Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

Debbie Macomber

384 pages

Rating: 3/5

Home for the Holidays is a combo book made up of two previously published Debbie Macomber books: The Forgetful Bride and When Christmas Comes.

The Forgetful Bride
Caitlin Marshall's trying to go home to Minnesota, but at the last minute she gives her airline ticket to a stranded soldier. So Cait spends Christmas with Joe Rockwell, who was a childhood friend -- and is still a terrible tease, claiming that Cait's his wife. Oh, sure, they were "married" in a pretend ceremony when she was eight, but now Joe wants to make their "marriage" real!

When Christmas Comes
Emily Springer trades her Leavenworth, Washington, home for Charles Brewster's Boston condo. Then Emily's friend Faith comes to visit her in Washington -- and instead finds Charles, a complete stranger and a curmudgeon, to boot. His brother, Ray, meanwhile shows up at Charlie's place, only to discover Emily living there. But through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, among the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge . . .

 My Thoughts:
I read this book solely for the purpose of my Christmas Challenge.  There is nothing like Christmas romance to put you in the mood for Christmas.  And no one writes a fun Christmas story quite like Debbie Macomber.

Both novels in this book are fun, lighthearted romance stories.  It put me in the Christmas spirit, but they weren't wonderful literay reads.  I read the entire book in one afternoon and had some laughs from it.  It's perfect for a snuggle up with a blanket and hot chocolate and a book, but I wouldn't put it on a literature syllabus or have a group discussion around it.


The Forgetful Bride was a fun novel about Caitlin, who is "in love" with one guy but actually falling in love with another.  I'm sure all of us girls have made a fool of ourselves over a guy before, who so obviously does not like us (but we don't see that until after the episode is over).  I felt for Caitlin, because I could see the plot unfolding but I knew she would not get it.  I loved Joe who weaseled his way into her heart.  I enjoyed Joe's antics, and their story made me laugh several times.  I felt embarrassed for Caitlin, which made me just want to read the book faster.  It was an enjoyable story, but probably one I won't reread even during Christmas time.


When Christmas Comes was a fun light story that reminded me of the movie The Holiday.  I enjoyed the two parallel stories, but I have to say that I did not get the chemistry between the two relationships. It seemed almost forced, and I might have enjoyed it more if there was more subtlety within the dialog and character development.  I also felt that the story was told from two many perspectives.  Perhaps if it was only told from Emily and Faith, instead of added several other minor characters in it.  I guess it seemed like there was a whole story that was smashed into a small novel, instead of having it develop in the details.


Overall, I really enjoyed these stories as a Christmas fun.  But I won't read them again, and I probably won't remember the plots or characters in years to come.  It was an enjoyable read, but did not impact me much.  I felt that the stories could have used more (or better) development.  I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun, Christmasy read without much thought needed.

Fall Into Reading: Questions (9)

Callapidder Days is currently hosting the Fall Into Reading Challenge.  It is a self-set challenge in that each participant sets a goal for his/herself of the number of books to read during the fall season (Sept. 22-Dec. 20).  Then the participants post about the novels and progress as much or little as they want with a wrap-up post at the end.  I have set a goal to read 50 books this fall.  You can read the full list here.  Callapidder Days also hosts a weekly question about Fall Into Reading, as another way for us to connect and such.

I can't believe that Fall Into Reading is almost over.  I gave up on finishing my list, especially since I sorta went MIA from the internet for several days.  But I have finished several books over the last couple of days, and I simply decided to include all books I read during this fall in my 50 books challenge.  I have had more fun that I could imagine doing this challenge, and I especially loved the weekly questions - as I felt they were a lot of fun and helped us get to know each other a little better.   I never really guess that people would read differently than me, but there are so many different ways to read.

Katrina decided to have several questions this week as a closer.  I will answer them all and try to be brief.  :)

1. Do you write in your books?
I have to say that sometimes I do write in my books.  It's a habit that I inherited from high school when I was studying literature and wrote notes in my books.  Now most of the writing I do is in classics when I'm attempting to really read and study the book.  I love to go back and reread my books to see the different notes I've written.  My handwriting and thoughts in high school were so cute.

2. Can you read in the car?
I can read in the car sometimes.  Sometimes it gives me a headache, but most of the time if I get to reading, I forget about the headache and get involved in the book.  I used to read all the time in the car when I was a kid.  We lived 30 minutes from everywhere, so most of my reading was in the car.  Now it's mostly when I'm on a road trip and someone else is driving (otherwise I listen to audiobooks).

3. Does the rest of your family enjoy reading?
Actually, my entire family loves to read except my brother.  We tease him about it mercilessly.  The family joke on Christmas is that we got him a book, as that's his idea of the worst present idea ever.  I learned to love to read when my mom started reading to me and my siblings as a child.  I'm grateful that my dad, sisters, and friends continued on with me and encouraged my love of read.

