Take a Look in the Five and Ten
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I don't similar Christmas and I don't read Christmas stories, but I plant this novella to be completely mannerly. Maybe my reaction was due in role to nostalgia. By the end of the book I sure was missing Woolworth'south and snow and Christmas lights. I think the book may accept damaged my brain. This is a lovely trivial story.
I received a free re-create of this book from the publisher.
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He was named Lassiter this yr and was fifty-fifty taller and blonder than usual. (c)
I'm feeling so blessed correct now!
Gosh, I like Grandma Elving. Now, that's some festive-spirited woman! Woolworth's rules!
Love this short story. Incredible pick!
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An admittedly delightful commencement to the Christmas season. I could hardly wait for Christmas. (c)
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"She'due south non actually my grandmother," I said, yanking on the other boot. "She'south my stepfather's grandmother-in-constabulary from his fourth marriage." (c)
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"This is e
He was named Lassiter this year and was even taller and blonder than usual. (c)
I'm feeling so blessed right now!
Gosh, I like Grandma Elving. At present, that's some festive-spirited woman! Woolworth's rules!
Beloved this short story. Incredible pick!
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An absolutely delightful outset to the Christmas flavor. I could hardly wait for Christmas. (c)
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"She's not actually my grandmother," I said, yanking on the other boot. "She'southward my stepfather's grandmother-in-law from his fourth marriage." (c)
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"This is exactly what I hoped for. The clarity, the heightened emotional state, the irrelevant details…"
"If it'southward irrelevant details you want, Grandma Elving's your girl, all right," (c)
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"Could she have institute out some terrible family unit secret?" ...
"Yous mean like the noesis that she was going to be stuck going to horrible holiday dinners for the rest of her life?" (c)
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Just successive sessions failed to turn annihilation upward (except more than irrelevant details—the wise men had been named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, the lunch counter had sold hot dogs and hamburgers also as ice cream sodas) and Lassiter grew more and more frustrated. (c)
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"But the research has shown happiness not only isn't stiff enough to produce a flashbulb moment, it doesn't activate the amygdala or the hippocampus, it activates the limbic cortex."
"I know, but I'm not talking near happiness. I'm talking near joy, which is a totally different emotion. People think of them as the aforementioned matter considering they're both positive emotions, just I don't recall they are. Happiness is a warm, pleasant, all-over kind of feeling. Joy'south cypher similar that. It pierces correct through y'all, and information technology'southward then intense, information technology's almost painful, and I remember that's the kind of experience Grandma Elving had standing there, looking out the door at the snow, a sort of…" I faltered, groping for the right word.
"Epiphany," (c)
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He'south going to take a whole bunch of my flashbulb moments to choose from if he keeps this up, I thought. (c)
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"We're going to be stuck going to dinner there and putting up with Sloane and her mother every year, aren't we? ...
"Yes," I said, "only don't worry. My dad gets a new married woman every five years or so, and in the meantime, Grandma Elving will be there to run interference for united states. If you're lucky, she might even tell you the story about that Christmas she worked at Woolworth'due south." (c)
This brusk story (nigh 120 pages) is sugariness and engaging, and very Christmasy. It's similar a cozy peppermint latte in book form. I lau
Connie Willis is one of my favorite authors. I really savour how she can blend lots of historical details and research with truly comical situations, as in To Say Goose egg of the Dog. This novella captured that mode on a smaller scale, even if the historical details are the memories of an old adult female at Christmas time, rather than fourth dimension traveling historical researchers.This short story (about 120 pages) is sweet and engaging, and very Christmasy. It'southward similar a cozy peppermint latte in book form. I laughed a couple of times, and I wanted to come across where the story went next. I actually liked Ori, Lassiter, and Grandma Elving. It's a cute and quick read, and the Subterranean Printing book looks gorgeous (beloved the embrace fine art). If you similar Connie Willis'south holiday fic, and you're in a holiday mood, y'all'll love this ane.
Thanks to Netgalley for the re-create.
