"As winter approaches, be sure to prepare
by always having between 3 - 168 new books
on hand at any given time."
AS SEEN ON INSTAGRAM
The Christmas mood has settled upon the household and we're beginning to feel quite festive. Christmas books sit on the shelf and wait their turn at creating quiet and cozy moments on these long, dark winter evenings. Volumes are stacked near to hand with fervent hopes that we may get through the pile before the holidays are all over. For me, once the holidays are over, the mood for really Christmas-y stories is also over. Seasonal wintery books still suit fine in January.
I've had fun making a seasonal book list and checking it twice—of titles that I've read so far and what I hope to read in the next couple of weeks. It also includes titles I'm dipping into that don't need cover to cover reading to enjoy. Snippets can also provide sweet entertainment or reprieve. So I hope you'll find a title or two or three that you realize you want to read and get them squirreled away in your own Christmas reading pile.
A mix of old and new stories I've read, and enjoyed, so far this wintry season
I've had fun making a seasonal book list and checking it twice—of titles that I've read so far and what I hope to read in the next couple of weeks. It also includes titles I'm dipping into that don't need cover to cover reading to enjoy. Snippets can also provide sweet entertainment or reprieve. So I hope you'll find a title or two or three that you realize you want to read and get them squirreled away in your own Christmas reading pile.
A mix of old and new stories I've read, and enjoyed, so far this wintry season
A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (classic children's story - the author beautifully and humorously captures the world through the eyes of a young lad; I love the illustrations by Trina Hyman)A few books or tales still waiting to be read
An Irish Country Yuletide by Patrick Taylor (a favourite Christmas novella)
Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read (a gentle read)
Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan (Christmas novel) - a fairly new forever favourite
Rumpole at Christmas by John Mortimer (short stories with the Old Bailey barrister)
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Christmas mystery)
The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson (two women take a journey before Christmas, spreading holiday joy as they go - a nice read, predictable ending)
The Country Child by Alison Uttley (Children's, not all Christmas but there are two lovely holiday chapters)
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann (children's, published in 1816 - I've seen the ballet numerous times but I don't ever remember reading the actual fairy tale)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (winter & Christmas in chapters 3 - 5)
When I Love You at Christmas by David Bedford & Tamsin Ainslie (child's picture book)
Winter and Rough Weather by D.E. Stevenson (gentle novel)
"A Christmas Kitten" by James Herriot (from The Best of James Herriot, Favourite memories of a country vet)
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (memoir)
A Pussycat's Christmas by Margaret Wise Brown & Anne Mortimer (child's picture book)
A Star for Christmas by Trisha Romance (children's story and art of Trisha Romance)
An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor (a forever favourite)
Christmas with Anne and other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery
Little Women by Louise May Alcott (especially the Christmas chapters at the start)
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie (winter-themed short story mysteries)
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon (novel) - forever favourite
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon (opens in autumn and leads straight to Christmas - so satisfying) - forever favourite
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Irish short story) - loved it
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (Poirot mystery)
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict (mystery) - new to me
The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings (children's story set in England at a time when the Thames River froze over) - new to me
The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charlie Lovett (sequel to Dickens' classic) - new to me
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (from Narnia series)
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (novel) - forever favourite
Books for dipping in and out as the mood moves - anthologies, poetry, cookbooks
Christmas! Holiday Magazine, 2017 by Brenda Leyland (the year I gathered my Christmas blog posts and created a magazine through Blurb)On my wish list, based on recommendations from others
Christmas by Susan Branch (recipes, traditions)
Christmas Classics from the Modern Library (excerpts from literature, poetry, songs and carols, old Christmas recipes, and more)
Christmas Entertaining, Inspired Menus for Cooking with Family and Friends by Williams-Sonoma
Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Christmas Stories by Anthony Trollope - new to me
Christmas in My Heart, A Timeless Treasury of Heartwarming Stories, edited by Joe Wheeler
Christmas, Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose (I visited Penhaligon's fragrance shop when in England years ago - it was lovely - the book is also lovely)
Christmas, Stories & More by InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship (I have an essay in this book)
Christmas with Hot Apple Cider, Stories from the Season of Giving and Receiving, edited by N.J. Lindquist
Christmas poems by Wendy Cope
Haphazard by starlight, A poem a day from Advent to Epiphany by Janet Morley
Last Christmas, Memories of Christmases past and hopes for future ones, curated and introduced by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson (anthology of essays)
The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater (essays, recipes) - a lovely read
The Book of Christmas by Reader's Digest Association - 1973 (includes a lovely collection of Nativity essays, The History of Christmas by Rumer Godden, classic Christmas stories by well known authors, and Christmas around the world)
Victoria Magazine - the classic December issues are lovely for browsing
Winter by Pierre Berton (coffee table book) - found at library book sale, haven't read yet
Winter Anthology, edited by Melissa Harrison (a favourite collection of nature essays)
Winter Solstice, An Essay by Nina MacLaughlin (nature) - new to me
A Children's Literary Christmas: An Anthology by Anna James
An English Christmas by John Julius Norwich (novel)
A Literary Christmas: An Anthology by British Library
Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell (weather, folklore)
I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge (novel)
Jane Austen's Christmas, The Festive Season in Georgian England by Maria Hubert
Letters from Father Christmas by J R R Tolkien
Nature Tales for Winter Nights edited by Nancy Campbell
The Box of Delights by John Masefield (children's)
Something else I'm really loving these days is this Vintage Victorian Christmas, Sticker, Color & Activity Book. It's a sticker book but it's put together so beautifully - with gorgeous end papers and the backside of the sticker pages are in seasonal motifs so they can be recycled for crafts and card making once the stickers are used. A little early Christmas present to myself - the girl inside is gleeful - she still loves stickers after all these years.
