Carol's Notebook

I love Christmas, as I've said many times, but I don't have those wonderful memories of Christmas as a child. It's not that my Christmases were not marvelous, I'm sure they were, my memory just honestly sucks. I remember bits and pieces, but that's all. I think that's part of the reason I enjoyed "Dakota Christmas" by Joseph Bottum. In "Dakota Christmas," Bottum shares memories of his childhood on the cold South Dakota plains, of the food and gifts, of books and toys, of family and friends, of the joy and sometimes tears of children during the holidays. He brings those memories to life with humor and sharp details. He makes me hope that our holidays are special ones that stay with Amber through the years. Bottum also reminds us that while it's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glitter, or plastic and jello, of the season, the focus still need to be on that babe in the manger. And...

I love Christmas and winter books and we have a whole box full of them, a good variety really. Many we've read over and over through the years. Merry Christmas, Davy! by Brigitte Weninger is a charming tale about sharing and kindness. Davy is an little bunny whose dad has taught him and his brothers and sisters that Santa wants them to be good, help one another, share and to be kind and loving. When he is left at home alone the next day, he puts into practice what he learned. So many of the forest animals, like the birds and deer, look so hungry and Davy knows it's tough to find food in the snow, so Davy takes some of his family's food out to share with his forest friends. Of course, when everyone comes back home, they wonder where all their food wen. First, the family is a little upset with Davy, but when they realize that what he...

My birthday was in November, so not only did I pick up some books for review, I also received some bookish presents, and my husband and daughter gave me money to move my blog to a self-hosted site, which I love. So here's my mailbox for last month. Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of  A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books. These are the presents from my brother and his wife. Aren't they awesome? If you can't tell, the t-shirt has the words of "The Raven" by Poe forming the silhouette. And the cup is made out of US corn plastic. Now the books I received: The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandell (From Unbridled Books via NetGalley) Twas the Night by Sandra Hill, Trish Jensen and Kate Holmes (from Bell Bridge Books via NetGalley) 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin (From the author) Mrs. Jeffries and...