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This brusque story has all the all-time Willis hallmarks - zaniness, crossed wires, gentle romance, and a sort of cosy optimism that'due south really comforting.
four.5, rounded upThis short story has all the best Willis hallmarks - zaniness, crossed wires, gentle romance, and a sort of cosy optimism that's really comforting.
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Information technology'southward too short to really establish the characters, which is disappointing, simply it's also charming and sweet.
I was late to this - again - because I wasn't particularly in the mood of reading, the first time the library fulfilled my concur. But this book made me want to reread Bellwe
This is too brusque. It amuses me - Willis'south novels tend to go complaints that they're overly detailed and go circular in circles, and so hither is a novella whose entire premise centers on details and going round in circles.It's likewise short to really establish the characters, which is disappointing, only it's also charming and sweetness.
I was late to this - over again - because I wasn't especially in the mood of reading, the beginning time the library fulfilled my concord. But this book made me want to reread Bellwether. It's been too long.
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Perfect for reading in an hour by the fire, warm cup of cocoa, snow exterior, and the olfactory property of vacation cookies in the oven.
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The protagonist, Ori, each year has to endure meeting of assorted relatives, connected to her via multiple marriages of her once step-father. Amidst them are Grandma Elving, who tells the story of her work at Woodworth in the X-mas of 1960 and Sloane, step-daughter by the current marriage. The afterwards each time comes with a blond and alpine boyfriend, each time different. This tim
This is a low-cal romcom novella. I read is as a Buddy Read for December 2022 at SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group.The protagonist, Ori, each year has to endure coming together of assorted relatives, connected to her via multiple marriages of her in one case footstep-father. Among them are Grandma Elving, who tells the story of her piece of work at Woodworth in the X-mas of 1960 and Sloane, stride-girl by the electric current marriage. The later each time comes with a blond and alpine boyfriend, each fourth dimension different. This time her swain Lassiter is a medical student, who investigates TFBM (traumatic flashbulb memories) and he sees in Grandma Elving a nifty instance written report. Ori and Lassiter drive Grandma Elving around to observe what is the trauma behind her memories, slowly warming to each other.
It is a overnice Christmas story, nothing spectacular but a cozy romantic piece,. Keen for this time of year.
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(Incidentally I idea information technology was funny how she shows so much well-nigh a character in dialogue only - we run into chara
It is a Connie Willis Christmas novella, last year's novella, and the merely 1 I had non yet read (I think). I was saving this for this December... And of course I loved it. If you never read any of her Christmas stories, practice not beginning with this, it's non the best, but information technology is withal very skillful. Very Willis, and it felt a chip circular, going in circles nowhere in the middle, and the catastrophe ah.(Incidentally I thought information technology was funny how she shows so much well-nigh a character in dialogue only - we come across character as a adept guy in his kickoff two undramatic dialogue lines....)
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I think the author is trying to shed light on the mode many people get caught up in the trappings of fame, fortune, and fads and forget that there is more than to life. Simple pleasures and dear ar
On the surface, this novella is a holiday romantic comedy. But underneath, at that place is a stiff message. Everyone in the family is tired of listening to Grandma echo the story of the time she worked at Woolworth'south. They ignore and disregard her and her story until Sloane's newest boyfriend takes an interest.I remember the author is trying to shed light on the way many people go defenseless up in the trappings of fame, fortune, and fads and forget that there is more to life. Unproblematic pleasures and love are the most important.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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The cover drew me in and iii things convinced me to read this book:
ane. Connie Willis wrote the doomsday book and it was seriously one of the best books I have ever read;
2. It is a Subterranean Press book and they exercise great work; and
3. I at present try to read all the Connie Willis I tin become me hands on.
I requested this not reading the blurb because ultimately I know information technology
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here are me honest musings . . .The cover drew me in and three things convinced me to read this book:
1. Connie Willis wrote the doomsday volume and it was seriously 1 of the all-time books I accept ever read;
2. It is a Subterranean Press book and they do cracking piece of work; and
3. I now attempt to read all the Connie Willis I can become me hands on.
I requested this non reading the blurb because ultimately I know information technology will be a expert read. And so imagine me surprise to find out that this was a holiday tale. I am not a vacation person and only care to pillage the baked goods. So I had a small moment of dismay about the holiday aspect. I needn't have worried. This story was lovely.
