Home Uncategorized {Giveaway} and 10 Wonderful Winter Reads 2013

{Giveaway} and 10 Wonderful Winter Reads 2013

by Jamie

Hey there ladies and gentlemen.  No recipe for you all today. Rather, I have prepared a list of 10 Wonderful Winter Reads. Just in case you are barricaded up under a blanket of snow, twiddling your thumbs and waiting for the world to thaw. (I know that couldn’t possibly be true and that you are most likely running around with all manner of busy-ness taking hold of your lives.) However, if you are like me, spending some time curled up with a good book is one of lifes simple pleasures. And so if you are looking for something to read, here is a list of some of my favorites. I tried to include a wide variety of genres including Classics, Historical Fiction, Young Adult Post Apocalyptic, a couple of Lovely Romances and one book that will have you crying with laughter.  I am planning to post a book list for you all twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter.  To see the list I posted this past summer, click here.

I would love to give one of you a $25 Amazon Gift Card so you could buy some of these books, or some pretty nail polish, a few rubber spatulas or a handy toilet plunger. Whatever you seem to be needing the most at this time in your life! To enter the giveaway just leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite books. Giveaway will be open through Thursday January 24th. Winner will be announced on Friday morning.

The Diary Of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas is the story of a young woman who marries and finds herself living in the middle of no where, far away from her family. It’s about love, marriage, devotion, working through difficult circumstances and choosing to make the best of the life we are given. I loved the main character. She was a real “ox of a woman”. Which is a great thing to be. 🙂

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson is an easy to read, captivating, light-hearted, super clean romance. For those of you who love a good old-fashioned love story, you won’t be able to put this down. I loved it from start to finish. It was charming, to say the least.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D Schmidt is about a boy living in the 60s, his relationships with family, friends and the teachers at his school.  While this book fits into the category of Juvenile Fiction, it is masterfully written. It’s clever, heart warming, a little bit sad and sometimes down right hilarious. Even MyHandsomeHusband loves this book. There is a lot of good in it!

Legend by Marie Lu is a Young Adult Post Apocalyptic Novel. What does that mean to you? I will give it to you plain and simple. If you liked The Hunger Games, you will like this book as well. Little bit of love, world turned upside down, crazy circumstances, she-rah type heroine. Like I said…it’s kind of Hunger Games-ish.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a book you most likely have heard a lot about in the last couple of years. I will go ahead and give my two thumbs up, along with all of the other fans of this fabulously told story. It takes place during The Civil Rights Movement and is the story of several black maids living in Mississippi. It is captivating, heart warming, heart breaking!, informational, comical and inspiring.

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom takes place in early America. A young, pregnant mother and her two small children are taken from their frontier home by indians. Based on a true story this book is both amazing and inspiring. It will make you grateful for every single second of your life.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (the abridged version) is one of my all time favorite books. While the story line is sometimes very dark and depressing, the beautiful message of love, forgiveness and God’s grace is both inspiring and amazing. And good glory! Go to see the movie that just came out, won’t you. It is absolutely stunning. The acting is beyond exceptional and while the singing is pretty raw and sometimes lacking the overall production is glorious. Truly. 🙂 See it soon, man.

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom is a Historical Fiction book set in the early 1800’s. It’s about slavery, family, kindness and love. It also portrays the difficulties that faced black slaves when owned by corrupt white men.

A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks is another heart warming (very clean) romance. It is an easy enough read that most junior high students could handle it with no problem. (Just in case you know any junior high aged students looking for something good to read). Be warned that you may need to read it with a box of tissues close at hand.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is a Historical Fiction Novel set during WWII and the years immediately following. The dialog is unique in that the story is completely told in letter format. This was a bit strange to me at first, but I ended up really liking it. It was fun to see each characters individual view. And speaking of the characters! They are extremely realistic and endearing. I wished I could sit down with almost all of them and have a nice long visit. Loved this book. 🙂

Hope you find something to enjoy within this list. New recipe coming up on Monday morning. See you then!

PS…try and stay warm, won’t you!

 

Leave a Comment

309 comments

Annie B January 18, 2013 - 10:55 am

For another Hunger Games-esque series, I love Divergent!

