2015 Christmas Activities Advent

Hello my book friends,

I know what you are thinking, "Elyse, we JUST had Christmas? What are you doing? Please tell me you aren't one of those Christmas nuts.." Well let me tell you that you are way off base and that yes, perhaps I am tiny bit of a Christmas nut. I do LOVE Christmas, but my tree doesn't go up in October or anything, so clam down. Now that you have calmed yourself down let me tell you the story.

Just after last Christmas (2014) my darling husband told me that he hadn't felt the Christmas joy the way he had in previous years. He was disappointed that all we did was buy gifts and run around all over the city visiting family to give them the gifts and that was it. There was no quality time, no sitting and enjoying the season. I can't tell you how much it broke my heart. I love Christmas so much and once you're an adult Christmas looses a little something. I understood exactly how he felt. But you have to find it other ways. I knew that I had to help my hubby find a new kind of Christmas joy. So I thought about it for a long time. I came up with a plan. I was going to give him a "25 days of Christmas countdown"

Everyone is so busy at Christmas time, I knew that I couldn't try and pack it all in December so I started in November and every few days we did something Christmas-sy together. I had it all planned out so that he couldn't say no. It was done, all we had to do was show up. I bought tickets in advance. I planned it out on the calendar It was great. Let me also say that Christmas can be a tight time financially, I didn't want to break the bank. So some activities were at home, others were free events in our city, and some we spent money on.

I made a list of everything that was fun to do at Christmas. Then I looked up various Christmas events in our city. For example: The German Christmas market, ice skating, building a gingerbread house, donating toys and food, driving around and seeing the lights in our neighbourhood and the caroling trolley. I even had a few nights were I wrote down my favorite Christmas memory (so far) of the two of us, and we just talked about that time and laughed. It was a great plan

I wrote each event down on a calendar I printed off. I made sure that the events were spaced out, and that there weren't too many crammed together that cost money. There were a lot of them, but when you actually thought it out some were quick and others took time. I was so excited. I printed out each day on a card with the activity on it, and I wrapped each card up and put them in a box. I wrote a little poem explaining what it was, and then I waited.

Waiting is NOT my strong suit, but I knew I couldn't give it to him too early. I was dying inside "Will he like it? Will he think I'm crazy?" FINALLY, the day arrived where I could give it to him. I can say that when I brought out a Christmas box to him in the middle of November he was pretty confused. Once he read the poem and opened the box and saw all the little wrapped up cards he was grinning from ear to ear. "Can I open them now?" No I explained that he got to open it up that day only. He was so excited (and I was relieved) midnight on day 1 he eagerly asked me if he could open it now, and the happiness carried us right to Christmas day.

For those of you that follow on Instagram and Facebook, you have already seen the pictures of us out and about. So you know how happy Kyle was and how much fun we had. He kept telling me that he had no idea how he was going to top this next year. I told him that wasn't the point. The point was finding his Christmas joy - mission accomplished. I suggested that he pick his favorite 5 things and set them up for me this year. That way we can reflect on this Christmas countdown and make them our future Christmas traditions.

If you are finding that you have trouble finding your Christmas joy. May I recommend something like this for you. Just getting out and seeing the lights and the crisp air really made us feel like just cuddling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket to enjoy the season.

Love
Elyse

The Book Thief

The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak
Knopf, March 2006
Genre: Historical Fiction, Action

During the Second World War death is very busy constantly ferrying souls. But death has a story to tell, that of Liesel Meminger; death dubs her “the Book Thief”. Liesel is taken to Himmel Street to live with Hans and Rosa Huberman after her mother abandons her. Hans plays the accordion down at the local pub for money in the evenings. It is the accordion that brings a young man to the Huberman’s doorstep. A man who had to leave his family, traveling in secret with false papers asking Hans for help.