4. What’s the longest you’ve gone without reading?
Whew, a hard one for me.  I have to say that I've probably gone at least six months to a year without reading books for pleasure.  School did that to me in college, as I read so much nursing material that when I was off, all I wanted to do is sit on the couch, be a bum, and watch tv.  Now the most I go is probably just a day or two.

Normally I include something about my progress on Fall Into Reading, but I am going to save it for my final post.  I wanted to thank Katrina and everybody involved for making Fall into Reading so wonderful.  I truly enjoyed it and I can't wait until next year's challenges.  I got to meet some awesome people, and get to know many awesome people, new friends and old.  I'm excited to read everyone's wrap up posts!

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

L.M. Montgomery

298 pages

Rating: 5/5

When Marilla Cuthbert's brother, Matthew, returns home to Green Gables with a chatty redheaded orphan girl, Marilla exclaims, "But we asked for a boy. We have no use for a girl." It's not long, though, before the Cuthberts can't imagine how they could ever do without young Anne of Green Gables--but not for the original reasons they sought an orphan. Somewhere between the time Anne "confesses" to losing Marilla's amethyst pin (which she never took) in hopes of being allowed to go to a picnic, and when Anne accidentally dyes her hated carrot-red hair green, Marilla says to Matthew, "One thing's for certain, no house that Anne's in will ever be dull." And no book that she's in will be, either.
--Emilie Coulter (review of an abridged version)

My Thoughts:

I grew up watching the movies Anne of Green Gables.  It was a family favorite, and there were many years when my sisters, mom, and I would fold laundry and spend a whole day together watching all of the movies in a marathon.  And to this day, Anne, Marilla, Matthew, Diana, and Gilbert all lay close to my heart.  However, it wasn't until this past week when I found the book in my library that I was able to say that I've read and loved the books as well.  To anyone who loved the movies, I say, "Go read the books.  They are just as wonderful and even more entertaining."

Now, perhaps your childhood wasn't "enlightened" with the hopes, dreams, and mishaps of Anne Shirley.  So I will start at the beginning, so to speak.  The books, and later movies, of Anne of Green Gables revolve around a red-headed orphan named Anne (Ann spelled with an -e).  An elderly brother/sister combo mean to adopt a boy orphan to help around the farm, and Anne is sent instead.  By the time they could send her back, both Matthew and Marilla are unable to remove her from their house (and hearts).  Able to talk a mile-a-minute, make up ridiculous imaginative stories, and find herself in many mishaps that you can't help but laugh at, Anne found her way deep into the hearts of Matthew and Marilla, so that by the time a year has gone by, both of them can't imagine the time before she came.

What makes me love Anne of Green Gables so much is the fact that it is a simple story about the upbringing of an orphan.  Anne is special in that she is honest and kind-hearted and always speaks her mind.  But there is not great tragedy or drama that this book revolves around.  It's about the comic nature of everyday life on Prince Edward island.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good drama.  But Anne of Green Gables is so relateable to people.  Who cannot remember some great idea we once had to make ourselves more beautiful, handsome, pretty, or skinny - and it backfired into something like green hair?  Mine was cutting my hair - it made me look like a boy.   But just as we laugh with Anne on her mishaps, we can cry with her heartache, and smile with her success.  L.M. Montgomery writes such a beautiful story that comes alive before your eyes.  And I enjoyed it so much that I didn't sit down and go, "What wonderful writing!"  I could just imagine the scenes and laugh at the descriptions, and by the time I closed the back cover, I was amazed by the awesome writing.  Writing that did not give light to itself, but created a beautiful story that you could get lost in.

Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite novels.  I found it in the young adult fiction section, which surprised me because I've never thought of it as a "children's book."  I believe that it is a wonderful story that everyone (especially all women) can relate to.  If you are like me, and hadn't read Anne of Green Gables in your childhood, I would recommend reading it as soon as you can get your hands on it.  It's a refreshing, wonderful story that warms your heart.  Personally, I can't wait until I visit my mom in January and we spend an entire day in our pjs watching Anne.

Enquiring Minds Want to Know (9)

Each week Dollycas's Thoughts hosts the meme "Enquiring Minds Want to Know." She posts questions for us to answer each week in order for us bloggers and readers to get to know each other beyond our books.  Check out her's and others answers here.

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Biggest pet peeve.... you mean I have to choose?  I'll narrow it down to two.  First, and probably my biggest, pet peeve is general laziness.

The caption under this picture was, "not my job."

But, because I work in the health care profession, simply saying "not my job" generally means that someone else will have to do it.  Perhaps it is only a glass of water or answering the phone, but sometimes that phone call is to say that someone is having a fatal rhythm.  It just bugs me when I work in the serving profession and no one is serving anyone but themselves. 

