A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Yesterday (Nov 27) I was amazed that I hadn't read Miracle many times. But today I have no trouble believing it. "Miracle" I remembered only a few aspects of, forgetting most of the plot. "All About Emily" and "Inn" same. "All Seated on the Ground" I had confused with something else entirely. The only thing that my memory seems really valid on is how great these are: Willis is great at screwball comedy, at poignant drama, at empathy, really.
I figure it can go immediately on the Beloved shelf since I've read much of it already. But the newer material is really good, too!
***
Even though I have only managed to finish the introduction in a week of picking this up, and then having to do, or look up, something or speak to someone because the holidays are like that, I have managed to read several of the stories she lists in the beginning. Just now I finished Saywr's "The Necklace of Pearls," which doesn't have its own entry in GR, and thus, doesn't get its own review blurb.
**
20 January 2926
Library copy
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Review: A Lot Like Christmas
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
Saturday, January 03, 2026
Thursday, January 01, 2026
Review: Mend & Make Fabulous
Mend & Make Fabulous by Denise Wild
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
31 December 2025
The kids these days are perforce a thrifty lot, and they are also creative and eager to take up new manual skills. I am no adept at sewing, and have never been much interested in learning more. My clothes must be functional and comfortable, but I've never cared if my soft t-shirts have holes.
So, while I admire the creativity and skill demonstrated in the Fabulous bits, I shan't be attempting any such upgrades.
But for anyone who has beloved clothes they want to keep using, I can't recommend the Mending sections enough. Having read this book I now at least know what damage I'm looking at and how it needs to be repaired. A great reference to have handy.
Library copy
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Review: Swordheart
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So good!. Maybe you can judge a book by its cover, because Kingfisher's books are so beautifully designed. Kingfisher is just so good at creating unconventional heroines who are relatable and realistic. Also, genius at making fantasy worlds feel richly layered. And again, at mashing up screwball comedy with adventure and romance, and making it all work.
Perfect, all of it
Library copy
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