Christmas Books

I LOVE Frank McCourt's books. There is no story more emotionally riveting and profound than "Angela's Ashes". I just wish his newer books had better endings. This most recent book just dwindles away at the end. I was waiting for something more, and it merely dropped off. Frank is truly the best story teller of our lifetime. I hope he writes many more books about Ireland.

This book is short and very appealing to young readers. The message is universal. It's about love.

We loved this story for its message about the real reason for the Christmas season. In today's culture of "political correctness" and not wanting to offend anyone that often is missing. The artwork is soft and beautiful. It will be a book that is set out for Christmas reading for many years to come.

my entire family loved this book! My son's received it first & thought it would be a great gift for our uncle who is a priest! The only difference between the children's version & the adult is the art work. It's a lovely story!

Enjoyed reading it to the grandchildren but pictures were a little dark for the younger ones.

This story is simply one of the best I have read. It is a book that has mini stories that all tie into the main story so it's easy to read in chunks and the ending is so very satisfying. I have read it more than once and have bought several for gifts. Just can't say enough good things about this book. It's fantastic!

I used to work at a Christian bookstore. A man came in one day and bought 5 copies of this book that he was giving to friends. I asked about the book and he said it was a must read. So, I bought a copy, read it, and boy was he right. The story reaches out and grabs you, and pulls you right into it. I try to read this story every year during the Christmas season. The book is a smooth read and is excellently written. A big THANK YOU to Alan Maki for this great story

I was loaned this book to read a year ago and then determined I would buy some this year for high school graduation gifts. That is what I am doing now! Reading this little novel is just like you are there living every moment of it.

The simple, but very poignant, story of this grandson and grandfather made the rounds of many of my family members and stirred up wonderful conversations that had a lot of meaning for some struggling with bitterness and forgiveness issues. Thanks so much, Alan Maki, for writing this book!

I've read a string of short novels lately and this one was the best of the bunch (and if you look at my other reviews, you'll see I've read some good ones!).

It's refreshing to have poignant Christian fiction written by a man. The two main characters in this story are also men. Most Christian fiction seems to be aimed at women, unfortunately, so this was freshing. Another reviewer mentioned that he was going to purchase copies of this book for high school graduation gifts, and I think that's an excellent idea!

The story begins when almost 20-year-old Alan reluctantly agrees to spend a week caring for his dying grandfather in a small town in the mountains of Montana. There has been some distance between Alan's father and his grandfather, and during Alan's stay, he learns the reasons for this through a series of 8 stories his grandfather has written, to go along with 8 gifts that are under the tree. Grandpa has told Alan he can choose one as his Christmas gift.

Maki's depiction of these characters is outstanding. You really know these characters. It's wonderful to see the young man in the story grow in compassion through this book. Their relationship is precious. This book isn't predictable or sugar-sweet. It's just perfect and I highly recommend it. Don't wait til next Christmas - read it now - and while you're at it, get in some early Christmas shopping and buy a few copies for friends and family!

You might want to check out my other reviews of Christian books and music!

Susan Quincey's only reason to pretend she's happy to see Christmas coming is Jeremy, her small son, and this year she doesn't think she can do it even for him. Widowed by the terrible irony of "friendly fire" in Desert Storm, she's raising her child alone in her husband's beloved Duluth. She earns enough to live on, just barely, as a secretary; she battles Minnesota's brutal winters; and she longs for Mark, who never got to see their son. When her car refuses to start at the work day's end, with the streets a glare of ice and snow falling, she desperately needs the help her boss offers. A "jump" to her car's battery, an escort to make sure she gets home safely, and the offer of dinner out - just why is a company president like Kevin Dockter being so kind to one of his firm's secretaries? Is there something he wants, or is he genuinely interested in Susan? And if so, does she dare to let herself respond?

