Share Your Favorite Christmas Story

December is a busy month, filled with parties and cleaning and treat baking. It is a time to reflect, a time to spend with family and loved ones and not a time where any of us in book club wanted to add to the already full days with anything difficult to read! So we took it easy this December, and asked our members to bring or discuss books that they enjoy during the Christmas season.

These ranged from delightful children's books, tales and traditions, to longer stories. Here's a couple we talked about:

 "Silent Night, Holy Night: The Story of the Christmas Truce" is a short picture book that recounts the 1914 evening during WWI where German and British soldiers paused their battles for a day during Christmas. They played soccer, sang, even exchanged gifts before returning to their battle stations and resuming the war. The book was narrated by Walter Cronkite and illustrated by Robert T. Barrett.

We watched a sweet ad that was put out by a British candy company in conjunction with talking about this touching story. You can view the ad on youtube here: Sainsbury Ad

Another story we talked about was the sweet story of an orphan who is punished for a small infraction at Christmas. The girl is so disappointed that she will not be given an orange (a special treat the children only received once a year). The other children save her a little segment of their own oranges, sharing with her the joy of Christmas. This is a sweet and heart warming story, complete with beautiful illustrations.

The story is re-told by Linda Bethers and Illustrated by Ben Sowards.

This cute story about a grumpy camel who is chosen to carry gifts to the Christ child. Along the way his burden is increased until at the end, though proud, he is brought to his knees before the baby Jesus. It's a very sweet story, filled with humor and meaning. The art is darling and it's a lovely choice.  

The story is by Fredrick H. Thury and Illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen

And finally, we had a lot of fun discussing the pros and cons of the (bribery) tradition that has now become popular, "The Elf on the Shelf." The basic premise is to keep kids good for Christmas, that the elf is always watching, much like Santa has been described in the past. We talked about how the elf can be used to help kids be persuaded less to be good for their own reward but to be kind because that is what Christmas is about. It is a silly but fun little book, and we laughed about how bent out of shape people get about a little children's game.


Mostly we had a great time visiting, talking about Christmas and then there was the Christmas treat spread. Sorry if you missed it! Yum!

The Maze Runner

Our November pick was "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. Admittedly, one reason we chose it was that there was a movie hitting the screen and so it gave those who didn't have time to read it, in busy November, a chance to go see the movie! Some of us managed to do both, and that led to some interesting discussion on some of the adjustments the movie had to make to adapt the story to film.

This dystopian tale is part of a trilogy and fraught with mystery. The main character, Thomas, finds himself suddenly awakening in a strange elevator, facing a group of all boys in a glade surrounded by a maze. He can't remember much of anything, though he does know his name. The others in the glade have made a life for themselves, dividing up into groups that perform needed duties for survival. 

He befriends Newt, and Chuck, two of the Gladers and quickly learns why no one goes into the maze at night. Runners have been exploring the maze's depths for years, trying to map it out; trying to find a way out with no success. Thomas's arrival seems to herald change, and just as he arrives, things start operating out of the ordinary. The monsters in the maze, grievers, have begun to attack in the daytime, and Thomas has the drive and tenacity to survive that brings clues to drive change.

A girl arrives abruptly, and not according to the patterns all the Gladers are familiar with. She arrives with a message, that she's the last one, and a feeling of intensity grows as the pressures mount. Teresa and Thomas begin to see they must play a different part than the others, and clues lead to a rising climax filled with scary monsters, racing through the maze and unexpected endings that make any reader want to rush out and find the next book. Though targeted to a teen audience, the books were enjoyed immensely by most in our book club group.

Persuasion

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen is clearly one of our favorite books. It is one of very few books that we have done more than once in our group's reading history, and we were once again, not disappointed by the wickedly witty pen of the legendary Jane Austen.

Though not nearly as well known as some of her other works, such as "Pride and Prejudice" or "Sense and Sensibility", "Persuasion" was one of Jane's later works and it is clear she improved as a writer as she grew older. It was published after her death and is considered one of her best works.

The story follows Anne Elliot, a single 'young lady' of 27, who eight years prior had rejected an engagement and has had no other suitors. She had been persuaded by a family friend to reject him on the grounds that the man was poor. The story picks up with her own family struggling financially and she is re-acquainted with her former love, Frederick Wentworth, who seems uninterested in her now that he has become a wealthy and successful seafaring captain. Their removal to Bath in an effort to retrench, throws Anne into various new situations, meeting other suitors and giving her the opportunity to find the truth about love and its endurance.

Much wit, poking fun at the snobbish and wealthy classes, and a lovely, fresh voice shining a light on those who earn their way to success is a hallmark of this classic novel. The language is beautiful and the mastery of tongue in cheek wit is something to behold. Many films have been made of this wonderful story and yet, as is true nearly all the time, the book is better! It is a delightful choice for a book club discussion, and reading it-with the older and more intricate language-probably raises your IQ by several points.

