Ending 2019 by "Skipping Christmas" on "Noel Street"

I finished reading "Noel Street" by Richard Paul Evans last week.  It was pretty good, but not necessarily a tear-jerker. I honestly had a feeling of deja vu while reading it.  It reminded me a little of Evans' 2010 novel "Promise Me," but without the time travel twist.   That being said, I'm going to try my hardest to squeeze one more book out of 2019.  I saw the movie "Christmas With the Kranks," and I want to see how John Grisham's "Skipping Christmas," the inspiration for the movie, measures up!  Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents.  That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty; they won't be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren't even going to have a tree.  They won't need one, because come December 25, they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise.  But, as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences--and isn't half as easy as they'd imagined.  The movie was OK.  I don't think it will ever be as classic or iconic as holiday flicks like "Miracle On 34th Street" (1947) or "A Christmas Story" (1983), but it still has a place in Christmas movie history.  That being said, I'm eager to end 2019 with a "journey" with the Kranks!  PS-The idea of actually skipping Christmas is one of the worst things I can think of!  I love the holiday, the music, and the movies!  Though, not all of them openly state the true meaning of Christmas.  JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I Left "Rebecca" on "Noel Street"

Thanksgiving day was semi-enjoyable for me. I got to spend time with family, and it was also Dad's birthday.  However, it was the first major holiday following the passing of my mother, who succumbed to cancer in July.  That being said, and also due to a lack of funds, I was looking forward to doing nothing on Black Friday.  "Days Of Our Lives," my favorite soap opera and the only one I watch, did not air an episode that day, so I decided to pass the time by reading "Reecca" by Daphne duMaurier.  I'm surprised and pleased to say that I managed to finish it!  The relationship between Max and the unnamed narrator was easygoing and fun to watch play out until their return to Manderley, the estate of Maxim deWinter.  Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, was hopelessly devoted to the titular character, the late Mrs. Rebecca deWinter.  She was obsessed with Rebecca and made it a point to mention her often to Maxim's new young bride.  Other characters also helped to shape Rebecca's character, though she is dead from the beginning of the story.  The gardener, the butler, another gentleman claiming to be her lover, and, of course, Mrs. Danvers.  It wasn't a horrible book, but I'm glad to be done with it just the same.  I'm looking forward to beginning my 'journey" through "Noel Street" by Richard Paul Evans, who (as I have stated numerous times in this blog) is my favorite author! The year is 1975. Elle Sheen—a single mother who is supporting herself and her six-year-old, African-American son, Dylan, as a waitress at the Noel Street Diner—isn’t sure what to make of William Smith when his appearance creates a stir in the small town of Mistletoe, Utah. As their lives unexpectedly entwine, Elle learns that William, a recently returned Vietnam POW, is not only fighting demons from his past, but may also have the answer to her own secret pain—a revelation that culminates in a remarkable act of love and forgiveness. I've already read several chapters, and the book is a real page-turner (I'm not surprised!)  There are no characters you "love to hate."  This isn't really that kind of book.  I can't wait to see where this "journey" takes me!  I'm banking on needing a box of Kleenex....

Finding "Love & Luck" with "Rebecca"

It's been a rough couple of weeks; back-to-back conventions and dealing with the aftermath of my mother's death.  It's still hard, but I'm taking it one day at a time.  Reading helps.  I was able to start Jenna Welch's "Love & Luck" during a road trip to Virginia Beach, and I finished reading yesterday afternoon.  It was okay.  I liked her first book, "Love & Gelato," better.  That being said, I think it would be amazing if Welch wrote a third book, entitled "Love & Sushi," and centered it around a trip to Japan.  Perhaps involving just Addie and Rowan this time.  If I'm lucky,  Jenna Evans Welch will see this post and heed my suggestion.  In the meantime, I'll content myself by reading "Rebecca," by Daphne Du Maurier.  Yes, it's a classic.  It was so popular in its day that Alfred Hitchock, the "Master of Suspense" himself, directed a movie based on it.

"Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Manderley Again."
So the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter remembered the chilling events that led her down the turning drive past the beeches, white and naked, to the isolated gray stone manse on the windswept Cornish coast. With a husband she barely knew, the young bride arrived at this immense estate, only to be inexorably drawn into the life of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, dead but never forgotten...her suite of rooms never touched, her clothes ready to be worn, her servant -- the sinister Mrs. Danvers -- still loyal. And as an eerie presentiment of evil tightened around her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter began her search for the real fate of Rebecca...for the secrets of Manderley.  

I think I missed something when I watched the movie.  After reading the book, I'll probably go watch it again...I'm hoping reading the book will help me gain a better appreciation for the Hitchcock masterpiece!  In the meantime, I'd better begin my 'journey" with "Rebecca!"