Based on a true story that's told after the novel's ending, Janet Elaine Smith offers a Christmas romance that manages to be sweet without ever becoming saccharine. Trust me on this: I hate "sweet" romances that have nothing else to offer, and I hate them with a passion. This book, though, I couldn't put down. I read it in an evening, and was sorry when it ended because I'd have loved to remain immersed in its magic for another hour or two. A Christmas Dream has the potential to become a holiday classic like Dickens's A Christmas Carol. So help me, it really is that good!

Janet Elaine Smith's A Christmas dream really touched me. That might not be saying much for some people, but I am a hard sell. I generally don't like romances. But Janet Elaine Smith's A Christmas Dream is touching without having any kneejerk sentimentality. It shows the reality of living in grief and yet when love comes it's both romantic and mature and hopeful. I highly recommend this story for anyone who likes mature, loving romance about real people.

Want to enjoy a good read? Then Janet Elaine Smith's "A Christmas Dream" is the perfect book. If you love the "Miracle on 34th Street" as I always have, then "A Christmas Dream" should be placed side by side with it. I have. Come to think of it, this book should be made into a movie too.

"A Christmas Dream" is full of warm memories. It is about a young widow with a three-year old son, who must face the world alone after the tragic death of her husband in a desert storm. Uncertainties loom.

Ms. Smith's characters in Susan Quincey, Jeremy her son, Kevin Dockter, and Kevin's mother, are so real; it's not difficult to relate to them one way or another. This book is easy reading. It gives a wonderful feeling in the end - perfect for the Christmas Season.

Miracles do happen! Janet Elaine Smith made it happen in this heart-warming book. If you believe in the powers of love, faith and kindness, I strongly suggest you go, rush out and get this book. Happy Christmas everyone! Thank you Janet Elaine Smith for sharing "A Christmas Dream."

Janet Elaine Smith has done it again! Her characters are so real you feel you know them, or want to.
This is a beautiful, warm Christmas story that proves miracles do happen and dreams really do come true.
This book should be made into a Hallmark Movie.

Well, once I started the book, I absolutely HAD to finish it, because I could NOT put it down so I read it in one night!!  I LOVE it!!!  It was so wonderful and so full of hope and new beginnings, not to mention evidence of Janet's delicious sense of humor right from the start. It has been so long since I have sat down to read something that I wanted to read and with so much gusto. I literally "devoured the book".  
Janet has truly given me a special gift as I am such a Christmas person, even though I believe that the spirit of giving should be all year round.

Her book has reaffirmed my belief that one should never give up hopes or dreams that one cherishes. And, considering all that has happened in 2005, never giving up is most definitely a major theme!

Read it, you will love it!

This is a great book for kids and even adults! Love the innovative way the vocabulary words were incorporated. The interactive technique makes it fun for kids to read, comprehend and apply what they've learned towards a healthy lifestyle. The colors and illustrations are very nice...not your typical kids' book. Look forward to the next adventures!

I loved your book! Characters are truly loveable.

I received my book today and I LOVE IT! Your characters are simply the best. Good Luck!

The Book is so creative! The perfect holiday gift. The website looks good too! [...]

Truly a loveable story. The characters have child friendly humor. Robert Montano explicitly illustrated each page at its best. My children love it! Ozzy appears to be my son's favorite character. Can't wait for the cartoon.

My mother had this book when I was a little girl and I always wanted her to read it to us every Christmas time. I just love the illustrations! And even at a very young age, I would want her to read the authors note at the end that talks about all the symbolism in the pictures. When I got older I would read it to myself on Christmas Eve before going to bed. It is such a beautiful book! I was very excited to be able to buy it this year, so that next year when my baby girl is here for Christmas, I can read it to her and it can be a family keepsake.

Me and my son love all the books Ms Berger writes, This is a re-telling of the first christmass, but with a very soft tone to it, my son asked me to read this book several times the day it arrive, read it, it's a must.


also read other books by Ms Berger,

1. Grandfather twilight 2.When the sun Rose 3. Gwinna 4.Angels on a pin 5.All the way to Lasa & 6. A lot of Otters.

This is one of our very favorite Christmas books. The pictures are beautiful and dream-like. It's just a wonderful book.

