Hello! As promised, it is December 1st and I am back with a vengeance. Well, maybe not a vengeance. But with bells on. I have problems sustaining vengeance, and I never have problems sustaining glee. I miss blogging when I don’t do it.
Today I’m going to write about Christmas romance novels, after I tell you that I won Nanowrimo. Yay me!! That’s number 6. This year was easier than last, mostly because I planned better and didn’t freak out when I got stymied after writing the beginning. I just went on to write the middle and end in no discernible order whatsoever like I usually do. No existential crisis about it first this time. Now if I can just get some of those rough drafts finished, I’ll be feeling even better about myself. That’s a task for next year.
The verdict on subject matter? I think I’m capable of writing a romance novel. Now we just have to figure out if I can edit one. Brian has refused to be a beta-reader on the grounds that he’ll never be able to keep a straight face. Fair enough.
Speaking of Romance Novels… I have been binge-reading Christmas romance novels in the hopes that somewhere there are good ones out there. Here’s a quick list of what I’ve completed so far, and how I felt about it. In order of read-worthiness, in case you’re interested in joining me. I was pleasantly surprised, I have to say. After last year, this one could be considered a rousing success. Several things were very readable, and a few were outright good.
The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig: There’s no sex in the book, but it still manages to be exactly perfect in all ways. It starts with a Christmas pudding on which a secret message has been written, and evolves into this perfect novel of romance and intrigue that is not only Christmassy, but also sweet. Bonus points for a hero who isn’t very smart but still manages to be hot, quippy, and funny all at the same time. And for Christmas pageants and yule log rituals. This was my favorite read this season.
Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams: A contemporary that’s a little bit religious in nature. I didn’t mind it, though, because it wasn’t rampantly so and it is a Christmas novel. With a pastor as the main character. The two of them didn’t feel goody-goody, they felt like real people in a marriage of convenience, and the issues they were both dealing with were real and serious. It was also the hot and bothered kind, the first one I’ve read this season.
A Christmas Kiss by Elizabeth Mansfield: This one and the above are probably tied for enjoyment. There’s also no sex in this book, but it ended up being one of my favorite historicals this time around. The premise is that, though a confluence of misunderstandings, the duke’s family thinks that their oldest son is engaged to this girl even though he’s not. And the duke totally starts to fall in love with her, but won’t do anything about it because he thinks he’s usurping his son’s girl. The heroine is AWESOME, and the antics that go on in the house are great. There’s lots of Christmas goodness to recommend it, too. But just know that it’s a lot more sweet and funny than it is hot and bothered.
A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams: I can’t say exactly why I didn’t enjoy this book at all as much as the first Willow Park book (above), but I didn’t. I think that it just was too far outside my own experience to be relateable. The main character is a missionary who basically just wants to be in India, where she feels her new life is waiting. And eventually she falls in love with her husband and all, like we all knew would happen, but her inner journey isn’t one I identified with. Still, a solid book with lots of Christmas goodness. And I do think it might be the thing for some people. It was well written with a solid story arc.
All I Want for Christmas by Nora Roberts: It’s a novella, so it’s short. And contemporary. There wasn’t really anything I can put my finger on that was wrong with it, but there wasn’t anything extra to be excited about either. The kids are cute, the love interest sweet with the usual “brokenhearted previously” trope to keep the two (very) temporarily apart. It was totally fine. A solid novel with many nice Christmas touches. But honestly, I’ve already forgotten that I read it.
His Mistress by Christmas by Victoria Alexander: I just… I hate to be so disparaging. But this novel rubbed me in ALL the wrong ways. He’s so passive about her that it starts to feel like he doesn’t know what to do with a woman, even though he’s supposed to be this fancy experienced explorer with a girl in every port. She tells him he’s extraordinary every time he opens his mouth in those exact words. They fall in love in two seconds without ever spending any real time together. He’s supposed to come into some big inheritance, which turns out to be his father’s beat up watch and not actually a thing. The sexual tension wasn’t present. While it did have plenty of Christmas trappings, that’s it’s only saving grace. I’d skip.
by Grace Burrowes: This is a collection of 3 Christmas novels that were all collected into one e-book. They’re all full length (!!!) and very well done with plenty of Christmas goodness in with the romance goodness. I LOVED the first one, and am in the middle of the second. Best part is that they’re super-cheap right now. You can’t beat the bargain, and the 3 novels will keep you occupied until Christmas comes at this point.
by Eloisa James: I always love James’ stuff. I don’t quite know why, but as soon as you delve into that first chapter you just know you’re in the hands of a master. That was more evident to me after reading all the bad books before this one – it visibly felt like a relief to read the first paragraph. The beginning of the book and the end are all the Christmas you could desire, but the rest of it takes place outside the season. Still a fun romp and an excellent novel.
by Lisa Kleypas: The story moved quickly and the ending felt too unfinished, but otherwise the book was excellent. Modern, so be warned.
