As I see the end of my book a day challenge fast approaching I am taking a very laid back approach. Lots of picture books and a movie on Christmas (a movie inspired by a classic kids book that I’m reading today) are helping me wind down a very successful reading year.

I’m going to have 3 book wrap up posts and 2 movies posts this week, so keep an eye out for my favorites this week.

Here’s what I’ve read since my last update…

 The Storm Sister was book two in the Seven Sisters series that I started a few weeks ago. This one was set in the classical music world and I enjoyed learning about something new. I like the different stories of each of the series and the overriding mystery of them all that will keep me reading this series.

If you need a quick Christmas listen to get you in the holiday spirit I recommend this audiobook read by the author. The 13th Gift is a true story that will give you all of the Christmasy feels.

After the sudden death of her husband Joanne was having a hard time getting into the spirit of the holidays. Her three kids were still reeling from the loss of their father too when mysterious gifts began appearing on their front porch. With each gift, the family began to heal.

Such an inspiring story. I loved her explanation of what happened and how she finally tracked down her “True Friends” fifteen years later.

I don’t read a lot of holiday stories during December, but I’m so glad I listened to this one!

I started reading How To Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days a few days ago and just wasn’t feeling it, so I switched to the audio yesterday and breezed right through. Lu is a single artist in her 40s who is obsessed with The One and when she reads that he is going to get married in 90 days she knows she needs a plan. Enter True. He was her brother’s best friend before he died and has stayed close to Lu ever since. He knows a guy who can get a one-on-one with Keanu and a plan is hatched.

I ended up liking it, even if I had a hard time understanding Lu. True is a great and a worthy choice if Keanu is unavailable 😁

Do you have a favorite Keanu movie?

I spent a few days reading The Essential Wisdom of the First Ladies and really enjoyed it. Swipe through to see the book and 8 pages of included quotes that I particularly liked. It went through Melanie Trump and even had a quote about Jill Biden from Michelle Obama so it feels up to date. This would make a great gift!

Loved the story of a woman outdiscovering a man when it just wasn’t done and the illustrations were fantastic. Loved it!

I love Todd Parr’s books and have rea so many with Gage. This is perfect for any kid overwhelmed by the last few years.

Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation by Nick Bruel. 160 pages, pub. 2020

This one wasn’t my favorite mainly because it was mostly about Uncle Murray, but it was a cute addition to the graphic series for kids and Gage always likes Bad Kitty.

I’ve also read…

I will be editing this post the next four days by adding the books I finish this year.