Four Christmas Novellas by Charles Dickens

Most people have heard of A Christmas Carol, but few are familiar with Charles Dickens’ other Christmas novellas. I read his other four this season. Some were more interesting than others. The superiority of A Christmas Carol makes it clear to me why it has lasted as a “classic” through the years, and while most of these have not. Continue reading »

Poetry Friday: Christmas Poems

I mentioned previously that I love the Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets series. So I ordered myself the volume Everyman’s volume of Christmas Poems in honor of the holiday. (Thank goodness for Amazon’s Marketplace where I could get it for half price!). I really enjoyed a retreat in to poetry about my favorite holiday and season, Christmas.

Christmas Poems has an eclectic mix of modern and old poems, from John Milton to W.H. Auden and Chinua Achebe. Continue reading »

Children’s Christmas: Picture Books of the Season

I love Christmas. I love the daily reminder of Jesus Christ in the decorations and in the gift giving. But I also love the traditions of Santa Claus, the festive holiday songs, the fudge and gingerbread.

This year, I decided to immerse myself in holiday picture books. My son, at one-year-old, won’t remember a thing about this Christmas. But next year he might remember something: I want to know which picture books best bring the spirit of the season in to our home so next year we’ll be ready. Continue reading »

A Holiday Challenge Poll + Giveaway at Sophisticated Dorkines

Does anyone host a “Holiday Favorites” challenge? I haven’t seen any information about any such challenge floating around the blogosphere, but correct me if I’m wrong. Continue reading »

The Dangerous Alphabet by Neil Gaiman + Happy Halloween

I admit: The Dangerous Alphabet by Neil Gaiman is the first Neil Gaiman book I’ve read. And it is a clever one. While it’s clearly a children’s book, it has an element of spookiness to it and somber, spidery illustrations that make it just right for adults too. Continue reading »

Stories by Edgar Allan Poe

In my mind, Edgar Allan Poe is the most well-known Halloween-ish short story writer. To keep with the season, I reread some of Poe’s short stories. I enjoyed his stories when I was younger – I even rewrote “The Fall of the House of Usher” as a play for my high school’s Halloween “one-act plays.” But to my surprise, I didn’t love Poe’s writing or his stories’ subject matter this time around. Continue reading »

Spooktacular Hachette Book Giveaway (USA) and Dracula Giveaway (non-USA)

Update: Contest closed.

I have been trying to figure out what I can do to celebrate Halloween on this blog, since I don’t often read horror novels or stories. Well, Hachette Book Group USA has solved that for me. They’ve offered me some boxes full of books for USA readers of Rebecca Reads. These are their “spookiest” books in honor of Halloween.

To add some fun for the non-USA readers, I’m also giving away one copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker to a non-USA resident. Continue reading »