Last Minute Christmas Shopping Help and a Giveaway

Thought for the Day:

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Some Gifts for My Writer Friends:

This is a post that really speaks to me and probably will to most writers. Laurie Wagner at 27 Powers Writing True Life is speaking our language HERE. And if you subscribe to her blog she will send you 27 writing prompts. 

Fantastic post about creating three-dimensional villains can be found HERE. 

Once in awhile TV offers us an interesting discussion about out craft of writing. This week on Face the Nation, four exceptional writers discuss books that have moved them, what is the future of books, and other interesting topics. If you missed it, you can view the video segment by clicking HERE. 

 

Last post I offered a copy of My Very Unfairy Tale Life to someone who is a follower and left a comment. The winner is Michael G-G! (Woop! Woop!) If you don't know Michael, he is a blogger extraordinaire running the Middle Grade Mafioso and Project Mayhem blogs. If you click on those titles, you can see what he is up to. Michael, I will be sending your book out to you this week. Thanks for reading. If you didn't win, read on. I will have another exciting giveaway this week.

I usually do my Christmas Shopping round-up of reviews earlier, but time just got away from me this you. But if you are like most, you probably have a couple of last-minute gift you need to buy. Maybe I can help you out. Here are my favorite books for different ages from this year. Click on the titles to link to my reviews.

Picture Books

Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine - A charming story with a very subtle lesson.

The Invisible Boy - A lovely story of inclusion.

The Girl Who Wouldn't Brush Her Hair - A funny, funny book with a lesson tangled in.

Sophie's Squash - A different kind of love.

The Frazzle Family Finds a Way - Just a heap of fun.

Middle-Grade and Tween Books

Will In Scarlet - A great, fun retelling of the Robin Hood story.

What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, and Blessings - Magical poetry for kids of all ages.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things - Kids love series and this is the first of what is sure to be a great series.

After Eli - One of the best books of the year that can be enjoyed by kids and adults. 

Below - An amazing, beautifully-written mystery one can't put down.

Never Say Die - An amazing adventure story boys will love.

Young Adult

Period 8 - Nobody writes better books for teens than Chris Crutcher. This is no exception.

Whistle in the Dark - A lovely coming-of-age historical novel.

Golden - A mystery that demands pages be turned as quickly as possible, but don't miss a word.

Orphan Train: A Novel - A crossover novel for everyone young adult and up to 99. Don't miss this.

Darius & Twig - A Walter Dean Myers book. Need I say more?

Adult 

Tudors: The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I -

Such a rich period in history. 

New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day - If you love good, fresh bread, you will love this book.

Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories From History Without the Fairy Tale Endings - Truth really is stranger than fiction. These are amazing stories.

Reduced to Joy - A book of poetry that will remind you what a gift poetry can be.

The Catch:Sea-to-Table Recipes, Stories & Secrets - Positively gorgeous, useful cookbook.

I absolutely recommend all of these books. I hope this has been of

some help to you. I promised you a giveaway and I won't disappoint. In the young adult field, Chris Crutcher is just about as good as it gets, so I'm offering a gently-read copy of Period 8, his latest offering. This drawing is for U.S. addresses only. Just be a follower (easy peasy - look to the right) and leave a meaningful comment. If you want extra chances, just Tweet the link or post it on your Facebook page or some such and let me know. I will put your name in once extra for each such posting. I might take next week off, but who knows. I might be inspired to post. In any case, I'll be back soon.

Don't forget to check Shannon Messenger's wonderful blog for other Middle-Grade reviews. Click HERE to be taken to her blog.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.