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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Oliver the Ornament Boxed Gift Set in Books

Feb 24, 2021

Oliver the Ornament touched me in ways I cannot even explain. From the feel of the paper to the colorful illustration, to the thoughtful words. This book pulls you in and stays with you long after you have read it. Todd M. Zimmermann did a phenomenal job with the ideas he conveys in this book and I know it will be one I pass down for many generations to come.

When I first picked up Oliver the Ornament to read, I expected just another book about Christmas. What I got was so much more. Oliver pulled me into his story with his friends and family so much so that by the time I was done I could not stop thinking about my own cherished Christmas ornament memories. The story was easy to read, although more of a 7+ age range in terms of page length, but so engaging and colorful. I loved the page layouts and enjoyed the twists the author/illustrator used to interactively engage with the audience. The themes of always having something positive to say to others, the consequences of bullying, and remembering to hold on to memories no matter how small they may seem combined made this an endearing story. I also am thankful for the author's thoughtfulness in providing a place to write my own ornament stories in the back of the book. But I cannot forget one of the most important interactive aspects of the story, Oliver the ornament himself! He is well made, heavy-duty, and when I look at my tree now, I am reminded that “Every Ornament Tells A Story”.

This is one of my favorite Christmas stories ever as it encourages remembrance, communication between parents and their kids, and the themes of forgiveness, dealing with bullying, and the art of storytelling. I HIGHLY recommend this book for any age to read and enjoy. 5 out of 5 stars.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Kudos

Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated Ginger Snapping All The Way (Love In Mission City #1) in Books

Nov 15, 2024

the connection between Maddox and Ravi is instant and powerful.

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 1 in the Love In Mission City series, but I am reading it AFTER book 3. SO I have spoilers for this book in that book. It did not detract from my enjoyment of this book, though. I will get to read book 2 asap.

Maddox doesn't like Christmas, but a friend asks a favour and he's left with the most gorgeous man he ever saw. Ravi just needs a place to stay til tomorrow to get the plane home to see his god daughter. But Mother Nature has other ideas and the few days they have snowed in make the world of difference to both man. But they live a continent apart, this was only supposed to be fleeting.

I really enjoyed this. Maddox is grumpy and Ravi is a match for that but not as a grump. Ravi is fighting a good deal with himself and his past, and his pain is not immediately clear. I liked that, as I did in book 3, one character's pain is front and centre, but it takes time for the other's to become clear.

The whole book takes place over a couple of days, and the connection between Maddox and Ravi is instant and powerful.

Now I need to read book 2, Stanley's Christmas Redemption. Stanley is Maddox' ex, and he gets a bum wrap here. I have a feeling that there is more to his story than Maddox says.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

Kudos

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Hogfather in Books

Jul 25, 2017

Hogfather

Terry Pratchett | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry

9.2

(6 Ratings)

Book Rating

Death (0 more)

Another fantastic Discworld book

This was the second book I ever read in the Discworld series, and was a great introduction to Death as a character.

The book itself is a fun take on Father Christmas and is full of humour, if not slightly bonkers at times. It also has one of my favourite quotes:
"Susan has never been able to see the attraction in cats. They were owned by the kind of people who like puddings" - means more to a cat lover!