This charming sequel to Before the Coffee Gets Cold complements the first volume beautifully. Its tone matches that of its predecessor, treating of soThis charming sequel to Before the Coffee Gets Cold complements the first volume beautifully. Its tone matches that of its predecessor, treating of sorrow and comfort with a gentle touch. This book expands the world of the first one, explaining a bit more about the way that the magic works, and giving more background on the main characters, and developing them as they grow and change. I am relieved to report that this book does not fall into the trap of over-explaining; it maintains the air of mystery and keeps the tales feeling fresh. Delightful....more
A charming tale of faith and redemption. This is a quick read, but it has a surprising amount of spiritual depth and several inspiring Bible quotes frA charming tale of faith and redemption. This is a quick read, but it has a surprising amount of spiritual depth and several inspiring Bible quotes from the KJV. This particular edition must have been a gift edition, as it is beautifully illuminated and features many sweet pictures from Currier and Ives. Lovely....more
I don't know quite how to describe this book without giving too much away, but it offers a heartwarming portrait of humanity. This sweet holiday tale I don't know quite how to describe this book without giving too much away, but it offers a heartwarming portrait of humanity. This sweet holiday tale definitely has that Anne-of-Green-Gables vibe that readers can expect from Montgomery, but as far as I can tell, these characters here are all unique to this particular tale. Although the story is quite short, the characters themselves are memorable. No romance here, just friendship and warmth and teamwork. Not everyone has something to celebrate during the holidays, and I thought the idea of looking outward and seeking connection was handled well here. An uplifting Christmas story that gave me a lot to think about....more
How charming! Jennifer Beckstrand sure has a light touch, and this series is a lot of fun. I enjoyed this prequel, set during the Korean War, and whilHow charming! Jennifer Beckstrand sure has a light touch, and this series is a lot of fun. I enjoyed this prequel, set during the Korean War, and while there are some somber moments in the story, I am delighted that Beckstrand's sense of humor still shines through. Recommended for fans of the series....more
I think it is excellent. I wasn't sure whether to give it 4 or 5 stars, but I went with 5 because I found so many of the stories to be enjoyable. In aI think it is excellent. I wasn't sure whether to give it 4 or 5 stars, but I went with 5 because I found so many of the stories to be enjoyable. In any collection, there are bound to be some stories that just aren't as interesting to me as others, but I found here that even the stories I didn't care for as much were still quite entertaining. I know that it used to be the custom (and perhaps still is, in some places) to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve, but I've had no personal experience with that, and I've only ever just read a handful. How nice to find so many such stories all contained in a single volume! Not only did I get to read the stories, but I appreciate how this book has strengthened my understanding of that particular tradition. I also must say how impressed I am with the editor for her informative and brief introductions to each tale. The stories are all chronological, and each is grounded in a bit of context and given alongside some information about the author's life. She put a lot of thought into this book, and it shows. All in all, a lot of fun....more
I was most impressed with this. This book explores different views of angels across many years and cultures. It pulls quotes from a huge variety of soI was most impressed with this. This book explores different views of angels across many years and cultures. It pulls quotes from a huge variety of sources, including both the Bible and the Quran. Even the Aztecs are represented in this multicultural celebration of angels. The artwork is also beautiful, and it adds immensely to the overall reading experience. My only criticism here is that I wish more information was given about the images. Even so, this was great!...more
This book has so much going for it: • Clean design, with simple illustrations and good use of white space • Simple rhymes, with nothing too elaborate orThis book has so much going for it: • Clean design, with simple illustrations and good use of white space • Simple rhymes, with nothing too elaborate or over-the-top • Well-chosen content featuring familiar items Short, sweet, and charming! ...more
What can I say about this lovely little Christmas book? Every detail has been crafted to delight. First of all, I am impressed at the selection of hymWhat can I say about this lovely little Christmas book? Every detail has been crafted to delight. First of all, I am impressed at the selection of hymns, which includes many perennial favorites, and which gives multiple verses to several. It's all too common for books like this to list just the first verse, so that was nice. I also like the design of this small book; the ornamental borders on the pages lend a festive air, and the whole style seems delightfully old-fashioned. My only criticism would be that it doesn't give the musical notation, but that's a rare practice anyway, and I'm grateful for the amount of information that is included. A solid five stars....more
Sweet and charming! This little book is packed with quotes, song lyrics, and even recipes, and the bright illustrations lend a cozy feeling to the expSweet and charming! This little book is packed with quotes, song lyrics, and even recipes, and the bright illustrations lend a cozy feeling to the experience. Read it any time of year to feel a little Christmas warmth. An absolute delight from cover to cover....more
Well-organized and informative, this collection of Christmas trivia quizzes covers many different aspects of the holiday. Each topic has several quizzWell-organized and informative, this collection of Christmas trivia quizzes covers many different aspects of the holiday. Each topic has several quizzes, separated by age and difficulty, so that everyone from young children to grownups can find something for them. Educational, broad in scope, and yet never tedious, this book is sure to provide fun for the whole family....more
This book is a tough one to review, since it has some good information in it, but the execution is poor. It might have benefited from some better editThis book is a tough one to review, since it has some good information in it, but the execution is poor. It might have benefited from some better editing.
First off, I'd like to acknowledge the author's own experience. Near the start of the book, he mentions that he was a veteran of Korea, and when I looked him up online, I saw that he had served with the Eighth Army and received a Bronze Star. He must have shown remarkable strength and courage.
As for the book, honestly, I think he should have written a memoir. This account seems to aim for objectivity, but it doesn't always succeed. I don't blame the author: he was obviously very close to the subject here, and objectivity is difficult even for those without a personal stake in the events described. I give him credit for caring.
