Now that it's December, it's all Christmas all the time, at least when it comes to my reading material. And just like the season's ugly sweaters, the fluffier the books, the better! So far, I've read Leslie Meier's Mistletoe Murder and Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze. And as usual with tales of holiday hijinks, it's the bits about shopping that put me in the spirit.
In Mistletoe Murder, small-town sleuth Lucy Stone is working the graveyard shift at a wannabe L.L.Bean mail order catalog (this is back in 1991, folks) when her boss is murdered. Each chapter begins with a description of an item from the catalog, and the compass or knife or ski hat or whatever ends up tying in with the plot. Cute, no? Here's one of my favorite listings:
"#5532: An intricately patterned vest knitted in 100% Shetland wool. Designs include Christmas trees, reindeer, and ice skates. Dry clean or hand wash. Natural color with green and red. Women's sizes: S(6-8), M(10-12), L(14-16), XL(18-20). $58" (24)
This little snippet, item number and all, reminds me of picking up the ye olde landline to make a catalog order back in the day. You'd write what you wanted on the order form, then wait breathlessly while the customer service rep scrolled through her database to see if your must-haves were in stock. Sometimes, they'd have your size but not your color, and you'd have to make a snap decision whether to go with your second choice or hightail it to the mall. Online shopping is convenient and all, but it lacks that particular brand of excitement.
What was I talking about? Oh, right. The books.
So, In a Holidaze. This one's a rom com about time-traveling, lovelorn Maelyn Jones. Although it offers up mistletoe moments of the toe-curling (spoiler alert: Mae's not lovelorn for long) rather than criminal variety, it's this line about the magic of Christmas presents as opposed to sweet nothings that made me dog-ear the page:
"The pile of gifts under the tree is a hilarious display of adoration, capitalism at work, and our complete inability to moderate ourselves in any way." (258)
People are always going on about how Christmas has gotten too commercial. And although I totally get the need for kids to understand the reason for the season beyond expanding their Barbie and Hot Wheels collections, I think there's something beautiful about buying your loved ones things you know they'll adore.
All this, and I haven't even cracked the book called Window Shopping.
So this Christmas -- or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice -- when it comes to reading and retail, I wish you festive stories and hassle-free shopping.
In other words, happy booking and happy looking. :)
9 comments:
What an interesting way to look back at the 90's with a Christmas mysteries! For some reason a FruitCake mystery comes to mind. I have never liked Fruitcake again! Such a variety you have here. I loved the last paragraph too. Oh your wit..LOVE IT.
Thanks so much for your comments. Seriously, I had intended Dan's conversation to somehow get through to Jory, but I doubt it. In a sense, they do have a bit of bromance. And it is kind of funny that Dan would be standing up for Rachel now since he never really liked her. Of course, I feel it has finally sank in that Dan feels like he's the bad guy, keeping Ivy away from Jay and maybe not letting himself even be a step-father to the baby. Thinking, it's all just temporary a lot like his life. Yet, maybe Jory needed to hear Dan's feelings.
Of course the Casey story...is probably more poignant than I realized. Although, he has his own issues. He possibly has Aspbergers. He's never been that social. Of course, the holidays can bring out the worst in us. Unfortunately.
Well, I have been crocheting bags..of all things. Unfortunately, not very good ones. Thank you so much for reading and always being inspiring. I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Countdown. Our makerspace is being broken down from the State Library commission..yet they have let us have the Lazer cutter along with the computer and it's software. Someone has also lent us a CRICKET for patterns.Maybe we will get a better heat press soon. Naturally, we are making gifts for our fundraiser at the moment.
P.S..thanks again for the DOLLS KILLS info. Yes, I find many of those models inspiring...=)
Such a cool library of fun Christmas Reads. I like the idea of the Retail History too. Quite interesting. And it hasn't really been all that long ago. Such a fun post. It did make me smile. I hope things are going well for you this December. Stay well! Of course, I went to TEXAS ROADHOUSE for a celebration and now I'm a nervous wreck. Thank God, no two-step rowdy singers. It felt a bit calmer. Of course, I haven't been there in years.
Well, the Roman and Deano relationship is a fine line, perhaps. But it is always interesting to see who knows who better. Of course, we all have a persona of making our friends feel that we are fine and everything is quite ordinary with our relationships. Of course, Caitlin never had an inkling that LaLa was unhappy. But maybe, LaLa needs someone like Paul in her life. Oh, and the whole Taylor Swift thing with Jake G. has really been crazy. That girl is a moneymaker. Then to wonder..what would happen to Cyrus if he does win big on a game show. The topics we find to talk about during the holidays. Of course, there have been a lot of things I have thought about with Frankie and Bea..so that's been fun.
I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS! Thanks for reading. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, this is a good one! I love the RETAIL telling of this! Sometimes, these Christmas stories put me off. I think I like the mystery ones best.
I am trying to do a Christmas Challenge on my blog. So I have put the Amber & Max story on hold for a wee bit! "What would you wear if...Christmas Countdown! Of course, I have had to group some of them together since I did get a late start. Hopefully, I haven't overdone it. Especially, when I still want to write.
Hopefully, your Christmas lists aren't too long. Hope you guys are having some cozy times. We might get a little snow by Friday.
Thanks for the interesting reviews. I seem to watch a lot of holiday movies during the season, especially some oldies- haven't been reading as much lately. So funny, my next post is called, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I took photos of local lights and decorations. But I always enjoy your wit and twist with words.
These are some sweet titles! Oh, I think I have some YA 90's Christmas Romance JINGLE ALL THE WAY. I keep telling myself to get rid of it...but I just can't. I got it in a blog giveaway years ago.
Well..ever since I saw the Vanna faceclaim on DOLLS KILLS..I just couldn't help myself and go back to the "ON TOUR" roleplay no one wanted to do. So unfortunately, I might have taken a wrong turn or two..but still, it's kind of fun to write about people never ever thought you would. So here you go. I will do my best not to be too naughty..but just a little. So heres a link to an ill-fated blog JUST YOU.
Especially in decembers many people in St. Nikolaos costumes deliver the gifts to kids in shopping centers. Also many St. Nikolaos's toys are sold in this month. Bye the way, according to some historians St. Nikolaos lived in Mediterranean part of the Turkey. I dont enjoy to spent so much for the gifts. But Gift is always nice. Have a wonderful December month.
In a Holidaze was my last year's Christmas read and I loved it. I will check out Mistletoe Murder.
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
What a beautiful collection of books!! I love that they are all Christmas themed and that you read seasonal books that correspond with the current holiday season. Definitely adds to the Christmas cheer! The reindeers are so cute on the cover of "Mistletoe Murder." Catalog shopping from back in the day definitely had a sense of excitement, not knowing if you'll be able to get the item you want! And I agree that, "there's something beautiful about buying your loved ones things you know they'll adore." Well said, and "happy booking and happy looking" to you, too!
Funny, I didn't read one Christmas book over Christmas. Read a lot of other things but.
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