10 Blind Dates – Ashley Elston

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: HBG Canada
Published: October 1st, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Romance, Family, Friendship, Christmas

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REVIEW:

This was FUN.

Everything about it promises fun—the cover, title, synopsis—but it’s one thing to expect something and another thing to be delivered that thing. Also, I read the author’s This Is Our Story, a YA mystery, so I couldn’t wait to see her deliver a feel-good Christmassy romance.

The Christmasaurus – Tom Fletcher

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Penguin Random House Canada
Published: October 23rd, 2018 for this edition
Publisher: Random House BFYR
Pacing: Fast
Recommended Age: 7+
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Christmas, Fantasy, Family, Friendship, Bullying

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BLURB:

Once upon a time–long, long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth–an egg rolled away from its mother and landed in the ocean, where it froze solid and stayed peacefully for thousands of years. Then one day Santa and his elves discover the frozen egg, and Santa sits on it to see if it will hatch. But he can’t guess what’s inside. . . . A dinosaur! Meanwhile, a young boy named William Trundle has only ever wished for one thing for Christmas: a dinosaur! So when Santa accidentally gives William the real Christmasaurus instead of a stuffed replica, it’s the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! Until an evil man known as the Hunter decides a dinosaur will be the perfect addition to his collection.

A Boy Called Christmas – Matt Haig

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Borrowed
Published: 2017
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Family, Adventure, Christmas, Magic

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BLURB:

You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas. It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible. If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you. Because this book is FULL of impossible things.

Razzle Dazzle Unicorn (Heavenly Nostrils #4)

Razzle Dazzle Unicorn by Dana Simpson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: September 20th, 2016
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Recommended Age: 7+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Christmas, Slice of Life, School, Friendship, Summer Camp

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BLURB:

Dana Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn is back with more sparkles than ever! In this fourth volume, join in the adventure as Phoebe and Marigold confront messy rooms, trouble at school, and a nasty case of “Sparkle Fever.” Follow the pair back to Camp Wolfgang, where their old pals Sue (a.k.a. “Monster Girl”) and Ringo, the lake creature, remind them that being weird is WAY more fun than being normal.

My New Crush Gave to Me – Shani Petroff

My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: October 31st, 2017
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Recommended Age: 11+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Christmas

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BLURB:

Charlie is determined to be Teo’s date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper s Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He s easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he s willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she s stuck with him.

Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas?

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares – Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: October 26th, 2010
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Point of View: 1st Person & Boy-Girl
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: YA, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Books about Books

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BLURB:

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

7 Books to Read during the Holidays

It’s almost that time of the year! I know we’re all anticipating it with much impatience. At least, I am. My mom is always making delicious meals and buying delicious desserts, so I really cannot wait. And so, in order to feel the magic of the Holidays a little more, I prepared for you a list of 7 books (in no particular order) I dare guarantee you will enjoy.

Review: Blame It on the Mistletoe by Eli Easton

Blame It on the Mistletoe by Eli Easton

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: November 17th, 2013
Publisher: Eli Easton
Point of View: 1st Person & Masculine
Recommended Age: 14+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: New Adult, M/M Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, College, Novella

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BLURB:

When physics grad student Fielding Monroe and skirt-chaser and football player Mick Colman become college housemates, they’re both in for a whole new education. Mick looks out for the absent-minded genius, and he helps Fielding clean up his appearance and discover all the silly pleasures his strict upbringing as a child prodigy denied him. They become best friends.

It’s all well and good until they run into a cheerleader who calls Mick the ‘best kisser on campus.’ Fielding has never been kissed, and he decides Mick and only Mick can teach him how it’s done. After all, the physics department’s Christmas party is coming up with its dreaded mistletoe. Fielding wants to impress his peers and look cool for once in his life. The thing about Fielding is, once he locks onto an idea, it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind. And he just doesn’t understand why his straight best friend would have a problem providing a little demonstration.

Mick knows kissing is a dangerous game. If he gives in, it would take a miracle for the thing not to turn into a disaster. Then again, if the kissing lessons get out of hand they can always blame it on the mistletoe.

Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Borrowed
Publication Date: 1843
Publisher: Various
Point of View: 3rd Person & Masculine
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Classics, Christmas, Family, Ghosts

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BLURB:

In October 1843, Charles Dickens ― heavily in debt and obligated to his publisher ― began work on a book to help supplement his family’s meagre income. That volume, A Christmas Carol, has long since become one of the most beloved stories in the English language. As much a part of the holiday season as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen wreaths, this perennial favourite continues to delight new readers and rekindle thoughts of charity and goodwill.

With its characters exhibiting many qualities ― as well as failures ― often ascribed to Dickens himself, the imaginative and entertaining tale relates Ebenezer Scrooge’s eerie encounters with a series of spectral visitors. Journeying with them through Christmases past, present, and future, he is ultimately transformed from an arrogant, obstinate, and insensitive miser to a generous, warm-hearted, and caring human being. Written by one of England’s greatest and most popular novelists, A Christmas Carol has come to epitomize the true meaning of Christmas.

Review: When Santa Was a Baby

When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey

This is the perfect Christmas gift for babies all around the world.

When Santa was a baby, he was different from the other babies. But these differences, these particularities didn’t make him strange; it made him interesting and memorable.

This was such a cute read. The illustrations are wonderful. I really like the style of the artist. She gave the story a feel of timelessness with her adorable drawings.