Komi Can't Communicate, v. 1 by Tomohito Oda

Komi Can't Communicate, v. 1 by Tomohito Oda - 192 pages

Komi desperately makes friends but her reputation as an ice princess makes it impossible.  Nobody realizes that she has crippling social anxiety that won't let her talk to others.  Until one day when Tadano meets Komi and realizes the truth.  He promises to help her make 100 friends.

The idea behind this manga series is interesting.  However, I didn't really connect with the characters and won't be reading any more of the series.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - 232 pages

Mark Nolan is trying his best to take care of his orphaned niece after his sister dies.  It's difficult, especially since she's been mute since her mother died, but he's been getting by with the help of his brother.  But now, Holly has written a letter to Santa asking for a mother.  Mark eyes toy shop owner Maggie as a possibility but she's not ready to love again after her husband died.  Will the three of them become a family?

This is the first romance by Lisa Kleypas set in modern times that I have read.  I usually read her historical romances.  It's the first in a series about the Nolan brothers.  I also realized as I was reading it that I've watched a Hallmark movie based on the book a few years ago.  It was interesting enough that I'll read the next book in the series.

The Promise: A Christmas Tale by Ted Dekker

The Promise: A Christmas Tale by Ted Dekker-64 pages

This is a story about a mute boy named Reuben who is abandoned and abused by his "legal guardian" in a shepherds' camp in the time around Jesus' birth. He carries with him only his adoptive mother's shawl and her promise that he will someday meet a king in need of the shawl that will give him a voice. It is a story about how Jesus got his swaddling clothes and how the shepherds came to find and worship baby Jesus. I enjoyed reading it just as everything I have read of Ted Dekker's thus far. Dekker has been my favorite author for a while and continues to be. I have read many good and great books, but no author has captured my attention and imagination and made me think critically like he has.

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech - 151 pages

Marta and John discover a young boy on their porch one morning.  The boy seems to be about six years old.  He came with a note asking them to take care of him until he can be picked back up.  Marta and John quickly grow to love Jacob even though he doesn't talk.  He likes to paint, play music, and the farm animals.  But they always have the question in the back of their minds -- who is the boy?

This was a great book!  Although very quick to read it packed a huge emotional wallop.  I actually found myself crying a couple times throughout the story.  This is a wonderful story of how you create your own family and how sometimes those families must end even though nobody wants them to.