Book Review: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Alice #1

by Lewis Carroll

 96 pages // published in 1865 // Children's fantasy

BOOK DESCRIPTION

After a tumble down the rabbit hole, Alice finds herself far away from home in the absurd world of Wonderland. As mind-bending as it is delightful, Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel is pure magic for young and old alike.

A wonderful, delightful story! Such whimsy, such humor!

For an old classic book, this one can still be loved by modern young readers. A timeless childhood favorite. (This comes from an adult reader who never officially read this book until just now, but was quite taken with this fun, colorful tale.) It mattered not to me the publication year, while I was swept away into Wonderland.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // e-book // audio

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.

FREE Doctor Who audio adventure -- every Monday!

For a limited time... Fans of Doctor Who can download free audio adventures every week from Big Finish Audio!

I've wanted to listen to some of these bonus adventures for a long time now, and hope they'll live up to my expectations.



FREE THIS WEEK:

Doctor Who - The Companion Chronicles: The Beginning




Once you sign up on Big Finish Audio to get your download, you'll start receiving their emails to alert you which title is free next week. I hope you enjoy this free resource!

Free Quality Audiobooks from Tokybook!

Tokybook is offering a whole boatload of FREE AUDIOBOOKS.

I'm sure you can find something of interest, as they have quite a variety for kids, teens, and adults!

Check out some of these kids audio titles that caught my eye...




Little House series
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
narrated by Cherry Jones





Paddington Bear series
by Michael Bond
narrated by Stephen Fry or Hugh Bonneville





Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan





Winnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne
narrated by Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, and Michael Williams





Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
narrated by Douglas Hodge





Time Quintet series
by Madeleine l' Engle
narrated by Hope Davis or Anne Lee





Refugee
by Alan Gratz
narrated by Michael Goldstorm, Kyla Garcia, and Assaf Cohen





Charlotte’s Web
by E.B. White
narrated by E.B. White and George Plimpton


Check out Tokybook for yourself to find lots of other great (free) titles for ALL age groups!

Bookish Resolutions [May 2019 Check-in]

The Goal:

1. Read at least 125 books, from all formats.
--- Goodreads shows me that I'm 34% done with this goal, at 42 books. I'm on track for finishing them all by year's end.

2. Review, review, review! -- Make sure to review every book I read this year.
--- So far, so good.

3. In with the old! -- Read at least 25 books that are published before the year 2000.
--- Woohoo! 15 done! This goal is more than halfway finished (randomly, fairly accidentally too).

4. Listen while I "work"! -- Listen to at least 35 audio books.
--- I'm up to 10 so far. This number could have been better, but... I still have plenty of time.

5. Increase my NetGalley feedback ratio -- Finish at least 10 NetGalley books.
--- 3 finished. Still doable.

6. Read more titles from indie authors this year -- at least 12
--- Um, I count only 1 so far. This number is looking a mite depressing at the mo'.

7. Tackle something big! -- Read 2 books that have 500+ pages each. (Yes, I must try.)
--- Alright! Here's one to feel successful on, because this goal is 50% done. I read The Fellowship of the Rings for this.

8. Complete at least 8 year-long reading challenges (to doubly make sure I finish them off!).
--- Yes, well obviously, there's nothing to talk about here yet...

9. Finish what I start! -- Finish off at least 4 different book series.
--- Haven't finished any series yet, but am working on this in May.

10. All formats of books combined, conquer reading 25,000 pages (according to Goodreads stats).
--- 9,201 and counting!

2018 Reading Stats

Just popping in once more to have a chat about book stats. (I hope this is my last post talking about 2018. Soon I'll get on to talking about newer stuff than last year!) ;)

So? How many books did you read in 2018?

I've just finished tallying up my reads... I closed out the year with 135 books!

Here's a peek at the formats of books that I read last year...


Why, ALMOST half my books are audio now. Goodness, I wonder what next year's chart will look like.

- - - - -

And here's a look back across my last decade of reading... just because.


Obviously, I've consistently read MORE each year as time matches on!



Tell me a little bit about your reading totals!


Is your 2019 reading plan different from your 2018 strategy?

Book Review: A Christmas by the Sea

A Christmas by the Sea

written by Melody Carlson

169 pages // published in 2018 // contemporary Christian fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.

