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Literary Friday: Five Mini Reviews *AND* a Special Offer for YOU!

Friday, December 14, 2018


Above are a few favorite Christmas books I'm reading this season.


Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies!

Are you ready for Christmas?  I'm more ready in spirit than in all the other stuff, like presents and baking, but that's okay...

I wanted to drop in today and share a few books I enjoyed this fall.  NOTE:  This has NOT been a great year for reading for me (overall), but more on that in a later post.

All five of these books received a 5-star rating on Goodreads from me.

Here they are:


I wanted to read Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor because the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries movie entitled Christmas with Holly was based on this book.  The movie was a very good adaptation, by the way.  It's the story of an uncle named Mark whose recently deceased sister bequeathed her six year old daughter Holly to him in her will.  With Holly's selective mutism, a girlfriend living on the mainland, Mark's coffee roaster/coffee shop business, and Mark's growing feelings for the cute toy shop owner, the plot is surprisingly uplifting and sweet in spite of all the conflict.




This is a popular French novel, and it was so much better than what I expected.  I received this book as part of my Capsule Books book subscription, and it is part Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and part Amelie.  It's definitely quirky like many French novels, but this one has a happy ending.  If you love the written word, quests, and unique characters, then you must read this short book.  I literally read it on a flight from Birmingham to Las Vegas, and I'm a slow reader!




Oh, how I love you Jamie Fraser.  Emma Sheridan loves him, too, and after a slight breakdown of sorts, she sells everything she owns in Chicago, escapes to Scotland to find a modern-day version of James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, and starts a blog to document her progress.  This is a very cutes story, although I did get annoyed with Emma's character until she has an epiphany and finds herself.  I highly recommend this for all Outlander fans!




The Little Shop of Found Things was not what I was expecting.  Xanthe is a young woman who owns an antique shop with her mother Flora.  Xanthe has a gift: objects sometimes "sing" to her and tell her stories about the people who once possessed them.  Almost all of the stories have been benign and sweet...until she sees a chatelaine at an auction.  The object is the source of a family tragedy, and a maleficent ghost residing in Xanthe and Flora's antique shop is connected to it.  Said ghost is forcing Xanthe to return to the past (1605) and "fix things" or she'll harm Flora.  Very unique ghost and time travel story.




This novel is about two families who've suffered tragedies, yet a young girl brings them together.  The story is tough to read because of the suffering of the main characters, Daniel and Holly.  Daniel's tween daughter Ivy knocks on Holly's door one day before Christmas break, and she is the catalyst that Holly needs to begin living again.  I like it because it is very well-written and sweet.


If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, now would be a good time to do so because I'll be sharing a few super last minute Christmas gifts in it over the weekend.

But in the meantime if you're looking for a few fun items to purchase for the book lover in your life, I might have a great suggestion:

Literary Book Gifts!  Check out these t-shirts:



If Don Quixote and Edgar Allan Poe aren't your cup of tea, I'm sure you'll find something you like on their site.  They have pretty tote bags, too, for all your bookstore and library needs!


My readers will receive 20% off on all products on the site by using the code: RICKITRELEAVEN20

Stop by and check out their products!  This offer is exclusive to my readers, and it will not expire.  

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill




3 comments

  1. You always pick out the best reads. I am so glad you still love to pick up a book and have it in your hands to read. I am old fashion but I love reading books like that and not on a tablet. Something about reading an actual book in hand. Hope you are enjoying getting ready for the big day.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  2. These DO look well worth a read. I always enjoy your recommendations!

    Merriest, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great synopsis roundup and offer, RJ. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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