December Reading

103- Authentically Izzy  by Pepper D. Basham    12/5    (audio/hoopla) ★★★★

This was a fun read or listen I guess.  It is a sweet epistolary rom-com.  The male main character is Scottish and I just loved listening to him.  Both narrators did a pretty great job.  The book did such a great job building the atmosphere of the book describing both the island where Brodie lives as well as the southern US town where Izzy resides. I really enjoyed the evolution of Izzy's character and all the literary references. <3  It made me want to tackle a few more classics in the coming year. ;)

I listened to it on audio so I don't really have any quotes to share.  It's one I wouldn't mind owning in paperback.  A great cozy comfort read to revisit on occasion.

104- The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson    12/9    (ebook/hoopla)★★★

Overall this book was cute and enjoyable.  Parts of the plot seemed far fetched and the main character's attitude and some of her actions annoyed me. Maggie is 28, unemployed and living with her parents while trying to figure out her next move.  She ends up going to fill in for her best friend while she is on maternity leave.  The best friend is part owner of a small book shop in a small town built around the fame of an author, specifically his first book.  Said book store only carries classics that were published before or during the author's life time, as well as books by him.  Not surprisingly with the restrictions placed on it the bookstore is not doing all that great.  Maggie begins secretly selling current titles  as well as starts an underground event that parody's the classics the bookshop peddles.  

She is basically lying to everyone all the while crabbing she can't find a job that feels "fulfilling" enough for her to tolerate.  Oh and she doesn't even like reading when she begins to fill in at the book shop! 

But it is funny and its a romance so there is a bit of a happily for now anyway ending.  I did rather enjoy the male protagonist, Malcolm.  And also the grumpy upstairs neighbor.

105- Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams    12/11    (print/library)★★

This book hit differently for me than the previous three.  I just did not really enjoy it.  I ended up finishing it because I was so near the end and it felt like a waste to not finish after investing all that time.  I don't know if it was the mystery/murder or the over all tone or that I read this in print instead of kindle or it was just the wrong season for me.  It was set around Halloween time and I do not like Halloween... so there's that. The story really fell flat for me.  

Plus my TBR list in general and my library stack specifically is really stressing me out right now.  So many books I want to read to waste time on one that it not doing it for me.  I also think I was trying to read too many at one time and got a bit overwhelmed. 

106- Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill    12/14    (eBook/hoopla)★★★★★

On the anniversary of Pearl Harbor I googled "historical fiction about Pearl Harbor".  This book grabbed me and was not at all what I started out looking for.  It was a stunning and sobering look at our Japanese Americans were treated in our country after the attack.  Its hard to believe in this country, less than 100 years ago Japanese Americans were moved from their homes to "Relocation Camps", where they were prisoners under appalling conditions.  I find it so hard to fathom how cruel human beings can be to one another.  It's a story that will stick with me.

Can't it be both? Can't I be grateful for the freedoms of my country, as well as voice my opinions about errors in judgement I see? Isn't my right to do so part of what makes our country great?

Change is a gradual thing. We have to chip away at the hard heartedness of others and ourselves. We have to gradually open eyes, not just grab eyelids and yank them open. 

107- The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin    12/15    (print/library)★★★★

This was a delightful holiday read. And one about the True meaning of Christmas.  Jesus.  I also did not realize that this is the sequel to If I Were You, so it was a bit like an unexpected visit from old friends.  Eve and Audrey both single moms of Kindergarten boys set out to teach their boys the joys of giving not just making a mile long Christmas list from the Sears Wishbook. 

108- Christmas on King Street by Ashley Clark    12/19    (kindle/own)

I purchased this on a whim because it was on sale for Kindle.  Overall I enjoyed reading this story.  It was a short quick read.  I'm starting to feel like novellas aren't really my thing. I think I enjoy a bit longer with the characters.  Maybe I should have read the previous book in the series first. But this looked like a fun Christmas read so I jumped right in.  But other than the title it didn't feel very Christmassy at all.

109- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens    12/26    (print/library)

I'm not sure why I took it in my head to read this book this year.  But I did and am pleased. I borrowed it from the library but may purchase in the future.  I was surprised how slim this book is.  The edition I read is a mere 85 pages.

“You are fettered," said Scrooge, trembling. "Tell me why?"

"I wear the chain I forged in life," replied the Ghost. "I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.”