I can’t even. I just can’t. This book made me ball my eyes out. I was reading and my husband was in another room. He came out looking totally bewildered and asked me what was wrong. I would tell you my response, but that would give too much away. This book was so heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. I can’t even say how much my heart wanted to explode for little Liesel, it’s not fair all she had to deal with. But her strength was amazing and we could all take a page from Liesel’s book (HAHAHA GET IT!) Except for the stealing thing, let’s not do that folks. Let’s purchase or borrow our books like good little people.   

I loved all the characters in this book, every single one of them spoke to me. I have to say that I really enjoy reading about characters that did their best in a time when it could get you killed. I would like to think that I would always do what I think is the right thing no matter what is happening. They were beautiful characters and they felt so real.

I have to discuss that the book is narrated by death. WHAT!? Who does that, it’s awesome. I loved it! It was so beautiful. Death was exhausted constantly looking at all these poor people who died so tragically. I can’t recall another novel that I have read that is similar in this way. This felt very original, and I loved it. Perhaps there are many books that are done this way, but I haven’t read them so it felt new to me. The writing style was lovely. The colours, and the descriptions it was all beautiful. I just loved it all. 

My Verdict: DEAR GOD READ IT! - but have the tissues ready

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What did you think of this book? Did you cry too? If not, what’s wrong with you? 

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If you liked this, try:

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

All the Light We Cannot See

Sarah's Key

2016 Reading Challenge

Hello fellow bookies,

Oooooh, that did not sound the way I meant it to. Unless this blog is taking an unexpected turn to gambling. Which it is not, unless you want to bet on it....5 to 1 it will stay a book blog. Any takers? No, well fine then moving on.

Happy New Year! I know you are all sitting there, pondering your resolutions and thinking to yourself "I didn't set enough book related resolutions for the new year". Fear not my friends, I have the answer for you! ...... What? You didn't set book goals - WELL now you will!

Have you seen the reading challenges online? I always read through them and think that they sound like such a good idea, but I never do them. Some of them seem a little bit silly. I think that we could make our own book challenge. This would then help you with your book resolutions. What do you think? If I make one, will you do it too? One a month does that sound do-able? I take your silence as a yes! Let's DO IT!

I will make a list of 12 challenges, one for every month of the year. Your mission...should you choose to accept it (and your silence indicates your acceptance) pick a book that matches that description, and you read that book. This transmission will now explode in 3....2....1..... well that was anticlimactic.

I would then love to hear what book you read to meet the challenge. You could just let me know in the comments or if you follow the blog on Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook you could let me know there! Do you think that you can do that with me fellow book lovers? Let's make it happen.


A Little Piece of Elyse 2016 Reading Challenge

1. Read a book reviewed by A little Piece of Elyse (You have 19 to choose from right now)
2. Read a book released in 2016
3. Read a book from a genre you wouldn't normally choose
4. Read a book that will be made into a movie
5. Read a book you started but never finished
6. Read a classic
7. Read a Pulitzer Prize winning book
8. Read a non fiction book 
9. Read a book you have always wanted to read
10. Read a book by an author you've never read before
11. Read a book that was "banned"
12. Read a book that you picked because of the cover - Go on, be a rebel

So that is the list folks, does that sound good to you? You can do it in whatever order you want. Is reading 12 books this year a lot, or not very many for you? Clearly... that is A TON for me! I can see that face your making over there!

There are 3 months done for you right here on this blog! You can pick any book and meet challenge #1. The goldfinch is a Pulitzer Prize winner. Finally, Miss. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will be made into a movie this year.

I will let you know which one met the challenge in that month's post. I look forward to reading throughout the year with you interwebs!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love
Elyse

Miss. Peregrine's Home Part 3: Library of Souls

Well my fellow bibliophiles,

Some days tea just isn't enough. I think you know what I mean. Some days you just have to have a little bit more.......like a milkshake. What do you mean that isn't where you thought I was going with that? What did you think I would say? Well I made myself quite a treat, an Oreo milkshake. Oh boy! It was delightful, I highly recommend that you make yourself one. Milk, vanilla ice cream and Oreos, then top it off with whipped cream. OH YEAH!!! You know what else I recommend? The Library of Souls (did you like that segue?) This is book three of the Miss. Peregrine's series and I suggest you read the other two before reading this review. (I have reviewed them on the blog here and here) There my butt is covered in case I give too much away.