Ori dreads spending the holidays with her family. Her pace-dad'due south latest married woman and her daughter are horrible. The other issue is Grandma Elving. She worked in Woolworth'due south during Christmas in 1950. And loves to talk nigh her time there advertizing nauseum and in detail. Anybody dreads hearing nigh Woolworth's and Ori gears up for survival mode. Only this holiday is different.
Sloane, the electric current married woman's daughter, has brought her nearly recent fellow, Lassiter, to dinner. And he actually wants to hear all about Woolworth'southward. Lassiter is studying TFBM, or traumatic flashbulb memories. He thinks Grandma Elving has one. So Ori is dragged into helping Grandma Elving participate in a scientific study. which ultimately changes Ori's life.
This story is heartwarming and lovely. I adored Ori and I really adored Grandma Elving. The descriptions of Woolworth's were so bright and live. I actually spent fourth dimension trying to figure out if I was remembering ever beingness in Woolworth's meself or if the imagery was then strong that I simply felt similar I had.
This reminded me of being a kid when Christmas really did feel magical. Dorsum then I loved seeing the department stores decorated, riding around neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, and watching Christmas movies. Seriously if Connie Willis can brand this grouchy grinch forgo a bah humbug and smile with nostalgia then ye know information technology be an fantabulous story. Arrrr!
And then lastly . . .
Give thanks you Subterranean Press!
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Exercise it. Read this book, y'all will thank me and my Boss for information technology later.
Seriously, it is novella length, and so non a huge time commitment, though past the terminate you will accept turned into the MOR Now Monster and it is Sugariness and nosotros are technically still in the Christmas flavor, then y'all need to get this in now earlier it is too la
My Boss was pushing this on me afterward I asked her what she was reading and she couldn't stop going on and on about how wonderful this was. I gave into peer pressure and am here to say...Exercise it. Read this book, you will thank me and my Boss for information technology afterwards.
Seriously, it is novella length, so non a huge time commitment, though by the cease you will have turned into the MOR At present Monster and it is Sweet and nosotros are technically still in the Christmas season, so you need to go this in now earlier it is likewise late for a sweetness and uplifting Christmas read.
I refuse to spoil this for yous, other than to repeat what I have heard others say virtually this author and the praise is all worthy. I would have liked a BIT more showing the love interests together, But she does some amazing stuff with just a few scenes.
So, short, sweet, Christmas with a actually ambrosial and lovable older woman, some mean step family members and an MC to root for. What more could you possibly want?
5, this gave me ALL the feels, stars. Highly recommended!
My thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for an eARC copy of this volume to read and review.
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I love Connie Willis. She is my favorite living author. She may be my favorite of all fourth dimension. I yet remember the first book of hers that I read - I got a copy of Doomsday Book from the science fiction book club when it came out on the 90s. Information technology took my breath away. Her books brand me express joy and make me cry and I wish I hadn't read them all already because reading one off her books. for the get-go time is a singular treat.
I accept had the pleasure of meet
Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie WillisI honey Connie Willis. She is my favorite living author. She may be my favorite of all fourth dimension. I still recall the first book of hers that I read - I got a copy of Doomsday Book from the science fiction volume club when information technology came out on the 90s. It took my breath abroad. Her books make me laugh and brand me cry and I wish I hadn't read them all already because reading one off her books. for the starting time fourth dimension is a singular treat.
I take had the pleasure of coming together her twice at conventions and I treasure those moments.
Then I was thrilled when Subterranean Press and NetGalley approved me for an eARC of Have a Await at the 5 and 10, her new holiday novella. I had already preordered a hard copy from Subterranean, but I was happy to read it early!
I didn't just read it - I devoured it! It was so good! It had all the hallmarks of a swell Connie Willis story - scientist just trying to get some data, 2 people falling for each other who don't realize information technology, irritating relatives, and people who genuinely love Christmas.
