It's next week!

I don't know about you but it seems like holidays come faster and faster with each passing year. I'll be honest, Christmas snuck up on me. I had prepared beforehand, but awaiting the day has been less anticipation and more "Oh, it's right around the corner." I am honestly grateful for this pleasant recollection of the holiday. Instead of nerve-wracking, anxiety-inducing panic that not everything is perfect, I am experiencing (possibly for the first time in my life) a sense of ease. I had decided earlier this year that I was going to treat myself with more grace, and in honor of that pact I have been letting go of my usual desire to fixate on every little detail. Instead, I have decided to adopt a "good enough" mindset with things I would normally obsess over. 

If you can't already tell, I am a "recovering" Type A personality. I say that as in, I don't think I was really meant to be a Type A, at least not naturally. I believe I was always more of a Type B person but it was buried down deep underneath conditioning that required perfection. I was expected to pay attention to details, act with precision, always be punctual, and control variables to the best of my abilities. For someone who was expected to be flawless, holidays became times of stress rather than enjoyment. For Christmas, it was always about finding the best deals, the perfect gifts for everyone, and presenting it to them in appealing wrappers or bags. This was done not days nor weeks in advance, but months ahead of time. Imagine buying Christmas presents in June and that was me.

So, to realize that I am putting in practice the thing that I promised myself is a sort of Christmas present but just for me. It isn't the stereotypical gift, but it is heartwarming in a different way. It is a reclaiming of a piece of myself that I hadn't let rest. I am releasing myself to actually rest this holiday. I won't perform. I won't expect. I won't search. I will simply rest in the day that was meant for me to remember the truly important things in life. For me, this year is all about resets. I am actively pursuing rejuvenation and recovery because that is what is most needed. I remind myself that even Jesus rested and if this holiday is largely about Him then I better make it a priority just as He did.

If some of this resonated with you, know that it took me a long time to even get to this point in my personal journey. It may have even been something I've repeated from years past but never truly achieved. I think the important thing is that I am still genuinely trying to make it happen. The thing is then I was trying to rest, but now I simply am resting. What a world of a difference that differentiation makes. If you are anywhere on this spectrum, I am wishing you not only Happy Holidays but restful ones as well. And as the New Year is right around the corner along with resolutions galore, you can guess what I will be focusing on in the next year☺

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Dark Side of Yuletide

We all love the warm and fuzzy feelings we get around the holidays. It is a comfort we can anticipate, and yet we fail to understand the other side of the bright holidays. 

Did you know that murders are statistically more common around major holidays, including Christmas? Amidst the glow of the firelight and mistletoe, the sinister reality is that people are still dying on the most joyous day of the year.

If that's the case, maybe we can alchemize this fact into something at least entertaining? Murder mysteries might relieve a little bit of the discomfort of this fact. To save you too much trouble, I divided them into two categories so you can pick your poison. If you can't stand the darkness, I've balanced it out with a little light 😁

Dark Reads

On Christmas Eve, heavy snowfall brings a train to a halt and passengers decide to take shelter in a nearby country house. It appears that someone should be home, and yet no one is apparently there. When a murder takes place as they search the house for clues, the passengers have to unravel the mystery before their time runs out.

Each of these stories is as playful as it is ingeniously plotted, the author's sly humor as evident as her hallmark narrative elegance and shrewd understanding of some of the most complex--not to say the most damning--aspects of human nature. A treat for P. D. James's legions of fans and anyone who enjoys the pleasures of a masterfully wrought whodunit.

If you are looking for a horror that blends Stephen King and the humor of The Office, Secret Santa might be for you. This horror-comedy is set in the 1980s starting with Lussi landing a job at a publisher that tasks her with finding the next big horror story. The difficulty of such a task is compounded by the fact that she is bullied by her co-workers which culminates when they give her a demonic-looking object during a Secret Santa exchange. However, before long these same co-workers become victims of horrific "accidents" that makes Lussi suspicious of the very gift they gave to her.

