Holiday

A Birthday and A Surprise for Me…and Later for You!

 in Holiday / Humorous / Interesting by

So today is my birthday and after trudging through the snow to get home with the nasty snow storm which magically appeared over night, I came home only to find my Secret Santa gift having arrived. Since it was a small birthday this year, it was wonderful to get this little surprise and of course I had to open it up.

Inside was…..just kidding!!! You’re going to need to check back on Christmas Day to find out who my absolutely wonderful Secret Santa was as well as what goodies I was gifted!

Is this a shameless plug to get you to check back on Christmas Day when you are opening your own gifts? You can bet it is! Because I want to make sure everyone goes and checks out my Secret Santa’s website because it rocks. That will be one of my gifts to you.

But you’ll need to wait. Painful, huh?

It’s like seeing that big gift under the tree 10 days before Christmas that your estranged aunt had delivered and you are just dying to know what is inside.

Go have an egg-nog while you wait!

Secret Santa

From classycathleen.com

Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

 in Book Reviews / Books / Holiday by

dashing through the snowSummary

“Savor the magic of the season with Debbie Macomber’s newest Christmas novel, filled with warmth, humor, the promise of love, and a dash of unexpected adventure.

Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.

At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.”

Review

This was quite a cute Christmas season book and it literally only took me an hour to read as it was that simple. I would classify this as a bodice ripper book, one of those cheaper books that you find in an airport stand or at Stop and Shop that you get so you can read quickly. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the story was cute and fluffy and great to read during the winter by your fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate, but other than that this wasn’t my kind of book.

There were so many holes in the story and it kept jumping all of. There were the FBI involved and it wasn’t really clear what was going on and it was so basic with the hole story. It was one of those stories that you would get and read only once, hence why I borrowed it from my library. I also go it because it was made into a Hallmark Channel movie and it looked cute and fluffy to watch but I really did want to read the book first because that’s how I always am.

I honestly don’t really have much to say about the story in general. It was a traditional guy and girl meet kind of story, they don’t want to fall for one another, the obligatory puppy appears and then suddenly everyone is happy and cute in the end. Traditional Hallmark material. Now if this is your kind of thing, then have at it. And reading one of these kinds of books a year is perfectly fine. Everyone needs some fluff, especially in the world we live in right now, but it wouldn’t really be a book to buy in my opinion. However, some of you may be so inclined to pay about $7 for the book. I mean it was cute and it does have a very colorful cover, which caught my attention when I picked it up, but other than that I wouldn’t really go for it.

I’d give it a 2 out of 5 stars (M.O.M would disagree – she thinks it’s cute for this time of year), just because it was a cute and easy read as Christmas Season book, but as someone who likes more meaty books, and less holes, this wasn’t exactly my cup of egg nog.

Happy Reading!

10 Book Related Goodies for Book Lovers!!!

 in Books / Fun / Holiday by

Finding a book related goodie for your book lover can be quite difficult because it’s hard to find something that they may enjoy. But after a lot of reading, and thinking what I would like as a book-lover I came up with a small, and quite inexpensive, gift list!

*This is an affiliate post and all links go to Amazon.com

1. Out of Print Banned Book Mug 

banned book mug

From Amazon.com

What is better than a mug, because all of us readers LOVE tea or coffee while we are reading (or hot chocolate during the winter) so why not get us a mug that is book related.

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B015HM4WXG]

 

 

 

2. Shakespeare Socks

shakespeare socks

From Amazon.com

All of us readers love wearing socks because they keep our feet warm as we’re curled up with our noses buried in a book. And what’s better than having the Bard himself on our socks? Maybe reading one of his works?

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01IU8F4CC]

 

 

 

3. Telephone Box Themed Book Ends

telephone box style book ends

From Amazon.com

With all of the books us book lovers have, we needs something to keep them standing upright, otherwise they’re going to be spilling all over. With different colors to choose from, these English Telephone Box Themed Book Ends are sure to please!

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B013Y02JQA]

 

4. Book Lover Street Sign

Book Lover Street Sign

From Amazon.com

If the book lover in your life has a special place where they read, instead of having it unmarked so uninvited guests may walk in, get them a sign which shows that this room is theirs and that what is beyond that door is magical.

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B007K842Z4]

5. Book Themed Clock for Keychain

Book Themed Clock

From Amazon.com

Sometimes when we read we loose track of time. So what better thing then a mini clock which is book themed? Love it!

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01JB6RVQY]

 

 

6. Book Light

book light

From Amazon.com

Now this is useful to have. Sometimes we like to stay up late and sneak in a few more pages, or read next to your partner while they sleep, so having a small light is very convenient to finish that chapter…or book.

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01D4FP6MY]

 

7. Book Lover Magnetic Poetry 

Book Lover Magnetic Poetry

From Amazon.com

This bring everyone back to their childhood. Now adults can make poetry on their fridge while they’re waiting for their tea to brew so they can finish the newest book.

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=1932289046]

 

 

8. The Book Lovers Journal

book lovers journal

From Amazon.com

Now this is one of my favorite gifts. I may even get this for myself because it helps you record what you’ve read and your opinions on the book and if you liked it or not. For yourself or maybe for your child one day to know your favorite books when you were younger. Definitely one to add to your list.

