Talking About December Books

We are almost done with January and I just catch up with the book review of December. I was contemplating putting December and January I one post but I have been reading a lot lately and so you get two posts in order not to overwhelm. I did read a lot of Winter and Christmas themed books so they come a bit late. But than Christmas comes around every 12 month – consider it a service for next year.

Get a drink and dive into me talking about December books.

Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius | ★★★★★

Goodreads says: On a winter day north of the Arctic Circle, nine-year-old Elsa—daughter of Sámi reindeer herders—sees a man brutally kill her beloved reindeer calf and threaten her into silence. When her father takes her to report the crime, local police tell them that there is nothing they can do about these “stolen” animals. Killings like these are classified as theft in the reports that continue to pile up, uninvestigated. But reindeer are not just the Sámi’s livelihood, they also hold spiritual significance; attacking a reindeer is an attack on the culture itself.
Ten years later, hatred and threats against the Sámi keep escalating, and more reindeer are tortured and killed in Elsa’s community. Finally, she’s had enough and decides to push back on the apathetic police force. The hunter comes after her this time, leading to a catastrophic final confrontation.
Based on real events, Ann-Helén Laestadius’s award-winning novel Stolen is part coming-of-age story, part love song to a disappearing natural world, and part electrifying countdown to a dramatic resolution—a searing depiction of a forgotten part of Sweden.
What I thought: If you have been following a long for a while you know part of my heart belongs to Scandinavia. So a story about reindeer around Christmas felt like a good choice. Little did I know that this was no feel good story but instead a sad and eye opening tale about the discrimination against the Sámi population. I enjoyed learning about their culture, the injustice, the hope and the struggle to bring their believes in a world that holds different values. It was a slow read and at times needed effort to continue but it was a very good read.
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: Swedish “Stöld”
Publications: German title “Das Leuchten der Rentiere” paperback, eBook, Hardover || English “Stolen” eBook, paperback, hardcover
Recommend to: Everyone wanting to learn about the Sámi culture and loves snowy landscape and Scandinavia.
Read Around the World: Sweden
Additional note: There is a Netflix movie coming out in 2024. You can already add it to your watchlist.

Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork | ★★★★☆

Goodreads says:
Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: to marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!) and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker. 
Whisked away to his world—an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince—Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells…and the future she thought she wanted.
The Enchanted Sonata, a retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper, will captivate readers of all ages.
What I thought: I enjoyed this tale immensely. I started it in November but put it aside as it is centered around Christmas and I felt I wanted to have the atmosphere. I loved the magic and the mystery. I loved the quirkiness and the humor of Nutcracker. Clara could have been a bit more mature at times but then she was still a girl. I could have done without the many rats in the story though. If you have a phobia this may not be your story.
Medium: audiobook from library
Original Language and Title: English paperback, ebook, hardcover
Publications: no translations found
Recommend to: Everyone loving the nutcracker, fairy tale retellings and a good magical story with some romance.

Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow | ★★★★☆

Goodreads says: It’s Zinnia Gray’s twenty-first birthday, which is extra-special because it’s the last birthday she’ll ever have. When she was young, an industrial accident left Zinnia with a rare condition. Not much is known about her illness, just that no one has lived past twenty-one.
Her best friend Charm is intent on making Zinnia’s last birthday special with a full sleeping beauty experience, complete with a tower and a spinning wheel. But when Zinnia pricks her finger, something strange and unexpected happens, and she finds herself falling through worlds, with another sleeping beauty, just as desperate to escape her fate.
What I thought: This was very fun tale and a new take on the traditional fairy tale. I don’t want to give away too much but let’s say it doesn’t always seem what it is. I like the new interpretation, the diverse set of characters. There are more layers to this story and it does make you think outside the box.
Medium: audiobook from library
Original Language and Title: English hardcover, paperback, ebook
Publications: German title “Die Vorhersage” hardcover, ebook
Recommend to:
Read Around the World:

Die schönsten Wintermärchen: Von Wichteln, Eisprinzessinnen und Weihnachtswundern by Coppenrath | ★★★★☆