Join award-winning author Melody Carlson for a Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.

What I love:
• The beautiful, vibrant winter scene on the cover. (It's so inviting... I want to go there!)
• The title... it really drew me in.
• The plot about inheriting a beach cottage and needing to fix it up... The ideas are limitless!
• Wendy's son, Jackson. He is such a sweet teenager, and should be the role model for kids everywhere.
• The ocean.
• Sea shells.
• Sand dollars. (Very inspirational element in the story. Right after both my mom and I both read this book, we had a similar experience to Wendy and Jackson's beach-combing... Which we instantly christened "Our Sand Dollar Moment".)
• Intriguing business endeavors. (The craftiness of inventive ideas.)
• The loveliness of the overall story.

What I didn't care for:
• The too-quick romance. (I feel like the would have been better without it, to be honest.) Or the romance could have been done better if it felt like the two characters in "love" had taken the time to deeply get to know each other.

Overall?
I'm a sucker for Melody Carlson's Christmas books. And it's a clean read. So I enjoyed the book greatly!

e-book // audio

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Are you sharing about any Christmas books? (on your blog, Goodreads, Instagram, etc?) Share it below!

'Tis the season for merry reading...
Please link to your sign-up posts, book reviews, and other Christmas book posts here:

Best deals + freebies in Christian Indie Books! >> Giveaway, Exclusive Interview ++

Welcome! I wanted to tell you about a HUGE sale that is going on this weekend! There are over 150 titles available and they are all either $.99 or FREE! There are also a long list of paperbacks for sale at incredibly discounted prices as well! And the good news is they are all clean reads! Be sure to go check out this amazing sale HERE. <<<<<<<<

There is also an amazing giveaway going on! Grand Prize winner receives 20 paperbacks and the 2^nd place winner gets 20 e-book titles from the sale for free! 



Angie Thompson is one of the authors featured in this sale and giveaway... and also in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW here on the In the Bookcase blog!

Let's start the interview!


Hi, Angie! I've heard great things about your books. I'm excited to read some of your titles soon. What is your favorite genre to write in?

Angie Thompson: Ugh…this is payback for all the times I’ve asked this question, isn’t it? At least you asked about writing, not reading… No, I take it back; that’s still such a hard question!

Since I bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball trying to answer this, I decided to go to the official source—my story files. And the answer is…historical! Which is funny, since only one of my published stories so far has been historical. But I’ve started more historical stories than any other genre, so there you have it! (If anyone is curious, contemporary appears to be my second favorite, followed by sci-fi/futuristic, kingdom adventure, and random things like allegory that defy me to put them into a genre.)


What kind of research have you found yourself involved in by writing? Is there anything you're researching now for your next story?

Angie Thompson: I definitely think there should be some sort of official author status on Google, just to let anyone who’s monitoring my internet searches know not to put me on a watch list! I was seriously a little spooked about what kind of red flags I might be raising when I started searching for pictures/layouts of the airports my characters were supposed to fly into/out of. 😊

I also have a bad habit of injuring my characters or making them sick, so I’ve ended up doing a lot of medical research for different stories. That’s especially difficult for historical fiction, because when I want to know about the treatment for scarlet fever, I’m not looking for fifty articles advising me to go to the hospital immediately… On the other hand, I decided not long ago to create a fictional medical condition for a futuristic story and suddenly found myself with piles of research on how to actually make it work in a convincing way. Did I mention I had also saddled myself with a main character who was a doctor? Oh, dear…

The good news is that my next story has passed the plotting stage and is into rewriting/editing, so hopefully I get a break from the random research for a while. Except that in the back of my mind, I’m still plugging away at that new medical condition…


What are some of the biggest inspirations you have regarding your writing? (Are there certain people, or books, or TV shows, etc.. that impact what you put into your writing?)

Angie Thompson: I get inspiration literally everywhere. One of the most bizarre (although also one of the most prolific) is dreams. If I have an interesting dream and enough time to mold it into something that halfway makes sense the next morning, watch out, world! My next book (or at least the one I plan to publish next) was inspired by a conversation my family was having one night, a movie I watched part of the same night, and the dream that melded them together the next morning. The idea for my first published book, Bridgers, was sparked by an episode of an audio drama. Other recent inspirations have been a Bible study, a kids’ movie, a favorite name, and—I kid you not—the most cliched opening line in history.



