Saturday, December 17, 2011

Guest Post & Giveaway- Author Kendare Blake– A list of Good Holiday Stories

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As you’ve heard me mention on The Happy Booker a time or 200, Anna Dressed in Blood is one of the most awesome books I have ever read! So imagine how thrilled I was when Anna’s brilliant author, Kendare Blake agreed to write a guest post for my Book Stars feature!! Not only that, but Kendare is also offering one super lucky reader a signed copy of Anna Dressed in Blood!! The details on how to win that will be at the bottom of the page. But first, check out some of the holiday stories that she loves best!






A List of Good Holiday Stories

Because I Guess I Shouldn’t Be Morbid In December


By Kendare Blake

I was all set to do my post about the best and worst Stephen King adaptations, but every time I tried, it just felt wrong. Because we’ve crossed over the Turkey Day threshold, and are now in the valley of spiced cider, sugar cookies, and evergreens. Talking about how CUJO didn’t do enough to humanize the rabid, demon-tinged man-killing St. Bernard didn’t feel…appropriate. So I’ll do it later.
In the meantime, here are a few holiday stories to enjoy (if you haven’t already). These are in no particular order. Except for number one. It’s totally number one.


The Christmas Toy

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Yeah, it was a movie. But I read the book. So it counts.
This was about toys who come to life when you’re not in the room. The folks at Pixar were obviously big fans. Anyway, one of the toys, Rugby the tiger, was given as a Christmas present the year before. So he thinks he’s the Christmas Toy. He thinks he’s supposed to go under the tree and get unwrapped every year. And he’s pretty egotistical about it. He won’t listen to any of the other toys when they tell him he’s being an idiot, and his stubbornness results in the death of his best friend, Mew, the cat’s toy mouse. It’s quite heartbreaking.


The Velveteen Rabbit

We all know this one. Boy loves stuffed rabbit. Rabbit loves stuffed boy. Boy gets scarlet fever, or some other deadly dangerous old timey disease, and though the rabbit plays a part in nursing him back to health through constant support and affection, he winds up being declared an infectious, disgusting thing and winds up in the trash pile to probably be burned. As luck would have it, however, a fairy turns him into a real rabbit. So, real rabbit loves boy. Boy lives. The end. Unless Boy’s family is a hunting type of old timey family, in which case this story got a whole new dimension.


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Stew, anyone?


Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even when I use nonsensical words like, “sash.” He threw up the sash. That always used to get me as a kid. What’s a sash? Why doesn’t anyone refer to a window that way any other time of year?


The Polar Express (the Number One)

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Oh, it’s soooo good.
Ah, yes, the heartwarming story about the magical train that goes to the north pole every Christmas eve. This book is pure magic. Beautiful illustrations and a lyrical story. Chris Van Allsburg knows the way of the picture book. On one magical night, you laugh, you stand in awe, and you learn that magic fades as you get older until even if you’ve seen it for yourself you become so cynical that you can’t be made to hear the bells and believe. What? Was that not the point? I’m kidding obviously. Or mostly. I love this book.


Thanks to The Happy Booker for having me by this holiday season!







You’re so very welcome!! Thanks for stopping by Kendare and for the amazing giveaway too! As I said, one lucky winner will get a signed copy of Anna Dressed in Blood! Can’t wait for the giveaway and want a copy of Anna now? I don’t blame you!! You can purchase Anna at Amazon here, Barnes and Noble here and The Book Depository here.




Giveaway
US Only
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment on this post about your favorite holiday reads, or just a comment or question for Kendare Blake.
Extra entries for commenting on any other Book Stars of 2011 post and tweeting the giveaway! Giveaway ends at Midnight on January 1, 2012. Winner will be announced on January 2.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

51 comments:

ebaker said...

OMG! I love The Polar Express! I still have my copy from when I was a little kid...too bad the dust jacket is missing :(

Mary Kirkland said...

I think my favorite will always be Rudolph..I've seen it and read it so many times to my own daughter.

miztik_rose@yahoo.com

Vivien said...

I'm not a big holiday book reader. I do love reading Harry Potter around this time of year. Something about it just gets me in the spirit. Probably all the magic.

Hannah Lorraine said...

I have a new favorite holiday read! Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan! Great book to get into the Christmas spirit!

Kelly said...

I'm not much of a holiday reader, with the exception of Halloween when I tend to read scary stories (although I like & read scary stories year-round). I'm looking forward to reading Anna Dressed in Blood. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a signed copy!

May said...

I haven't read many holiday books so I'll leave it with a question: What was the hardest obstacle in writing this novel?

THanks for the giveaway!

leighmarbella said...

i hope i win this giveaway! :)

In Julie's Opinion said...

My favorite holiday book is the one I read to my kids every year on Christmas Eve, Twas the Night Before Christmas! I've seen the Polar Express movie but I've never actually read the book! I'm going to get a copy this year, though, and who knows? Maybe that will be my new favorite holiday book!!

