Christmas Book Review: Recent Episodes
Carrie Mercer
Reviewing books about Christmas, both fiction and nonfiction, new and old. Looking for a fun Christmas read? I can help you find it, whether you’re into the history of 20th century Christmas traditions or you love a good Christmas murder, or you're looking for that perfect picture book for your granddaughter. I read them all!
Christmas Book Review Episode 18
Santa’s Daughter, Superheroes, and the Evergleam
Show Notes:
Christmas Past episode with my interview
Christmas Past episode of Two Truths and a Lie
Books (and other print media) discussed in this episode:
A Kangaroo for Christmas
Christmas with the Superheroes 1 and 2 (try eBay)
Jingle Belle’s Cool Yule
Paul Dini’s Jingle Belle (try eBay for this one also)
Santa Claus Magazine Issue One
The Evergleam Book: 60th Anniversary DeLuxe Edition (sold out but check www.evergleambook.com)
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram—there are many photos for this episode—for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to throw a couple bucks my way to help with the costs of doing the podcast, go to my Ko-Fi page at https://ko-fi.com/christmasbookreview
If you’d like become a Patreon supporter and get a Christmas goodie, you can do
so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Thanks for listening!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Christmas Book Review Episode 17
Marley the Miserable and Lyle the Crocodile
Show Notes:
Meg and Jo –8/10
Marley’s Ghost – 7/10
Miss Marley – 9/10
Lyle at Christmas 8/10
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram—there are photos for this episode—for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to throw a couple bucks my way to help with the costs of doing the podcast, go to my Ko-Fi page at https://ko-fi.com/christmasbookreview
If you’d like become a Patreon supporter and get a Christmas goodie, you can do
so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Thanks for listening!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Christmas Book Review Episode 16:
Ingalls, Tugboats, and Helping Your Neighbors
Show notes:
The Carpenter’s Gift 9/10
The Christmas Tugboat 10/10
Christmas Stories 8/10
Dasher 7/10
I also mentioned Red and Lulu, also by this author, which I reviewed in episode 7
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram—there are photos for this episode—for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can do
so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Christmas Book Review Episode 15:
Ghosts Wishes Dreams and Yarn
Show notes:
Dream Soul 8/10
There is one other book by Laurence Yep about this same family, the Lees, and it comes chronologically before this book, and is called The Star Fisher.
55 Christmas Balls To Knit 8/10
Mr. Dickens and His Carol 10/10
The Story of Holly and Ivy 8/10
Here's the link to the tv special version of The Story of Holly and Ivy, on YouTube:
The Wish That Changed Christmas tv special
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can do
so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode14: Werewolves Hazardous Dukes and Christmas Letters
Books reviewed in this episode:
Marley 9/10 novel
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe 9/10 short stories
Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners 8/10 novel
How The Dukes Stole Christmas: A Christmas Romance Anthology 8/10
Christmas Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Christmas Clatter
Christmas Past
Sleigh Bells and Mistletoe Christmas
Book Giveaway! Want to win a new hardback copy of the novel Marley? Just leave me a review and then email to let me know and tell me where (a link would be great!), and I’ll enter you into the drawing! I’ll be giving this one away in the next episode, so you have until February 10th-ish 2020!
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can do
so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 13: Witches, Hospitals, and Christmas Rap
Books reviewed in this episode:
Grandpa’s Witched-Up Christmas 8/10
The Drummer Boy 8/10
Geronimo Stilton: Christmas Catastrophe 8/10
Deck the Halls, We’re Off The Walls 8/10
Holly Claus: The Christmas Princess 8/10
Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Christmas Clatter
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Sent from my iPad
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 12: King Moonracer on An Ice Floe
Books reviewed in this episode:
Back To Christmas middle grade fiction 8/10
Holly Blues adult mystery 8/10
The Island of Misfit Toys kids graphic novel 7/10
The Queen and The First Christmas Tree non-fiction picture book 9/10; in the description of this book I mention how Queen Charlotte put more helpers and nurses into hospitals for pregnant women so that more "children would survive childbirth" but I meant to say so that more WOMEN would survive childbirth. Oopsie.
The Night Before Christmas adult novella 7/10
African American Christmas Stories collection of poetry and fiction 7/10; in the description of the story "Three Men and A Woman" I mention Ella being from "Southern Carolina"--yeah, I made up a new state! Actually it's South Carolina. Also, in my description of that story, I quote a passage in which the N word is used for a black person (Jerry) and I just say N so it might be confusing. What I quoted was "and the N___ be burned alive at the stake."
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Thanks to everyone who wrote to me and entered my first book giveaway, I loved hearing from you all, and I’ll have another giveaway soon!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 11: Krampus, Cookies, and Cross Stitch
Books Reviewed in this Episode:
A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa’s Tasty Trip Around the World 8/10
Krampus: the Yule Lord 7/10
The Last Christmas 7.5/10
Krampus:Shadow of Saint Nicholas 9/10
The Magic of Christmas to Cross Stitch: French charm for your stitchwork 9/10
Other Books Mentioned in this Episode:
American Gods
I mentioned the Snow Maiden Snegurochka in A World of Cookies being in a Connie Willis story I reviewed in an earlier episode. Oopsie, I lied! It wasn’t Connie Willis, it was Seanan McGuire and the story was Fresh as the New-Fallen Snow, and it was in the book of short stories Hark the Herald Angels Scream, which I reviewed in episode 2.
