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Monday, November 23, 2009

A Very Merry Unbirthday, Part II

Sometime ago, I ran a Very Merry Un-birthday post to clear off my bookshelves a bit. I mentioned recently that I was cleaning again and so it's time for another giveaway. Instead of giving away individual titles, I'm going to give them away as a packaged deal.

Both of the books are written by well-known authors and are quick, easy and pleasant reads. They are perfect books for the holiday season when life is, well, crazy, and you only have a few minutes to escape from it! Details of how to win are listed below the mini-reviews.


Also, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate the following individuals for contests that they've won around these parts lately.

Random.org was employed and selected #13 - Tea as the winner of the John Muir book.

The winners of The Silent Gift are: Caryn & Shawntele

Ladies, if you'll pop me an e-mail with your mailing address, we'll take care of getting these books to you!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I recently read the book Baby written by Patricia MacLachlan. You might recognize her name as she also wrote the book Sarah, Plan and Tall. I had never read anything else by MacLachlan and thought I'd give this book a chance. From the back of the book:

"Twelve-year-old Larkin returns home one day to discover a baby sitting in a basket in the driveway of her family's house. The only clue to the baby's appearance is a note from the child's mother. "This is Sophie," the note reads. "She is almost a year old and she is good . . . I will come back for her one day. I love her."


Eloquently written, I really did enjoy this quick 132 page story. Although it is written at a middle school level, there are themes in this book that would encourage adult interaction. It's nothing horrible and sordid. It just deals with topics of child abandonment and the loss of children. It could be a painfully sad story if not handled as well as MacLachlan handled it. She writes the most beautiful prose and instead of feeling sorrowful over the story, you find yourself engaging with the family who temporarily adopts little Sophie. It's a beautiful story.

*******

I recently read and reviewed Kate's Choice, by Louisa May Alcott as part of the 5 Minutes for Books Classics Bookclub. (You can click on the title to read my review of it.) This is a great, quick holiday read and I enjoyed it. However, it's one of those books that you read through, enjoy and pass along. It's quaint and wonderful and a great read-aloud for ages 5 and up, I would think.

The other option is, of course, take about 1/2 hour at a Starbucks some afternoon/evening. Get a delicious cup of their holiday eggnog latte and breeze through this book. You'll feel warm from the inside out for a variety of reasons at that point. And you'll be happy. Very, very happy!

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If you would like to win these two classic titles, simply leave a comment below. That's it. So easy I could cry.

If you'd like to leave a second comment for an extra entry, leave a comment telling me what it is that you LOVE about the Christmas season. (How hard is that, really?) Please note: you must leave a second comment to have 2 entries. If your entire remarks are left in one comment, you'll only have one entry into the contest. U.S. Residents only, please.

This contest will be open through Sunday, November 29th.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

And, once again, a very merry un-birthday to yoooou!!!! (Yes, you!)



Oh wait! Before I forget! Are you looking for gift ideas and do you like to win prizes? Then track with us over at 5 Minutes for Books STARTING THIS WEEK for our Gift Guide & Giveaway Event. I'm particularly excited about the recommendations and prize packages that I got to put together and organize so...stay tuned! Some of my favorites are coming right up!

36 comments:

Ronnica said...

Those are a couple of books I'd like to check out, thanks!

Ronnica said...

And now, for my second comment. I know this'll sound silly, but what I love about the Christmas season is the feel. I suppose it's the feeling that there's something greater--much greater--than myself and that it's not about me. Christmas is such an excellent reminder of that as I ponder why God would choose to be born on this earth as a baby.

Annette W. said...

Oh lovely! I really hope to win these books, but I will add them to my list otherwise. I really enjoy classics.

Annette W. said...

My favorite part of Christmas is anticipation...
of Jesus' birth (well, celebration)
giving
receiving (yeah, I know...pathetic)
family
the joy of people coming together.

Barbara H. said...

Those both sound really interesting!