However, his exaggerations in some places are so significant that they cast the book's other information—likely factual and highly researched—into doubt. I came into this knowing next to nothing about General MacArthur, and when he started describing the ways that MacArthur failed during the early stages of the war, I believed him absolutely. But then, I noticed that some of Weintraub's remarks were a bit over-the-top. He stated, for example, that MacArthur "always . . . ignored reality." If someone is always ignoring reality, then we're getting into the topic of mental illness, of severe, dehabilitating illness. I don't know MacArthur's situation, but I'm pretty sure that even if he was an arrogant self-absorbed egomaniac, as this book depicts, that he was at least able to function. I don't think he would have become so powerful in the military by "always" ignoring reality. I'm not defending him, and I'm not condemning him. I'm merely suggesting that by making such hyperbolic remarks about him, Weintraub is undercutting his own authority as a researcher. Soldiers make comments to the press, and Weintraub suggests swear words for them that were "likely" present, and only removed for propriety's sake. (Or, maybe the soldier was polite enough not to swear for ten seconds while talking to a newspaper representative.) Powerful people back in the States are discussing MacArthur's ability to lead troops effectively, and Weintraub makes guesses as to what these men were thinking at the time. A war correspondent who was in Korea during the disaster places the blame for some of the unwise military decisions on some other officers, not on MacArthur, and Weintraub states that she likely was just lying because she was a woman. (To Weintraub's credit, he was not trying to condemn all women; rather, he was trying to suggest that MacArthur's kindness in allowing her to be present had clouded her judgment of his character. It still comes off as prejudiced, but at least I can follow his reasoning, to a point.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this sort of bias is fine for a memoir. He was in Korea, and he lived through a powerful experience there. If he had written a memoir, and if it railed against MacArthur, both justly and unjustly, it would have all been valid in that sense. It would have been his own voice, his own journey, his account from when the history was unfolding. Or, if he had shown just a bit more restraint in writing this—if he had limited himself to the factual accounts of MacArthur's errors, which, I have to admit, seem awfully compelling—then this book would have been weighty and powerful indeed.
I'm sad that I'm left with an account I don't wholly trust. I'm sad that so much research has brought so little illumination. I'm grateful for the perspective he offers, just the same. I'm glad that I had the chance to learn about some of the events of the war, and about some of the men who fought it. I learned about racial tensions in the military, and about some survivors (one in particular who was an amputee) who readjusted gracefully to civilian life. I learned about the heroism of the marines, who took days to walk a few miles because they were so badly frozen and wounded, and because they helped their injured companions, and who arrived singing—literally singing!—their Marines' hymn. And I felt the emotion. When he described the desperate refugees hoping to be rescued, I was on the edge of my seat. When I learned about their escape, and about the babies born on the ship that carried them away to a better future, I felt joy. When I read about the POWs and their treatment, I felt sick inside. Again, this is all well-researched and quite powerful. I learned so much about so many of the minutiae, but not as much as I'd hoped about the big picture. In terms of the war itself, of the strategies and military decisions, I didn't gain understanding; I merely gained one man's opinion. I'm grateful that I read it, and that it gave me a lot to think about. There is a lot of good content here. It wouldn't have taken much editing to make this far better....more
My review, like this book, will be short and sweet: This collection of essays is sure to brighten many people's holidays. Sweet, uplifting, and with jMy review, like this book, will be short and sweet: This collection of essays is sure to brighten many people's holidays. Sweet, uplifting, and with just enough humor to see us through, this volume is another success from a remarkable mother-daughter team. Look here for a glimpse of their holiday experiences, for wisdom, a little chaos, and a lot of warmth....more
Quite enjoyable! This graphic novel does an excellent job of adapting the classic short story for an audience of children. The plot is clear, the dialQuite enjoyable! This graphic novel does an excellent job of adapting the classic short story for an audience of children. The plot is clear, the dialogue is simplified without being overly so, and the characters are still distinctive and interesting. Baker's marital discord and Holmes' fake gambling are cut from this version. It moves quickly, so there isn't a whole lot of space for the characters to shine, but Goodwin manages to give them their moments. Mr. Baker is endearing, and Mrs. Oakshott's bewilderment at her brother's bizarre behavior is sweetly depicted. She was the perfect mix of patient and frustrated, and I think any child with siblings can relate. Best of all, Watson is smart and capable here, and Sherlock is brilliant as always. It's too bad it couldn't be about 10 pages longer, but it is still lovely all the same. Oddly enough, the thing that bugged me most was Holmes' hair; he's so fanatical about grooming in the stories, and here, his hair is sticking up at all angles. I thought it made him look like more of a teenager than a grownup, but I doubt a child reader would care. A charming take on the great detective....more
This was fun, a collection of single-sentence facts about a variety of Christmas-related topics. Bright colors and lots of pictures make the whole reaThis was fun, a collection of single-sentence facts about a variety of Christmas-related topics. Bright colors and lots of pictures make the whole reading experience pleasurable. My biggest criticism of this book is the lack of clarity: I would have wanted a bit more information for a few of their statements. Of course, I understand that they wanted to keep things down to a single sentence, but even within that framework, there were some things that could have been slightly expanded. For example, one fact reads thus: “An American woman set the record for the most Christmas trees chopped down in two minutes: 27.” It would have been nice if they could have worked in her name, too. But this is minor, and it only applies to a few of the facts out of the whole book. For the most part, I found the reading experience to be quite satisfying. Quirky, fun, and educational....more
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