Garlic and Sapphires

In September we chose "Garlic and Sapphires" by Ruth Reichl. This is a funny story that turns out to be a collection of adventures of the author as a food critic in New York. It's interesting on many levels, and slightly disturbing on others. It was generally enjoyed by most of our group, though not perhaps wholly adored.

She begins her tale explaining how she was working as a critic in California and is wooed to return to New York to write for the prestigious New York Times.  She soon discovers that to properly review many restaurants, she has to go incognito. The most prestigious seemed to be on the look out for her, and it was clear her service was different than that of the regular diner.

Ruth documents various costumes she uses in an attempt to see 'real' service at several restaurants, and is shocked to find the way she feels when in character for her various made up disguises. Some of these are quite amusing, even zesty, while others a little bland, just like the food in her descriptions. It's charming that her son is not tricked by any disguise, though most everyone else is. And it's clear that she realizes what is the most important thing in her life, her family.

We noticed that from the beginning of the book she seems down to earth, friendly and connected with most on such a universal delight-food. But by the end, she has become, or at least started down the path of, the utter snobbery she so despised at the beginning of the book. She looks down on those without her sensitive palate and realizes that isn't who she is.

It's an interesting book, not your average read, and filled with savory recipes. Some with ingredients we'd never heard of. Definitely makes you want to go out to dinner, or whip up something fancy, and it is a curious look at how we treat one another based on appearance, status and title, not to mention tastes.

My Story

"My Story" by Elizabeth Smart is an autobiographical telling of the events beginning in June 2002, when Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her Utah home in the middle of the night. Missing for nine months, her kidnapping was national news and shocked the world when she was found alive with her captors. Published 11 years after the fact, it is told from Elizabeth's clear voice and follows her difficult journey from her capture as an innocent girl to the brilliant, accomplished and strong woman that she is today.

Most of the women in our book club were tentative and nervous about taking this book on. Many had children the same age as Elizabeth and most of us had been emotionally impacted by the story. However, it turned out to be one of the most deeply moving books we've read. Told with a tender voice, and careful guidance from Chris Stewart (her co-author/biographer), the most violent and awful portions are told in such a way that one has deep empathy, yet with no gratuitous description. 

The way Elizabeth was brought up provided her a strong emotional and spiritual strength that allowed her to endure terrible conditions, abuse and starvation. Her intelligence and her trust in God allowed her to survive and overcome. Those who may have followed the story in the news will find many details that explain much about the where, why and how things came about. Beautiful experiences amidst the hardship, where it is clear she was aided by angels or divine providence give the book a touching and humbling tone.  

Though not a fun fiction book, this is definitely worth the time to read and reflect on how terrible things can be faced and overcome. Not to mention, counting your own blessings. Knowing that Elizabeth has become such an example to so many, a mentor for families caught in similar nightmares, and a public figure dedicated to good makes the book a much needed testament of faith, goodness and strength.

The False Prince

"The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen is the first in a trilogy Fantasy series aimed at middle grade readers. The thing is, we adult ladies loved it! The main character, Sage, is an orphan roped into a ruse by a nobleman to find a replacement for the young prince lost at sea to pirates. He soon discovers there is a mystery that is much more than just a ruse, it's a scheme to supplant a false prince in place of an heir presumed dead-and he knows that beyond dishonesty, there is more to this than meets the eye. Trapped in a situation where he can't really be honest, yet can't really take the situation at its face, Sage is challenged both physically and emotionally throughout. There is much intrigue, and clever writing that led many of our book club to race through the other two books before we even met!

Though aimed at a younger audience, each of us reflected on just how easy it was to get lost in the world of Sage and his companions, searching for the answers to mysteries and rooting for him. It was quite honestly, a delightful read and a wonderful choice for summer. It is a great story for the entire family and filled with enough energy and character to last.

A Change of Fortune

In May we chose "A Change of Fortune" by Jen Turano. This book was enjoyed by everyone who was able to read it in our group. The story follows Lady Eliza Sumner, who is disguised as a governess in 1880 New York in an attempt to regain her stolen fortune.  Right away the reader enjoys the subtle humor and distinct historical touches applied as Eliza begins her ruse. Faced with moving from upper class Britain to employed in America, she faces challenges, romance, intrigue and unique twists and turns.

Her spunk and wit play into her adventures as she meets and teams up with Mr. Hamilton Beckett and they discover common enemies and hearts in common. There are many twists and turns, including a kidnapping, and betrayal that made the tale exciting and fun to read right up to the end. It was a pleasant choice and perfect for a busy May read!

Our hostess provided some delightful treats and we had a fabulous time together.

Delicious spread at book club! Dark chocolate brownies, fruit and veggies!