The County Library discussion

The year is just flying by! I know that December is a busy month for most people, so your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to read a short story. This can include a picture book, a novella, a short story from a collection of short stories. Have fun!

Picture books, here I come! Although it's short and might could count as a novella but might be a tad long for that. Opinions please! Would Dicken's A Christmas Carol count for this challenge?

Debbie wrote: "Picture books, here I come! Although it's short and might could count as a novella but might be a tad long for that. Opinions please! Would Dicken's A Christmas Carol count for this cha..."

Of course, and a perfect read for the holidays! Merry Christmas!!

Debbie,

It totally counts. :D

i'm reading
Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances
by John Green (Goodreads Author), Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author), Lauren Myracle

The Gift of the Magi is a good Christmas pick!

Elizabeth wrote: "Debbie,

It totally counts. :D"

Hooray! I read it every year at Christmas time. For those wanting a good picture book, Caldecott winner Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin is wonderful. It is about the man who did a lot of research on snowflakes and is actually the one who identified that no two looked alike. Beautifully illustrated book and quite timely for the season!

Not a Christmas story but I just read the novella And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer earlier this week and quite liked it. If I'd only waited two days longer to read it, I could have counted it. ;)

But we unwrap and read a Christmas picture book every day as a family for the 25 days leading up to Christmas...kind of a Christmas advent. It's one of my favorite traditions. So far we have read The Christmas Story by Patricia Pingry and The 12 Days of Christmas: A Pop-Up Celebration.

Debbie wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Debbie,

It totally counts. :D"

Hooray! I read it every year at Christmas time. For those wanting a good picture book, Caldecott winner Snowflake Bentley by Jacquel..."
I love Snowflake Bentley!

I'm going to read a short story by Kate Chopin or Katherine Mansfield. I read Desiree's Baby for another challenge this year and got hooked. :-)

I read Its a Wonderful Life for Kids. One of my all time favorites.

I love reading Christmas stories with my little one! today we read Dream Snow by Eric Carle. We loved the tactile cover and the flaps to lift! Highly recommend of you have little ones!

Shoot! I just finished more than dozen Christmas books for my last review column. Im currently reading For Sale By Owner. It takes place at Christmas time. Does it count?

Jennie, the challenge is short stories. so any picture book, novella or short story will count. they do not need to be Christmas themed.

wow, it seems like a lot of you have got it down already. keep me updated

I read to my school kids . I just realized that it counts for this challenge

I've unexpectedly finished the challenge with a Children's book that came across my desk today: Pug Man's 3 Wishes by Sebastian Meschenmoser. Pug Man wakes up halfway through the day and it all goes downhill from there. Suddenly, a fairy pops in to give Pug Man 3 wishes. And his 3 wishes are delightful! And, though the story is fun and delightful, the artwork is wonderful. You can feel what Pug Man is feeling and understand his emotions completely.

I read Rundown: A Pratt & Ellis Mystery, a novella from the New Arrivals display, and Gingerbread Cookie Murder, which is three novellas.

I read Frosty the Snowman, Up on the Housetop, Here Comes Santa Claus, and The Christmas Train to my granddaughter. Then my voice gave out and Grandpa had to take over reading stories.

I love how many people are reading for this challenge. I'm also liking the variety. Novellas and picture books. Mysteries and Christmas and Teen books! :D

I also read The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke.

I finished rereading "Skipping Christmas" last night. (Which also got me to my reading goal for the year.)

I read "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey". Beautiful story. Thank you, Jenny, for recommending it.

I listened to The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year: Holiday Memories Written and Performed by Audible Narrators. Several of their best narrators told about memorable holidays or traditions. It was really interesting to catch a little glimpse into the lives of those whose voices I've heard over and over.

I listened to The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year: Holiday Memories Written and Performed by Audible Narrators. Several of their best narrators told about memorable holidays or traditions. It was really interesting to catch a little glimpse into the lives of those whose voices I've heard over and over.

I read A Christmas Jar for Santa not knowing it was a very short story. I have also read many children's books to my class everyday. I think my favorite has been Mother Bruce. Great children's story.

I completed my plan for my annual listen to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now to watch the 3, no, 4 versions I have of the story, one a variant version. Wonder if I can find McGoo's Christmas Carol. Haven't seen it in years!

Laaa Laaa La La La La Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! (singing the song the three sing to the fence they're selling Srooge's stuff to)

Do we know yet what the January reading challenge will be. I am a slow reader and would like to find the book as soon as possible

Linda wrote: "Do we know yet what the January reading challenge will be. I am a slow reader and would like to find the book as soon as possible"

I'm curious, too.

I just read a Newbery winner. -- When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. To intrigue you, here is my review: The last thing I expected when reading this book was that it would be, legitimately, science fiction. It has none of the markings. An ordinary girl, Miranda, in New York City in an ordinary public school dealing with ordinary problems of parents, friends, teachers, shop keepers, the homeless, that are a part of ordinary life in ordinary 1979. No UFOs, no aliens, no astronauts, not even scientists. Wait. There's one. There's another kid, Marcus, who likes reading about physics. But these are 6th graders. and yet ... Coolest science fiction I've read in a long time.

Even if you just don't like science fiction, try this one.

Debbie wrote: "I just read a Newbery winner. -- When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. To intrigue you, here is my review: The last thing I expected when reading this book was that it would be, legiti..."

I LOVE this book, Debbie!!

This month I read Miracle and Other Christmas Stories, The Gift of the Magi, Only a Star, and Christmas Day in the Morning. I am also hoping to sneak in Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and Wombat Divine but they haven't come in yet. All these books were so good and I would recommend all of them!

I've got January's Reading Challenge up! Also, the winner for this reading challenge won't be posted until we're back from the New Year's Holiday. Probably on Wednesday, January 4th.

Thanks!

This month I read One Enchanted Christmas, The Little Match Girl, and Snowflake Bentley.

I read Paris for One and Other Stories as well as at least 25 Christmas themed picture books. My favorite Christmas picture books this year were When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem, The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda, The Third Gift, Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem, and A Pirate's Night Before Christmas.

Jackie wrote: "I read "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey". Beautiful story. Thank you, Jenny, for recommending it."

You're welcome!! It's my very, very favorite Christmas book! I'm glad you liked it, Jackie!

I have littles, so I've read a whole bunch of picture books this month, but "How to Train a Train" and "How to Track a Truck" were especially big hits with my son!

Patsy is our prize drawing winner for December 2016's reading challenge. She read a variety of short stories: One Enchanted Christmas, The Little Match Girl, and Snowflake Bentley. Congratulations!

Congrats, Patsy!