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Just recently, a wonderful friend sent my daughter a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit, one that includes the audio narrated by Meryl Streep. We listen to it all the time. Excellent choice.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love The Polar Express, too! So imaginative!

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

I read Jacob T. Marley this holiday season and I loved it.

LisaILJ said...

I don't know if I have a favorite holiday book. The only book I remember from childhood that was holiday related was The Nutcracker. It had the story and had photographs from the ballet bringing the story to life. I googled it and it was called "A very young dancer" by Jill Krementz.

Thalia Anderson said...

I love "The Polar Express"! I always read it or watch it or something having to do with it. I think it's so sweet and imaginative!

Suz said...

Thanks for this amazing giveaway! I am currently listening to the audio of "The Nine Lives of Christmas" about a cat trying to redeem himself at Christmas time and it is so cute!

Unknown said...

Its begigning to look a lot like zombies
teressaoliver at gmail dot com

latishajean said...

My favorite is The Polar Express too I love that one! Thank you very much for the great giveaway!

Unknown said...

I have this Hanukkah book that was made specifically for me!! It's my favorite!!

Anonymous said...

I really don't have a favorite holiday book, but I really enjoy watching The Christmas Carol, remade in to many different ways. My favorite is, of course, the original, but I rarely get to see it.
mom1248(at)att(dot)net

Sana said...

Would have loved to read it but alas, it is US only! =(

mimz said...

Wow, to be honest I never knew The Polar Express was actually a book! I loved the movie when I first watched it and I think it's time to see it again this year. :D As for a favourite read, I don't know, maybe Christmas Carol. :)

Amy said...

I haven't read any of these books. Although, I have seen the movie adaptation of The Polar Express and loved it!

Cathy C said...

my favorite christmas book is The polar express

catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

Christina Kit. said...

I love Rudolph!

elena said...

My favourite holiday books are Harry Potter and The Polar Express. :D

SacredmOOn said...

My favorite holiday book is The Bite Before Christmas by Jeaniene Frost by far. Thanks for this giveaway chance! I've been wanting this book!!!
DeAnna Schultz
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Books are a big part of our christmas holiday. Every year I wrap Christmas books and let the kids pick one a night counting down to Christmas. So it is always a surprise and this would be a great addition to our books, we don't have the polar express yet! Thank again.

kelleynutrition at gmail dot com

Sophia Rose said...

My favorite holiday reading is the old Christmas poem 'The Night Before Christmas' or 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens.

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

Sophia Rose said...

Oops! I just realized that I put the wrong posting in the extra points on the raffle copter. I commented on all the postings, but I realized that the Missie one is tomorrow. Please check the 'Maja' one at Nocturnal Readers instead.

Kelly said...

Charlie Brown's Christmas is one of mine! I always loved Charlie Brown and his friends!
thanks for the giveaway
delivery.RN at gmail dot com

sarah said...

I love the Velveteen Rabbit too!

beofgoodcheer85 at yahoo dot com

Helen said...

My nephew makes me read the Polar Express and he loved Olivia's Christmas

Rachael Allen said...

I've heard so many great things about Anna Dressed in Blood! Great giveaway!

lexirylie said...

I love the children's book Carl's Christmas!!

The More the Merrier said...

I don't really have any favorite holiday books, though I did love to hear Twas the Night Before Christmas as a child.

The (Mis)Adventures of a College Book Addict said...

The Polar Express is one of my absolute favorite books to this day!

hbjgvhuogyihpo said...

Polar Express is my all time favorite holiday book!

nrlymrtl said...

I find that winter holiday movies, music, and stories depress me. Give me a rousing story of endurance, mayhem, mystery, tears, strength, violence, and joy to lighten my spirits.

Kat C @ Books and Sensibility said...

This book may be to scary for me, but I still want to read it.

Lori said...

cute blog!

Cricket said...

I like the Polar Express!!

Unknown said...

I have been waiting for this book for forever! I have heard so many good things about it!

aurora M. said...

I am a classic kinda gal...A Christmas Carol is my fav read.
great giveaway.

Avon Bernabe said...

Oh. Books for kids! I am not one of the unfortunately. LOL. But it's a shame I can't join the giveaway for I'm not from the US. :|

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was always one of my favs

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Mare/TommyGirl said...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was my favorite. My little bit loved Twas the Night Before Christmas a lot.

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

Santa's Twin by Dean Koontz

Anonymous said...

The two I like to read this time of year: How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Carol. Both are lovely stories of redemption and forgiveness. The Velveteen Rabbit, also a great quick read!

lewis dot tim at gmail dot com

Julie S said...

I'm not usually a fan of holiday themed books but I did like The Velveteen Rabbit as a child :)

nodizzies said...

Well, I have been reading Hans Christian Andersen's holiday-related stories. But I shouldn't have during the holiday season b/c they are sad! ("The Little Match Girl," "The Fir Tree," and "The Snowman."

Brenda Demko said...

Thank you for the giveaway! My favorite holiday show is Nester the Long Eared Donkey!

Jen said...

I still have all my dogeared holiday books: Frosty, Rudolph, The Night Before Christmas...

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