As I prepare this post early in the week, I am nearing the end of Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan. By the time this posts, however, I imagine I will have finished it. It is the third book in a trilogy, although my first by the author. My husband called me a rebel when I told him. Luckily it is one of those books where it doesn't matter where you jump in to enjoy the book.
Goodreads Summary:
In the Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne, the Christmas season has arrived. It’s a joyous time for family, friends, and feasting as decorations sparkle along the town’s winding streets and shop windows feature buoyant, festive displays. And in Polly’s Little Beach Street bakery, the aromas of gingerbread cookies and other treats tempt people in from the cold.
Though Polly is busy keeping up with the demands of the season, she still makes time for her beekeeper boyfriend, Huckle. She’s especially happy to be celebrating the holiday this year with him, and can’t wait to cuddle up in front of the fireplace with a cup of eggnog on Christmas Eve.
But holiday bliss soon gives way to panic when a storm cuts the village off from the mainland. Now it will take all of the villagers to work together in order to ensure everyone has a Merry Christmas.
A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.
This story is about one particular Christmas, but it actually starts with a very Bad Thing happening the previous spring.
And with that opening statement, I was dying to know what exactly that "very Bad Thing" is!
"That when friends need you more than ever. When something awful happens. And here's the crucial thing; even if the awful thing that's happened is your own fault. Especially when it's your own fault, Do you see?" [pg 58]
I find this particular sentiment so true, especially in the case of the characters in this book.
What do you think? Does this sound like something you would want to read?
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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.
What is your favourite Christmas-themed read?
While I love to immerse myself in holiday-themed romance and family dramas during the Christmas season with their inspirational and happy endings, my favorite Christmas-themed book is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens by far. It is a story that has been shared and re-told in many different variations over the years, it's message just as relevant today as it was during the time it was written.
What about you? What is your favorite holiday (Christmas or otherwise) themed-read?
© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I'm always interested in books in which a community is cut off and isolated. :) My favorite holiday read is A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I haven't read that one, which is kind of embarrassing. I should make time for it.
DeleteYa can't run from the past. I wonder about the bad thing too.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
Sherry - It was a good one!
DeleteSounds like an interesting story. Both the beginning and 56 raise questions in my mind and make me curious about the book. This week I am featuring No Place Like You by Emma Douglas. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - It was! It wasn't quite what I expected--in a good way.
DeleteI don't read a lot of Christmas books but the ones I do read are generally fun but forgettable so I can't think of a favortie.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Same here. Most are rather forgettable. A Christmas Carol seems to be the one that stays with me too. That and The Polar Express.
DeleteOh the Beach Street Bakery! I read the first one but got behind on that series! I bet the Christmas one is great!
ReplyDeleteStormi - I need to go back and read the first two in the trilogy. I really enjoyed this one.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! And I adore the cover! I'd love for you and your readers to check out mine . . . https://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsCFF-HTHAS
ReplyDeleteLisa - It turned out be a good one!
DeleteI have read one of Colgan's books...and have another one waiting. She reels us in until we feel like we are right there with the characters.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this one. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain - I have another book of hers as well that I need to read. I am even more anxious now! What you said is so true--she really does reel the reader in and put them right there with the characters.
DeleteA Christmas Carol is definitely a popular answer for the Blogger Hop. It's an absolute classic. I have to admit I haven't gotten into Christmas books in the past but am excited to pick a few up this year! I could always use some recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteMegan - I hope you enjoy your Christmas reading this year. It's only been in recent years I've gotten into them myself.
DeleteOooh that Christmas book looks like a lot of fun! I am totally adding it on my list hopefully I can get to it. Thanks for the recommendation. Happy reading & Happy Holidays :)
ReplyDeleteMy BBH
Heather - I hope you do get a chance to read it. It's a good one! Happy Holidays to you as well!
DeleteI love Bradley's I Am Half Sick of Shadows and Willig's The Mischief of the Mistletoe. They may not be as Christmas-y as Dickens' but they're fun reads and they take place at Christmas time, so I'm counting them. :)
ReplyDeleteLark - I haven't read either of those. I definitely need to check out Willig's book though. I enjoy her writing.
DeleteI love A Christmas Carol Too, I agree it is timeless.
ReplyDeleteEllen - I am glad you love A Christmas Carol too. It's such a great story.
DeleteSounds like a good holiday read! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteFreda - I enjoyed it!
DeleteHi Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a scrummy Christmas story!
Happy Friday!
Here's what I #amreading : http://bit.ly/2AmBFfC
Luv Sassy
x
Sassy - It was good. :-)
DeleteThis sounds so festive! LOVE it! So true about A Christmas Carol! Its told it in so many variations!
ReplyDeleteHere's myFriday Post
Priyanka - It was a good Christmas story. :-)
DeleteA Christmas Carol has definitely earned its place as a classic.
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery sounds lovely! I can't wait to dive into my holiday reads :)
ReplyDeleteErica - It was good--a perfect holiday read. I hope you enjoy your holiday reads!
DeleteI can't think of a favourite Christmas-themed read; all I could think of now off my head is mostly romance genre and I can't pick a favourite either. :) Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteMelody - I tend to read a lot of romance Christmas-themed books when it comes to holiday reading.
DeleteThe opening line is definitely intriguing, I'm not so sure about the lines from page 58 though.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't believe I didn't think of A Christmas Carol for BBH. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. - Katie
Katie - Thank you! I hope you do too!
DeleteOh this looks fun and yes I'm dying to know just what that very bad thing is! I've really become a fan of Jenny Colgan over the last year or so so I'm adding this to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I was really impressed with this one and am looking forward to reading more of her work.
DeleteChristmas at Little Beach Street looks fun, and who doesn't love a Cornish setting and a storm that cuts off from the mainland? :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday (er, Saturday now) and have a super weekend!!
Greg - I loved the setting. It's such a unique little village too.
DeleteI hope you had a great week!
Christmas is my favorite holiday, and the time leading up to the Big Day is so special! So, every year, I LOVE to read Christmas-themed romance novels! And how special your selection, "Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery", sounds! I get a very heartwarming feeling from just reading the synopsis. I'm DEFINITELY adding it to my Goodreads shelves!
ReplyDelete"A Christmas Carol" is probably most people's favorite Christmas read. It's just such a WONDERFUL story! I have seen several film adaptations of it throughout the years, but I've only read it once, in Spanish, and that was when I was a kid. I really need to reread it, and in English this time, lol. I should also make it a new Christmas tradition to reread this novel every year, during the holiday season.
Thanks for sharing, Wendy! Thanks as well for commenting on my BBH post!! HUGS TO YOU & MOUSE!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
Maria - It is my favorite holiday too, although I always feel a little down when it passes. I think you have a point there--the time leading up to it is part of what makes it so special.
DeleteA Christmas Carol is such a timeless story. I hope you enjoy the English version. It'd be interesting to see if there are any significant differences between it and the Spanish translation.
Enjoy your weekend!
A Christmas Carol is definitely my favorite Christmas-themed read, although Mr. Dickens and His Carol is now way up there on my list too. Loved that book.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - It was a good one. :-)
DeleteA Christmas Carol is a favorite Christmas-themed book! Great choice!
ReplyDeleteChrissy - It seems to a be a popular one, doesn't it? :-)
DeleteI feel like I really should read A Christmas Carol. I think I even have the audio of it. Maybe I will squeeze it in.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Now there's an idea! Maybe I should look into the audio version. I might be able to squeeze that one in a bit more easily . . .
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