Christmas Days

Christmas Days, by Jeanette Winterson

2/60 | Started 12.26.23 • Finished 01.11.24 | 2.5 stars

Despite the star rating, I did enjoy this book. It was a fun collection of varied stories, alongside recipes that were amusingly relayed. However, there was a fair amount of LGBTQ stuff in several of the narratives. Had I known that ahead of time I might have foregone reading it. I initially picked it up because I saw it recommended as a fun "every Christmas" read from someone whose ratings I usually trust.

In addition, it wasn't necessarily stellar writing, just average, with a few bright spots thrown in. Unfortunately, I lost all of my highlights because between the time I finished this book and the time of writing this review, my library no longer has the digital version available. Ah well. All that said, I'd choose a different Christmas-themed book to return to year after year.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith

1/60 | Started 12.02.23 • Finished 01.07.24 | 5 stars

What a story. I literally just put down my kindle after finishing the last page and I seriously feel so satisfied. Smith paints a story around the Nolan family of Brooklyn, NY, with the central character being the oldest child, Francie. Her father, Johnny, is a waiter/singer and her mother, Katie, is a tenement cleaner. Her brother, Neeley doesn't seem to want to do much, but he is the spitting image of Johnny. Francie is a reader who wants to write - she wants to be something. But there isn't a lot working in her favor.

She had the knowledge that she was small but she lacked the courage to be otherwise.

I loved following her story, coming up through difficult times, sticking it out at school, learning about love, working hard to get where she wants to go. I don't want to give away finer points of the plot - and there are many of them! I think it just goes to show how much of life turns on both the big and the small things.

Oh, the last time how clearly you see everything; as though a magnifying light had been turned on it. And you grieve because you hadn’t held it tighter when you had it every day. What had Granma Mary Rommely said? “To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”

A clean coming of age novel with great character development and a real sense of triumph in the end. It is a long read but well worth your time.

Love Came Down at Christmas

Love Came Down At Christmas, by Sinclair B. Ferguson

54/60 | Started 12.01.23 • Finished 12.27.23 | 5 stars

These Advent readings were more what I was looking for. This is my second time through this book and it did not disappoint. Thankful for those who offer reflections on the incarnation that are affecting and meaningful.