Winter – …on the B.L.

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

December 20, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Maybe
Length 448
Quick Review Becky is back to her shopaholic ways, and it’s Christmas time when everyone is a bit of a shopaholic.

20191217_193206 — How my face would be if I had to shop being followed by paparazzi. | Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella | Sparkle Booties | Purple Satin Skirt | Sweater | Scarf | Earrings | Glasses |

I haven’t read any of the other Shopaholic books by Kinsella, so this was my introduction into Rebecca Brandon née Bloomwood. Honestly, I can’t tell if Kinsella has created a series to critique the consumerism of today’s capitalist society or if she’s creating a hardcore shopping fantasy incarnate in Becky for women to live through. Both? I have my preference. Anyways… Christmas Shopaholic is the newest installment in the series.

Rebecca Brandon née Bloomwood is married to Luke. They have a young daughter Minnie and live outside of London near her parents. Becky works in her best friend’s shop. Luke does financial stuff. I won’t get into the plot because it’s very well done. Kinsella manages to throw a ton of subplots together in a way that truly mimics the complexities of life. Although, I’m not sure the characters are as believable.

Being up front and honest here. Rebecca, Becks, Becky – whatever she goes by – would irritate the ever living crap out of me. After reading Christmas Shopaholic, I don’t think I can read any more of these books. The title says it all; Becky is a true shopaholic. I don’t mean she likes to shop, I mean it’s a condition. She should see a therapist. I found her to be completely delusional about everything. She truly isn’t a bad person. She has good intentions. She’s just an idiot in many ways. She makes me cringe in just about every social situation. I also don’t know why she always has to introduce herself to everyone as Rebecca Brandon née Bloomwood. Is it a way to show she’s a feminist? Does she really like her maiden name? Is she trying to sound continental? I DON’T KNOW.

Another baffling thing is the marriage between Becky and Luke. I don’t know how her husband puts up with any of it. It seems like a really odd pairing anyways. A man who is very good with money and business married to a woman who finds an excuse to buy literally anything. When there isn’t something to buy, she comes up with a reason to buy something. The two together seem like a recipe for divorce and not at all an opposites attract situation. I kept wondering what Minnie, their daughter, would grow up to be like.

That being said… There were tons of really great moments. Kinsella makes poignant observations about sexism, classicism, family, holidays, consumerism, and more. I don’t think I can read any more of the Shopaholic series because Becky is not my cup of tea. I do think there are some really great parts about Christmas Shopaholic that override my disdain for the character. It’s a good book to curl up with and enjoy cookies this Christmas.

Memorable Quotes
Online ordering isn’t really shopping, it’s “procuring.” You procure stuff online. You don’t get the buzz of actually stepping into a shop and seeing all the gorgeous stuff, feeling it, stroking it, being seduced by it.”
“Whatever the Grinch can steal, that’s not Christmas.”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: Christmas Shopaholic
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: The Dial Press
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780593132821

Books, Fiction

Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire

December 12, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Eh
Length 304
Quick Review Dirk Drosselmeier died in the forest as a child, and that set him on a unique path full of magic and mystery to become the beloved toy maker and creator of the nutcracker.

Reading Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire | Wool Skirt | Shirt | Heels | Watch

Gregory Maguire is best known for Wicked, a deconstruction of a part of the classic Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. In Hiddensee, Maguire tackles another character in a classic tale, The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Instead of tackling a deconstruction and retelling of the entire Nutcracker, Maguire takes on a critical yet small character in the original and turns him into the star of the story.

Hiddensee is an anti-fairytale and has nothing to do with the ballet, which is probably why it has a fairly low rating on Goodreads. It’s not a story oozing Christmas, but it is full of magic. I’m not completely sure how I feel about the book. In a lot of ways, I really like it. In other ways, I didn’t love it.

Dirk is a foundling growing up with an old man and old woman in the woods in 1808 in Bavaria, Germany. When he reaches a certain age, the old man takes him to cut down a tree. Due to an accident, Dirk dies and comes back to life. He goes into the world to find his way forever changed by the accident in more than one way.

The narrative style adds to the feeling of an otherworldly fairy tale while cementing it in the real world. Though, the narrative style changes from the beginning of the story to the end. In the beginning, Maguire has a rhythm and rhyme to his descriptions of people and places, which helps set the story in a solidly fairy tale environment. As Dirk wanders further and further into the real world and away from his forest upbringing, the narrative becomes more concrete and less flowing. The poetry dims. There is an honesty to the narrative; to the point the narrator calls Dirk “ A bit of a dolt, that is.” I didn’t love the lack of Oxford comma usage. I think it’s necessary, and Maguire – or his editors – obviously is wrong and disagrees with me.