Barbara H. said...

There are many things I love about the Christmas season, and one of the things near the top of the list is the music. Not so much the silly stuff, though I'm not condemning that, but the rich and beautiful spiritual songs, both new and old.

Sky said...

I read Sarah, Plain and Tall but never read any of the authoresses other books! I thought I had Kate's choice but I cannot find it and I can't remember what it was about...
Please enter me!

Sky said...

You asked to say what I like about Christmas....
Celebrating Jesus! Happy faces. Children squealing in delight. The memories of my own childhood Christmases that were always special. Starbucks Christmas cups are a HUGE excitement! The movie Elf. All the wonderful lovely Christmas Carols that I never tire of. Shouting Merry Christmas! The smell of eggnog, the smell of the tree! Cozy, quiet times by a fireplace. Lovely ribbons around brown paper. Leftovers from THE dinner. Sparkly lights. Snow stomping feet....
Ok, I'll stop.
For now.

Laurie said...

I would love to win your 2 book giveaway.

Laurie said...

I love the entire festive atmosphere of Christmas. The music, lights, good will, etc.

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

My favorite thing about Christmas is reconnecting with family.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

I could use a copy of Baby, Carrie, for some time in the future when my girls are old enough for it.

Oh, and I chose your for the Superior Scribbler Award, if you're interested in taking it--->http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/superior-scribbler-award/

Hull.Margaret said...

Please enter me in your giveaway.
Penny

Hull.Margaret said...

My favorite thing about Christmas is seeing the excitement in the "little one's" eyes.
Penny

Shelly B said...

these sound like lovely books. I would love a chance to win them.

shelcows AT gmail DOT com

Shelly B said...

My favorite thing about Christmas is finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I love to see the look on their face when they open it.

Sarah E said...

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Sarah E said...

The thing I love most about Christmas is that it is the one time of the year when my family is all at home together. Nothing is better to me than spending the holidays together as a full clan reunited! :)

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Caroline said...

I would love to win!

Caroline said...

I love getting out our Christmas books. My girls are 8 and 11 and every year I try to get them a new Christmas book. It is so fun bringing out our old friends each Christmas and reading the books again. They get packed away after Christmas so they remain special to the season. I love your blog by the way!

apple blossom said...

Oh, I'd love to be in the drawing for these two books thanks. My daughter loves LMA books.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

apple blossom said...

chance two:

I love the fact that we can pause for our rushing life and remember that it is truly not about us, but Jesus

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

wmmahaney said...

This would be wonderful for our Christmas reading.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I love when we finish getting the tree decorated, and we sit by the tree and read a wonderful Christmas book.

JoAnna said...

Thanks for this chance to win these great books:)
Have a great holiday!

JoAnna said...

I love the time i get to spend with family members thati don't see thru out the year at christmas time....that is special to me!

Shawntele said...

Please include my entry, and thanks again for The Silent Gift!

Shawntele said...

Hmmm, what I love about Christmas...the warmth that seems to be in the air, joyous people, the decorated homes, the smells, the celebration of the birth of Jesus...

Julie said...

Both are great authors and look like good books. I'm surprised I hadn't seen the one by Louisa May Alcott before. Please enter me.

Julie =)
sweetpea{dot}hull{at}gmail{dot}com

Julie said...

Second comment -
I am thankful for the reason of Christmas and awed by the thought of it. I love the joy that the Christmas season brings to everyone, especially children. I am really enjoying the delight that my 2 1/2 year old is experiencing this year and being able to teach her about Christ's birth.

Julie =)

Anonymous said...

Those look like great books!

Anita Yancey said...

Both books sound wonderful. I'd love to be entered. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

What I love most about Christmas is watching other people open their presents. It makes me happy.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

KR said...

I'd love these.

mj.coward[at]gmail.comsmsac

KR said...

Besides celebrating the birth of Jesus, I love my extended family getting together.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Jan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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