Library of Souls
By Ransom Riggs
Quirk Books 2015
Part of the Miss Peregrine's Series
Genre: Adventure, Action, Thriller, Series, Photography

Jacob and Emma have been parted from there friends in the London underground. They are being chased by a hollowghast and are running for their lives. It's up to Jacob to save them, he has to use his peculiar talent and speak to the hollow and get it to stop. They are searching for where the wights are holding there friends and their ymbrynes. They make their way to the docks where they find a peculiar man who seems to know more than he is letting on. He agrees to take them to the devils acre. where he says they may find information on their friends. Once a banishment loop for peculiars who turned their back on the rest of peculiardom, the devil's acre is a terrible place. Will Emma and Jacob find their friends and the Ymbrynes? Will they be able to survive this battle? Will this be the final book?

The answers are: I can't tell you, I can't tell you, and read the book and find out - I can't do all the work for you guys. We need to have a serious chat here people. Sit down. Put all other distractions away. Hear me out. I've told you that this is a YA series. Now, that being said, it's AWESOME, and you HAVE to read it. The movie is coming out in March, so you have some time to get reading.

This was an excellent set of novels. It wasn't too childish to me, it was realistic. In the end just when you think, man this is a little bit dark for YA, it gets a little bit lighter. I loved that the characters were so interesting all on their own. They were young kids, but they were hundreds of years old, and really aren't kids at all. So for me it really worked out. They had to make mature adult decisions, but clung to their hopes, wishes and faith the way a child would.

The world Ransom Riggs has created here, is phenomenal. I can't believe these haven't caught on like wildfire. It brings to mind Harry Potter. A world within our own world, right under our very noses. CALM DOWN!!!! I am not drawing an exact parallel here. They are VERY different and I feel differently about Harry Potter than I do about these books. But the WORLD created was very magical and interesting with it's own history and tales. Similar to another muggle filled world....

Do I have to talk again about the fact that the story is told through pictures? I know what you're thinking - "Elyse, I am too old for picture books"..... well then you my friend, would be WRONG! These pictures are fantastic and so interesting. Not only do I look at them and how they apply to the story but then I look at them and wonder about what was going on here? Why did they feel the need to take that picture?" Some of the pictures would appear to just be odd or strange, but when the author puts his spin on the picture, it could haunt you for eternity! (perhaps I am being a tad melodramatic there) Some of the pictures turn exceptionally creepy when he puts his twist on it and I really enjoyed that. It added another level to the reading. Plus sometimes when you are reading it's nice to get the exact picture the author has in their mind.

I highly recommend you read this series. Everything is better with a milkshake in your hand. So, make yourself an Oreo milkshake and get reading the Miss. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children series. You will thank me for it.

My Verdict: Read the whole series before the movie comes out!

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What did you think of the series? Who was your faviorite peculiar? Do you think that will be that last one?
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While Beauty Slept

While Beauty Slept
By Elizabeth Blackwell
Putnam 2014
Genre: Historical fiction, adventure

We all know the tale of sleeping beauty. This isn't the fairy tale, this is what really happened. Elise is now an old woman, and she listens to her great grandchild telling the tale of the princess awoken by the valiant prince. She is transported to when she was young. Elise grew up on a farm, but felt much more at home in the castle. She moved there and found a job as a maid. She quickly moved up in the ranks of the staff. She always put the royal families needs above her own. She ached for the Queen who couldn't seem to have a child. She learned as much as she could and grew to be the Queen's lady. Finally, the King and Queen had a baby girl who Elise loved dearly. But evil Aunt Maleficent seems to be working against the King and Queen. Elise wants desperately to find out who she really is, and along the way to find love too.

