Guest Post & Giveaway- Author Kendare Blake– A list of Good Holiday Stories

As you’ve heard me mention on The Happy Booker a time or 200, Anna Dressed in Blood is one of the most awesome books I have ever read! So imagine how thrilled I was when Anna’s brilliant author, Kendare Blake agreed to write a guest post for my Book Stars feature!! Not only that, but Kendare is also offering one super lucky reader a signed copy of Anna Dressed in Blood!! The details on how to win that will be at the bottom of the page. But first, check out some of the holiday stories that she loves best!

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A List of Good Holiday Stories

Because I Guess I Shouldn’t Be Morbid In December

By Kendare Blake

I was all set to do my post about the best and worst Stephen King adaptations, but every time I tried, it just felt wrong. Because we’ve crossed over the Turkey Day threshold, and are now in the valley of spiced cider, sugar cookies, and evergreens. Talking about how CUJO didn’t do enough to humanize the rabid, demon-tinged man-killing St. Bernard didn’t feel…appropriate. So I’ll do it later.

In the meantime, here are a few holiday stories to enjoy (if you haven’t already). These are in no particular order. Except for number one. It’s totally number one.


The Christmas Toy




Yeah, it was a movie. But I read the book. So it counts.
This was about toys who come to life when you’re not in the room. The folks at Pixar were obviously big fans. Anyway, one of the toys, Rugby the tiger, was given as a Christmas present the year before. So he thinks he’s the Christmas Toy. He thinks he’s supposed to go under the tree and get unwrapped every year. And he’s pretty egotistical about it. He won’t listen to any of the other toys when they tell him he’s being an idiot, and his stubbornness results in the death of his best friend, Mew, the cat’s toy mouse. It’s quite heartbreaking.


The Velveteen Rabbit

We all know this one. Boy loves stuffed rabbit. Rabbit loves stuffed boy. Boy gets scarlet fever, or some other deadly dangerous old timey disease, and though the rabbit plays a part in nursing him back to health through constant support and affection, he winds up being declared an infectious, disgusting thing and winds up in the trash pile to probably be burned. As luck would have it, however, a fairy turns him into a real rabbit. So, real rabbit loves boy. Boy lives. The end. Unless Boy’s family is a hunting type of old timey family, in which case this story got a whole new dimension.



Stew, anyone?


Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even when I use nonsensical words like, “sash.” He threw up the sash. That always used to get me as a kid. What’s a sash? Why doesn’t anyone refer to a window that way any other time of year?


The Polar Express (the Number One)




Oh, it’s soooo good.
Ah, yes, the heartwarming story about the magical train that goes to the north pole every Christmas eve. This book is pure magic. Beautiful illustrations and a lyrical story. Chris Van Allsburg knows the way of the picture book. On one magical night, you laugh, you stand in awe, and you learn that magic fades as you get older until even if you’ve seen it for yourself you become so cynical that you can’t be made to hear the bells and believe. What? Was that not the point? I’m kidding obviously. Or mostly. I love this book.


Thanks to The Happy Booker for having me by this holiday season!

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You’re so very welcome!! Thanks for stopping by Kendare and for the amazing giveaway too! As I said, one lucky winner will get a signed copy of Anna Dressed in Blood! Can’t wait for the giveaway and want a copy of Anna now? I don’t blame you!! You can purchase Anna at Amazon here, Barnes and Noble here and The Book Depository here.




Giveaway
US Only
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment on this post about your favorite holiday reads, or just a comment or question for Kendare Blake.
Extra entries for commenting on any other Book Stars of 2011 post and tweeting the giveaway! Giveaway ends at Midnight on January 1, 2012. Winner will be announced on January 2.

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