Since we're nearing the end of the year, tell us... what has been the most surprising book you've read in 2018? And (on a slightly different note) what is your favorite read of 2018 (granted you don't end up finding another favorite by year's end)? :D

Angie Thompson: Seriously?!? Favorite genre was unfair; this is just cruel! *sighs and goes to dig through my massive pile of favorite books*

Okay, there are several good candidates for the most surprising book, but I think I have to go with Castaways by Jes Drew. I volunteered to read it pre-release because I love survival stories, but I had no idea it would be so hilarious! Much better than I was even hoping for!

Now…if I’m counting my favorite read as a book I read for the first time in 2018, I think I have to give it to Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliot. (It’s such a narrow margin, though!) If re-reads count, The Rivers of Judah by Catherine Farnes would be my hands-down favorite. Whew—that was grueling! Now I need chocolate. 😊

--- Find Angie online! ---

www.quietwaterspress.com

Goodreads

 

You can sign up for the giveaway in the Rafflecopter entry form at the bottom of THIS post!

Giveaway runs from November 22^nd till November 26^th @12AM ET Grand prize open to US winners only. 2^nd place prize is open Internationally. 

 

2nd Place Winner Receives 20 E-books

Gather Round the Fables by Erika Matthews

The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Kirkpatrick AudioBook

The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Perry Kirkpatrick Audiobook

Coffee Shop Christmas Ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

The Land of Cotton ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

Entertaining Angels, Entertaining Angels Book 1 by Emerald Barnes

Secret’s Kept by Jennette Mbewe

The Firethorn Crown by Lea Doue

Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert

Ashlynn's Dreams by Julie C. Gilbert

Soldier On by Vanessa Rasanen

Burning Rose by Hope Ann

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

Imani Earns Her Cape by Bokerah Brumley

October by J. Grace Pennington

Disowned by Sarah Addison Fox

My Compass Home by Michaela Bush

Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil by Killarney Traynor

Grand Prize Winner Receives 20 Paperbacks

Mythical Doorways by Jenelle Schmidt

Faith is the Victory by Faith Blum

Kiera by Kate Willis

Because Anonymous Diana L. Sharples

After: Book One in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Specter: Book Two in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute by Katy Huth Jones

Eagle Eyes by Tammy Lash

London in the Dark by Victoria Lynn   

When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn

Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset by Sarah Ashwood

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

There Was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman

Bridgers: A Parable (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Love Blind (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Code by Angie Thompson

Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah Morris

The Seven Drawers by Kendra E. Ardnek

He's Making Diamonds: A Teen's Thoughts on Faith Through Chronic Illness by Sara Willoughby

Participating Authors

Kate Willis

Hope

C.B. Cook

Vincent Trigili

Malachi Cyr

E. J. Willis

Diana L. Sharples

Sarah Addison-Fox

Annie Douglass Lima

Marc Secchia

Katy Huth Jones

Savannah Jezowski

Kandi J Wyatt

Joan Lightning

Angela Watts

Ava Mallory

Sara Bourgeois

Jaye L. Knight

Sarah Ashwood

Killarney Traynor

Zanna Mackenzie

Valerie Howard

Bokerah Brumley

Kat Bellemore

Faith Blum

RJ Conte

Abigayle Claire

Tayla Alexandra

Kristen Iten

Emily Selby

Stephanie Damore

Erika Mathews

Frances Hoelsema

J. Grace Pennington

Rebekah A. Morris

Frankie Bow

Martha Fuller

Lena Karynn Tesla

Allison Tebo

Sarah Monzon

Victoria Lynn

Sonia Parin

T.I. Lowe

Lia London

Tammy Lash

maria grazia swan

Deany Ray

Paige Sleuth

Jenny Berlin

Annie Louise Twitchell

Jordaina Sydney Robinson

Kelsey Gietl

Kendra E. Ardnek

Frances Hoelsema

Stacy Juba

Laura Guenot

Michaela Bush

Tricia Mingerink

Hailey Rose

Ryana Lynn Miller

Angie Thompson

Nadine C. Keels

Kellyn Roth

Angie Thompson

Vanessa Rasanen

Julie C. Gilbert

Jennette Mbewe

C. S. Johnson

Amy Williams

April Lynn Newell

Lauren Lynch

Lea Doue

Kelsey Bryant

Avery Daniels

Sarah Holman

R.M. Archer

Emerald Barnes

Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Cathy Perkins

Laura Jackson

P.D. Workman

Emily Hinkle

Hannah Loviisa

Claire Banschbach

Rebekah Jones

Faith Potts

Sara Willoughby

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And... while you're here...
Check out my own giveaway and A Literary Christmas reading challenge!