 Rose Grandon is a college sophomore when she is attacked, assaulted, and left for dead after a midnight mass choir practice. The last thing she hears is a tenor voice singing Silent Night. She is found several hours later in a ditch, beaten but alive. As she is treated in the hospital, she finds out that she is pregnant and makes the difficult decision to keep the baby. When she finally gives birth to a baby girl, she names her Mary. Rose raises her daughter in her small Connecticut hometown as she tries to get her old self back. Yet, twice a year the evil attacker strikes - once on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day. Until the attacker is behind bars, neither Rose nor her baby can ever be truly safe, but now that he's found out that he has a daughter - it changes everything.

Cozy Reads

Following the charmingly inept Inspector Frank Grasby and his boss, Superintendent Juggers, this Christmas mystery occurs in 1953 at a seaside village. When a fisherman is found with a stocking around his neck, the investigation starts out simple enough but devolves into darker tones as these two investigators are trapped by a violent storm. The body count starts to rise as they encounter sinister villagers, stockings mysteriously washing ashore, and the village's obsession with fine hosiery. This story moves along with humor, depth, and even a bit of romance and could be a perfect cozy entertainment for the holidays. 

 Murder occurs during a Christmas house party and the victim, the owner of the substantial estate, is found in a room locked from the inside. Mathilda Clare was one of the guests resigned to spending Christmas at the Lexham Manor, along with 5 others: Nat Herriard, Joseph, Stephen, Paula, and Nat's sharp-dealing partner. Inspector Hemingway of Scotland Yard investigates only to find that each guest has something to hide. Through the investigation that seems to only grow more complicated as it goes along, readers will find the answer is hidden in plain sight. 

A book restoration expert and her husband travel to Loch Ness, Scotland at behest of their dear friend who is getting married. Since they plan on being married on New Year's Day, the couple travels there for the holidays, but are also roped into the mystery of twelve very rare and important books having gone missing.

While looking into this mystery, one of the guests gets poisoned and another gets shot in the heart, raising the stakes on the entire case. Now they must race to find a killer and book thief before more murders occur and their friend's future is at stake. 

Christmas of 1923, Lady Eleanor Swift has received a letter from an old friend of her uncle, Mr. Godfrey Cunliffe, asking her to stay in Cornwall for the holidays. The reason being, he believes his gardener is trying to kill him. Eleanor, along with her butler and detective beau, hurry to the manor house only to find a dead body. But, it is not Mr. Cunliffe - rather it is his gardener! Winter, 1923. It’s nearly Christmas and Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather strange letter from an old friend of her uncle. Mr Godfrey Cunliffe has asked her to stay in Cornwall for the holidays – but only because he believes his gardener is trying to poison him! Eleanor quizzes the family and finds that everyone from the handyman to Mr. Cunliffe himself is keeping secrets, but he is still scared for his life.

Then the bulldog, Gladstone, pulls a charred corner of the missing garden plans from the fireplace and Eleanor believes she might have the clue that can find the hidden answer somewhere on the grounds. However, she is thwarted when someone tries to run her over with a lawnmower and she knows she had better solve this mystery before her time is up.

End of the Year Cheer

I have already seen someone's Christmas tree in their front window of their home. It was well before Halloween (several weeks actually) and was definitely Christmas themed. Where I think people can do whatever they want and should be able to celebrate Christmas early, I do like to think that it distracts us from the other meaningful holidays leading up to it.

Halloween has always been a favorite purely due to nostalgia. It was one of the holidays that was mostly geared towards kids and growing up this holiday was always hyped up. There were Halloween parties at school, dress-up days, and trick-or-treating. You got tons of candy and sometimes fun party toys or other kinds of treats. You got to play pretend and watch others join in too. It was a sort of magic that is difficult to manufacture. I think most people still really enjoy this holiday, but by decorating for another holiday so early on you can forget the true enchantment of it.

And Thanksgiving. It's like we are forgetting this holiday even exists. I think it's so important for us to keep the sentiment in mind, not necessarily the historical significance (though it can be equally as important with the correct facts) of this day. If Christmas doesn't really resonate as the day to be thankful for you and your loved ones being alive, then Thanksgiving surely should be. This is literally the single day in the year that highlights the need and importance of being thankful. If you aren't the type of person who practices gratefulness regularly this can be the day you set aside every year to do just that.

