That time of year is here again…time to wrap up 2018 with a look back at some of my favourite books. I know, I know…it’s so difficult to choose just ONE favourite, which is why I’m including multiple favourites as each book can be special for different reasons! This list is in no particular order. Let’s dig in!

Red 5’s 2018 Top Books

–Snape: A Definitive Reading  by Lorrie Kim. This book was an ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE of mine this year. It has stayed with me since I finished reading it, and as I’m continuing to read HP to my son, it keeps coming back to me internally as I’m reading aloud. This is a DEFINITE must-read for any and all fans of Harry Potter. Here’s a summary: “The Harry Potter series may be named after the Boy Who Lived, but if you want to know the story, keep your eyes fixed on Snape. This hook-nosed, greasy-haired, grumpy character is one of J.K. Rowling’s enduring gifts to English literature. He’s the archetypal ill-tempered teacher: acerbic, yet horribly, deliciously funny. Every time he opens his mouth, he delivers. When he’s in a scene, you can’t take your eyes off him. Snape is always the story.  In this examination of J.K. Rowling’s most enigmatic character, Lorrie Kim shows us how to sort through the illusions and lies to the man who dared to spy on Voldemort, and without whom Harry’s story would have turned out very differently. In his final moments, he asks Harry (and the reader) to “look at me.” This book does just that.” (Goodreads)

–Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence. I found this book to so wonderful! In essence, it’s “A librarian’s laugh-out-loud funny, deeply moving collection of love letters and breakup notes to the books in her life.” (Goodreads). I found this immensely entertaining and did literally laugh out loud while reading this. The author writes letters and notes to books that have impacted her in good or not-so-good ways. A must-read for all book lovers!

–The Brilliant History of Color in Art  by Victoria Finlay. I found this to be a beautiful and fascinating book, all about colour and the history of how and where certain colours came into existence! Loved it! It was a feast for the eyes, as well as the history which interested me as well!

–Black Rabbit Hall  by Eve Chase. This was a new-to-me author who writes books in the same genre as Kate Morton (whose books I love!). I really enjoyed this one and I could barely put it down it was so captivating!

–Bellewether  by Susan Kearsley. Another favourite read by another favourite author. If any of you have read and loved Susan Kearsley, you’ll love this one too. A great historical fiction read!

–Before Every After by Samantha Sotto. This one I read over a weekend and absolutely LOVED it!!! Please click here for my short blog review of this book!

–Foe  by Iain Reid. This is an excellent psychological mind-bender which I absolutely devoured in the span of a day. I really couldn’t put it down and just had to keep reading. So worth it! What a great book!

So, there it is…my favourite books of 2018! Have you read any of these books? If so, which ones? Or, which ones would you like to read? Comment below! And, as always, I’d love to hear recommendations from you to add to my constantly fluid TBR list. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all of you, my faithful and fellow readers! I wish you and yours a very merry holiday season. Please post below any books that you have on your wish list! Or, books that you’re planning on reading during the holidays. I’m anticipating receiving a copy of The Clockmaker’s Daughter (Kate Morton) and can’t wait to spend some time reading that on Christmas Day.

I recently came across an enchanting quote in Anne of Windy Poplars (L.M. Montgomery) which seemed to sum up a lovely Christmas season:

Mrs. Lynde was thankful it was a white Christmas…but to Katherine [Brooke] it seemed a purple and crimson and golden Christmas. And the week that followed was just as beautiful.” (page 155)

May your Christmas season be as vibrant and filled with beautiful colours as that Christmas was for Katherine (with a ‘K’).

Peace to all of you.

Had to do a quick wee post here regarding some of the favourite children’s Christmas books for this year. Asked both my kids to pick their top three favourites from our Christmas books basket. These are the ones they came up with. The Night Before Christmas, Barbara Reid version, has become an instant favourite with everybody in our home! Christmas in the Barn is another really popular one around here. Have you read any of these? Which ones would be on YOUR list (or your kids’ list)?

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas in Canada – 101 Stories about the Joy and Wonder of the Holidays  by Amy Newmark & Janet Matthews

“Christmas is a magical time of year! This collection of 101 festive holiday stories will warm your heart and spread holiday cheer with its tales of family, fun, and traditions from across Canada. A fantastic holiday gift and a great way to start the season!
From mummering and caroling, to winter lights festivals and crèche displays, to feasts and cookie-baking parties, Christmastime in Canada is full of fun and special traditions. You will delight in reading the 101 merry and heartwarming stories about family, goodwill, and holiday traditions across Canada’s provinces.” (Goodreads)

I’m sure everyone reading this has read at least one “Chicken Soup” book in their life. It’s not a difficult feat to achieve as they seem to have books on every topic imaginable, no matter how obscure. I stumbled upon this one at my public library and decided to give it a try for this challenge. The stories were filled with those feel-good feelings we all seem to get around the holidays. I’m not really a fan of the Chicken Soup books, but have read a few in my day. I remember my Grandma once innocently referred to them as “chicken noodle soup for the soul” books…gotta get those noodles in there, too!