#FREE Audio Book: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

If you enjoy listening to audio books, do check out this limited time FREEBIE from Tantor Media!






The Last of the Mohicans

Author James Fenimore Cooper

Narrated by William Costello

Running time 15 hrs

A story of survival and treachery, love and deliverance, James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans follows an adroit scout named Hawkeye and his companion Chingachgook, who weave through the spectacular and dangerous wilderness of upstate New York during the French and Indian wars, fighting to save the beautiful Munro sisters from the Huron renegade Magua.

— Download (free for a limited time) at tantor.com

#FREE Audio Book: The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

If you enjoy listening to audio books, do check out this limited time FREEBIE from Tantor Media!

A Jurassic tale, from the original mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes...





The Lost World

Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by Michael Prichard

Publication date Mar 2, 2009

Running time 9 hrs

This imaginative 1912 fantasy recounts a jungle expedition's encounter with living dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures as it follows an eccentric paleontologist and his companions into the wilds of the Amazon.

— Download (free for a limited time) at tantor.com

FREE audiobooks from AudioFile Sync has begun!!

Yay! I look forward to this moment every summer now... when I get to download 2 free audiobooks from the AudioFile website -- every week -- all summer long!

Check out the very first titles available in 2018. Grab them now, because these 2 won't be here much longer...

A Study in Charlotte 

by Brittany Cavallaro

The Great War

by David Almond, John Boyne, Tracy Chevalier,
Ursula Dubosarsky, Timothée de Fombelle

Book Review: The Young Fur Traders

The Young Fur Traders: A Tale of the Far North

written by R.M. Ballantyne

491 pages // published in 1856 // historical adventure fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

This is the story of the hard life of a trapper in Canada in the early 1800s. Charlie Kennedy lives in the Canadian arctic colony known as the Red River Settlement with Indians, Scotsmen, and French-Canadian settlers. His father, an old fur trader, hopes to convince his son to become a clerk by recounting the dangers of the trapper’s life, but the stories only inspire the boy more to explore the vast Canadian wilderness.

Through a variety of circumstances, Charlie finds himself trapping in the vast forests, on a journey with voyageurs down perilous rivers, and surviving all sorts of scrapes and adventures with a new acquaintance, Jacques Caradoc, and an Indian named “Red Feather.”

Many of Charlie’s exploits are taken from the real-life experiences of R.M. Ballantyne’s own time with the Hudson Bay Company in Canada. Just as Ballantyne had done, Charlie learns to shoot mercury from his rifle through a two inch board in 39 degree below zero temperatures! Discover the strenuous and vigorous life of a trapper through the eyes of Charlie and his intrepid friends.

My first takeaway: A Scottish author telling (in detail) all about the rugged landscape of North America? Hmm, this is a twist, one I don't encounter too often – but it turned out well. The author seems to be thoroughly educated on the topic and has created a believable setting.

Charlie Kennedy and his other young friends have waited for an adventure in the wilderness all their lives, instead of having a mundane “desk job” at the settlement. Finally chance allows them to set out intrepidly into the unknown, where they'll have to fend for themselves, and survive as trappers in the cold and biting weather... A long-forgotten (tough and dangerous) style of life is brought alive for us to read about.

There's a lot that I enjoyed in this novel, so here's a list of the basics:

1. Ballantyne is witty and humorous in his writing, sometimes fitting in absolutely absurd remarks. I couldn't help but laugh out loud on occasion – maybe it was something a character said, or maybe just the way in which the author describes a comical scene (scratch that, even in serious scenes he can still add something amusing in there). I love his writing style.

“'My eye,' exclaimed Harry, in an undertone, 'how precious cold it is!'
His eye making no reply to this remark, he arose...”