I absolutely loved this book. It was like when I was little and engrossed in a fairy tale. I was transported back there. When I was young there was a book I read over and over again that took place in a castle. I just LOVED it. I was swept back to childhood to the majesty of the castle and the hustle and bustle of the medieval world. It felt very fresh and a completely new way to look at the story.

This was a real page turner for me, purely because I was so swept up in the story. I felt I had jumped on the sleeping beauty band wagon. Not long after this book came out, the movie Maleficent came out. Another side of the story and another fresh look at this well loved fairy tale classic. I read an article about how the author developed this story and it was from watching an interview with an artist from the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty. I really loved her writing style I felt as though I was there with Elise running around the castle. OK, and how many characters are named Elise? It's both jarring and exciting. I was glad that she was a good character and not some horrible evil one.

I find that I either love a rehash of a well loved story or I HATE it, loath it entirely. There is no in between. I don't know if that is good or bad. How do you feel about retelling of old stories? For me this really hit its mark. I thought it was familiar and yet totally new. There were new characters and new points of view. I suppose that is why it was such a hit for me.

This was a fairly easy read. But take that with a grain of salt, I was sucked in very quickly and read this book everywhere! So it seemed to go by almost too quickly for me. I don't think I can really express why I thought this was such a good book. It felt magical, tragic, and happy all at the same time. So I guess you will have to just try it yourself.

We went out for high tea a few weeks ago. And afterward I had a very large craving for scones to go with my tea. So I made some scones. I used some lavender sugar I purchased while on holiday in the summer. I sprinkled it on top of the scones, I didn't use very much because I didn't want the lavender to over power the scone. I could have used a bit more.

I made buttermilk scones. If you are searching for recipes for a good scone, like I was (and you are getting mixed messages) look no further. I can tell you that the buttermilk traditional scones are the best way to go. The recipe suggested making a double batch and then freezing them. That is what I did, and it was so worth it! I suggest you do the same.

I served my scones with cream and jam. It was delightful. I suggest you curl up with "While Beauty Slept" this week and have a nice cup of tea and a scone. Enjoy!

On a non book related note, I hope that you all have a wonderful Holiday and you are filled with seasonal love and joy! Happy Holidays!


My Verdict: Give it a try (both the book and whatever holiday suits your fancy)

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Are you all done with sleeping beauty or is it still fresh for you? Are you tired of new takes on good tried and true stories? Did you like Elise or did you feel she formed shallow bonds too busy with the royal family to form any real connections?
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If you liked this, try:
The Thirteenth Tale
The Museum of Extraordinary Things
Storied life of AJ Fikry

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry

By Gabrille Zevin

Published 2014

Genre: Fiction, mystery

AJ Fikry owns a bookstore, and lately it has not been doing well. The bookstore is on a fairly isolated island that gets tourists mainly in the summer months. AJ lost his wife over two years ago. He can’t be bothered to try anymore. He gets drunk, doesn’t clean and is turning into a cranky old man before his time. He owns a rare book that is his most prized possession. He keeps in his home locked away. One night he finds that it has been stolen. This pushes him further into depression, and he is spiraling out of control. One night in his shop, he stumbles down and he finds a little girl reading.

I have to give you some history on this one. The hubby and I took a trip to Oregon and he gave me 1 hour in Powell's Books. If you've never heard of it, look it up. It is massive and my heaven. He was very clear, 1 hour only. BUT WHAT AN HOUR!!! In his defense I can do A LOT of damage in an hour in a bookstore, and he knows it. I needed a time limit, I can get a tad carried away when it comes to books. I know that is news to you! Anyway, it was fantastic. If you are ever in Oregon and you're not at Powell's, then you're wasting your time as far as I'm concerned. I bought this book at Powell's. I fell in love with the title - GASP SHOCK SCANDAL. The title alone, how could she? is what you are asking yourself. Well the joke is on you because it was an amazing book, and my snap title judgment worked out. It was "storied life" that caught me. I just fell for it right then and there. I truly loved the title and I was right, it was beautiful.

