Not that I dislike either, but I’m still not over that Grinch remake and I haven’t been enamored with any films coming from Mickeyland since Aladdin.

However, during one of my insomnia spells, I took a chance on Disney’s A Christmas Carol. I felt that between Colin Firth and Gary Oldman, I could get through it well enough.

I was wrong. And how.

I broke out my hard copy of the book just to be sure, and yes, there is was, all those wonderful lines spoken nearly word for word.

And to you Mr. Carrey, I owe an apology. Too many times I felt your performances over the top, at least for me – but here, your respect for Dickens classic work was evident and a joy to watch.

All the performances were stellar and remained as true to the original work as was possible.

The story is timeless and so will be this movie. Of all the versions, this is my choice to put in my library (next to the original version of the Grinch). Not that I dislike George C. Scott, or the Muppets, or Patrick Stewart – but something about this one got to me more.

To each his own I guess.

Regardless of the movie versions, the book itself remains a must read for the holidays. If you don’t already have a copy sitting next to the How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story (there is a book you know), and The Polar Express, please do yourself a favor and get one.

Of all of Dickens work, this brief, but powerful novella (which has never been out of print) will make you a permanent admirer of his gift for storytelling and social commentary.

Books mentioned in this post:

I didn’t put it back down until I finished it.  It’s well written, the story engaging, the characters ones you immediately care for. Basically, its core components were everything a good book should have, and then some.

Yet the subject matter at times was disturbing and the ending hopeful, but not happy or perfect. I loved it.

Room by Emma Donoghue
ISBN: 9780316098335
Little, Brown and Company
Fiction, 321 pages

FTC Disclosure: I own it baby!!

It seems I’m not the only fan:

• New York Times Best Books of the Year
• New York Times Notable Book of the Year
• Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize
• Alex Award
• ALA Notable Book
• Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Many will see similarities to the Duggard case, and honestly, that’s why I decided to read a bit of it. However this story was inspired by the Fritzl case.

The narrator is five year old Jack and for the most part, I felt his voice reliable. However, there were a few times I questioned that. I overlooked it because it was the only way the telling worked. At times his unique view of the world stunned me.

In the world I notice persons are nearly always stressed and have no time. Grandma often says that, but she and Steppa don’t have jobs, so I don’t know how persons with jobs do the jobs and all the living as well. In Room me and Ma had time for everything. I guess the time gets spread very thin like butter over all the world, the roads and houses and playgrounds and stores, so there’s only a little smear of time on each place, then everyone has to hurry on to the next bit.

How do you re-introduce a person to the world? How do you do it with a child who has known nothing else? Jack is an alien in the world, but not in his own skin, which helps him adjust a lot better than his mother.

I can see why this would be a good choice for book clubs. The last part of the book begs to be debated and discussed. I’m not sure I liked how Jack’s mother came off. I can understand it, but it struck me wrong.

But that’s the great thing about books like this, these feelings you are left with to mull over and try to make sense of.  This is easily a book that begs – demands – too be reread. I don’t think I can give it a higher recommendation than that.

The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses by Ty Drago
ISBN: 9781402247859
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.
Juvenile Fiction/Horror,  Ages 9 & up

FTC Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher

This is not your typical zombie story. In fact, they aren’t zombies at all. They are re-animated corpses, taken over by. . . well, you’ll have to find out for yourself. I insist.

Just when you think you’ve seen every angle to a theme or plot, you learn you haven’t. The author succeeds in finding a unique one.

Thanks to the contribution of the author’s son (made note of in a very touching dedication by his father), the voice of Will Ritter and the rest of the Undertakers remain true to their age and experience. It never felt too juvenile, nor too mature.

I can’t imagine adults facing what these kids do, yet it is made believable and very much a page turner.

Perhaps for the first time, I think I truly understood the evil that had come into my life. Until then the Corpses – while terrifying – had been almost like childhood monsters, like the imagined “things” that once lived under my bed. Only children could see them. Run or they might grab you!
Well, Tara had been grabbed.
And my childhood was over.

Perhaps more detail could be provided in some instances, but it would take away from the story’s momentum and the character building. Plus this is youth fiction and it’s the kind of storytelling that helps keep kids reading – and wanting more.

I was surprised to learn this is Ty Drago’s first foray into youth fiction. And a heck of a trip it is. Not only that, it’s the first in a projected series. Seeing as I read this in nearly one sitting, it’s a no-brainer that I will be waiting eagerly for the next release.

Its uniqueness will not only attract the kids, but their parents too. It sure worked for me.

This book gets a high rating and a strong recommendation. It is a horror story, but none of the violence is gratuitous or too gory. Characters do die, and they do kill. Bear this in mind when considering this for your child. Also, I feel The Undertakers is appropriate for any gender even though the protagonist is male. Both boys and girls should love this book.