The Christmas book reviews continue!
A few days ago, I shared with you my favourite new children's book,
Beneath That Star, by Sally Meadows.
(Full disclosure, as revealed in my previous review: Sally and I are friends, but I also promised her an honest review. Thank you for trusting me with that, Sally!)
Sally gave me her book when we visited her as part of our latest Infinitely More Western Canada Tour. As we chatted about our recent projects, she showed me a copy of a Christmas anthology that features two of her stories. Of course, my heart leapt when I saw a whole book filled with Christmassy things, so I asked if I might review that one as well!
I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but look at that face!!
How could I not be excited to read Christmas: Stories & More???
Inscribe Christian Writer's Fellowship (ICWF) exists to "stimulate, encourage and support Christians who write, advance effective Christian writing, and promote the influence of all Christians who write." It has members from all provinces, writing at all levels and in all genres.
Christmas: Stories & More features over 40 ICWF writers sharing their thoughts, memories, and dreams for the Christmas season. Because of the range of storytellers, each piece is unique in scope, subject, and voice. The "Stories" include both fiction and real life accounts, giving sweet, and sometimes bittersweet, insight into different festive moments. The "More" is what really makes this anthology special - a collection of devotions, poems, recipes, gift ideas, and even dramatized readings!
What I love most about this anthology is how it's structured and organized. This isn't a book you sit down and read in one sitting. It's a lovely collection of festive bon-bons, designed to be tasted and treasured one at a time. (Of course, if you like to indulge in a whole box of bon-bons in one sitting, be my guest! I'm certainly not the one to judge... )
Each piece is short enough to be read on your afternoon break, or as you take the subway, or just before bed. It would make a lovely book to include in your Advent devotions, or to read one story a day during the 12 Days of Christmas. Even the recipes include a bit of family history to give them a personal perspective.
Sometimes, it can be a challenge to get people excited about reading a book by unknown writers. Let me ask you to get excited! Not only is this a lovely book, but it's so refreshing to read stories about Christmas told by Canadian voices.
Christmas: Stories & More is a charming and beautiful addition to your Christmas reading list.
I hope it finds a spot under your tree this holiday season!
To learn more about ICWF and Christmas: Stories & More, please visit
https://inscribe.org/press/christmas-anthology-2017/ 
7 comments:
Allison, thanks for your review! I'm glad you found our collection as delightful as bonbons 🍫!
Great review! I haven't read all the stories yet, but plan to over the holidays.
Thank you for your review! Well said. Pam Mytroen
Thank you for your review! Well said. Pam Mytroen
Thanks for your comments, everyone! Loved reading & reviewing the book :)
Thanks for your support Allison!
Thanks Alison! I've been reading from Christmas Stories and More to the seniors at a Day Centre. They enjoy the 'down home' feeling that comes through in many of the tales.
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