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”

110- The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer    12/30    (print/own)★★★★

I had this book checked out of the library but a disheartened to find out it a due and I had not yet begun. Since I was on vacation I decided to try and read it fast! I was immediately drawn into the story. 

I was surprised and delighted to find it at the Golden Bee Bookshop on our book crawl on Thursday, (Authentically Izzy was also there which I almost bought too!)  So I purchased it and am not sorry about it!  

I loved this story and the backdrop of a bookshop for the setting on the shores of Lake Superior, a search for her late mother’s books, rumored lost family treasure, healing and redemption.

It’s in our broken places God plants seeds of hope. He will grow something beautiful from ashes. Believe it.

111- The One Year Pray for America Bible NLT    12/31    (kindle/own)★★★

This was the first time I have read the Bible though in the One Year format.  I am not sure it is my favorite.  My brain didn't always compute when suddenly switching from the old to new to Psalms to Proverbs.  But I did really enjoy the prayer for America at the beginning of each days reading.  I also liked that it a kindle and therefore easy to read at work or vacation or whatever without having to lug along another physical Bible.

Prayer for today:

Total: 9      2022: 111 My all time High! 

Kindle/Ebook: 4   Print: 4    Audio: 1

Library: 6   Owned: 3  Borrowed: 0

Unread Shelf: 0     Purchased: 6 (Let's not talk about how many I purchased as gifts this month).

Book Crawl!

Yesterday was our book crawl and it was the BEST DAY! 

We started at The Traveling Gnome Diner for some brunch.

We then traveled to four local bookstores in the area. Golden Bee Bookshop (my personal fav!)

Then Parthenon Books in Syracuse. Our first time there and loved it.  The only drawback to this one is that it is in downtown Syracuse and I hate driving (and parking!) in the city.  It was worth it though!

Next stop was Barnes & Noble and Starbucks ;-)

Last bookshop was Doyle's Books, a little used bookshop had been wanting to check out.

My book haul- I limited myself to ONE book at each stop other than B&N where I had a gift card. ;-)

Hannah and Kaydynce reorganizing Hannah's bookshelves.

Hannah got 11 book including a few classics.  Mikayla picked up a few picture book for her classroom and a novel for herself.  I'm not sure how many Kaydynce came home with but we all came home HAPPY!

Merry Christmas from the LaForte Family!

 

I finally got an updated family picture!  I am beyond thankful the weather abated and all the kids were in church Christmas Eve.

We decided this year not to exchange gifts with my family. But Hannah and I had a little project up our sleeves. Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, I sought out and purchased a book for every member of my family. After the books arrived I enlisted Hannah's help with the wrapping. Her delight in the box of books made my heart explode with happiness. It was so fun looking for a book I thought would suit each family member and equally fun when Hannah went through the box and correctly guessed the right recipient for each book!

It made me so happy to see some of the books being read right away!

The "kids" also watched some Bluey on Dylan's phone! :-P ;-)

I love when Christmas falls on a Sunday.  My heartfelt so full being in Church. 💖

After Church we waited for Mikayla and Dylan to arrive before diving into opening gifts. My Mom and Dad joined us later on for dinner.

The boys got cookies

My gift from the kids- a new Keurig! It can make a full pot or a cup from the pod. I love it!

Playing OFFICE What do you Meme? after dinner

I read A Christmas Carol on Monday.

I hope your family had a very Merry Christmas!

Starting to feel like Christmas!

Last night I finally started Christmas jammies.  I pulled up White Christmas on my laptop and watched/listened while I sewed. It definitely put me in the Christmas spirit.

Bruno helped too...

Saturday night was our Church Christmas party.  We had a pretty fun time.

Sunday all my kids were in church and we were all around the table for dinner.  My heart was exceedingly happy.

I also had NINE littles in my Sunday school class! Last year this time I had about 2.  So crazy. They can be a wild but God has given me such a love for them.

Thursday night we got out of work an hour early because of bad weather heading our way.  I spent the time finishing a Christmas read in my cozy chair by the tree.  Very good, highly recommend.  Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors.

I still have lots to do.  But I am starting to feel so excited for Christmas this weekend and time spent with friends and family.  Today I plan to make another pair of PJs. A batch of cookies and finish planning my Christmas menu so I can shop tomorrow night.