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Judy U. January 18, 2013 - 10:56 am

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

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Jan R January 18, 2013 - 10:57 am

I just finished the Grey series…YUM!

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Maria Gooding January 18, 2013 - 10:57 am

I have been enjoying the Women’s Murder Mystery Club series by Ian Patterson

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Maria Gooding January 18, 2013 - 10:59 am

CORRECTION: Women’s Murder Club Series by JAMES PATTERSON

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Renee January 18, 2013 - 11:02 am

Just finished “the girl with the dragon tattoo” trilogy. Very, very good.

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Ivy February 8, 2014 - 4:39 am

Econemios are in dire straits, but I can count on this!

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Julie January 18, 2013 - 11:04 am

The Help by Kathryn Stockett, but since you already mentioned that, I’ll squeeze in another favorite – The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.

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Kim January 18, 2013 - 11:05 am

Right now I’m reading Proof of Heaven…very interesting

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Trina A January 18, 2013 - 11:07 am

I love Catherine Coulter’s FBI series. I have read them twice, and will, in a few years, read them again!

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Wendy Rupper January 18, 2013 - 11:07 am

I loved Prayers for Sale, by Sandra Dallas. Also, Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup is what is on my nightstand currently, for a second time.

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Kylie January 18, 2013 - 11:07 am

I know this is very cliche but some of my favorite books of all time have been the Harry Potter series! They are just plain brilliant for anyone, young or old.

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mary fanara coleman January 18, 2013 - 11:11 am

I still love Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It’s my favorite.

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Margaret Matlock January 18, 2013 - 11:16 am

I love the Diary of Mattie Spencer because I love books that are written in letter style. Just finished two wonderful books-The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier and Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.

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shona spence January 18, 2013 - 11:17 am

I loooooooooved The Help! As well as the 50 Shades series…Book of Negroes was a fantastic book as well. Its hard to narrow down to just one 🙂

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Rachel January 18, 2013 - 11:19 am

Gone With the Wind

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Cathy H. January 18, 2013 - 11:19 am

Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson. I’ve spotted a couple on here that are for certain going on my to-read list! Thanks you for the book reviews!

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Shannon January 18, 2013 - 11:19 am

I am really hooked the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance. Can’t wait to read the new one!

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Lisa January 18, 2013 - 11:19 am

One favorite book?!?! 🙂 Too hard . I do love The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, anything by David Baldacci especially the Camel Club series also anything by Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Brad Meltzer and James Patterson…….to name a few.

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Lisette January 18, 2013 - 11:20 am

I am very much enjoying The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. I am reading it with my 5th grade class, but it is a great book with magic in it. A must read for young adult book lovers!

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Shari Kelley January 18, 2013 - 11:21 am

Les Miserable is one of my favorite books, too. Thank you so much for posting this list. I love to get good book recommendations. One of my favorite books is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.

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Laura F January 18, 2013 - 11:22 am

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn! So hard to put down

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Kimberly White January 18, 2013 - 11:23 am

Just finished Children of the Promise series and LOVED them!! Left me wanting more, so now I have started the Hearts of the Promise series 🙂

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Becki Wells January 18, 2013 - 11:25 am

I love to read and am constantly reading one book or another. I recently read Sarah’s Key and absolutely loved it! I will warn you that it is a sad book, but such an amazing story. It was amazing that this happened in France and we never even learned about it in school. Amazing book!

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Beth January 18, 2013 - 11:26 am

Have always loved To Kill a Mockingbird myself… 😉

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Michelle Stewart January 18, 2013 - 11:27 am

I loved the book A Tree Growes in Brooklyn.

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denise January 18, 2013 - 11:27 am

I read Follow the River a number of years ago, have since donated many books to clean out my shelves, but this is one I kept ! It IS a keeper ! Les Miserable is another fav.

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Lori A. January 18, 2013 - 11:29 am

I love The Swan House by Elizabeth Musser

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Lorraine January 18, 2013 - 11:32 am

One of my favorite books is the classic Jane Eyre ~ currently reading The Hand of God, Finding His Care in All Circumstances by Alistair Begg. Enjoyed The Help too.

