Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Title: Alice I Have Been
Series: none
Author(s): Melanie Benjamin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Release Date: January 12, 2010
Finished: December 2009
Pages: 368
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: Once I saw that this book was about the real woman who inspired the character Alice from Alice In Wonderland, I had to read it. There were many things I did not know. For example, Lewis Carroll is a pen name for Charles Dodgson, who took pictures of children that even in his time was considered scandalous.

I know this book is going to be one of my top ten for 2010. I know, I know the year just started, but this book is good. It just captured Alice's world, heartaches, love and relationship with her family so well that I didn't want to put it down.

About the Author: This is Melanie Benjamin's first book, and she is busy writing another historical fiction. For more recent news, check out her website, http://melaniebenjamin.com/

The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne

Title: The Paper Bag Christmas
Series: None
Author(s): Kevin Alan Milne
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Publisher: Center Street
Release Date: October 29, 2008
Finished: December 2009
Pages: 160
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: Brothers Mo and Aaron go to the mall to meet Santa, who turns out to be more than they expected: a Doctor at the local hospital. He asks Mo and Aaron to help out there. Reluctantly they except. At the hospital they meet many other children who are sick, including one boy from India and a very angry girl who wears a paper bag on her head.

It's a short book; sadly, too short. I didn't want it to end, especially once I saw where the ending was going. A book to get you in the mood to be more giving with yourself.

About the Author: Along with being a world traveler, Kevin Alan Milne has authored two other books. Check out his website, http://kevinamilne.com