The imagination in Hiddensee is abundant. Hellenic mythology, curiosity for the after life, hypnosis, German figures from the romantic period, authors, and more mingle in his retelling. The pages are star studded by anyone’s measure. Maguire combines them with ingenuity and prowess.

I loved everything about the book and the way Maguire told the story, but for some reason, it didn’t speak to me. It took me a long time to finish it, and I never really got into the story. I didn’t feel anything for Dirk. Overall, I felt emotionally lackluster about Hiddensee. In theory, I really enjoyed it. In practice, not so much. It is a well done story. I just don’t have any enthusiasm for it.

Memorable Quotes
“Luck and grace: an unmatching pair of boots with which to address a long dusty road.”
“All paths lead to the same place, and that place is whatever comes next.”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker
Author: Gregory Maguire
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 9780062684370

Books, Fiction

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus

December 9, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 176
Quick Review Santa began his life as an orphan, but through chance, hard work, and a caring nature, he became the most beloved man in the world.

Reading The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum at a Christmas tree farm. | Shirt | Jeans | Scarf | Hat |

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

I love Santa stories. I always have, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. The magic of Santa has always been such an enchanting part of the Christmas season, which is why I finally picked up The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum. It gave me all the Christmas vibes I crave this time of year!

Niklaus was a foundling, but adopted into the forest of Burzee by the nymph, Necille, and under the protection of the Master Woodsman, the great Ak, and queen of the fairies, Queen Zurline. Niklaus was the only mortal in a land of immortals, but he had a kind heart. When he reached adulthood he was sent into the world to be among his own people. He gravitated towards children and wanted to make their lives easier and happier before entering adulthood. He began delivering toys. With the help of his immortal friends, he became the revered Santa Claus we know and love today. Frank Baum has a beautiful story in a small book. He fills The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus with fantasy, childish wonder, and reverence for nature. There are so many learning lessons in this book for children and adults. The book teaches people to respect nature and use it thoughtfully and responsibly. Baum was pushing a green lifestyle before it was a thing. There is also a push for collaboration and helping people by using your talents. Everyone is good at something; we’re not all good at the same thing, so when one person is good at one thing and another is good at something else, things get done faster and better when people collaborate and utilize their talents. Through the narrative, Baum shows the bad parts of history and people are equally as important as the good, “They were part of this history, and could not be avoided.” Stories aren’t true without being told in their entirety.

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus is an incredibly well crafted story. It’s one of my favorite Christmas books now. Perfect for children and adults. I couldn’t put it down.

Memorable Quotes
“”While they are babes – yes,” agreed Ak. “Their joy is in being alive, and they do not stop to think.””
“He [Santa] knew that the best of children were sometimes naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good.”
“He went forth bravely to meet his doom – the doom of the race of man – the necessity to worry and work.”
“It is possible for any man, by good deeds, to enshrine himself as a Saint in the hearts of the people.”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus
Author: L. Frank Baum
Publisher: Penguin Books
Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 9780143128533

Books, Fiction

Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer

December 6, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read At Christmas
Length 272
Quick Review Set in Nantucket at Christmas time; a young shop owner struggles between love, community, and career.

20191125_191810-02 — Reading Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer on my alma mater’s [Cornell College] campus. | Sweater | Jeans | Boots | Hat | Scarf |

DSC_1052_1 — Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer

20191125_192112-01 — Reading Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer on my alma mater’s [Cornell College] campus. | Sweater | Jeans | Boots | Hat | Scarf |

The reason I like Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer is because it’s not trying to be anything other than a love story. So many Christmas stories are love stories masquerading as female empowerment or something like that, and I hate the way they are done. They make the woman a strong independent woman in a city without an interest in love, but then she goes home/has to go to a small town/is stranded in the country when her life is turned upside down, realizing she has fallen in love with a man and small town life. Thayer doesn’t try to do that, she comes right out and says what it is. Christina is an independent business woman living in Nantucket and, “She had always wanted to marry and have children and it broke her heart to know that she hadn’t given her parents grandchildren before they died.”

Thayer writes a sweet story about finding love and fighting for what you believe in. She does make me want to visit Nantucket someday because it sounds lovely. Overall, it’s a nice story for Christmas, but it’s not a fabulous book. I don’t find the child, Wink, in the story very realistic. I have spent a lot of time around a lot of different children, and I don’t think Wink would act the way she does in the beginning of the book; she does get more believable later in the story. I also don’t love the fact Let It Snow makes an unmarried woman is old. As a woman very near thirty, this is bullshit. The romanticism is a bit much even for a love story.

Thayer has a very straightforward writing style, which makes the narrative quick and easy to read. There are a few grammatical errors. Pronouns should be used more often because Christina is used far too much, and it is incredibly repetitive.

