A Boy Called Christmas (Christmas #1)

How did I get it?:
I bought it!

Previously reviewed by the same author:

• To Be A Cat
• Echo Boy
• Reasons To Be Alive
• How To Stop Time
• Notes On A Nervous Planet

Synopsis:

You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas.
It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible.
If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you.
Because this book is FULL of impossible things.

Are you still reading?

Good.

Then let us begin . . .

A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic.

Thoughts:

I promised myself that I’d binge read Matt Haig’s Christmas trilogy and that is exactly what I have done. Throughout this week, my reviews will be published on this wonderfully charming middle grade series.

A Boy Called Christmas is all about how Father Christmas became Father Christmas. It explores how a human ends up living with elves and how presents began to be delivered to every child across the world on Christmas Eve. It follows Nikolas as he travels through Finland to find his father who has gone on a quest to find a real Elf for the King. The story starts with Nikolas and his father who live in a small cottage. They don’t have much money and life can be a struggle at times. However, overall Nikolas is happy. When his father goes on the quest to find the Elf (and give them some much needed money) he is left alone with his terrible Aunt. Nikolas ends up leaving home to find his father. He isn’t aware that this trip is going to change his life forever.

Nikolas is such a fantastic character. I loved that his life wasn’t easy. Sometimes children’s books don’t focus or dwell on sad moments which is totally understandable. However, I think Nikolas and his struggles made him utterly relatable. He was a character that you instantly rooted for.

I knew that I’d love Matt Haig’s writing because I’ve read quite a few of his books. I didn’t expect it to be as charming as it was though. I loved how magical the story was. I don’t read a lot of Christmas books, but this one really did steal my heart. It had such a sweet message about being good to everyone and passing that goodness on. Certainly not a bad message for any time of year!

This book didn’t take me long to read at all. It’s so easy to read. The reader experiences many emotions as they discover how Nikolas became Father Christmas.

Look out for my review on Thursday of the second book in the series The Girl Who Saved Christmas. 

Would I recommend it?:
Of course!

A very charming Christmas read! The series gets better as it goes on, so look out for my review later in the week!

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This Week In Books #135

I am joining in with the lovely Lipsy from Lipsy’s Lost and Found’s feature which highlights our week in books. I shall be sharing what I’m reading now, then and next! I won’t be showcasing my new books as I do that on a Saturday. I’m really excited by this feature as I loved sharing my recent reads. My book reviews published on my blog are often WAY behind what I’m actually reading, so this is a good feature to keep you up to date!

Book images go to Goodreads!

NOW-

I’m about halfway through this very charming children’s book! 🙂 I’m really enjoying it so far.

THEN-

I really enjoyed this book, it’s weird to say enjoyed as it’s a very intense book…but you know what I mean! Beth and I will be reviewing this book as part of our Talking About feature… coming soon!

NEXT-

I will continue my binge reading of Matt Haig’s Christmas series. Looking forward to this one!

What are you reading this week? Let me know!

Looking Ahead- This Month’s TBR- (December 2018)

Welcome to my Looking Ahead post for December. In November, I managed to read all of the books on my TBR post.

Here are this month’s books! Thanks to Tina over at Reading Between The Pages for hosting! As ever, click on the book image, if you want to add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Flashcards Of My Life- Charise Merigle Harper

Goodreads Synopsis

When Emily receives a pack of note cards labeled “Flashcards of My Life” as an unexpected birthday present, she uses them as inspiration to journal and to untangle her knotted life. Includes illustrations by the author.

This is the Banned Book that I’m reading for this month’s feature with Bibliobeth. I’m already wondering how on earth this book could be challenged.

Time Travelling With A Hamster- Ross Welford

Goodreads Synopsis

“My dad died twice. Once when he was thirty nine and again four years later when he was twelve.

The first time had nothing to do with me. The second time definitely did, but I would never even have been there if it hadn’t been for his ‘time machine’…”

When Al Chaudhury discovers his late dad’s time machine, he finds that going back to the 1980s requires daring and imagination. It also requires lies, theft, burglary, and setting his school on fire. All without losing his pet hamster, Alan Shearer…

This book is the choice for this month’s kid-lit feature that I do with Beth. I’m SO intrigued by it!

Christmas series- Matt Haig

  

1.

You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas.
It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible.
If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you.
Because this book is FULL of impossible things.

Are you still reading?

Good.

Then let us begin . . .

A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic.

2.

If magic has a beginning, can it also have an end?

When Amelia wants a wish to come true she knows just the man to ask – Father Christmas.

But the magic she wants to believe in is starting to fade, and Father Christmas has more than impossible wishes to worry about. Upset elves, reindeers dropping out of the sky, angry trolls and the chance that Christmas might be cancelled.

But Amelia isn’t just any ordinary girl. And – as Father Christmas is going to find out – if Christmas is going to be saved, he might not be able to do it alone . . . 

3.

It isn’t always easy, growing up as a human in Elfhelm, even if your adoptive parents are the newly married Father Christmas and Mary Christmas.

For one thing, Elf School can be annoying when you have to sing Christmas songs everyday – even in July – and when you fail all your toy-making tests. Also it can get very, very cold.

But when the jealous Easter Bunny and his rabbit army launch an attack to stop Christmas, it’s up to Amelia, her new family and the elves to keep Christmas alive. Before it’s too late . . .

I am so excited about these middle grade Christmas reads. I decided this year I’m going to binge read them as I want to read more of Matt Haig’s books. They could also be potential reads for my class next year when I won’t have a Jehovah’s Witness in my class.

What are you reading this month? Let me know!