2. God is in control... many times, the story brings out the goodness and grace of God, and how the natural beauty we see on earth is done only by His hand (the forests, the animals, etc). I was greatly encouraged by the intensity and frequency of mentions of God throughout the novel. This book (and others by the author) make for good spiritual food, even if it is fiction.

3. As a tag-along to my previous note, there is also sound Biblical wisdom shared on these pages. Some passages are almost overwhelming in the precious words. For example, just before embarking on an adventure into manhood, a clergyman provides a small sermon that is fit for any growing boy. Later in the story, the men discuss topics such as lies and good/bad morals of the world – and how to handle tough temptations as a child of God as to come through it triumphantly.

Any age, young or old can enjoy it. If you have an adventurous reader on your hands, I'd say anywhere from 10 and up could enjoy it. (Some kids might consider it a long or slightly dry read, but if they like anything that's written more in the vintage style, then they'd probably be just fine with it.)

“'[W]here's the kettle, Hamilton? Have you eaten it?'
'If you compose yourself a little, Harry, and look at the fire, you'll see it boiling there.'
'Man, what a chap you are for making unnecessary speeches. Couldn't you tell me to look at the fire, without the preliminary piece of advice to compose myself? Besides, you talk nonsense, for I'm composed already, of blood, bones, flesh, sinews, fat, and–'”

Available on Amazon in paperback and (FREE) ebook format.

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

#FREE Audio Book: To Build a Fire and Other Stories by Jack London

If you enjoy listening to audio books, do check out this limited time FREEBIE from Tantor Media!





To Build a Fire and Other Stories

Author Jack London

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

Publication date May 25, 2011

Running time 6 hrs

"To Build a Fire," the best-known of Jack London's many short stories, tells the tale of a solitary traveler on the Yukon Trail accompanied only by his dog as they endure the extreme cold. A classic narrative of a battle for survival against the forces of nature, "To Build a Fire" is London at his best. Also included here are "The Red One," "All Gold Canyon," "A Piece of Steak," "The Love of Life," "Flush of Gold," "The Story of Keesh," and "The Wisdom of the Trail." A vital collection of works by one of the greatest short-story writers in American literature, this edition is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

— Download (free for a limited time) at tantor.com

Introducing audiobooks into your life...

Why Nonfiction Audiobooks Are The Perfect Choice
For First-Time Listeners

article by Sadie Trombetta

"Before I started listening to audiobooks, I will admit, I was a bit skeptical of the idea. A hardcore bibliophile, I have always felt a certain attachment to physical books, but once I tried listening to my first nonfiction audiobook, I was obsessed. If you have never tried this kind of "reading," nonfiction audiobooks just may be the genre that gets you hooked."

— Continue reading at bustle.com

Book Review: The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge

The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge

written by Charlie Lovett

107 pages // published in 2015 // literary fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A delightful sequel to Dickens’s beloved A Christmas Carol by the bestselling author of First Impressions and The Bookman's Tale.

On a hot summer day some twenty years after he was famously converted to kindness, Ebenezer Scrooge still roams the streets of London, spreading Christmas cheer, much to the annoyance of his creditors, nephew, and his employee Bob Cratchit. However, when Scrooge decides to help his old friend and former partner Jacob Marley, as well as other inhabitants of the city, he will need the assistance of the very people he’s annoyed. He’ll also have to call on the three ghosts that visited him two decades earlier. By the time they’re done, they’ve convinced everyone to celebrate Christmas all year long by opening their wallets, arms, and hearts to those around them.

Written in uncannily Dickensian prose, Charlie Lovett’s The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge is both a loving and winking tribute to the Victorian classic, perfect for readers of A Christmas Carol and other timeless holiday tales.

My Review...



I really love this book. If you, or someone you know, is a fan of Charles Dickens and his classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol, then this is the book you need to get.

I don't think I've ever read a modern-day published book wherein the author has a complete grasp on how to write like a Victorian-day author. Enter, Charlie Lovett. Masterfully, he has interwoven the things we love best from Dickens' story into a sequel, one that lets us explore Scrooge 2.0 (AKA, "after his epiphany"). The way Lovett has done this book, I believe would make Charles Dickens one proud papa.

I'd best recommend this book if you want a charming holiday book to get caught up in, and if you are fond of vintage writers. This is an excellent title to have on your shelf.