Finding "Love & Luck" At the End of "The Road Home"

So, I finished "The Road Home" by Richard Paul Evans. It is the third book in his "The Broken Road" trilogy.  It was okay, but the series as a whole was really kind of "meh," in my opinion.  I won't say I hated the trilogy, but I think it wasn't Evans' best effort.  It seemed to be more of a challenge to himself to see if he could write the antithesis to his "The Walk" series.  Rather than writing about a man who had lost everything and was walking to find hope, "The Broken Road" series was more about a man reclaiming what was lost and finding himself in the process.  I hope I'm more impressed with his upcoming autumn release, "Noel Street." It's due to be released on November 5.  In the meantime, I'll occupy myself with "Love & Luck".  It's the second book written by Jenna Evans Welch, daughter of Richard Paul Evans.  Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt's over-the-top destination wedding and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing that left her miserable and heartbroken--and threatens her future.  But her brother Ian isn't about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once-inseparable siblings.  But when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she's finally able to escape her anxious mind--and Ian's criticism.  And then their travel plans change.  Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world's smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute Irish-accented friend Rowan.  As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tail forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.  That is, if they don't get completely lost along the way.  I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Welch's debut novel, "Love & Gelato."  But only time will tell, so I'd better get started on my "Journey Through A Book" ASAP!

It Took "5 Lessons" to Find "The Road Home"

I've gotten off to a slow start from a literary standpoint.   I just finished reading The 5 Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me About Life & Wealth by Richard Paul Evans.  I found it to be very informative, although some of the info I was already aware of.  I definitely recommend it if you want to change your financial status.  Now, I am eager to get a lot more reading done before the year 2019 is out.  Next on my list is The Road Home  (also by Richard Paul Evans.)  It is the third and final book in the Evans' The Broken Road  trilogy.  Chicago celebrity and pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead.  Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash--a flight he narrowly missed.  But thanks to that remarkable twist of fate, he's very much alive and ready for a second chance at life and love.  Escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the maoney, the fame, the expensive cars--none of it brought him true joy or peace.  The last time he was truly happy was when he was married to his ex-wife, Monica, before their relationship was destroyed by his ambition and greed.  In The Road Home, the third installment of the exciting and provocative series that began in The Broken Road and  The Forgotten Road   Charles is still on his pilgrimage across the iconic Route 66 in The Road Home. He intends to finish his trek from Amarillo to Santa Monica, despite learning that his ex-wife is now planning to marry another man. With the initial reason for his trip in jeopardy, he still has lessons to learn along the way before he discovers—and arrives at—his true destination.  I'm hoping to get a lot of reading done at my family's annual Fourth of July Picnic.  (Perhaps after a game of Cards Against Humanity!)

Finished 2018 Getting "Tied Up In Tinsel," Starting 2019 With "5 Lessons"

After more than a decade of trying, I finally managed to finish Ngaio Marsh's Christmas murder mystery, Tied Up In Tinsel.  It wasn't bad.  Some of the language was a bit classic.  I learned a few new words; penury and facezie are the two that I really remember.  The novel starts off with Hilary Bill-Tasman, while sitting for a portrait, telling painter Troy Alleyn about his staff and their criminal histories.  Eventually, one of his staff members disappears and everyone else on his staff is a suspect. Enter Troy's husband, Detective Roderick Alleyn. And the rest is a mystery!  After reading this holiday whodunit, I think I've found a new author to check out.  I will admit that the murder victim is not who I thought it would be, but that's all I will say for fear of spoiling the story!  To start off 2019, I think I'll read a book by one of my favorite authors (Richard Paul Evans).  "The 5 Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me About Life & Wealth."  Easy to understand and simple to apply, "The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life & Wealth"  is one of the most powerful books ever written about money. This book will change your life.

When Richard Paul Evans was twelve, his father, a building contractor, shattered both his legs. With no insurance, no income, and eight children, the family was destitute. At that difficult time young Evans was introduced to a kind multimillionaire who taught him the five secrets of wealth. Today, Evans credits those lessons not just with bringing him wealth and success but with bringing him freedom and opportunity in a world where financial slavery is ubiquitous.

In his signature motivational voice, Evans interweaves those influential lessons with personal stories from everyday people. He explains that money should not be the preoccupation of our lives. Rather, if we follow the five principles, we will be free to focus on God, family, and relationships -- the true nourishments of life.

Wise and compelling, "The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth"  can be read in a single sitting and will leave you with a new view of what it means to be rich -- and convinced that you, too, can build wealth.   I have already discovered some financial secrets and intend to start following them.  Some of them I was already following before I started this book, and will continue to do so.  This book is not a work of fiction, and it iwill change your life!....