Sounds fun! Festive!

This was a fun book to read although it did drag a little. That's not why it took me a month to read it. The reason is that I don't read as much as I used to, something I'm hoping to change in the new year.

Anyway, I was totally enchanted with the idea of The Autobiography of Santa Claus "as told to" Jeff Guinn. Santa's always been a magical figure in my life and I think I even sort of half-way believe in him.

One of the things I liked about this book was that Santa--who started out life as Nicholas of Lycia in the Middle East in an area later claimed by Turkey--gives credit for the idea of helping and gift giving to Jesus and his birth. That eases the sting of commercialism a little, doesn't it? Nicholas's early attempts at giving presents is totally hilarious. I figured I was going to be in love with the book.

Now I get to what I did not like about the book: too much history and meeting famous people. I would have loved the story if it stayed focused on Nicholas, Layla (who became his wife) and loyal friend/partner in crime Felix. I feel like I didn't get to know them well enough. Nicholas meets and inducts into his merry band of gift givers Attila the Hun (!!!???), King Arthur, Leonardo da Vinci...get it? There's just too much history and too many characters for one book. After awhile I began to wonder what famous person is not an elf?

Still, it was fun. Try it!

Now...trying to decide if this should be a RABCK, Book ring, ray or what...

"Santa" should be feeling right at home here in Iowa today. Eight inches of new snow on the ground and temperature this morning was -22*F. The good news is, it's way too cold to be outside so I guess I'll have to stay inside and read! Thanks much for the book! I'll be sure to Ray-It-Forward when I've finished.

Definitely lots of fun! I really like that all the connections were explained and the dots connected between Santa (commercialism) and the birth of Jesus (Christianity). Makes me feel a bit better about the whole purchase-lots-of-gifts-thing, honestly. I also enjoyed how all of Santa's different names in different countries were explained.

Posting this as AVL as a Ray It Forward.

Reserved for Jare as a Ray It Forward

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to Jare as a Ray It Forward. Enjoy!

This came in the mail today, thanks for the Ray It Forward, looks quite fun!

I really enjoyed this book. What a fun and interesting concept. A clever blend of factual and mythical histories. Although, I do agree, it did drag a bit in parts, and even got a bit predictable in others. Overall, it was well worth the read, and just what I needed to boost me into the Holiday Spirit. Thanks for sharing, will mail to peachy93722 to continue the ray-it-forward!

UPDATE: 02-22-08 I'm terribly sorry for the horrid delay in getting this out. It was shipped today, peachy93722 should have it soon!

received in the mail today