by Lisa Kleypas: I mean, it features the trope where the guy keeps going even after the girl has said no. And it does it repeatedly. But otherwise this book was excellent, with Christmas tree decorating, some Dickens, and a well done story line.
by Mary Balogh: A collection of 5 novellas. They’re all good, but I’m not really sure why they decided to put all of these together. In a lot of cases, the stories are so similar that they sort of blended into one another for me without distinction. I would read The Best Gift and Playing House, and then forget the other 3.
by Jenny Hale: I found myself cringing so often at the writing, and at the main character’s attitude toward things. Like, your life isn’t complete unless you can have children and that’s your only aim in life? Give me a break, kid. Interactions between her and the hero also felt awkward and forced a lot of the time. I did finish it in short order, so that’s saying something about the story arc itself, I think. But I would skip this one in favor of something less maddening. Also a modern tale.
by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Pamela Hill Smith: I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who isn’t a fan of her novels or of history. It’s basically a rough draft surrounded by a WEALTH of cool information. Needs a bit of determination to get through, but it’s 100% worth it in every way once you do.
by Terry Pratchett: A collection of his non-fiction essays and talks. It’s good. His wry wit shows through clearly, and he has interesting things to say about his Alzheimer’s. Ultimately, it’s mostly fluff and opinion. But it’s good, funny fluff, so…
by Brene Brown: Holy crap. I always feel like her stuff is life changing, but I feel like this one brought me a greater understanding of what’s happening with me. I’ve been a bit depressed for a long time, and it feels like I found the key as to why and how to get out.
by Eloisa James: Not as good the second time around. I mean, I still liked it. But the first time I read it I felt like Piers was great and the story was so fresh. This time his demandingness was a bit much, and Linnet is SO naïve.
by Eloisa James: So much better the second time around I think. I liked it the first time, but the second I fell head-over-heels for the prince. Add in rats of dogs, horrible wigs, and an awesomely innapropriate Godmother, and it turns into a very fun romp.
by Julia Quinn: Knowing the surprise ending didn’t ruin it for me at all the second time around, which was nice. I do like the Bridgertons and all the silly they come with. Colin and his perpetually empty stomach being one of them.
by Julia Quinn: You know, I liked the book. I did. But it fell into that uncomfortable territory for me where the main hero was a bit too forceful for comfort. Despite that, Henry really is the best sort of girl and it was fun seeing her get the hero into a pigsty, among other things.
by Julia Quinn: Yeah, it was a cute premise and all but I found it a bit cheesy. I still maintain that the Bridgertons are her best work.
by Julia Quinn: Two childhood friends find out they have a bit more in common when he suffers a deadly injury and has no one to nurse him. There’s a lot of horrible woundiness that I skipped through – the hero gets gangrene and it’s rather descriptive about the treatment. But otherwise great.
by Eloisa James: A bit less salacious than it sounds. I liked this one a billion times more the second time around. The hero is such an ass, but he’s such a handsome, principled ass. Also, the quippy letters he and Xenobia send back and forth are hilarious. Bonus points for neither of the main characters growing up rich.
by Scott Weidensaul: Full of really frightening pioneer stories during the colonial eras, but an interesting read nonetheless. I felt like I got a better idea of some of the fiction books I used to read as a child (Calico Captive being one of them).
by Madeline L’Engle: You know, I like this sort of espionage world she operates in sometimes. She does it fairly well. I think her strength is family relationships, and there’s very little of that in here; but it’s still a compelling thriller, even if it’s a bit predictable.
by Julia Quinn: Again with the names. And I seem to be in an espionage mood. But this one was EXCELLENT. Very fun and unpredictable. Although maybe her loose ends weren’t wrapped quite as nicely as I’d like them to be. Proposal at the end was perfection.
by Stephanie Perkins: a re-read that I’m finding less captivating the second time around. Perhaps because I know what’s coming and I’m not super excited to get to the soul-crushing parts of it. You have to love Lola, though.
by Holly Black: a super-gritty and dangerous delve into Faerie Land in the middle of modern day. Kaye finds out she’s a changeling when she moves back home to New Jersey when her mom’s boyfriend gets murderey. She also becomes the target of a sadistic queen when the queen’s knight Roiben falls for her. There’s weird human neighbors and much intrigue. Amazing book.
by Holly Black: The sequel to Tithe, and just as crazy as the first. Kaye finds herself trapped between faery wars when Roiben gives her an impossible quest, and the Seelie queen tries to use her against him. Where has this series been all my life?
by Robin McKinley: In her fabulously frantic yet real-life voice. It gets a little too much sometimes, especially by the end. But I do love the outcome of the book so much. Once Lois is older it starts to feel like actual life again, and it’s nice to watch and be in. Keep with it!
