If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, I recommend this wonderful story from 1927. Bertie plans to Winter in Monte Carlo, but an unexpected invitation leads to Bertie and Jeeves spending Chirstmas at Skeldings Hall, home of Lady Wickham and her daughter Bobbie. Sir Roderick Glossop, father of Bertie’s former fiance, Honoria, and wily Tuppy Glossop (who tricked Bertie into falling into the pool at the Drone’s Club) are also in attendance to stir up trouble. I can’t think of a more perfect story to capture the wonder and fun of the season (unless in involves mistletoe!). Ho, ho, ho to you all!

Wealth Secrets of the One Percent: A Modern Manual to Getting Marvelously, Obscenely Rich is actually a history book masquerading as a “Self-Help” book. Sam Wilkin dazzles with stories of J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and other mega-wealthy people. “Secrets” include being first to market a popular product (like Bill Gates did at Microsoft and Steve Jobs did at APPLE) and establishing a monopoly over a key industry (AT&T). Wealth Secrets of the One Percent is written for a wide audience–no financial jargon here. If you’re looking for an entertaining history of wealth, I recommend Sam Wilkin’s fine book to you. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction
Why is it so hard to get rich?
Wealth secrets of the ancient Romans
Wealth secrets of the robber barons
Wealth secrets of today’s one percent
Wealth secrets of the Forbes global rich list
Dot.com wealth secrets
Seven secrets of spectacularly rich people.
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index

The Classic Christmas Album flunks the Deb Test (no “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” here) but Sarah McLachlan’s songs will gladden your Holiday Season. Sarah blends old traditional songs with new modern ones. And, of course, “River” is fabulous! I’m a huge Sarah McLachlan fan (I’ve seen her in concert five times!) so factor that into your assessment of this review. This is a Christmas album you’ll not tire of listening to. GRADE: A
SET LIST:
Wintersong
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We three Kings – Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Children’s Choir and Youth Choir
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Sarah McLachlan School Choir
Prayer of St. Francis – Sarah McLachlan School Choir
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Sarah McLachlan School Choir
Space on the Couch for Two – Sarah McLachlan School Choir
Find Your Voice – Sarah McLachlan School Choir
River
Silent Night
The O Little Town of Bethlehem
The First Noel/Mary Mary
Song for a Winter’s Night
In a Bleak Mid Winter – Diana Krall
Christmas Time Is Here – Diana Krall
Touch

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