Silent Night

Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub
2002
Weight: 6.4 oz
Method of Disposal: Lending Library

This was an interesting and unbelievable story from World War I that I've heard about a handful of times, but I never really understood.  This book definitely cleared up any questions I had, but I did feel like there came a point where I wondered when the book would end and how it was possible the author had so much to say about one single day.  It might have been a better magazine article--at least for me as a reader--though I appreciated all the research and hard work the author put into it.  I loved the pictures, cartoons, and first-hand accounts.

Sushi

Sushi by Ryuichi Yoshii
1999
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Donating

This has lived in the land of misguided Christmas presents for years.  My partner likely doesn't want to hurt my feelings, and yet the book has never been used.  Today, she admitted if she made sushi she would likely never want to eat it again.  We cannot have that so it is off to Goodwill!

Old Mother Hubbard

Old Mother Hubbard illustrated by Anne Sellers Leaf
MCMLVIII (1958)
Weight: 6 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

This time of the year often makes me think of a day I spent with my Great Grandmother, Juanita. We made her famous Santa Claus sugar cookies.  We used shredded coconut and home-made icing to make his beard.  We made black, white, and red icing.  The cookies themselves were crispy and delicious.  I am surprised that no one seems to make them now that she has passed away.  They were so popular when she was alive.

I remember her reading this book to me.  I loved it, and I guess there is no surprise there--a woman serving a dog.  It ultimately would become my life.  I remember my mom picking me up and being excited to show off our cookies to her.  It is a vague and faint memory all this years later--around 26-28 years ago--but it is a good one.  This book will always make me think of her, but I will not forget her even if I pass it on, of course.  She was a fiery and opinionated lady who seemed to love me and my brother very much.  We loved her too.

I would really like to make those cookies again some day...

Christmas in Plains: Memories

Christmas in Plains: Memories
2004
Weight: 5 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

I am surprised so many people love this book!  It is simple and uninspired.  The effort to write about race could have been good, but it was so basic and unemotional that it bordered on being offensive.  The picture that gets painted if of a nice, white, upper class guy who loves his wife, kids, and Jesus.  He also loves his old home, Plains, and is nostalgic about the days of cutting down his own Christmas trees, playing with the black children he grew up with (partly kids of the parents that worked for his family), and good ol' traditional American Christian fun in a small town.  He talks a little bit about being the President and that it was painful when he was not reelected.  His joke about the world praying for him to have relief from his hemorrhoids fell flat, but I am glad he got relief.  Strange bits like that really popped out of the idyllic world he was presenting, but there was nothing truly moving, sad, dark, or honest that came out.  All joy, all the time.  Even when surrounded by racist/sexist institutions he recognizes as such.  At least he seems to know how lucky he was. 

I like the Carters just fine, and I appreciate a lot of the good they have done in the world.  I am just not a fan of this book.