My Godmother got me this book for christmas of 1985, and I still love to curl up on the couch on christmas and read it. It tell's a beautiful story with beautiful pictures to help tell the story. This is a great gift for the younger children.

What a beautiful story. It is very moving. I highly recommend it.

Para esta NAVIDAD este libro te enseña a preparar maravillosos platillos para festajar la NAVIDAD. Aún estas recetas se puedan preparar para cualquier epoca del año disfrutalas.

QUE VIENE...
Y haremos una cena tan IMPECABLE COMO LA DEL AÑO PASADO CON ESTAS RECETAS... !
ESTE RECETARIO ES UN TESORO DE FAMILIA !!!
Y TODA UNA TRADICION

con los ojos cerrados y poner el dedo en el papel ... CUALQUIER RECETA QUE HAYA SALIDO, te va a hacer agua la boca !

de Acapulco...y estas recetas, junto con las lo mejor de la cocina francesa, son las que nos han hecho famosos...

familia practicar la COCINA COMO UN ARTE, UN ARTE SIN TIEMPO NI TEMPORADA...Y eso son estas recetas

I agree that the book's numerous color photos are beautifully staged. And many of the desserts are seasonless, to be enjoyed throughout the year.

However, the recipes in this book are more complicated than some other reviewers would have you believe, with multiple steps for most of the recipes (not including cookies). And although the book jacket promises that the recipes require only "ordinary equipment and supermarket ingredients," I have to disagree. The dessert pictured on the cover, for example, requires six new pieces of PVC pipes - now, who considers PVC pipes to be ordinary cooking equipment? Not me or my friends who bake (even the one who went to culinary school).

I found many of the tips contained in the Chef's Touch notes (included for each recipe) to be useful. The tips on storage and shipping for the recipes will be helpful as well.

I am not a fan of the author's writing style which was sometimes corny. He tried a little too hard to be funny or be low-key. For instance, in the notes for White Chocolate Kisses, the author writes "Notice the baking time is just 14 minutes, so you should avoid distractions like playing mouth music with your sweetie, and keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake." Who says "mouth music"?

I would have preferred to give the book 3.5 stars. Since that is not an option, I rounded up.

I have read this book and have tried 3 recipes already and all of them turned out fantastic. This book is easy to follow, well illustrated with lots of great tips and I would recommend it to anyone interested in baking with Chocolate. 5 Star Rating.

Footnote: Would also recommend Rose Levy Beranbaum "The Cake Bible" also for the enthusiastic baker or dessert lover.

Review by "Retired Geek's Wife": Having been to the Trellis Restaurant in Williamsburg, VA, I was familiar with Chef Marcel's amazing chocolate concoctions. His other cookbooks are much more complex recipes than I'm interested in making, so I was very excited to discover "I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas" because the recipes are a bit simpler and certainly not just for Christmas. The recipes are extraordinary, but not beyond the time and talent constraints of us mere mortals. If you are wanting to stretch your talents, this is the cookbook to try. The directions and extra help provided in the "Chef Tips" are excellent, providing the details needed to create a memorable dessert for any special occasion. Be warned though, these are still more complex recipes than the norm, so allow enough time, especially for the prep work. When I made the Chocolate Chunk Celebrations, I spent 1 1/2 hours prep before I started actually cooking. Worth every minute...one of the best desserts I ever eaten and rave reviews from all that tried them!

I do a lot of entertaining and this book was great to have for those extra special Christmas deserts. I liked this book because the average cook could make these recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

After reading the other reviews that said, "This book is so easy to understand..." I bought it for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I also thought I would try to prove how easy it was to follow by not only giving her the book, but also by making one of the desserts. I went for the Chocolate Amaretto Terrine - one of the fewest ingredient recipes in the book, but no picture... I figured it was a trade-off: I didn't have a picture to know what it was supposed to look like, but then again, I didn't have to worry about whether mine looked like the picture! I have to agree with the other reviewers - the directions were very easy to follow, and the dessert was delicious! The only reason I gave four stars, not five, is because I only made the one dessert. If the rest of the recipes in this book are as easy and tasty as this one, though, I certainly wouldn't hesitate to give it five stars instead!

