12 Days: A Modern Twist on The Twelve Days of Christmas edited by Shelley Silas

Synopsis at www.goodreads.com

A modern twist on "The Twelve Days of Christmas," this collection of playful tales makes a perfect stocking stuffer.


"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…" From a partridge in a pear tree to twelve drummers drumming, here is a collection sure to please even the Scroogiest of readers. Taking the classic Christmas song as inspiration, these twelve stories from some of Britain’s finest contemporary writers are in turn playful, funny, poignant, suspenseful, and magical. No matter what you feel about the festive season, you will find stories here that will lift the spirit, warm the heart, and entertain.

My Comment :

As with most compilation of short stories, there are bound to be some stories which i like and some I don't really care about.

In this book, I found myself disliking many of the stories rather than liking them. On particular story that I like was Nine Ladies Dancing by Lauren Henderson

Some authors are born to write novel and not short stories. Maybe that's why when they write short stories, I find that the short are lacking in character and the unique charm which each of the author had when they write novel.

For me it's not a very Christmassy read.

With a Delicate Air By Pearl S Buck

This is another great find from Subang Jaya Book Exchange Programme thanks to nylusmilk.

There are a total of 14 stories in this book which covers stories from the West and of the East as Pearl S Buck's trademark

In the story of "A Certain Star" a father found time and started to understand his own family.

While in "The Beauty" a wife went in search for her husband who strayed and met with the woman that had entertained her husband. The become friends.

Personally, I love "The Gift of Laughter" the most where a mother found herself face to face with the woman which her son loved.

It's also amusing to read "The engagement" which is about the couple faced with doubts whether they should get married or not.

My only regret is that I was unable to enjoy the last story, "Francesca" to the fullest last two pages were torn from the book.

Overall, this book is something different from the modern novels nowadays. I love it.

Stories : All-New Tales Edited By Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio

I went to BookXcess again last Wednesday. Saw this book prominently displayed at the front of the shop.

It's a compilation of 27 short stories by various authors. I had not intended to buy this book ..that is till I spotted the word "Jodi Picoult". Yes, she wrote one of the short stories in this book. Others talented authors include Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio(obviously), Jeffrey Deaver, Chuck Palaniuk, Lawrence Block, Joanne Harris and etc.

I think I have found a soul mate in terms of appreciation of books in Neil Gaiman. In his introduction, 4th paragraph  he said "Television and cinema were all very well, but these stories happened to other people. The stories I found in books happened inside my head. I was, in some way, there." Do you understand the meaning? If you do, it means that you know what I feel.

What I love about books like this is that it gives a variety. In it there are sure to be something which would suits me.

Surprisingly, I had not found Jodi Picoult story in this book to be something special. She is sticking to the theme which she wrote best - Love and lost.

I find that Joanne Harris's "Wildfire In Manhattan" to be delightful read with a hint of horror and fantasy. The old and the new blended well together.

"Unwell" by Carolyn Parkhurst and "Parallel Lines" by Tim Powers were also very good read about siblings rivalry to the death.

One work that goes well with me is "The Devil on the Staircase" by Joe Hill. Not only the story was well written.

The presentation was also very unique.

Yes, this book is a hit for me and am giving it 4 stars because of the magical four words which Neil Gaiman mentioned .... and they are "....and then what happened?". I found most of the stories in this book have this pull with exception of one or two stories.. It's not the fault of the authors but rather my poor brain would not accept the stories.