If you haven't heard of the positive effects of practicing gratitude, you can do a quick Google search and find these common themes: reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, enhances mood, and improves sleep. Even a single day to gain a little bit of that? Worth it. Not only that, you could prolong the effects by using Thanksgiving as your jumping off point for the year. Incorporating thankfulness can be a daily practice instead of an annual occurrence too. Lastly, the Macy's Day Parade is one of my favorite things to watch on TV and it only happens around this time. It just signifies to my subconscious that it's almost time for all the yule festivities!

So, throw up your Christmas tree before Halloween. Stock the aisles full of holiday decorations months before the actual holiday. Wish people a Happy New Year in September for all I care. But, if I can simply implore you to remember the significance of each one and what it means, that will be enough. They are cherished parts of someone's memory, maybe a large part of why someone keeps choosing to live on, and/or just a really meaningful time for someone else. We should honor each one not only for ourselves, but for others as well.

Enjoy your holidays and enjoy each other. 👪💝👐

Gluten-free like me? Try these fall recipes!

Want that apple pie taste without the horrible cramps and other unmentionable side effects of gluten? Try this recipe out:

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

First of all, what are the best apples to use in this recipe? Here are some to use: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala, Jonathon.

Now onto the recipe itself! Here is what you will need:

• 8x8 Baking Dish
• 4 Granny Smith (or your choice) apples - peeled, cored, chopped (4 cups)
• 1 Tablespoon of sugar
• 1/2 Tablespoon gluten free flour (Almond or Coconut)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Add whip cream or vanilla ice cream when serving to make it even sweeter!
• For the crisp
• 1/2 Cup brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup gluten free old fashioned oats
• 4 Tablespoons of cold butter
• 3 Tablespoons gluten free flour
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then spray a medium-sized baking dish (like a 6×9″ or 8×8”) with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. To a large mixing bowl add chopped apples, sugar, gluten free flour, and cinnamon then stir to combine and pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. For the Crisp Topping: to the same mixing bowl, add ingredients for crisp topping then use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is the consistency of a crumbly paste. Evenly sprinkle the topping mixture over the apples then bake for 40-50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
4. Let the apple crisp cool for 20 minutes before scooping into bowls and serving with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

If you're anything like me, when I was forced to go gluten-free one of the top things I missed was sweet desserts - particularly of the baked variety. When fall hit, I would especially miss pumpkin related baked goods. So, thankfully, there are ways to make delectable gluten-free options like this one right here:

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

What you will need:

• Loaf pan
• 1-1 1/2 gluten free baking flour blend (Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
• 1 Teaspoon baking powder
• 1 Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 Cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 Cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 Cup olive oil
• 1/4 Cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then spray a 9×5” loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. To a medium-size mixing bowl, add the gluten free flour blend, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon then whisk to combine and set aside.
3. To a large mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract then whisk until smooth. Add the dry ingredients then whisk until smooth.
4. Scoop the batter into the prepared loaf pan then smooth the top with the back of a spoon and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Check on the loaf at the 20 minute mark — if the top is already browning, gently place a piece of foil on top (no need to crimp) then continue baking. Since this is a long-baking quick bread recipe, you don’t want the top to burn before the center has had a chance to fully bake through.
5. Let the pumpkin bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes then remove and transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in a gallon size Ziplock bag on the counter. This bread is best served on day 2 after it has had a chance to soften.

I missed pumpkin baked goods, but I have also missed apple ones as well. When autumn rolls around, I crave these two like no other. Thank goodness there are options out there, like this one:

Gluten Free Apple Muffins

Things you'll need to get started:

• 12-cup muffin tin
• 1/2 Cup Olive oil
• 3/4 Cup sugar
• 1/4 unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1-1 1/2 Cups of gluten free baking flour blend (Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
• 2 Teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Cup shredded apples

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees then line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners and set aside.
2. Add oil, sugar, and applesauce to the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer, then beat until pale and smooth, 1 minute. Add eggs then mix until just combined. Add vanilla then mix until just combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt then add to the wet ingredient in two batches, mixing until just combined before adding the second batch. Add apples then fold into the batter with a spatula.
4. Scoop 1/4 cup batter into each muffin tin liner then bake for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool in muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring muffins to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or on the counter for 3-4 days.