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Tracey January 18, 2013 - 11:35 am

Recently, I read “The Marriage Plot” by Jeffrey Eugenides. Could not put it down. Very, very good!

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Katie January 18, 2013 - 11:38 am

For me it would be The Little Critter books for kids. I loved them as a child and still love to read them to my kids.

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Virginia Snow January 18, 2013 - 11:40 am

I read Divergent and Insurgent and am waiting for the third one to come out. The are like the Hunger Games trilogy, but have a new intriguing twist to them. You get hooked and can’t wait to pick up the next book.

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Emily January 18, 2013 - 11:43 am

I’m really loving Ken Follett’s historical fiction for the past few months. Right now I’m reading his new one, Winter of the World. I’m a history junkie!

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Nancy January 18, 2013 - 11:43 am

Many years ago, I joined a book club and chose -randomly- a book called “Silver Wedding” by Maeve Binchy. I had never heard of her before but it sounded interesting. I loved the book. I then went on to read anything and everything by her. My favourite book by her would be “Circle of Friends”. This is a book that I go back to time and again, when I feel like curling up with “old friends”. It is kind of like sitting there, chatting with your besties. This book was make into a movie starring Chris O’Donnell and Minnie Driver. Maeve Binchy recently passed away and her last book was released in October. It is very sad to know that there will be no more books coming out but how wonderful it is, to have many books at my fingertips to read and re-read. Hope you try one of her books!

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Jennifer B. January 18, 2013 - 11:44 am

I loved The Help. It became my favorite book last year and I haven’t read anything to surpass it, yet.

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Jill G January 18, 2013 - 11:45 am

My favorite book I’ve read recently is “The Sea of Tranquility” by Katja Millay. Wonderful characters.

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Courtney January 18, 2013 - 11:47 am

I personally adore the series by Shanna Swendson that begins with “Enchanted Inc.” It is another lighthearted, imaginative, clean, romance book, but what makes it special is Swendson’s writing voice and interesting premise. I read the entire book in two hours. It was totally worth it.

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Catherine January 18, 2013 - 11:47 am

I love the book Jane Eyre!

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libby January 18, 2013 - 11:51 am

Gone With the Wind, is my all time favorite

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Linda Gruber January 18, 2013 - 11:52 am

I agree the Divergent series is amazing. I also am on pins and needles for the next book.

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Megan J. January 18, 2013 - 11:53 am

Eat, Pray, Love….I read the book first and loved it! I saw the movie and didn’t have the same feelings 🙁 Books are always better anyway 🙂

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Linda January 18, 2013 - 11:54 am

One of my favorite books of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird

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Staci January 18, 2013 - 11:56 am

Eat, Pray, Love is my favorite!!!

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carla January 18, 2013 - 11:56 am

This is an older book but Enchanted, Inc. is such a different but fun kind of book. It is the first book in a series by Shanna Swendson.

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Laura M. January 18, 2013 - 11:57 am

House at Riverton by Kate Morton

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Cindy January 18, 2013 - 11:59 am

I always love suggestions of books to read. My all-time favorite book is The Princess Bride.

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Dawn Archibald January 18, 2013 - 11:59 am

Loved Edenbrooke!!

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Lisa Barrett January 18, 2013 - 12:00 pm

I love anything by Jodi Picoult! I think one of my favorites was 19 Minutes. She was able to make you think from the point of view of the school shooter and makes you think about the way people take the comments that are made to them!

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Aahesham February 7, 2014 - 10:58 pm

At last! Someone with real exsiptere gives us the answer. Thanks!

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Jane K. January 18, 2013 - 12:03 pm

“It’s All Relative: 2 Families, 3 Dogs, 34 Holidays and 50 Boxes of Wine (A Memoir)” by Wade Rouse. Just read this over the holiday and laughed out loud! Easy fun read!!

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Kari January 18, 2013 - 12:03 pm

I can read the mortal instruments series by Cassandra Clare over and over, best part it is currently in production for an august movie release 🙂

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Siobhan January 18, 2013 - 12:04 pm

It’s got to be Jane Eyre!!

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