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=1441304827]

 

 

9. Aiblophibia Sweatshirt/T-Shirt

abibliophobia t-shirt

From Amazon.com

Now this is cute! It comes as a sweatshirt or a t-shirt, but I love the sweatshirt as reading in comfy sweatshirts are amazing. And this word so is most readers – the fear of running out of books to read.

Shirt
[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01I3XTS62]

Sweatshirt
[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01I46E00C]

 

10. Leather Journal

leather journal

From Amazon.com

Readers generally like to write as well and having an ancient looking leather journal is fantastic. With the blank pages you can either write or draw within the book and feel like your living in the wild or some fantasy world with the leather casing.

A little pricey but these types of journals are of excellent quality and sure to last years!

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=B01E9HP1SU]

 

The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker

 in Adult / Book Reviews / Books / Holiday by
the hellbound heart, clive barker, hellraiser

From wikimedia.org

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=0061452882]

Summary

“Frank Cotton’s insatiable appetite for the dark pleasures of pain led him to the puzzle of Lemarchand’s box, and from there, to a death only a sick-minded soul could invent. But his brother’s love-crazed wife, Julia, has discovered a way to bring Frank back;though the price will be bloody and terrible . . . and there will certainly be hell to pay.”

Review

Well….damn. Literally. This was quite a read. So let’s just say it to start off with, this is the book that the Hellraiser movie is based off of. And I’ve wanted to see the movie, or at least bits of it, but I wanted to read the short story first when I found out it was a short story. It’s classified as a novella as it is only about 48 pages long but it was a wild ride within those 48 pages.

Clive Barker has a very unique and interesting writing style. He researches what he is writing and clearly knows his stuff. And he is not afraid to be gruesome. This book was extremely violent and creepy as hell. Like it made my skin crawl in a few places. Why did I read it during the Christmas season you may ask? Because I needed a break from Finals, it was a quick read, and it would give me something to give you lovelies. So this is 100% a Halloween season book. Like perfect for Halloween!

Besides being quite graphic with the violence, due to the creatures and the nature of what the point of the story was, it was quite graphic sexually. I’m not talking about like people really having sex, but just images that it put forward and it was crude. However this only happened within the first few pages. This all makes this an ADULT book. Not young adult at all but definitely for adults. I mean technically if you have ‘teen’ in your name you are classified as young adult though, so I’m saying 18+ at least. This was quite explicit and violent material.

However the story was amazing. The idea behind it was incredible and how he was able to get so much into 48 pages was incredible. In a way it felt like a mixture between Stephen King and Dan Brown due to the scary sense from King and the historical and research portion from Brown. However if those two came together, you would need to multiply it by 10 and then you’d get Barker. Stephen King was listed on the back of The Book of Blood by Clive Barker (which I will be reading soon) as saying, “I have seen the future of horror, his name is Clive Barker.” And I love that quote. Clive Barker, I feel, isn’t read much. Many people have heard of the Hellraiser film, even though it isn’t terribly popular now, but not of his stories. But man I am glad I came across him. It was a good little adrenaline boost and the writing was good and it kept you guessing. I honestly had no idea how the book would end. And it felt like a movie when I was reading it. But not a Hollywood film. Those low-budget horror movies that are scarier than anything Hollywood could make.

Do I recommend reading it? Oh yes. I found a PDF of it online which is great but I’d suggest to get it just because it’s a book and I’m sure you’ll read it again. I know I will.

The story was fantastic, it wasn’t a long read and it made you question everything. What’s better?

Just remember, don’t open a box that you don’t know what’s in it.

Happy Reading!

5 Great Book-To-Movie Christmas Gifts of 2016!!!

 in Books / Holiday by
For that book and movie lover in your life!

5 Great Book-to-Movie Christmas Gifts

With Christmas just around the corner, you may be scrambling around, just like me, to find something to give to someone who loves. Well I found a few great books which have been turned into movies recently or are about to be released and one should start reading them immediately. I know I have a few books I need to catch up on next year. There are many more books to movies coming out but these 5 I felt were big ones and also won’t break your bank if you decide to purchase them!

fantastic beasts

From amazon.com

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them by J.K. Rowling

If you’re looking for something for a Harry Potter fan, then this may be your best bet. With the newest movie, it can be sure to please any magic and movie lover.

 

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=1338109065]

 

 

A Monster Calls

From Amazon.com

A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd by Patrick Ness

I absolutely loved this book (review here) and really do recommend it. It is a difficult to read book as it’s sad but it’s beautifully written and with the movie coming out in a few weeks, any book lover is sure to want to give it a whirl!

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=0763660655]

 

 

The Gunslinger

From Amazon.com

The Dark Tower I: Gunslinger by Stephen King

With the new movie adaptation due in 2017, might as well get started on this long series. Check out my thoughts here.  Not a long read but definitely one to check out!

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=1501143514]

 

 

 

A Wrinkle in Time

From Amazon.com

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

This was a classic that many young adults were brought up with and it is finally being turned into a movie next year. How exciting! Why not re-read it, relive your child hood, or introduce your young one to an amazing novel?

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=0312367546]

 

 

it by stephen king

From wikimedia.org

It by Stephen King

For the classical horror love in your life, this may be just what they need! With a movie coming around next September, this book may take you some time to bite through, so might as well start in the New Year!

[amazon template=add to cart&asin=1501142976]