A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

I love Liz Curtis Higgs and couldn't wait to get my hands on this Christmas novel. Let's just say that a Victorian setting and tea with milk and sugar bring me back to having afternoon lunch with my grandparents, a wonderful memory indeed. Add to that a Scottish setting in the 1800's and I am settled down to a wonderful read in front of my fireplace. Others have summarized the story. I just want to add that this story of forgiveness is a wonderful reminder during the Christmas time or any season. I received this book free from Waterbrook Multinomah for an advance reading as part of their blogging for books program . I was not required to write a positive review and therefore, the book review is 100% my own opinion.

Rudy: My Story

Rudy became the inspiration for millions when a Hollywood film depicting his journey as a Notre Dame football player became one of the most influential sports movies ever made. In Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger's only autobiography we see the entire story through Rudy's own eyes, and learn about his childhood, his family, and the events surrounding the making of this famous movie. I was very intrigued from the beginning of the book till about the middle of the book. Rudy's childhood and how he was raised was interesting and definitely gave a background to his dream of going to Notre Dame and playing football for them. But I have to say that at about the middle of the book or maybe after he achieved his dream of playing football for Notre Dame, I was reading alot of "I did this" and "I did that" and how he wouldn't take "no" for an answer. I was starting to get the impression that he was going to get this movie made if it was the last thing he ever did. The fact that he told everyone about his dream and about his life kind of turned me off. And forgive me if Rudy didn't mean to give that impression but that is kind of what I gathered. It almost turned into an egotistical book instead of the movie that was made. All of that aside, I do not want to take away from the movie or the good that Rudy has done for others. I am definitely glad that viewers are inspired by the movie. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers for an advance reading as part of their Booksneeze bloggers program . I was not required to write a positive review and therefore, the book review is 100% my own opinion.