When I found the book at the store and took it to the check out, the young woman was greatly intrigued by it. She asked if there were others of this sort on the shelf; yes, there was a similar book, but I had taken the last copy of this one. She gave me a conspiratorial smile, she'll order a copy. We chuckled. Turns out she is a crafter; I use them for journaling and embellishing envelopes and presents.
Such gorgeous endpapers
I had just purchased the book when my sister messaged and asked if I'd mind checking round at my bookstore because the store carries a star ornament she loved. She couldn't find it at her store. I found it, stood in the long line, and would you believe I got the same clerk. We smiled in recognition, and this time she ooh and aah'd over the star. It was delicate and pretty. I mentioned that I had taken the last two on display (slight pause) but that she could order one in. We both laughed out loud. I said, we must be kindred spirits. It was one of those lovely human moments that swirls in the mind—and heart—for days.
Now I must dash - wishing you a beautiful week. Happy reading.
"The rooms were very still while the pages were softly
turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the
bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting."
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, Little Women
❦
Heart hugs,
Brenda
Photo credits:
Top Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Sticker book photos by Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life
My Winter Blogging Schedule:
I post on Fridays
Oooohhhhh I LOVED this Christmas-y post. I saw that first quote on Instagram too, and chuckled. Your book lists are delightful and helpful. Many of them I've read and many of them I'd not heard of before. Your sticker book and the encounter with the conspiratorial saleslady all such heart warming moments. Thank you for a wonderfully cozy morning read.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Letters from Father Christmas is absolutely delightful.
DeleteIt was from you that I first heard about the JRR Tolkien Letters from Father Christmas. I think it has to be a must for next year's reading list. Thanks so much, Joy, for your cozy note.
DeleteI am deep into my old Christmas favourite, 'Winter Solstice' by Rosamund Pilcher. Every time I read it I find a new little phrase or paragraph. Her language is so elegant. I cant beat to finish it!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling exactly, Barbara, and can't bear to finish the last page. It's truly a forever favourite for so many of us. I've been holding off until closer to Christmas, but I think it's time to open it this week.
DeleteI love a great book list, and how wonderful to have all these lovely titles to browse through. It's the perfect way to stir up all the cozy seasonal 'feels'! Merry Christmas and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI love book lists. It's something like treasure hunting to browse someone's book list - where you might just find your next favourite book amongst the titles. Thanks, Kathy, for your note.
DeleteLoved reading about your list of favourite Christmas books. Many are my favourites, too. I always reread Winter Solstice every year. What is it about that book that draws you in? It was the last book that Rosamunde Pilcher wrote. Enjoy this lead-up to Christmas. Hugs, Elaine (in Toronto).
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you, Elaine. Yes, it was her last book - makes me wonder if Rosamunde poured her heart and soul into that story as her last hurrah, and that's why we love it so. I'm always loathe for the tale to end. Wishing you beautiful days ahead...
DeleteWhat a wonderful Christmassy post, Brenda. Many of your favourites are also mine, but there are several here that I will be adding to my list. I have a dozen or issues of Victoria magazine that I love to peruse, and also the UK Country Living. I'm reading Shepherds Abiding just now and reveling in the characters Karon brings to life. I finished Winter Solstice and wanted it to go on and on, but it never does.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a quiet evening with your books.
My plan is to start Winter Solstice this week - I've been holding off until closer to Christmas. Thanks, Lorrie, for your note.
DeleteI had my own heartwarming and feel-good moment at the deli counter at Safeway last week. The lady there forgot to include the potato salad with my fried chicken order, I had to go back to get it...she gave me some free BBQ sauce as an apology of sorts. Of course we connected about a mutual love for BBQ sauce and fried chicken, which was nice during the magical holiday.
ReplyDeleteThose little moments of connection are special even though they seem quite ordinary. I'm glad you shared yours with us, thank you.
DeleteHi Brenda! Christmas tinkles merrily in my heart too, thanks in part to this utterly delightful post. The checkout encounters you have narrated offer hope that grand souls can be found, sometimes, in the most unexpected places. It's difficult for me to access the many books that have made a place for themselves in your heart - but thank goodness I can make other people's joys my own! And so, my heart sings as well.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment about being thankful that you can make other people's joys your own - I do that too! So glad you shared that, Caitlynne. Thank you.
DeleteSuch a cozy way to embrace the season! Your book list sounds like the perfect companion for the holidays. You’re invited to explore my blog too—I’d love to share some seasonal thoughts with you!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful selection and perfect for the season, I could spend a very happy afternoon browsing through this pile. Hope you're enjoying this special time of year.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Lovely to hear from you, Amalia. Trust you find something read-worthy for yourself. Happy holidays.
DeleteI am also a sticker girlie so I am intrigued by the Victorian Christmas sticker book!
ReplyDeleteI found it at our local Indigo but I'm sure it's available elsewhere as well. Sure am enjoying having all those lovely seasonal stickers for me to use this Christmas season.
Delete