Holiday and/or Winter-Based Book Discussion (Dec '22)

[Heidi M Simone]

For this month, we'll be discussing books that are either holiday-based or winter-based.

So grab a warm drink, a cozy blanket, and join in on this month's discussion!


Here are some guiding questions to generate discussion:

• What book did you read?
• Was it more holiday-based or winter-based book? Or maybe both?
• Describe what showed/told you this book was either more holiday-based or winter-based.
• Were there other genres woven into the text? If so, which one(s)?
• Share your overall impressions and rating of the book you read.
• Who is the targeted audience?

As always, let's have fun and enjoy a month filled with cheer and books!

[Heidi M Simone]

I'm actually almost done with a Christmas-oriented story. I started it a bit early since I was so ready to begin this holiday season. It's called What Light by Jay Asher. Definitely for young adult, but still a pretty cute story. I'll have to come back and give my full opinion once I finish!

[Crs webco]

I have chosen a book that continues a series I have already read - A Merry Wicked Winter, book 14 from the Wicked Winters Series, which I have not read yet. I loved the series...a part of the genre known as "bodice rippers".... which is a genre I binge read once in a while.

[Crs webco]

I have chosen a book that continues a series I have already read - A Merry Wicked Winter, book 14 from the Wicked Winters Series, which I have not read yet. I loved the series...a part of the genre known as "bodice rippers".... which is a genre I binge read once in a while.

[Heidi M Simone]

I have chosen a book that continues a series I have already read - A Merry Wicked Winter, book 14 from the Wicked Winters Series, which I have not read yet. I loved the series...a part of the genre known as "bodice rippers".... which is a genre I binge read once in a while.

I haven’t heard of the series or genre, but it does sound interesting! Do you have to read them in order to follow the storyline?

[Heidi M Simone]

I finished What Light! It was very cute and very sweet. Hard to imagine this is the same authore who wrote Thirteen Reasons Why.

Setting at a Christmas tree farm during December, this book is definitely Christmas oriented. In fact, there’s a part of the book toward the end where the protagonist attends a midnight service mass.

The book is young adult, and sweet romance is woven throughout the text.

I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, sweet, and a nice way to start the Christmas season! The only real “issue” I had with the book is the strange circumstance that the lead boy was given that caused people to judge him. It just seemed out of place and unrealistic, especially compared to the rest of the novel’s story. Aside from that and a couple “yep, these characters are 100% teens!”, I thought the book was well done. I’ll need to try hot chocolate swirled with a candy cane this season!

I rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to young adults (or older) who enjoy a first-love story with a young set of characters.

[Crs webco]

You don't have to read them in order, but reading a later one before an earlier one might include spoilers to the earlier one. The books are based on a family...the Winters..... and each book does sort of build on the prior ones. They were all available on Kindle Unlimited when I read them.

[Heidi M Simone]

You don't have to read them in order, but reading a later one before an earlier one might include spoilers to the earlier one. The books are based on a family...the Winters..... and each book does sort of build on the prior ones. They were all available on Kindle Unlimited when I read them.

Ah okay. I don’t have Kindle Unlimited and I don’t see the e-book copy of the first one, Wicked in Winter, available at my library. I’m not sure I’ll be able to read it then. I’ll be curious what you think of the newest one, though!

[Heidi M Simone]

I’m reading another Christmas book called, The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan. This is the first book I’m reading of hers and so far I like it! Haven’t gotten to too much Christmas-related events, but I can tell it’s coming!

[Heidi M Simone]

I’m reading another Christmas book called, The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan. This is the first book I’m reading of hers and so far I like it! Haven’t gotten to too much Christmas-related events, but I can tell it’s coming!

I have stopped reading this book. :/ It has a good premise and interesting plot points, but I felt the author dragged out every scene and thought that the overall plot just took way too long for me. I kept thinking, “Okay…got the point. What’s next?” Disappointing. Oh well, let’s hope the next one is better for me!

[Heidi M Simone]

I’m currently reading A Boy Called Christmas, and I’m really enjoying that one! Has anyone read it before?

[Heidi M Simone]

So, I started Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, and I can’t tell how I feel about the book. Has anyone read this one? What were you overall opinions?

[Crs webco]

I thoroughly enjoyed A Very Wicked Winter. It was a delightful romp in Merry Old England that had a happily-ever-after ending as all of her books do.

[Heidi M Simone]

I thoroughly enjoyed A Very Wicked Winter. It was a delightful romp in Merry Old England that had a happily-ever-after ending as all of her books do.

That's great to hear! Thank you for sharing and I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday/winter read!

Did you have a favorite part?

[Crs webco]

Yes, It definitely would be the annual Winter snowball fight....one of which was happening when Callum and Sybella arrived at the Christmas get-together of the Winters clan.The epilogue included another annual snowball fight three years later, where Sybella was attempting to take out her husband Callum and was stopped by her nephew Colin.