Derek Brundle loves Christmas. All of a sudden Munkle, a member of S.E.S (Special Elf Service) appears at his bedroom window knocking to be let in. Derek lets her in, and she tells him she needs his help. Derek is baffled. How can he help her? He's only seven years old. Turns out he is needed for a special mission as Santa is missing. Why was Derek chosen for the mission? Will they be able to find Santa?

I enjoyed this story. I laughed as Derek and the elves go searching for Santa. Seems like there are things Derek does not know about his life and finds out from the elves. Also, he learns things about Santa that debunks what we have grown up knowing. Naturally, there is a villain--a truly hiss-worthy villain but I know Derek has the tools (and the brains) to defeat the villain and his minions.

This is a great story for the Christmas season. It is fresh and imaginative. Your elementary school kids will enjoy it and so will you. It will probably become a family tradition to read each year.

Someone once told me that if I enjoyed the "John Dies At The End" series, then I would love Welcome To Night Vale. They were so right!

This books was great. Night Vale is such a mess, but in the best way. You just want to see what's going to happen next. And everything that happens is more insane and convoluted than the last thing.

This was all about the Smiling God, the other world that Carlos was once trapped in for 10 years, and oddly, Carlos losing his shit.

I loved everything about this. I listened to the audiobook as I read, and of course Cecil did an amazing job narrating.

Colbie and her friends are at Lake Tahoe for a skiing vacation. She's not as accomplished a skier as they are, so she sends them off to enjoy themselves on the harder slopes. As she starts toward the easy slope, she avoids a little girl and falls in the snow. She is unable to get up without the help of the most handsome man she has ever seen. Turns out he was a ski instructor and teaches her how to ski. When he wants to spend more time with her, she leaves. Both think of each other and manage to find each other back home in Seattle. Do they take the chance to learn more of each other? Does Colbie run away again?

I liked this story. I felt happy reading about Colbie and Noah. They are sweet together. She has been hurt in the past but Noah senses how fast he can go with her. His intuition helps Colbie feel safe. I hope they have more than one perfect night. This was way too short.

Abigail believes Jordan wants to use her to get into her friend's orbit. Jordan tells her he is interested in her. She takes him home where he leaves her hanging. Eight weeks later she runs into him again and gives him an ear beating for leaving as he did. He tries to apologize but she's not having it. She's also not feeling good. In fact, she passes out on him. Taking her to the hospital, they discover she is pregnant. Now what?

I loved this story. I could not put it down. It was funny. Abigail was so funny and uncensored. Jordan never knew what hit him. Both have scars from childhood and past relationship. They get everything "bass-ackward." I had so much fun watching them mess up then have to fix things. There are other story arcs. Jordan's nephew's story brought tears to my eyes but Abigail is good for him also. I look forward to more of this series.

Wowzers!  This was so similar and different to the podcast.  I had head of Night Vale for quite some time and when I saw the book on sale a while ago, I decided I should find out what it was all about.  But it sat on my shelf for and embarrassingly long time.  I finally checked out the podcast this year and was instantly hooked on the world, the craziness of it all and "The Voice of Night Vale" Cecil.  When I decided to finally read this, I thought it would be awesome to listen to tha audio while reading along--cuz Cecil.  I swear I would listen to him read stereo instructions.

Anyway, this was a very indepth story about Diane and her form-shifting son, Josh and the unaging Jackie.  This had all of the weirdness and shenanigans of Night Vale.  Time is a mess and there are multiple Troys spread across mutliple towns bringing the mess of Night Vale to other times and wreaking all kids of havoc.  This is full of adventure and mystery.  It was an excellent read/listen.