by Andrea Kihlstedt: A little shorter than I wanted, but ultimately it made me feel like I could make this fundraising thing work for me despite my shyness and lack of teeth. Which I think was the purpose.
by Julia Quinn: I liked this one a LOT. I know I said I go to romance novels to escape, but this one dealt with poverty well. A sweet where the heroine fell for the property manager, who was really a Marquis in disguise. I would recommend, and will probably re-read at some point.
by Julia Quinn: It was the usual thing. And the usual thing when done by Julia Quinn is awfully well done. It’s weird, because there wasn’t anything I can pinpoint exactly that I didn’t like, but it just didn’t stick with me like some of her others. I liked it, but I would recommend others first.
by Brene Brown: I don’t know why Brene Brown is so amazing for me, but she really is. I thought that Rising Strong was helpful, but I feel like after reading this one I have a whole new understanding of how to become a better, more resilient person. I also think I have a better handle on why and how others around me are making the choices that they are. This one felt so do-able. I feel like EVERYONE should read it.
by Katherine Reay: Oh, so good and sweet and awful and heartbreaking all at the same time. I love Sam so much. She feels like a real girl, taking refuge from her bad social skills in books and always on the verge of dropping out. Every small good thing that happens to her feels like such a triumph. And the ending – !!! – wow. That’s all I’ll say. But this might be a new favorite of mine.
by Jenny Lawson: I basically spent the entire time trying not to break out in a belly-laugh when I was reading during my lunch hour or next to Brian as he slept. I love Jenny SO MUCH. This book is messier than her first, but it doesn’t seem to matter much for enjoyment. In fact, it may be funnier than her first, the sometimes (okay always) awkward ramblings serving the subject matter so well.
by Rainbow Rowell: is it bad that this is fanfiction for a series that never existed, and yet I want ALL THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW? It’s perfect, in a way that satisfied all my Harry Potter longings, with much steaminess included as well. Baz is such a shit, and I’m head over heels for him. For all of them. “So Good” doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about it. Maybe asdfjkl;!!!!! will?
by Julia Quinn: Good, although a little ridiculous at times. I mean, she lives in his bathroom for a week or so… I don’t know. It just didn’t seem likely. But funny and quippy and full of good romance like most of Quinn’s stuff.
by Julie Murphy: Oh, quite good. I felt like Will’s journey didn’t quite come as full circle as I’d like, but overall it was a good book and unlike anything I had read before. It dealt not just with boys and body image, but also what happens when friends grow apart. Worth it.
by Rainbow Rowell: I forget how much this one slays me. She gets that whole “married too young” relationship right, and I see so much of Brian and I between the covers here. I don’t think I’d ever try and convince past Brian not to marry me, though.
by Mary Stewart: I wanted my Nano novel to feel a little like this novel. It’s one of my favorites of all time, and definitely a comfort book. You have to love the animals, and the house just for Gilly, and her romance with Christopher. So great.
by Diana Wynne Jones: Another story I’d like my Nano novel to feel like. It’s totally different than Thornyhold, but also not. There’s witchcraft and a magical house that becomes a home. There’s a little bit more of the fae in this one, though. Another favorite.
by Mary Stewart: I thought this book was a bit like Thornyhold, which it sort of is, but it’s not really a homecoming book so much as it’s a home-leaving book. At least for most of it. It didn’t help much with Nano, but I enjoyed it all the same. Another comfort book of mine, with a very puzzling mystery right until the end.
by Susanna Clarke: I picked this up because Neil Gaiman told me to (through an online article – not in person, sadly.) I’m finding it pretty slow going. It starts off as an older novel would, with much telling and exposition. But I like the characters and it’s an interesting premise. I even like the fact, a bit, that it feels older than it is. I’m going to stick with it and see if I don’t love it later. Because this is the sort that you LOVE or don’t. Nothing in between.
by Jane Austen: I’ve been wanting to tear apart a couple of books and see if I can’t learn something about the structure of them. This one was a 50-cent wrecked paperback that I bought at the local Thanksgiving rummage sale, so it was perfect. The tearing-apart stuff is going well, and is SUPER interesting. Did you know that Jane isn’t even mentioned by name for, like, almost 3 chapters? I’m trying to figure out why Austin would do that…
by Joanna Shupe: Pretty darn good, of the regular romance variety. I picked it up because it was named best of the year, and I think it deserves the crown. The PTSD of the main character was a bit of a twist, as was the total spunkiness of the heroine.
by Lisa Kleypas: Aside from a bit of disbelief that the main character wouldn’t confront her husband with the main problem but instead run to crappy relatives, I would consider this a pretty perfect romance novel.
by Diana Wynne Jones: I usually LOVE a Diana Wynne Jones book. Even “bad” ones are typically great when compared to other authors. But for some reason, I just couldn’t get into this one. Maybe it was because the zaniness was so fragmented among worlds/characters?
Casey E. Hamilton 