Bestselling superstar author Debbie Macomber’s latest book, MR. MIRACLE, is the perfect holiday story. When guardian angel Harry Mills is tasked with helping 24-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track, not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store when Addie and her polar-opposite neighbor, Erich, are forced to spend Christmas together. Debbie also knows a thing or two about the perfect holiday gift. Here, she shares the books she’s giving to her granddaughters this Christmas, and how she went above and beyond to make them extra special. Just call her Mrs. Miracle!
Reading has always been a big part of my life. As a child it was with picture books, and then later chapter books. As a young mother, I devoured romance novels because I desperately needed a happy ending (remember, I was dealing with potty training!). So it’s no small surprise to know that I love giving books, especially during the holidays.
Being a grandmother of nine, I’m interested in what my grandchildren are reading. I was delighted to learn that two of my granddaughters, born just four months apart, fell in love with reading this summer. Bailey read John Green's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS and endlessly gushed about the book, telling me how much it affected her emotionally. Meanwhile, Maddy read ELEANOR AND PARK by Rainbow Rowell, and explained that she read the entire book in a single day --- it was that good. These two books were my granddaughters’ introduction to the love of story. And they haven't stopped reading, moving on from one book to the next, eating up fiction and nonfiction alike. It's as if their imaginations have caught fire. They are in love with books, the same way I was at their age. I read both ELEANOR AND PARK and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS to acquaint myself with the books. I loved them as well and have subsequently read additional young adult titles.
As it happens, I was able obtain autographed copies of both books, hand signed by John Green and Rainbow Rowell. I think these two autographed books will be their most treasured Christmas gifts under the tree.
Knowing the joy these autographed books will bring my two granddaughters reminded me that when I sign books, whether during a traditional book signing or blank sheets that are later bound into the book, they are special to my readers. Hopefully they will feel as excited as I know Bailey and Maddy will be when they open their gifts. And that is what a book is to me --- a gift.
