Feature and Follow #10 (Christmas book haul)

What is Feature and Follow?

F&F is a weekly blog hop that consists of book bloggers. It is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. The rules of involvement are simple:
1.) Link up on the blog hop Linky gadget below this post, 2.) follow the hosts via their network of choice, 3.) follow the weekly featured blog via their network of choice (this week is Magic of Words), and lastly, 4) check out the rest of the blogs on the hop! If you become a new follower of a blog, let them know and they will follow you back.

The F&F is a great way to network, meet other book bloggers, and gain new followers. Even more so, it's a great way to drive discussion on a certain weekly topic.

This week, the topic is:

Describe your Christmas book haul! Which books did you receive? If you do not celebrate Christmas, which books did you receive/buy/read this week?

Our responses:
There are two bloggers for The Book Cove featured. Be sure to check out both of their follow sites.

 Co-Blogger L.A. Kelley:

Around my house, the Feast of Christmas Day is always followed by the Ruing of Christmas Night when I beg absolution for overindulgence in holiday goodies. Collapsed on the sofa, barely able to rouse from my turkey coma, I mumble vows impossible to keep. “I will not horde Aunt Janie’s peanut butter pie ever again. Circling it protectively with one arm, wielding a raised fork like a dagger with the other, snarling at anyone who dares approach—it was a bit much, but damn that pie is smack yo’ mama good.” Comfort only comes from curling up with a book on the sofa. At least until I’m overpowered by the desire to nibble at the leftovers. Lately my reading choices have been ebooks, so no pile of paperbacks under the tree. Here are some I’ve downloaded for the holiday season.

If I’m lucky a log will be crackling in the fireplace, but as this is north Florida, Christmas is as likely to be accompanied by balmy breezes, often carrying the scent of fried turkey. This southern favorite is always cooked by two guys named something like Bubba and Cooter. Swallow back anxious feeling when you realize neither has eyebrows. When one shouts, “Hey, y’all, watch this!”, step briskly away. While waiting for the fire department and the EMT’s to respond, page through A Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays. I’m a big fan of Ree Drummond’s recipes. They’re simple, delicious, and won’t blow up in your face.

Although a fantasy writer, I often read other genres. My mother was afraid of heights, but loved stories about mountain climbing. Maybe it’s genetic—like Mom I’m drawn to something I can’t do. My favorite is nonfiction, either historic or scientific. Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies is a little known bit of fact about one of the most unusual military units ever assembled. While a true story, it would have made a darn good fantasy.  Well written spy stories invariably do. Another one is George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring that Saved the American Revolution. So secret were their identities one agent is even unknown today. Last, I always need something to make me think and shake the cobwebs off my brain cells. By the end of the year the synapses fire only intermittently. Malcolm Gladwell works wonders. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants is his latest, challenging entrenched beliefs about obstacles and disadvantages.

Happy reading and keep your mitts off my pie.

L. A. Kelley is the author of The Naughty List. She’s married with three kids and lives in Florida where the heat and humidity drives everyone slightly mad. She never cleans under her sofa. You can find her at http://lakelleythenaughtylist.blogspot.com







Co-Blogger Jessi:

Well, due to bad Michigan weather leaving a majority of the mid-state without power for 6 days, our family Christmas had to be postponed until tomorrow (Saturday). So I will start this post with books that I have purchased/read this week and hopefully have a chance to update it with some after Saturday (it's usually a given that some family member goes through my book wish list).

Ever since I heard that Karey White was set to release My Own Mr. Darcy  back in the summer, I was super excited to be able to get the book! For whatever reason, I put off the purchase until this past week. As most know, I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and what could be better than a contemporary take on a classic? I am almost finished with it and I must say - it certainly didn't disappoint! It's smart and comical - with traces of Austenesque style but in a very much contemporary fashion. It is not a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but a book that is written using the concept of Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy and how one 20-something girl took that concept of finding the "perfect Mr. Darcy" far too literal. 

And that's my haul for the week! I hope everyone has had a wonderful time in their Holiday celebrations, and here's to great reads to come in 2014!