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 16/13!!

The Anne of Green Gables Christmas Treasury  by Carolyn Strom Collins & Christina Wyss Eriksson

“Share in the joy of an unforgettable Green Gables Christmas – with all the feasts and treats that Anne would have enjoyed. [This book] shows you how to make these holiday customs of days gone by part of your own Christmas tradition.” (back cover)

This was an interesting book to look through, even though the style of crafts/ideas/decor was NOT anywhere close to my own personal style. This book was published in the 1990s and it shows! Entertaining to read through it, though, especially the excerpts from the Anne books. Definitely do-able to read this slim volume within a day.

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 15/13!!

Home For Christmas: Stories of Wonder and Joy  by John Forrest

“Set in rural Canada from the 1930s through the 1950s, this five-story collection flows chronologically and presents a historically accurate depiction of life in a rural Canadian community. In the lead story “Becca’s Star” the Stones, a “depression era” Ontario farm family, find their already meagre Christmas threatened by winter’s wrath and then made forever memorable by an unlikely ally and a mysterious star. In “Home for Christmas?” the drama increases when, separated by war, with a son missing in action, the Stone family can only hope to be reunited for Christmas. In “Our Christmas Carol” Christmas is marked by two births in the Stone family, only one of which was planned, and in “The Gift of Giving” the Stones find a way to brighten the Christmas and the future of a neighbouring family. In the finale, “A Community Christmas,” a snowbound train, stranded passengers and surprise gifts contribute to a remarkable celebration of Christmas in the Stone’s community.” (Goodreads)

This was a sweet collection of stories, based around one family. Interesting to see the progression of the family as they grow up and change. It was slightly predictable and too perfect, but these were entertaining stories centering around Christmas. I wouldn’t read this collection again, but it was nice for a one-time read.

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 14/13!!

Mr. Rochester  by Sarah Shoemaker

This book is for anyone who is a fan of Jane Eyre. As the title suggests it’s the story of Mr. Rochester, from his point of view…beginning when he is a young child and leading up to beyond the end of Jane Eyre.

I found this book to be quite fascinating, reading a well-known story from a different character’s perspective. And, how everything in his life was leading him to eventually meet Jane…but having to put up with a lot of stuff before that.

So interesting to see the character of Bertha in a deeper way as we see more of her mental health situation and what exactly Mr. Rochester had put up with for years and years. I appreciated his willingness to keep his promises, even though it would have been easier to send her to an institution. It adds a deeper layer to the storyline, the mad wife living in the attic! Love it!

I also really enjoyed reading the origins of the Grace Poole character. She’s quite the person to be able to handle (mostly), on her own, Bertha and her moods.

I found this book to take a little while to get into, but once Bertha entered the storyline in Jamaica then it became more interesting. Still great to get the backstory, though. All fans of Jane Erye need to read this one!!

Under the Same Sky  by Genevieve Graham

“The year is 1746. A young woman from South Carolina and a Scottish Highlander share an intimacy and devotion beyond their understanding. They have had visions of each other their entire lives. And yet they have never met.
Now, with their lives torn asunder, Maggie Johnson and Andrew MacDonnell’s quest to find each other is guided only by their dreams— and by the belief in the true love they share.
On the Carolina frontier Maggie Johnson’s family struggles to survive. Maggie’s gift of “the sight” and her visions show her a presence she calls Wolf. She watches him grow from a boy her age to a man even as she goes from child to woman.
Andrew MacDonald has always wondered about the girl he sees in his dreams. He is able to talk to her through their thoughts and vows that even if he must cross an ocean he will find her.
They are thrust into different situations: Andrew fights for the doomed Jacobite cause and Maggie is captured by slavers, then rescued and brought into a kind, loving Native American tribe. They each believe in destiny and the power of the love they have shared forever.” (Goodreads)

I had read other books by Canadian author Genevieve Graham within the past year, and finally got around to starting this series of books (a trilogy called The MacDonnells). It was an interesting read as I was curious as to how (and if!) the two main characters would find each other! The book is beautifully written in a style of writing that I really enjoyed, it was flowing and poetic. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a bit of romance. I’m looking forward to continuing to read the rest of the books in this trilogy.

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 13/13!!