I enjoyed this book so much. I have been reading a lot of Debbie Macombe's series book and was kind of disappointed that this was not one of them and before Debbie Macomber I had not been a fan of books in a series. This is an uplifting book. I highly recommed it.
Happy Reading,
Edie~

I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. The story line was very serious and yet amusing all at the same time. Mrs Miricle was a delight that gave you the feeling there are really angels in our life that help us through the things we are going through. Debby McComber writings can be very helpful in your everyday life as you see her characters struggling with living out life.

As usualDebbie wrote a terrific uplifting book. She really knows how to write a book that you cant put down. I am still looking for more of her books to read.

You gotta love angels!! This is a wonderful story of love, forgiveness, family and faith. My favorite Mrs. Merkle quote (each chapter starts with a quote or saying from Mrs. Merkle)is "You have to wonder about humans. They think God is dead and Elvis is alive." The book also includes a few recipes.

This magical story is part Mrs. Doubtfire/Mary Poppins and part It's a Wonderful Life! I love books set in a faith-based community, and the reason Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors is that her style of writing immerses the reader into the setting, making the characters feel like friends and neighbors. The healing power of forgiveness is exemplified in this story. Delivered in a subtle and non-preachy manner, it's a valuable lesson everyone can reflect upon, at Christmas, during Lent, and throughout the year!

This is a great story of the magic that Christmas brings each year.

A dear teacher friend recommended this book and said she couldn't read it to her class without crying! I thought I would be able to read it to my grandson without tearing up, but alas...he had to finish the last few pages! (Much to his delight!) It is such a gentle, tender story. Even when you KNOW what the outcome will be, you can't help but FEEL the emotions the writer conveys so well! Outstanding illustrations put this book in a rare class!

This was a beautiful story written and illustrated. It allows one to discover how people can reach into the hearts of so many with a simple act of kindness. It also reassures children that one does not have to have a lot to change the lives of another. And that dreams do come true.

Karen

I like Chris Soentpiet's book called Silver Packages. The pictures he drew were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The book was outstanding! I like the part when the boy is holding his first one in front of the Christmas tree.

If you want to read a great book then read Silver Packages because it will just touch your heart. It all started when no one had anything so every Christmas a man came and threw silver packages out the back of the train. Chris Soentpiet's illustrations are colorful and interesting.

My son borrowed this book from the library and I quickly fell in love with the beautiful pictures and wonderful story. I went right to my computer to order it for my preschool class. The book arrived quickly and was in great condition.

My kids and I love to read "Snowmen at Night" and we were equally happy with "Snowmen at Christmas". It is perfect for reading aloud to kids of all ages. The pictures are beautiful and the story is magical.

I love the concept of her snowmen books--that they do things and live a life when we're asleep or not looking. I also own Snowmen at Night, and enjoy both with my children. They love looking at the detailed illustrations and find it funny that snowmen eat and drink and dance, etc. Great book for our Christmas collection.

This illustrations in this one were quite simple and yet very eye catching. The children, without exception, enjoyed looking at, reading and having this one read to them. A little boy builds a snowman, and that night, has a dream. The snowmen and their families have quite a life of their own in the dream. The text, which is set in rhyme, is quite catching and the cildren enjoy it..which is a very good indorsement for any children's book. The text goes quite well with the well executed illustrations which makes this an easy book to read to a group of the little ones. Recommend this one highly.

I bought the book because of the beautiful illustrations. I loved all the "lights" (kind of reminded me of a Thomas Kincaid painting). But then found out later about the hidden pictures. All 3 kids, ages 3, 5, and 7 love to look for them. Some are real easy to find for the 3 year old and some are tougher for the 7 year old.