I loved AJ as a character, this man so bitter and cynical beyond his years. It endeared him to me. I wanted him to be a person in my life. I felt as though he was someone I could warm up to, and slowly but surely my irritating positivity and chipper-ness would wear him down. (do you like how I just made up a word there, that would irritate him to death!) He wasn't always a bitter person, and I love when the young man who loved life and literature shines through. That is the other thing about him that I love. He loves books too, and has some very definite opinions on books. I like that about him!

I really enjoyed how well the author knew books. As a whole rounded picture, not just reading, writing or buying or selling. But the whole world of books. She showed it to you honestly. At the heart of it, was what books really mean to us. Why and how we keep the stories that we love and how they shape us from a young age.

OK I know what you are thinking... "Elyse, the crotchety man has a child thrown into his life and takes her in which thaws his frosty heart and he can then fall in love and life is good again... what a cliché" Well you are WRONG! It seems to be that way, but it isn't. It is a very nice story told in a new and fresh way. So if that is what you were thinking you should get your hands on a copy and read it. I would read this book again. It was too easy of a read for the magnitude of affection I felt for this book. I think it could easily be a weekend read.

My Verdict: Read it!

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What did you think of this book? Did you like AJ or was he too opinionated for you? Did you feel the story was a tired cliché?

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If you liked this, try:

The Book Thief

The Light Between Oceans

Me Before You

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

All the Light We Cannot See

All The Light We Cannot See
By Anthony Doerr
Scribner 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

This is a tale of two very different children growing up at the same time in very different places. Marie-Laure lives in France with her father. He works at the Museum of Natural History as the master of the locks. When Marie-Laure is six, she goes blind. Her father builds her a perfect miniature model of their neighbourhood so she can walk with her fingers and by doing so, learn to walk around on her own. When Marie-Laure turns twelve the Nazis are moving into Paris. The museum director calls several staff, including Marie-Laure’s father, to his office and request they flee Paris. He asks that they bring with them a very important museum treasure, the sea of flames. They have made three replicas and one real one. None will know who has the real one. But they cannot let it fall into the hands of the Nazis.

Werner grows up in Germany at an orphanage with his sister Jutta. Werner is very intelligent and can manage to fix, or make just about anything. The Hitler youth take notice of Werner and send him to a very special school to train him for the army where he works to locate the hiding places of the resistance. The unfolding story brings these two characters to the same place at the same time, at the end of a war when everything seems to fall apart.

This book was lovely to read. It casted a spell that I was gladly caught in it. I found the words conjured an image so easily that you were transported to Saint-Malo so you could practically smell the ocean. The characters were so well developed they were almost real. Each of them were dear to me, and I hated to see any of them go through such atrocities. Once thing that I loved was that many character seemed to have a trial that they went through, and Doerr writes such brave characters they face their challenges head on. Including the characters we don’t love. This made me really connect with each character, we can see their flaws and they accept them and do their best to move forward. However, the language is very vivid almost to a fault. It was very descriptive, feeling overwritten and it made the book unnecessarily long.

I found Werner’s struggle to be very realistic. It felt like that is what would have happened to most people. Caught between what they should do, and what was right. Being a good person versus being what your superiors wanted you to be. I can’t tell you which side of Werner won out, that would ruin it!

In the end I did really enjoy this book. I thought that it was VERY hyped up. Yes, it was good but it felt long and dawn out. However, it was a good read and I really did like it. There were times when things were getting very suspenseful in the book and I was very engrossed and that it what was most memorable about this book. As well as the very memorable characters.

We went to a little tea place where I live, we go every year for their Christmas high tea. We normally have some left overs because there is just too much! This year we came hungry and there were none. So I bought a few extra scones and lemon tarts and enjoyed them at home. 

My Verdict: Read it!

If you liked this then try:
Sarah’s Key
The Light Between Oceans
The Book Thief