.
It took a bit to settle into, because at first I didn‘t care for the main character. But once it grabbed me the story had me hooked. Very sad, lots of content warnings.
Venkman wishes I hadn‘t woken him for a photo this morning. Or is he winking at you?
pickI loved this book just like I loved Laurie Frankel‘s last novel. She paints such compelling and honest portraits of families.
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It is about showing “Good Will“ towards neighbors and strangers, about that special kind of “Hope“ and “Faith in the Unbelievable“ that the magic of Christmastime inspires in many, and about what the “Magic of Christmas“ could mean for a child.
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While this book was not about the True meaning of Christmas in the religious sense, nor the Santa-kind of Magic of Christmas. What this did capture is the essence of Christmas.
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The ending was perfect ☺️📚🌲💖🎄💝💝💝.
#thechristmasfixreviewedbyanncrystal
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