As a Non-Christian married to a Christian person, I take a very nuanced and off view of Christmas. But I love how Connie Willis loves Christmas unashamedly and how she infused her dearest and joy into all of her works.
I cannot recommend this enough.
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By the manner,
This is archetypal Connie Willis: light science fiction, adorable rom-com between people you want to root for, department stores, Christmas, historical fiction and miscommunications. Honestly, it reads a little similar "we forced an artificial intelligence to read the entire oeuvre of Connie Willis and so it wrote this" -- information technology bears a hit resemblance to parts of Time Out as well as Bellwether. But I'll still read everything Connie Willis writes: it's adorable, funny and wholesome.By the way, yes, I was annoyed to pay $30 for a 115 folio novella, but the book is a gorgeous slip of a matter with embossed inner covers and a color illustration on photo paper, and so I'm pretty certain I'll become over it.
...more humorous Christmas tale. Featured is a dysfunctional, constructing of somewhat related family members interacting during the holiday season. Our primary protagonist is Ori who finds herself invited to a slew of never ending holiday dinners ... starting with Thanksgiving and culminating with a New Year's Eve buffet.. At age viii her mother was briefly married to Dave .... and he still considers And yet, another jewel from Connie Willlis. She provides in novella length another delightful, centre warming and
humorous Christmas tale. Featured is a dysfunctional, amalgam of somewhat related family members interacting during the holiday season. Our main protagonist is Ori who finds herself invited to a slew of never catastrophe vacation dinners ... starting with Thanksgiving and culminating with a New Twelvemonth's Eve cafe.. At historic period eight her mother was briefly married to Dave .... and he even so considers her, his daughter., and hosts these endless gatherings. Dave has been married more than half-dozen times, and has always made poor choices ... including her female parent. Ordinarily in attendance are the usual suspects. Aunt Mildred, really a great-aunt of Dave's 2d married woman and Grandma Elving, the grandmother of his fourth wife. Aunt Mildred is forever pointing out the failings of the younger generation and the vast superiority of the "good old days" . Her speeches always turn into lectures and she seems to complain about everything. While Grandma Elving cannot be deterred from telling the same story
in which every bit a young adult female she worked at Woolworth'due south in downtown Denver one Christmas. Information technology seems that annihilation in the conversation prompts her to spew forth this aforementioned tale in florid detail.
Dave's current wife is the obnoxious Jillian ( another poor choice) ... whose luggage includes the stuck-up daughter, Sloane. Every year Sloane is accompanied by her present young man, who is e'er blond, tall and going to either law or medical school. Her present 24-hour interval boyfriend is Lassiter, who is even blonder and taller, and going to med school.... and is actively involved in a research project regarding retentiveness. At this yr's dinner, Lassiter is enthralled with Grandma Elving's never catastrophe story and prompts her for even more details.
There is method to his madness. His inquiry project involves TFBM ... Traumatic Flashbulb Retentivity, and he feels that her story has all the earmarkings of this phenomena and enlists her aid as a participant in the project. This also engenders the need and commitment of Ori .. which may take a secondary consequence?
Connie Willis weaves a delightful narrative in almost a screwball comedy atmosphere to reverberate on family unit. friendship, honey and joy and happiness. A wonderful and charming story that all will enjoy in the spirit of Christmas. Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for proving an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Family dinner at her one fourth dimension pace father'south habitation is a trying experience. But trying to figure out which wife'southward family the person sitting adjacent to
An early Christmas present to yourself! The younger members of an extended family grouping will nigh always abound weary of listening to grandma'southward stories of her youth, but they are missing some of the best times in family history. When all y'all have to give is your wonderful memories, be sure to share them with those who would appreciate and cherish them.Family dinner at her ane fourth dimension step father'southward dwelling is a trying experience. Just trying to figure out which wife's family the person sitting next to you belongs to tin can often serve every bit the evening entertainment. When Grandma starts telling her story of working at Woolworth's Again, most ignore her Over again. Merely could her retentiveness be more than than but her annual vacation story? The journey through Grandma'due south favorite memory is a wonderful experience meant to exist shared. Read this short story and share information technology with your holiday gathering....on Zoom or not....and you will make everyone smile.