The other pet peeve I have is unreadable handwriting.  I know that doctor's handwriting is a common joke among lay people, but try being that nurse that tries to read that handwriting.  Can't wait until we go to computer documentation.  :)

2. Do you shop online?

I do tend to shop online for some different things.  It mostly just depends on my mood.  The only exception to that is Christmas.  I love wrapping presents, so if I buy it online, I have it shipped to me so I can wrap it.  :)

3. Have you ever traveled by train?

Unfortunately, no.  It is a big dream of mine though.  I've looked into a train that goes across Canada, and I think that would be a lovely vacation.

Fall Into Reading: Questions (8)

Callapidder Days is currently hosting the Fall Into Reading Challenge.  It is a self-set challenge in that each participant sets a goal for his/herself of the number of books to read during the fall season (Sept. 22-Dec. 20).  Then the participants post about the novels and progress as much or little as they want with a wrap-up post at the end.  I have set a goal to read 50 books this fall.  You can read the full list here.  Callapidder Days also hosts a weekly question about Fall Into Reading, as another way for us to connect and such.

This week's question: Do you have multiple books going at once? Or do you prefer to stick to one book at a time?
 
Like many other readers, how I read my books depends on the type of book.  First of all, I always read more than one non-fiction book at a time.  I have trouble keeping focused with non-fiction, so I often read it over a long period of time.  With fiction, it mostly depends.  I used to say that I always read one book at a time, but I've found that not to be completely true now.  It depends on the type of fiction, mostly if it is a slow or fast read.  Some books are slower reads for me, the writing is generally better, and I can't "speed read" the book and get the story.  I have to slow down and take all of the details in.  I've found both Odd Thomas and Anne of Green Gables to be that way.  However, a lot of the Christmas romances I've been reading, I read quickly.  So I find if I am reading a slower book, I often take a little time off, so to speak.  I'll read a quick read or two, and then get back to my focused reading.  It just depends on the mood I'm in.

Books Read so Far:
1. The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baronnes Emmuska Orczy (review)
2. Sooner or Later - Debbie Macomber
3. Evermore - Alysson Noel (review)
4. The Snow Bride - Debbie Macomber (review)
5. The Inn at Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods (review)
6. Harbor Lights - Sherryl Woods
7. She's Gone Country - Jane Porter (review)
8. Twenty Wishes - Debbie Macomber (review)
9. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs (review)
10. The Sparkling One - Susan Mallery (review)
11. Under Her Skin - Susan Mallery (review)
12. Masquerade - Melissa De La Cruz (review)
13. One Reckless Summer - Toni Blake (review)
14. A Whole New Light - Sandra Brown (review)
15. The Rose Red Bride - Claire Delacroix (review)
16. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julie Klassen (review)
17. The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger (review)
18. Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz (review)

Bonus: (i.e. books not on my list, but that I've finished reading in this time period)
1. Flowers on Main - Sherryl Woods
2. On the Steamy Side - Louisa Edwards (review)
3. Blue Moon - Alyson Noel (review)
5. Just Listen - Sarah Dressen (review)
6. Christmas Wishes - Debbie Macomber (review)
7. Home for the Holidays - Debbie Macomber

Progress: 18 down, 32 to go

What about you?  Do you read one book at a time?  Or do you have multiple books on your TBR pile?  How's everyone's progress going?  I think I might have to be realistic about finishing my list, so I might include my "bonus" books in my number count (25 down, 25 to go).  Maybe I was a little too ambitious.  But oh well - after all, it's all about having fun, anyway.

Monthly Summery: November 2010

I decided to continue on my monthly tradition of having a summery.  I feel that it's a great way to end the month as well keep track of how I do month to month.  I really excited for next year and to see how it compares with this year.  This month was a bit slower for me.  I had a couple weeks of overtime and spent some time with my family.  I'm still behind on my Fall Into Reading Challenge, but I'm excited for the challenge in the next 19 days.  Plus, who knew how far I would get.  Certainly not me!

Books Read November 2010: (linked to reviews)

• The Rose Red Bride - Claire Delacroix
• Blue Moon (The Immortals, 2) - Alyson Noel
• The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger
• Just Listen - Sarah Dressen
• Christmas Wishes - Debbie Macomber
• Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz

I can't believe it's December!  I'm so excited for Christmas to be here.  Winter is my favorite time of year.  It's already snowed here!

How did everyone else's November shape up?

Gratitude Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of the Gratitude Giveaway:

A Canadian Girl

Thanks to all the entries and new followers!   I had 178 people enter with 242 entries.  You guys blew me away!  Congrats again to A Canadian Girl.