The story of Elizabeth Chan, a marketing executive who quit her job to follow her dream of writing Christmas songs, is inspiring (you can real all about it here). Red & Green includes a dozen songs, very listenable. But my favorite is “Christmas in the City” with its heart-felt energy. Take a listen below. I wanted to support Elizabeth Chan’s hopes so I bought her CD. We need more people who are willing to risk everything to achieve their dreams!
TRACK LIST:
Only on Christmas Time
Something About the Holidays
Wouldn’t Be a Merry Christmas
Tis the Season
What Sweeter Music
Fa La La
Red & Green
A Christmas Song
Here’s to the New Year
Hey Santa
Christmas in the City
Christmas in the City (Remix)

The 6-7 Buffalo Bills play the 6-7 Washington Redskins. Although the two teams have the same records, their prospects are vastly different! The Bills are pretty much out of Playoff contention. But Washington is fighting for a home Playoff game and the lead in the NFC East. Go figure! How will your favorite NFL team do today?

J. J. Abrams, the Director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, surprised me by having Harrison Ford play a prominent role in his film. Good old Han Solo leaps into action again as an evil force led by his son threatens the galaxy. I liked the feisty Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) a lot. John Boyega as Finn the defector is okay. My quibble with this movie is that many of the plotlines are clearly set up for the sequels. The AMC theater was packed. There were a lot of kids, some dressed up in Jedi robes. A good time was had by all. The Force is getting stronger. GRADE: A-

You can blame John O’Neill of BLACK GATE for bringing this wonderful postcard set to our attention. One hundred classic Penguin paperback covers on 100 postcards! Nothing says Holiday Gift like a cool box wet like this! Buy the Penguin Science Fiction Postcards before this astonishing set sells out!

If you’re looking for an entertaining book or ebook for the readers on your gift list, here’s Tales From the Otherverse from Rough Edges Press. Fans of alternate histories will find plenty to like here. The stories are a blend of various historical milieus. I liked Bill Crider’s story best because Elvis plays a major role. Plenty of famous people show up in these stories, but in alternate circumstances. You can order or download Tales From the Otherverse from AMAZON for a pittance. Well worth it!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
“The Battle of the Bands” by Scott A. Cupp
“Port Radium” by Lou Antonelli
“Mrs. Lincoln’s Dinner Party” by Cheryl Pierson
“The Assassinations of President Broussard” by Keith West
“Books Burning Brightly in the Night” by Robert E. Vardeman
“A Wisp of Memory” by John Hegenberger
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” by Bill Crider
“The Great Steamer Riot of 1936” by Scott Dennis Parker
“The Alexandria County Library Book Sale” by Richard Prosch
“The Hero of Deadwood” by James Reasoner

Police detective Jeff Prentiss is having a Very Bad Day at the start of Truth Always Kills. Prentiss’s wife has just left him and takes his daughter with her. Simultaneously, two murder victims are discovered–one a noted burglar and the other a powerful politician–which leads Prentiss to investigate a possible connection. That investigation takes Prentiss to a private porno web site called Little Y. And that leads to… As you can see, Ollerman’s novel is a straight-ahead thrill ride. One dramatic scene powers the next as the plot accelerates. If you’re looking for a fast-paced crime novel, here it is. GRADE: B

Diane loves Christmas movies, the more romantic the better. So here’s a nice collection of holiday films that will delight that romantic viewer on your list. Mistletoe and movies–you can’t beat that combination! This 3-DVD set costs a little more than a buck a movie. A bargain! Here’s the lineup:
A Christmas Kiss
Holiday Engagement
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Moonlight & Mistletoe
Three Wise Women
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
A Boyfriend for Christmas
Mrs. Santa Claus
A Carol Christmas