Goodreads says: Glistening snow, mysterious creatures and fateful encounters: This is the special magic of the fairytale stories told by Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Dickens, Selma Lagerlöf, the Brothers Grimm and many others. They take us into a world full of wonder and make the winter season sparkle. With 11 lovingly designed, removable extras and a high-quality finish with gold foil and glittering linen cover, it is a magnificent reading treasure for the whole family. This collection contains timeless classics such as “The Snow Queen”, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, Cinderella and many more.
What I thought: I’ve been reading this book for the past three Decembers and finally finished. I love the look of the book and its sparkly cover. It is a treasure to hold. The stories are a wide selection of known and unknown tales set around Christmas and winter. Overall some really good nuggets, some fall a bit flat but that always happens in a collection. I will read through this again and will mark favorites that can then be read under the Christmas tree.
The add ons didn’t do anything for me really.
Medium:
Original Language and Title: German hardcover
Publications: no translations – well, most stories are known worldwide but this particular book is not translated.
Recommend to: Everyone loving Christmas and winter and who needs a wonderful thoughtful gift.

Sterne glitzern auch im Schnee by Meike Werkmeister | ★★★★☆

Goodreads says: There are only eight days until Christmas, but Anni and Thies’ cozy little house in Bremen is not quite in the right mood. Anni is under pressure as she still has to finish some illustrations. And Thies suddenly announces that he is on a diet. Thies, of all people, who usually bakes tons of cookies, hangs twinkling fairy lights everywhere and plays “Last Christmas” on a continuous loop. When a surprise arrives from Norderney, Anni’s world is turned upside down for good. It will take a small miracle for Christmas to come after all …
What I thought: You can’t do any wrong with reading a cute little romance novel by my favorite romance author Meike Werkmeister. I loved that we know the couple already (if you read the previous books of course) and that it is not a new love. It is about finding love again and again in a relationship. I liked the mature approach.
Medium: paperback – swapped
Original Language and Title: German hardcover, paperback, ebook
Publications: not translated
Recommend to: Everyone loving a cozy winter romance that makes one feel all festive.

Time of Death by Nathan van Coops | ★★★★☆

Goodreads says: Private detective Greyson Travers has a secret, but he isn’t the only one. 
When a stunning widow asks him to investigate the suicide of her husband, Greyson plans for an easy resolution. 
But a quick look into the past gets dangerous for his future. He isn’t the only person interested in the case, and the longer he’s involved, the more victims turn up dead. 
Greyson can travel through time. It makes him the best sleuth in the city. But every advantage comes at a cost. Under pressure from a powerful mob kingpin and an agency governing time, his investigation will take him deep into the underworld. 
The clock is ticking, and Greyson might be too late to discover the truth.
Sometimes the past is better left for dead. 
If you love treacherous twists and mind-bending murder mysteries, jump into this page-turner where time is never on your side.
Can you solve the mystery of the future?
What I thought: I love van Coops stories and the whole time travel universe he has build. This is the start of the Paradox PI series that solves mysteries and murders. I love that characters are reappearing within the universe, that we get to learn the kids or grandparents and it all makes sense because duh time travel. It was a really fun and entertaining read.
Medium: ebook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: English hardcover, paperback, ebook
Publications: no translation
Recommend to: Everyone loving detective and mystery stories and wants to level up to add the factory of time travel. Or if you like time travel and are not usually a fan of mystery this is for you.