Let It Snow would be a great book to curl up and read over Christmas break. It is very Christmassy and cute. An easy read for all ages.

Memorable Quotes
“Sometimes you’re so depressed you’ll do anything to make yourself feel worse.”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: Let It Snow
Author: Nancy Thayer
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 97814524798680

Books, Fiction

One Day in December by Josie Silver

December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 RaeAnna

One Day in December is the must read Christmas book of the year. | Dress (it’s perfect for all occasions) | Heels (they go with everything | Belt (It’s a great pop of color) | Watch (so dainty!)

Read Yes
Length 416
Quick Review One Day in December was a surprise. It has the happy ending you want in a winter/Christmas novel, but it was complicated the way life and feelings and friendship are. Josie Silver didn’t simplify it.

Happy December!!! It’s officially Christmas month, which means it is the month of all good and happy things. At least for me. If it’s not so good and happy for you, you should pick up this book. It’s the must read winter book of the year. One Day in December was picked by Book of the Month and by Reese Witherspoon for her book club. All month long, I’m reading winter and Christmas inclined novels because I can.

One Day in December is a great place to start with the Christmas novels. It’s not too cheesy, even though it is truly just a love story. I knew exactly what the ending would be from the very beginning, so it won’t leave you speechless.

I took pictures at Levy Park in Kirby because there are iconic London phone booths! It’s fitting.

Laurie and Sarah are best friends living in London. One December, Laurie is on a bus when a beautiful man catches her eye and she his. They aren’t able to make a connection, but they can’t stop thinking about each other. Laurie and Sarah spend a year looking for bus-dude until Laurie finds him as Sarah’s new boyfriend, Jack.

The story of One Day in December follows Laurie through pivotal moments over the next ten years. The narration is mainly told by Laurie, but Jack tells his side of the story occasionally throughout the novel. The characters are all well developed. None of them come off in a bad light. They’re easy to empathize with because Silver does a good job laying the foundation and explaining the situation and the motivation behind their actions or lack thereof.

The novel is written with British spelling and cultural references. I like that the editors kept this style for American publication. The references were hard to understand sometimes because they aren’t necessarily relevant to the American audience. I love it because it reminds us there are cultures outside of our own.

I really enjoyed that One Day in December is set in London. It’s hard not to enjoy a winter novel when you’re imagining you’re in London. I wouldn’t say it’s a great novel, but it is perfect for this time of year.

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Memorable Quotes
“But I love you,” he says, as if it’s a magic phrase that trumps any other.”

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Title: One Day in December
Author: Josie Silver
Publisher: Broadway Books (Penguin Random House)
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9780525574682

Drinks, In The Kitchen

Hot Cocoa

January 4, 2018 RaeAnna

Christmas has come and gone, but winter will still be here for awhile. I am a firm believer reading should be accompanied by a warm drink. I am usually found with a cup of tea in my hand. Sometimes coffee. In the winter, always hot cocoa. I grew up with hot cocoa being a special winter drink enjoyed from Thanksgiving until the snow cleared. I grew up sipping my mom’s recipe.

Over the years, I have honed my own recipe, which has become beloved by friends. It’s rich and chocolaty because that’s exactly what cocoa should be.

Ingredients

Milk
Chocolate (Preferably semi-sweet baker’s chocolate, but chocolate chips will do)
Sugar
Marshmallows

Instructions

Grab your favorite mug. Fill it with milk.
In a medium pan put three ounces (or more if you like it chocolaty) of your favorite chocolate and a tablespoon of sugar with a quarter of the milk from your mug. Over medium heat using a whisk melt the sugar and chocolate until the mixture is thick.
Pour the rest of the milk from the mug into the pan. Continue stirring continuously until boiling
Pour the hot chocolate into the mug, add marshmallows and enjoy!!!

I love hot chocolate plain, but over the years, I have come up with fun variations to add a little something extra to it. Here are some of my favorites.

Peppermint Cocoa

Take a candy cane and crush it up. Add half of the crushed candy cane to the pan with the milk. Once the cocoa is in the cup, sprinkle the candy cane pieces over the marshmallows for a pretty look.

Espresso Cocoa

Add a shot of espresso to the pan with the milk. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a tablespoon of instant espresso/coffee at the beginning to melt with the chocolate and sugar. It will add caffeine and extra yumminess for the coffee lovers. A great way to start the day at the office!

Boozy Cocoa

After the cocoa is made and in the mug, add a shot to your cocoa. You don’t want to put the alcohol in the pan while it’s cooking because you’ll boil away the alcohol. It’s a fun addition to a cozy girls’ night, romantic evening, ski trip, or any number of fun activities.

Best Boozes:

Peppermint Schnapps
Kahlua
Vanilla Vodka
Spiced Rum
Whipped Cream Vodka
Bailey’s