Podcast mentioned in this episode:
Weird Christmas
MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! To celebrate reaching double digit episodes, I’m giving away a brand-new copy of the book The Myths That Stole Christmas: Seven Misconceptions That Hijacked the Holiday (and how we can take it back), by David Kyle Johnson. Just send me an email at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com and maybe tell me a book you’ve read that you heard about on this podcast. That’s it! Thanks! The drawing will be open until Halloween—October 31st, 2019.
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Instagram for the show is at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode. 10: LEGOs, Old Dogs, and Expectations
The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book Volume 2 7/10
Old Dog Cora and The Christmas Tree 8/10
The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel 8/10
Yes, Virginia, There is A Santa Claus 6/10
The Road To Ever After 10/10
The Adults 7/10
Podcast mentioned in this episode:
Weird Christmas
MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! To celebrate reaching double digit episodes, I’m giving away a brand-new copy of the book The Myths That Stole Christmas: Seven Misconceptions That Hijacked the Holiday (and how we can take it back), by David Kyle Johnson. Just send me an email at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com and maybe tell me a book you’ve read that you heard about on this podcast. That’s it! Thanks! The drawing will be open until Halloween—October 31st, 2019.
Thanks for listening!
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
There’s now an instagram for the show at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 9: Toy Nostalgia and Christmas Cinema
Show Notes:
Books reviewed in this episode:
Have Yourself A Movie Little Christmas 10/10
Murder, Served Simply 6/10
Under the Tree: The Toys and Treats that Made Christmas Special 1930-1970 8/10
Pick A Pine Tree 9/10
Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
(some of) Alonso Duralde’s film podcasts:
Linoleum Knife
Who Shot Ya?
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
There’s now an instagram for the show at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 8: Gandalf, Apple Trees and Junking in Savannah
Show notes
Santa Sold Shrooms 6/10
ok, whoops. I said the Sami are a "nomadic reindeer tribe." Doh! Nope, they are people, not reindeer. They herd reindeer. And are nomadic. Mouth got ahead of brain.
Murder Under the Mistletoe 6.5/10
The Christmas Cat 9/10
Apple Tree Christmas 10/10
Merry Moosey Christmas 8/10
Christmas Bliss 7/10
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
There’s now an instragram for the show at https://www.instagram.com/ChristmasBookReview/
If you’d like to support the show and get a Christmas goodie, you can now do so at patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Show Notes for
Episode 7 : Redwork, Aliens, and Rockefeller Center
Books Reviewed in this episode:
Just Be Claus: 24 Jolly Holiday Embroideries craft book 9/10
Red and Lulu children’s picture book 9/10
The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree 8/10
Presents Through the Window: A Taro Gomi Christmas Book 9/10
A Boy Called Christmas 9/10
Klaus: The New Adventures of Santa Claus 7/10
Other Books Mentioned:
Old Hat New Hat is now a board book, which we didn’t have when I was a kid (and I had to walk to school in the snow uphill both ways, blah blah middle-aged whingeing)
The Berenstain Bears book I was thinking of but couldn’t remember is Bears on Wheels
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
there's now an Instagram for the show at https://www.instagram.com/christmasbookreview/
I will be setting up a Patreon soon, details in the next episode!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Episode 6: Small Towns Golden Lessons and Shameless Commerce
The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Puzzle 10/10
Susan Wittig Albert's website: http://www.susanalbert.com/
Did I call this a mystery? I think it's just more of a historical fiction novel.
Everything I Need To Know About Christmas I Learned From A Little Golden Book
Oops I forgot to give the numerical rating on this one during the podcast! But you could tell I liked it, right? 9/10
The Business of Holidays
Yeah, I forgot to mention my rating of this one as well! Where is my brain? 8/10
Christmas Price Index https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christmas-price-index.html
Santa Claus School founded by Charles W. Howard http://www.santaclausschool.com/
Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas 8/10
Carrie Mercer can be reached at christmasbookreview@gmail.com
there's now an Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/christmasbookreview/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Books reviewed in this episode:
Black Friday by Alex Kava, novel/thriller 2/10
Yule Be Dead by L.L. Bartlett mystery 7/10
Lark! The Herald Angels Sing by Donna Andrews,Meg Winslow mystery series 9/10 audiobook
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Books reviewed in this episode:
Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak 7/10
Sue Cook’s Christmas Cross Stitch Collection 9/10
Christmas Cake Murder 6/10
Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Book Riot
Christmas Past
Tinsel Tunes
Carrie Mercer can be reached at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Want to read a Christmassy book? What kinds of Christmas books are there? Which ones will I be reviewing?
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Books reviewed in this episode:
Midcentury Christmas: Holiday Fads, Fancies and Fun from 1945 to 1970 by Sarah Archer
It’s a Wonderful Christmas: The Best of the Holidays 1940-1965 by Susan Waggoner
Season’s Gleamings: The Aluminum Christmas Tree by J. Lindemann and J. Shimon
Carrie Mercer can be contacted at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Books reviewed in this episode:
Hark the Herald Angels Scream edited by Christopher Golden
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 days byJeanette Winterson
Klaus by Grant Morrison
Carrie Mercer can be contacted at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
Books reviewed in this episode:
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
Syd Hoff’s Danny and the Dinosaur: A Very Dino Christmas By Bruce Hale
Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas By Kimberly and James Dean
Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree By Robert E. Barry
Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas ByTedd Arnold
Cooking With the Grinch By Tish Rabe
How To Catch Santa By Jean Reagan
Hiddensee: A tale of the once and future nutcracker By Gregory Maquire
Carrie Mercer can be contacted at ChristmasBookReview@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ChristmasBookReview)