I look forward to reading more by this author, as he seems to share the same passion for vintage classics that I do. And I would gladly re-read this book again some year in the future, especially right after A Christmas Carol.

The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge is available on Amazon in paperback, e-book, and audiobook format (and others).

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Please link to your sign-up posts, book reviews, and other Christmas book posts here:

*Any Amazon.com purchase made through the links in this post support this humble blogger with a small commission. Thank you!

Sign-ups open for A Literary Christmas 2016 reading challenge!

Dear Readers,

I'd like to invite you to a SPECIAL READING EVENT this holiday season, where together we will celebrate all the excitement of Christmas book-reading during the most wonderful time of the year!

What's this holiday reading challenge about? ::: Whether you just want to read 1 amazingly-good Christmas book, or 10, you make your own list of titles to read, and finish as many of them as you can.

Where will it take place? ::: In your favorite cozy reading nook. Whether it be while wrapped in fleece blankets in bed... sitting by the fireside drinking hot chocolate...



Or out on the ice sheets of the Arctic environment, with only starlight from the heavens and a tin lantern to illuminate the tiny text inside your vintage copy of A Christmas Carol.

But probably not the latter option.

This Christmas reading challenge is born of my own delight in filling the entirety of the month of December (and the latter of November, in most cases) with holiday-themed books galore. Literally, I keep adding to an ongoing booklist all through the year when I happen across Christmas titles that I may like to try my hand (errrr --- eyes?) at, just so I can read it when the holidays arrive.

Please tell me I'm not alone?

The challenge starts on November 25th. Yes, that's the day AFTER Thanksgiving, to keep the holiday grumblers away). But sign-ups are open NOW!

How to participate in A Literary Christmas:

Think about some Christmas books to read, or maybe re-read this season. This could include fictional stories (modern or vintage books), or non-fiction (an Advent devotional, or a book on Christmas traditions?)... it's up to you! Your goals can be 1 book, 5 books, or some short stories. AUDIO BOOKS & E-BOOKS ARE WELCOME!

Write a blog post or social media post to tell us that you're joining A Literary Christmas reading challenge, and maybe give us a sneak peek of the books you want to read for this challenge. Make sure to link to this blog (or even this individual post). Grab one of the challenge images to use in your post.


<a href="http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/2016/11/sign-ups-open-for-literary-christmas.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDNJMAxh4kJ3D7H8jv790bm6u4qBBqopFeDAfkuNbHTLjmqgvWB3TmtP1iP54wz-UhpCP4l4Uk6a09kFRdznEwpH9Oe8-eTMIYmn7ZCGWS_UT5lCZdi_liLu3L1r2ca24Xg9cE9MMGMQ/s1600/a-literary-christmas-button-2016.jpg" alt="A Literary Christmas: 2016 Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com" title="A Literary Christmas: 2016 Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com"></a>


<a href="http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/2016/11/sign-ups-open-for-literary-christmas.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByt2kXhTOq-KZkxf3lu6e5dX2vICUhSvey6gRJohL3-XfsNMRroR2dAld4gTECjZpXAGpbv7g1KiB1GvmgvaJj0veFslmv_PREhvR-h3G2gBZ2vlHocgjiVQHrYh2yDQxPDLqoP49DWo/s1600/a-literary-christmas-banner-2016.jpg" alt="A Literary Christmas: 2016 Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com" title="A Literary Christmas: 2016 Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com"></a>

Link up below! Copy the link to your post online and add it to the linky below. Now you've joined the challenge!

Next step: Start reading the books on your list! When you talk about the books on your blog or review them (on Goodreads, your blog, etc.), be sure to link up your posts below so that we can all check out what everyone is reading. (I know that I hope to find some good book recommendations from you all!)

A Literary Christmas officially begins on November 25th and ends on December 31st, 2016. (You may begin reading your Christmas books whenever it suits you though.) *wink*

Stay tuned!

Watch for the upcoming giveaway, and once the challenge begins I think we can all gather some fresh holiday titles from each other. In the meantime, if you're looking for what books you should be reading this holiday season, check out some of the Christmas books I've shared about in the past, or visit online lists such as:

Favorite Christmas Books

Christian Christmas Books

2016 Christmas/Holiday Christian Fiction

Link to your sign-up posts!