Recovering Charles

I have read many of Jason Wright's books- The James Miracle, The Christmas Jars (which is our new family Christmas tradition), Wednesday's Letters (I absolutely loved)- so I was excited to read Recovering Charles when it hit bookstores in September. The only problem is that when I read the summary of the book I was a little hesitant to read it because it dealt with Hurricane Katrina. I did not want to read about something that was so sad and so real to so many people in America. As it turned out, the reason that I was hesitant to read it was the very reason that I loved it! The book came alive through its characters and the setting of New Orleans. I felt as if I was visiting New Orleans for the first time along with the main character Luke who was searching for his father, and for answers to his past. The book takes you on a journey, not only through the flooded streets of New Orleans, but through the streets of hope and redemption! Jason Wright has written another wonderful novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Visit Jason's website at www.jasonfwright.com. If you send him a Christmas card before Dec. 24th you will be entered in a drawing to receive an all expense paid vacation for 2 to his hometown of Woodstock, Virginia.

Jason Wright has also co-authored the new book The Christmas Sweater which is now on the New York Times Best Sellers List. I will be reading this book next and will post my reviews when finished!

HUG

My little guy-Ky- has a favorite book! At 15 months of age, he loves the book Hug by Jez Alborough. He can even say all 3 words in the book- hug, Bobo, and mommy (ok he says mama)! He is so animated when he reads the book. He even pretends to cry when Bobo the monkey cries and proceeds to give hugs each time an animal hugs in the story. Ky is so happy when Bobo finds his hug. I don't know how Bobo lost his hug but he finds it when his Mommy comes to the rescue. What a sweet book with beautiful illustrations. Ky loves all the animals in the book especially Bobo the monkey. Ky now says Bobo when ever he sees a monkey. His sister Kam let him play with her webkinz monkey which Ky absolutely loves to hug!

The Paper Bag Christmas

The Paper Bag Christmas is a very well written book. I have so many amazing things to say about the story line and the characters, but my favorite thing about this book is the author! Kevin A. Milne is my favorite person in the world- good thing he is my husband. How lucky am I (someone who is so fond of books) to be married to someone who loves to write, and he's good at it! In his first published book, The Paper Bag Christmas, Kevin introduces the reader to 2 young boys who, like many kids today, are only interested in what they can get out of Christmas. As the story develops the boys soon come to realize through volunteer efforts at a local hospital that what they can give is much more meaningful than what they can get. They discover the true meaning of Christmas through friendships that are formed with children who have developed cancer and an unlikely Santa. I often found myself laughing and crying at the same time! Funny and witty, emotional and endearing, this is a tender story that you will want to read again and again with your family through out the year!