Top Ten Authors That I’d Love To Meet

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It’s all about love of lists, love of literature and bringing bookish people together. 

This week it’s all about authors that we’d love to meet! I’ve pretty much went for my auto-buy, favourite authors!

If you click on the image, it’ll give you the author’s name! 🙂

Giovanna Fletcher

Cecelia Ahern

David Walliams

Matt Haig

Jojo Moyes

Paula Daly

J.K. Rowling

Dorothy Koomson

Heather Demetrios

Emma Carroll

Dorothy Koomson- Dorothy’s books are fabulous. I’ve really enjoyed every single thing she’s published so far. She’s a wonderful writer of women’s fiction. I feel like she’s very social with her fans and I like that.

Jojo Moyes- Me Before You is one of my favourite books, but she’s written some other amazing stories too. I’d love to see what she’s like as she comes across so well on Twitter.

Matt Haig- Love Matt Haig’s writing. I think it would be fascinating to chat to him.

David Walliams- I think he’d be hilarious!

Cecelia Ahern- I love her stories and think she’d be a sweet lady!

Emma Carroll- I have almost met Emma before, but I got too shy!

Heather Demetrios- I would love to speak to Heather to find out her inspiration behind her books.

Paula Daly- I have a feeling Paula would be fascinating to speak to!

J.K. Rowling- I’m sure she’ll be on many people’s lists this week, but I certainly would love to meet her.

Giovanna Fletcher- Giovanna comes across as so bubbly and kind. I’d love to chat to her!

Notes On A Nervous Planet

How did I get it?:
I bought it!

Previously reviewed by the same author:

• To Be A Cat
• Echo Boy
• Reasons To Be Alive
• How To Stop Time

Synopsis:

The world is messing with our minds.

Rates of stress and anxiety are rising. A fast, nervous planet is creating fast and nervous lives. We are more connected, yet feel more alone. And we are encouraged to worry about everything from world politics to our body mass index.

– How can we stay sane on a planet that makes us mad? 
– How do we stay human in a technological world?
– How do we feel happy when we are encouraged to be anxious?

After experiencing years of anxiety and panic attacks, these questions became urgent matters of life and death for Matt Haig. And he began to look for the link between what he felt and the world around him.

Notes on a Nervous Planet is a personal and vital look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21st century.

Thoughts:

I absolutely adored Reasons To Stay Alive. I thought it was such a raw, honest look at depression and anxiety from someone who truly knows how it feels. I thoroughly enjoyed Notes On A Nervous Planet which looks at how technology and the media is affecting our minds.

Notes On A Nervous Planet is an important book because it really explores how technology now can affect our mental health. Goodness knows social media isn’t all that it’s made out to be. We only see segments of people’s lives that they choose to share. Yet we still let ourselves be affected by what we see online. Matt Haig speaks openly and honestly about the dangers of technology and social media and how it has impacted his life.

I love how in both of his books he writes short, witty chapters. Within the pages there’s so much insight though. Matt Haig is a writer that really makes me think. I love the advice he gives as well on how to be happier today. He had some great tips that definitely made me stop, think and discuss with friends. Not many authors can do that.

Reading a Matt Haig non-fiction book makes me feel like I’m talking to a wise friend. I adore Matt’s writing style and his honesty. He honestly made me feel like this messy world could and should be a happier place.

Would I recommend it?:
Of course!

Whilst I preferred Reasons To Stay Alive, I still thought this book was incredible. Matt Haig writes such insightful things that really resonate with me.

Ten Books By My One Of My Favourite Authors That I Haven’t Read Yet!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It’s all about love of lists, love of literature and bringing bookish people together. 

This week’s Top Ten list is all about those books by our favourite authors that we’re yet to get around to! I’ve realised that I haven’t read a lot of Matt Haig’s earlier releases so I decided to focus on them! 🙂

As ever, book images go to Goodreads!

I can’t believe I haven’t read this one yet! What am I like?!

Another one that’s so popular but I haven’t got to yet!

I’m going to have a Matt Haig Christmas Fest with these books.

 

All of these books sound great and like they could potentially be hidden gems for me!

Let me know about your list this week! Feel free to leave me a link and I’ll stop by!

5 Potential 5 Star Reads On My TBR #3

This is the third post of this kind here on Chrissi Reads. The original post was inspired by my sister, Beth over at Bibliobeth. She was inspired by one of her favourite book-tubers Mercedes from Mercy’s Bookish Musings .

Mercedes posted a video trying to predict which five books would get the five star treatment in her TBR. She then wrapped up with a video to see if her predictions were correct. Like Beth, I’m not going to subject you to a video. No-one wants to see me on a video!

Last time I got 3 5 stars out of my predictions! Check out my wrap up post HERE.

Here are the books that I think have potential to get 5 stars from me…

Click on the book image to learn more about the book on Goodreads!

Notes On A Nervous Planet- Matt Haig

I have high hopes for this book. I absolutely loved Reasons To Stay Alive. Can’t wait to read this one.

The Surface Breaks- Louise O’Neill

Surely a book this pretty has to be just as good inside? Here’s hoping!

Open Your Eyes- Paula Daly

Love Paula Daly. The Trophy Child featured on this challenge before, but it didn’t quite make 5 stars. I’ve heard great things about this one though!

The Breakdown- B.A Paris

I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book! Looking forward to reading it.

The Dangerous Art Of Blending In- Angelo Surmelis

Might be a quite bold claim to think that this might get 5 stars from me considering that it is the author’s debut…but I have high hopes!

Have you read any of these books? Did you rate them 5 stars? Let me know!