You can find more gluten free recipes here: iowa girl eats. If you try one out, please let us know how you liked it here.

Credit to: Author Porter, Kristin. "Fall Cooking Bucket List: 50 Cozy Gluten Free Recipes." iowa girl eats, Iowa Girl Eats, October 17, 2025, https://iowagirleats.com/fall-cooking-bucket-list/

Celebrating February

February is full of interesting historical tidbits and holidays, some that I didn't have a true appreciation for until I read up on some of them. I thought it would be a fun activity to dive into some of the celebrations that occur in this chilly month and get to know them a little better. Let's begin!

Some of us anticipate the coming of Valentine's Day, a welcome reprieve from the winter weather filled with gratuitous amounts of candy and flattering cards. Not all too surprisingly, it may have originated in unison with Roman fertility festivities during this time, though the holiday's true origins are vague at best. Formal valentines and the way we celebrate the holiday today began in the 1500s with commercially printed valentines becoming a mainstay in the 1700s. 

Those of us who choose to celebrate this holiday enjoy planning the best way to appreciate the loved ones in our lives, though in modern times it has extended beyond just a single significant other. I've sent cards and/or candy to close friends and family on Valentine's Day simply because they are important people in my life. Personally, to me, celebrating any holiday is better than none during this time of year. It gives a much-needed break to the otherwise monotonous cloudy skies and snowy landscapes that grow long and dreary.

💘💝

Then there is the humorous tradition of Groundhog Day, where a Pennsylvanian groundhog pops out to see if there will be another 6 more weeks of winter (for those of us who didn't keep up with this, he predicted a longer winter - BOOO!). This European-originated tradition actually happens during the midpoint between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and continued its relevancy as a encouragement and reminder that spring is coming. It started out with those in the Middle Ages believing bears and badgers interrupted their hibernation to check if spring was on its way around this time of year. German immigrants to America brought this tradition with them, but since they couldn't wrangle a bear or badger onto their ships they adopted a groundhog as substitute as they were plentiful in the "new world".

Funnily enough, despite his extravagant name of "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sages of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather-Prophet Extraordinary", he only predicts the season's change accurately 40% of the time. That is only slightly better than our own human meteorologists (haha, just kidding...). Thanks to our modern day technology, you can enjoy watching this event at 6:00am sharp on February 2nd every year, again and again and again... 

For our Christian friends, there may be something a little more solemn and reverent to celebrate on February 2. Candlemas is a time that shares a major similarity with Groundhog Day. There is no marmot involved, but rather it is a time to reflect on the coming of spring. It is a celebration to remind people of the natural cycles in life which involve that of spring overtaking winter, as well as the more hopeful themes of life overcoming death and light prevailing over darkness.

Another interesting fact about February is that the last full moon was often called the Snow Moon due to the snowy conditions in the last month of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. However, North American tribes referred to it as the Hunger Moon due the scarcity of food during this time of the year.

President's Day also happens this month which traditionally honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, though all-in-all it is for recognition of every U.S. President. It was first celebrated in the 1800s, but was heavily debated starting in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill in order to give people longer weekends throughout the year. Despite oppositions that the holiday be split and celebrated on the actual birthdays of both presidents, it has been widely accepted as President's Day by retailers in order to promote sales. It is also the day that public ceremonies in Washington and throughout the country are held.

Lastly, let's talk about the Winter Olympics! The Nordic Games began in 1901 in Scandinavian countries and was not officially recognized as the Winter Olympics until 1924. Oppositions by Scandinavian countries to create the Winter Olympics rose from their own Nordic Games as they did not want to give up this tradition. After adding figure skating and ice hockey to the modern Olympics and many of their own people going on to secure medal after medal, the opposition died down. After 1994, the Winter and Summer Games became held every 4 years and alternates in even-numbered years.