The green bicycle by Haaifa al Mansour | ★★★☆☆

Goodreads says: Spunky eleven-year-old Wadjda lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with her parents. She desperately wants a bicycle so that she can race her friend Abdullah, even though it is considered improper for girls to ride bikes. Wadjda earns money for her dream bike by selling homemade bracelets and mixtapes of banned music to her classmates. But after she’s caught, she’s forced to turn over a new leaf (sort of), or risk expulsion from school. Still, Wadjda keeps scheming, and with the bicycle so closely in her sights, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Set against the shifting social attitudes of the Middle East, The Green Bicycle explores gender roles, conformity, and the importance of family, all with wit and irresistible heart.
What I thought: This was a book I picked up fr my godchild and as always I wanted to read before gifting. After I rad about three or four chapters I was sure it’s gonna be a great pick. Sigh… I am not so sure anymore. Figured the main character being the same age as my godchild would be a good choice. But I am nit sure the book is really targeted at 10/11 year olds. It feels more mature and heavy at times. But then this is the point in getting to know a different society and (gender) rules… The second issue I had with the book was the flow. It dragged on at times without really anything happening. I am not sure it can hold the attention of kids when even I was struggling. And the third issue or rather improvement I have: it would have been so good to include illustrations of all the words, foods, clothes and things that are mentioned in Arabic so kids can actually understand. I googled more than enough words because I wasn’t sure what they meant. It didn’t really help to find a glossary in the end of the book. It would have done better in the beginning. But maybe that is the problem with ebooks that you can’t flip to the end to see. Anyway, it wasn’t a bad book but I am rather sure the pick for my godchild was not the right one – which taints it a bit.
It is the first film made in Saudi Arabia by a female director. That alone is worth checking out.
Medium: ebook through library
Original Language and Title: English (?!) paperback, ebook
Publications: German title “Das Mädchen Wadjda” paperback, ebook
Recommend to: Everyone wanting to learn about the life of girls in Saudi Arabia. However the movie might be the better choice here.
Read Around the World: Logged for Saudia Arabia
Additional note: The movie “Wadjda” available on Amazone Prime.

Ajay and the Mumbai Sun by Varsha Shah | ★★★☆☆

Goodreads says: Abandoned on the Mumbai railways, Ajay has grown up with nothing but a burning wish to be a journalist.
Finding an abandoned printing press, he and his friends Saif, Vinod, Yasmin and Jai create their own newspaper: The Mumbai Sun.
As they hunt down stories for their paper, the children uncover corruption, fight for justice and battle to save their slum from bulldozers.
But against some of the most powerful forces in the city, can Ajay and his friends really succeed in bringing the truth to light? Not to mention win the most important cricket match ever …
What I thought: Reading the excerpt I again want to love it more than I eventually did. It was a cute little story about orphaned kids growing up in the slums and having big dreams. And trying to make them come true by working hard and trusting each other, overcoming struggles and animosities. But for some reason I didn’t feel it. Or maybe again I knew it wasn’t a match for my godchildren. So I ended up not gifting it to them. I think though it is a powerful story and I can see this as a good book to read together with children and talk about what is happening here.
Medium: audiobook through library
Original Language and Title: English hardcover, paperback, ebook
Publications: German title “Ajay und die Tintenhelden” hardcover, ebook
Recommend to: Everyone wanting to learn about India, life of underprivileged kids and the poor of dreams.

The Winter Cottage by Rachael Lucas | ★★★☆☆

Goodreads says: When Rilla Clark’s long lost father dies, she leaves New England and heads to his cottage in the Scottish Highlands to sort out his affairs. Rilla’s determined that her visit will be a fleeting one. The little village of Applemore holds a lot of memories for her, but looking back might just open up her heart, which she’s kept well-guarded until now.
Lachlan Fraser is less than delighted with his inheritance. He left the grand, crumbling Applemore House as soon as he could, and he can’t see why his three sisters love it so much. Gathered together at their family estate, the battle of wills over what to do with the house is just beginning when into their life walks Rilla, who they haven’t seen for over fifteen years…
Old friendships and long-hidden emotions are rekindled as the romance of a Highland winter works its magic – will Rilla and Lachlan discover that home isn’t a place, but a feeling?
What I thought: his was a cozy little story that I enjoyed reading during December. Here at least the rich guy isn’t really rich but in debt. The sisters and rekindled friendships are fun. I had an inkling of what happened to the dads which was a fun change in this kind of stories. I had a bit of issue with the time line as I found it unbelievable. But overall a good time spend.
Medium: ebook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: English paperback, ebook
Publications: German title “Das Winter-Cottage – Das Erbe von Applemore” paperback, ebook
Recommend to: Everyone loving a friends to lovers romance with strong friendship set in the Scottish Highlands.

