December Is Read a New Book Month!

The first thing that attracted me to this book was the first line of the sub-title: "Discover a Simpler Greener Christmas." More specifically the word "Simpler" got my attention. I am all about making the Christmas season simple.

I have long believed that the holiday season has gotten WAY out of hand. It seems that society in general has forgotten what this time of year is all about. It is not about getting presents or spending money; I think it is about our core beliefs and family. I don't care if you are Christian, Jewish or whatever just remember why one should rejoice.

(Whew, glad that is out of the way! I am feeling so much better.)

The next thing that made me decide to bring this book home was the selection of beautiful photographs of the craft projects. Also, I said to myself, "Hey, I can do some of these projects."

The patterns are simple. Sheherazade Goldsmith is the editor of this great book. She is from Great Britain, so some of the terms in the recipes or instructions were new to this resident of the South, but that should not deter anyone from trying anything in this book. In fact, I am dying to try the recipe for the luscious, dark gingerbread. I will when I figure out what "sugar syrup" is.

Give a gift to yourself, your family and friends AND the Earth by getting A Greener Christmas.

I cannot ignore the inspiration for this webpage: Susan Wittig Albert.

I am putting this 2008 China Bayles novel on my nightstand. Ms. Albert NEVER disapoints.

Make her your new author/new book choice, too.

Technically, I am getting away from my own definition of "new book" here (I have read Paretsky), but because it is a new subject for this author, I am allowing it as one of my "new" reads. Anyway, it is my lens, isn't it?

[This book is on my nightstand waiting to be read as I am typing this, so come back later for my opinion.] Even though this book is very well written, the story failed to capture my interest for long. I must admit, though, the Kansas history was fascinating. I returned it to the library without finishing. I might recheck it out at a later date. Sorry, Ms. Paretsky.

If you want a professional opinion, read the following short review:

From Bookmarks Magazine
Fans of V. I. Warshawski, the gritty Chicago private eye, may be surprised to find her absent from Sara Paretsky's latest work. Paretsky grew up in the Kaw River Valley, and her affection for its countryside, people, and history shines throughout this novel. The regional and historical roots of Paretsky's characteristic social consciousness are clearly on display in what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls "a novel of ideas." Despite some complaints of flat characters, cartoonish villains, and a confusing, sometimes implausible, plot, many critics felt that Paretsky's vibrant storytelling outweighed the novel's shortcomings. Warshawski fans, take heart: Paretsky reports that the resilient detective is currently in Italy, recovering from a beating she took in Fire Sale (2005), but that she will return in 2009.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.