⛸🏒

Despite being the shortest month of the year, February is full of celebrations that offer rich history, even more than I anticipated upon first glance. We can continue to recognize important people, events, and contributions when we become aware of the significance of each one. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to keep information at the forefront of understanding in order to keep our traditions alive. It is helpful to have a calendar with official celebrations, but when faced without one we are still capable of honoring our humanity. As winter gives way to spring, the human spirit presses on.

New Year, New You?

I have to admit that I fit in with the mass of the population whose new year's resolutions consists of getting healthier and looking different. I don't know about you but I know that my goals are more about living longer with a better quality of life and feeling better about myself. Being an advocate for positive change, I find the process of making resolutions invigorating. In the past, I have asked myself more dire, serious questions, but this year I am thankful to be asking smaller and more achievable ones.

I almost always set a goal to exercise more in general and I will say that doing so at least 30 minutes a day has (and will most likely always) help me. I find that many people share a similar goal, whether it be to actually make use of that gym membership or to finally be able to say you have participated in a marathon, I believe this is such a worthy goal. It's not only about feeling good about the way you look, but feeling good about the way you are. For myself, the aftereffects of incorporating more exercise in my routine enables my body to simply be. If you know, then you know.

The other task is more monumental: what can I do to change the way I look, and how can I do it in a way that improves rather than detracts? Now, I am not just talking about pure aesthetics, though in a highly visual, interconnected world there is some of that in play. But, rather, in a bigger and more substantial way, how can I make changes to differentiate myself so that I feel more like me? There are so many ways to become more authentic, but to change a few things on the outside does help get more trivial things out of the way to make room for the heftier, weightier work: the inside stuff.

I have long reflected and done work on the inside, now I am realizing that it came at a cost to my outside. I get to choose how I represent myself in the world, not just with my actions, thoughts, and expressions but how I decide to show up - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, all the -y's. We have been given such a gift to be able to choose in this life, and it is so much stronger than it first appears. If anything, I am wishing you a year of choosing.

Lastly, let me leave you with a challenge, ask yourself: What will I choose this year?

Countdown to Christmas: Week 4

You may have guessed a pattern here...this week I will be sharing four new reads for the week of Christmas. Happy holidays! 🎄

There are plenty of romance books around Christmastime, but this one in particular is set in war time which almost always makes the relationship(s) more meaningful. The Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is set in Europe following two young people drawn into the throes of war. From the perspectives of Evie Elliot and Thomas Harding, these two share their lives through a series of letters over 4 years of Christmases. Their perspective roles change during this time and so does what they mean to one another.

In A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg a doctor who has gotten a startling diagnosis decides to leave the weather-torn city of Chicago to a climate that is better suited for those with ailments. Believing that this could be his last Christmas, he decides to relocate to Lost River which stands on the southernmost part of Alabama. He meets plenty of interesting characters, but none leaves an impression more than the little redbird named Jack. A pivotal, live-changing moment is witnessed by these people, one they will never forget, and it just might be something you will never forget either.

Written with humor and wit, Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak introduces the Birch family as they meet for Christmas for the first time in years. In their aging country estate, Olivia is forced into quarantine with her family after treating an epidemic abroad, so for the next week the entire family is forced to be closer than they ever have been before. Then an unexpected guest arrives, causing more chaos than even their own personal secrets and long-held tension could have created.

One Day in December by Josie Silver is a modern day romance that starts out on a cliché note, but is reported to be "joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving..." (Amazon). In this book, Laurie sees Jack from a bus window and instantly pegs him out as "The One". Laurie believes in fate and eagerly searches the city for this mystery man until Sarah, her best friend, introduces him to her at a Christmas party as her own boyfriend. The story then recounts a 10-year tale between this love triangle, making it's final note of fate, in all it's twists and turns, ring true.

Countdown to Christmas: Week 3

Again, the giving mood has gotten a hold of me and I've decided to post not just one, or even just two Christmas recommendations, but three! Happy holidays, my fellow readers 🙌

In the 19th century, the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories stretched on from Halloween to that of wintertime. These stories were printed in newspapers and magazines around Christmastime for folks to get their thrills and chills during the yuletide. In the spirit of this tradition, you could check out The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, and Tara Moore. This book compiles 13 tales from a diverse group of authors; if you like "A Christmas Carol" this might be something down your alley. It's perfect for those interested in trying out something different this holiday season.