Here’s a handy little book for the college student on your holiday gift list. John D. Spooner has written some incisive and funny investment guides (Do You Want to Make Money Or Would You Rather Fool Around). In No One Ever Told Us That Spooner writes a series of mini-essays–a page or two mostly–on topics that most young people will have to deal with. Spooner brings 50 years of business and investment experience to these little gems. I wish I’d had a book like No One Ever Told Us That when I was heading for College. And, the advice Spooner shares could help a lot of adults, too. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Acknowledgements xiii
INTRODUCTION 1
PART I BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
CHAPTER 1: Take the Pro to Lunch 9
CHAPTER 2: Beware of Experts 11
CHAPTER 3: If Your Company Is Bought by Another 13
CHAPTER 4: Entitlement 15
CHAPTER 5: Don’t Be a Wise Guy 17
CHAPTER 6: A Little Bit of New Jersey or Brooklyn 19
CHAPTER 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Stupid or Provocative Questions 21
CHAPTER 8: Laughter Can Diffuse the Problems 24
CHAPTER 9: You Never Know Anyone until You Deal with Their Money 27
CHAPTER 10: Plan for the Worst Case, Not the Best, in Business and in Life 29
CHAPTER 11: So You Want to Be in the Investment Business 32
CHAPTER 12: Do Your Homework 35
CHAPTER 13: How to Get Good Press and Publicity 37
CHAPTER 14: Acts of Kindness 38
CHAPTER 15: Tipping 40
CHAPTER 16: Resumes Redux 42
CHAPTER 17: Always Have a Fallback Plan 44
CHAPTER 18: Blood and Water 45
CHAPTER 19: Media Translations 47
CHAPTER 20: So You Got Fired 49
CHAPTER 21: Provocative Headings 52
CHAPTER 22: Getting Rich: The Ups and Downs 54
CHAPTER 23: Branding: Pulling the Wagon 57
CHAPTER 24: Tribes 60
CHAPTER 25: Weekends 62
CHAPTER 26: Being an Entrepreneur: What It Takes 63
PART II BECOMING FINANCIALLY SECURE
CHAPTER 27: Interest Rates 73
CHAPTER 28: Insider Trading 75
CHAPTER 29: Do You Want to Make Money, or Would You Rather Fool Around? 77
CHAPTER 30: Doing Stock Research 80
CHAPTER 31: Make Long-Term Money with Simple Themes 83
CHAPTER 32: Can You Do It Yourself? 87
CHAPTER 33: Getting to Peace of Mind 89
CHAPTER 34: Picking Someone to Watch over Your Money 91
CHAPTER 35: When You’re Frightened by the News 93
PART III BECOMING YOUR OWN PERSON
CHAPTER 36: The Actor and the Actress 97
CHAPTER 37: Having Something to Trade 99
CHAPTER 38: The 110 Percent Rule 101
CHAPTER 39: Life Lessons: Don’t Look Back 104
CHAPTER 40: Get Your Elders’ Stories 107
CHAPTER 41: Don’t Be a Trustee or an Executor∗ 111
CHAPTER 42: Buying and Selling Jewelry 114
CHAPTER 43: Social or Country Clubs 118
CHAPTER 44: The Incremental Pain in the Butt Theory 120
CHAPTER 45: Every Family Is a Soap Opera 122
CHAPTER 46: Fathers and Sons 124
CHAPTER 47: When Family or Friends Are Afflicted 127
CHAPTER 48: Go to the Source 129
CHAPTER 49: Philanthropy 131
CHAPTER 50: Keep the Markers out There 134
CHAPTER 51: Raising Children 136
CHAPTER 52: Marriage 138
CHAPTER 53: Divorce 141
CHAPTER 54: Someone to Love You 144
CHAPTER 55: Medical Smarts 148
CHAPTER 56: Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of You 153
CHAPTER 57: Losing a Parent 156
CHAPTER 58: Getting Smart Lawyers on Your Side 159
CHAPTER 59: Last Chapter 163About the Author 167
Other Books by John D. Spooner 169
Index 171

The Buffalo Bills are a surprising 1-point favorite over the Philadelphia Eagles. Which Eagles team will show up today? Will it be the Eagle team that got blown out by the Lions on Thanksgiving? Or will it be the Eagles team that defeated the Patriots last week? LeSean McCoy says he won’t shake Chip Kelly’s hand…he’s still angry at being traded. How will your favorite NFL team do today?

For the Star Wars fan on your gift list, here’s a cool R2D2 mug! With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening next week, the timing is right for a gift like this! What are you waiting for? The Force is with you!