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A lovely novella with a Christmas theme. Made fifty-fifty more nostalgic because I am onetime enough to remember shopping at Woolworth's in the late 1950s-early on 1960s. Grandma Elving got it right!
The story is a light, charming bit of 'feel-good'. In that location's even a nice romance. All that was missing was a cup of hot chocolate.
FYI:
My library hardback had this embrace: 
A lovely novella with a Christmas theme. Fabricated even more nostalgic because I am old enough to remember shopping at Woolworth's in the belatedly 1950s-early on 1960s. Grandma Elving got it right!
The story is a light, charming scrap of 'experience-skilful'. There'southward even a nice romance. All that was missing was a cup of hot chocolate.
FYI:
My library hardback had this cover:
Easy to read without too much extra writing that Connie Willis is then famous for. The story flowed beautifully. A very sweetness story. Warns the heart. Very interesting too!
This being a novella, information technology's hard to review it without giving the whole plot away. Our protagonist Ori is a modernistic-day equivalent of the Austenian "poor relation" at her strange family gatherings (strange because the family is a quilt made upward of Ori's various step-siblings, second-aunts-twice-removed, an
A brusk & sweet love story perfect for getting into the Christmas flavor and reminding ourselves that there are happy things out at that place as well, even if we can only get them in Connie Willis' books.This being a novella, it'southward hard to review it without giving the whole plot away. Our protagonist Ori is a modern-24-hour interval equivalent of the Austenian "poor relation" at her strange family gatherings (strange because the family is a quilt made up of Ori's various footstep-siblings, second-aunts-twice-removed, and a old stepmother's grandmother). These holiday dinners are awkward and usually require a lot of inner peace, which Ori seems to accept in abundance. At any rate, she manages to endure Grandma Elving's endless catalogue of memories about Christmas at Woolworth's in the 50s. The worst part is having to sit down through her step-sister Sloane's parading of her latest med school or law school young man.
But to Ori's surprise, Sloane's latest medical-pupil-boyfriend Lassiter does the unimaginable: he takes an involvement in Grandma Elving'south ramblings. Ori becomes entangled in a medical experiment that hinges on discovering exactly why Grandma Elving feels compelled to become over that ane Christmas in such minute particular. What mystery hides behind all those tree baubles and processed canes?
Willis makes this kind of tight writing look piece of cake. A compelling mystery here, an unlikely trio there, and voila! Instant holiday perfection. If you're going to choice upwardly a fun Christmas tale this season, it should be this one.
Recommended if you like stories with relatable grapheme interactions, deceivingly cunning grandmothers, and that beautiful feeling of comfort around Christmastime.
Cheers to Subterranean Press and Netgalley for sending me a free eARC of this book exchange for an honest review.
...moreShe has won, among other awards, x Hugo Awards and half-dozen Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for All Seated on the Ground (August 2008). She was the 2011 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Thou Master Award from the Science Ficti
Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis is an American science fiction writer. She is one of the well-nigh honored scientific discipline fiction writers of the 1980s and 1990s.She has won, amidst other awards, ten Hugo Awards and 6 Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for All Seated on the Ground (August 2008). She was the 2011 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Chiliad Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA).
She lives in Greeley, Colorado with her husband Courtney Willis, a professor of physics at the University of Northern Colorado. She also has ane girl, Cordelia.
Willis is known for her attainable prose and likable characters. She has written several pieces involving time travel by history students and faculty of the future University of Oxford. These pieces include her Hugo Award-winning novels Doomsday Book and To Say Zip of the Dog and the short story "Burn down Watch," found in the brusk story collection of the same proper noun.
Willis tends to the one-act of manners style of writing. Her protagonists are typically beset by unmarried-minded people pursuing illogical agendas, such as attempting to organize a bell-ringing session in the eye of a mortiferous epidemic (Doomsday Book), or frustrating efforts to analyze almost-death experiences by putting words in the mouths of interviewees (Passage).
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