If you're a fan of Wicked, something you might be interested in is Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcrackerby Gregory Maguire. This books reimagines the backstory of the timeless Nutcracker, focusing on how he came to be carved as well as the character Drosselmeier, the one-eyed toy maker whom gives the nutcracker to his goddaughter, Klara. Yet, this story not only retells this classic in a new light, but also presents a much weightier topic than childhood dreams and imaginations. Rather, it weaves through the topic of how a disadvantaged person can benefit those so much like themselves by a simple gesture. Hope rings out as the compromised Godfather brings something precious and full of light to a lonely and marginalized young soul one bleak, wintery evening.

Said to be a modern-day fairy tale from popular author Kristin Hannah, Comfort & Joy: A Fable might just be that familiar warm and fuzzy story that fills your Christmas time with goodness. In this book, a recently divorced Joy has lost her spark for celebrating Christmas. Unbound by family ties, she decides to buy a ticket to the rural Northwest. Yet, her plans are destroyed when her plane goes down in a deep, dark forest, leaving her and her fellow passengers stranded in unknown territory. Somehow Joy finds her way to a man named Bobby, who is still trying to figure out how to raise his 6-year-old son following the death of his wife. They form an instant connection and amid the sudden changes and unexpected chances, Joy has a choice to make: find the faith to reach toward the love she has found or reject the chance at a new life and perhaps true joy. For those looking for a heartwarming, true-heart-of-Christmas tale, this is a great one to pick up.

Countdown to Christmas: Week 2

I can't help myself - I have to share two reads this week! I wanted to really dig into the meaningful stuff, the stories that really makes us think, feel, and connect with our fellow human beings. So, here are my picks which are frequently on bookworm's lists to read around the holidays (and if they aren't, consider adding them):

The Deal of a Lifetime by Frederick Backman centers around a father and son who have gone years estranged and are just now reconnecting. The father decides to center most of his conversation on a young girl fighting with childhood cancer and through his tales about her, he speaks volumes about himself. When he learns that he might be able to change the future of this girl's fate, he has to understand what his life has been worth, and the only way he can only do that is through his son. With both humor and compassion, this story centers on how our legacy lives on when our time is finally up.

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern immediately made my list when I learned that it inspired one of my favorite movies "It's a Wonderful Life". Supposedly, it is said that it came to the author in a dream one night, and it gets even more Christmas tale-like when Stern decides to send it out as his Christmas card. One of the 200 cards he sent out eventually ended up in the hands of Frank Capra who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, then the rest is history. If you enjoy the timeless, inspirational movie, this short story that inspired the classic movie should be at the top of your list!

Countdown to Christmas: Week 1

In the spirit of Christmas, I will be posting a book recommendation (one or more) once a week during the month of December. This recommendation will include a summary and reasons to read it. I will be sticking to Christmas-related books, but hope to diversify each choice.

For my first choice, I wanted a light-hearted read with a little bit of a mystery. I came across "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter which is a delightful romystery that will have you both laughing and "awww-ing". In this story, the protagonists are Maggie and Ethan, both writers and both fiercely competitive, as they accept a mysterious invitation to an English estate for a Christmas party. It is revealed that the mystery sender is none other than the Duchess of Death herself, Eleanor Ashley, positioned as the most powerful author in their world. 

The story begins to evolve as quickly as the weather devolves as the duo gets trapped at the estate by a turbulent storm. Not only that, but they have a live mystery on their hands when their hostess goes missing and they begin to wonder who they can trust. The duo has to team up in order to solve the disappearance, one clue at a time, and as they come closer to the truth (and each other) they learn how to be an effective sleuth team.

Compared to "Knives-Out" but with a fun, romantic candace, this cheeky, heart-melting story will get you hooked. Whether you are a mystery reader or a romance reader, this is one to try this holiday season.