12 quick reads fit into Christmas schedules—December 7, 2007
If the holidays are cutting into your cherished reading time, here are a dozen gentle reads, some of which might fit into your busy countdown though the 12 days of Christmas:
1. "Cat Deck the Halls," is the latest in the Joe Grey mysteries by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Joe Grey is a feline P.I. so you can expect plenty of meows and attitude in this light whodunit that’s purrfect for the holiday season.
2. "Nebraska Cornhusker Football" written in 2005 by award-winning journalist and college football historian, Mark Fricke, takes a look at over a century of University of Nebraska football. It’s an interesting compilation of trivia and more than 150 photographs including one with Nebraska’s newest celebrity, Bo Pelini, as interim head coach prior to the 2003 Alamo Bowl game.
3. "A Woman in Charge" is a biographical portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton, her life and political career. It was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Carl Bernstein and was just published in June. It's available in regular and large print editions.
4. "You have the Right to Remain Puzzled" is the latest in Parnell Hall’s "Puzzle Lady" mysteries. Across and down, this entertaining read is fun for lovers of crossword and other puzzles; filled with wordplay, cryptograms, clues and of course, a puzzling mystery.
5. "Card Games for One," by Peter Arnold, includes instruction and diagrams for playing more than 50 of the world’s most famous and addictive solitaire games from simple to challenging.
6. A new release from the "Images of America" collection, "Pine Ridge Reservation," by historian Donovin Arleigh Sprague, examines the chronology of Pine Ridge through nearly 200 vintage images of the leaders and events that shaped the cultural heritage of the country’s second largest reservation.
7. Masterful suspense author Dean Koontz’s latest release, "The Darkest Evening of the Year," combines a love story with heart-gripping adventure. A woman harboring a dark secret dedicates her life to her golden retriever rescue organization.
8. "On Ice," a brand new novel by Red Evans is billed as a hilarious, yet heartwarming tale of reconciliation and forgiveness combined with down-home charm and wisdom. What's "on ice" is a corpse en route to its final resting place via a '59 Studebaker truck accompanied by dog, a kid, a banjo player and a series of misadventures.
9. "Whole Grain Baking," is a marvelous comprehensive collection of more than 400 recipes from the King Arthur Flour company's kitchen which promises to challenge any baker's thoughts about whole grains being heavy and dense. Yes, the recipes may be light and airy but the hefty, 612-page book itself could double as an doorstop.
10. Get an introduction into the fascinating world of book collecting in "Used and Rare," written by husband-wife team, Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. The Goldstones share a passion for searching out and buying rare tomes, and a talent for writing warm, witty anecdotes.
11. "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett is the magical classic you loved as a child and would enjoy as adult. This time around you'll also appreciate the character development and insights into British culture and politics.
12. "Kissing Christmas Goodbye" is an Agatha Raisin mystery by M.C. Beaton. If you’re unfamiliar with Ms. Raisin, she’s been described as a cross between Miss Marple, Auntie Mame and Lucille Ball. In this, her latest of 18 adventures, Ms. Raisin schemes to have a splendid, old-fashioned Christmas only to have it interrupted with the murderer of an eccentric wealthy widow.
If you’re holidazed, unwind on a silent night with a book from Hastings Public Library.