My Lucky Night by Olivia Spring | ★★★☆☆

Goodreads says: Cassie isn’t a fan of Christmas. After a string of unlucky incidents during the festive season—including getting dumped—this year she decides to spend the day at home. Alone. No men. No complications.
But then her nightmare boss demands she track down this year’s most coveted Christmas gift—and the only person who can help is an annoyingly sexy Frenchman she’s just met.
Nicolas might look hot, but Cassie can tell he’s also arrogant, irritating and in love with himself. Exactly the kind of guy she hates. Plus, he’ll only help her find the gift if she helps him with something in return…
What I thought: Sigh… why do I always pick up romance novels where one party is somehow famous, rich or a celebrity? I don’t like that trope and still I read them. Anyways, this said this one wasn’t as bad as other ones though. I thought Cassie and Nicholas had nice dynamic and the banter was okays and not too off putting. It was fun entertainment but I won’t remember much in a couple of weeks.
Medium: ebook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: English paperback, ebook
Publications: not translated
Recommend to: Everyone loving a Christmas romance set in London.

Winterküsse in der kleinen Teestube by Katie Spring | ★★★☆☆

Goodreads says: No cars, 750 inhabitants and a village policeman: Spiekeroog in winter is exactly what celebrity reporter Toni is looking for. After a scandal in Hamburg, she longs for nothing but peace and quiet. Her friend Leentje’s cozy tearoom seems like the perfect place to lick her wounds over hot tea with Kluntjes, crispy butter cookies and twinkling fairy lights.
What does she find on the tranquil island instead? A man she can’t get out of her head. An old publisher who needs convincing to modernize her outdated island newspaper and stubborn islanders who don’t want her to move back to Hamburg.
What I thought: This was a cute little story that kept me entertained. It wasn’t quite as great as I had hoped and a fell a bit flat. Not sure what it was though.
Medium: ebook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: none
Recommend to: Everyone loving romance and specially when familiar with Spiekeroog.

Weihnachten auf der Lindwurmfeste by Walter Moers | ★★☆☆☆

Goodreads says: When Walter Moers was looking through the correspondence between Hildegunst von Mythenmetz and the Buchhaimer Eydeeten Hachmed Ben Kibitzer, he came across a letter in which the Zamonian author describes a festival that is strikingly reminiscent of our Christmas: the lindworms of Zamonia celebrate it every year and call it “Hamoulimepp”. During this holiday, the Lindwurm festival is dominated by the two figures “Hamouli” and “Mepp”, who are strikingly similar to our Santa Claus and Knecht Ruprecht. The tradition also includes Hamoulimepp worms, Hamoulimepp worm dwarfs, unhealthy food, a book clear-out, fireworks and much more.
What I thought: Walter Moers has created a huge fantasy universe and written a dozen books. Beloved by many. I didn’t grow up with these books (living in former GDR I assume). So I thought this would be a good chance to start getting to know this. Unfortunately this whole world fell very flat for me. Maybe it was a wrong start, I didn’t like the downplaying of Christmas and the negative approach to this story. It was all complaining and whining from the main character. So didn’t do anything for me.
Medium: audiobook from library
Original Language and Title: German eBook, hardcover, audio
Publications: no translation
Recommend to: Fans of Zamonia and the world Moers created.

Books I couldn’t finish

This year I will also list the books or audiobooks I started but that for some reason will not be finished. I want to keep a bit of track how many pages those books end up being.

• Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton – started listing but it felt all over the place and I wasn’t into it. I think I wasn’t in the right place for this story.

New books on the shelves

I decided in 2023 I will also share how many books make it to my TBR list (only books I own otherwise we would sit here in years) and occupy my shelves right above the reading chair and also on my digital home on the kindle. Feel free to ask me in a few weeks if I have read them yet. HA

• The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum – a Christmas gift by my parents
• The Dictionary of lost words by Pip Williams – my secret Santa from the book club
• Hard Land by Benedict Wells – a belated birthday gift from my friend
• The Magician by Kathleen Shoop – a kindle freebie

Let’s hear it: Did you receive a book for Christmas? What book did you enjoy in December? What book was a total fail? How many books did you gift for Christmas?