Happy Holidays!
Ugh! My WordPress software has been updated and I have no idea how to efficiently craft a new blog post anymore. This post may look like a mess because I have to go to work today and am going to run out of time to futz with it. Apologies in advance for the sloppy blogging!
Recently Listened To
Christmas Days by Jeannette Winterson, narrated by Jeanette Winterson and Imogen Church (Blackstone Audio, 2016)
Listening to this collection of short stories and essays may become an annual holiday tradition for me, like listening to A Christmas Carol! The theme of celebrating Christmas and the whole holiday season runs through the twelve parts of the collection (which includes recipes), taking readers through the holiday season into the new year. Being at peace with oneself and others; pagan origins of Christmas traditions; how darkness and light both color this time of year, especially; and many more thoughtful and thought-provoking themes are covered in the stories and essays.
This is the first book by this author I have read, and now I want to look for her earlier books, especially Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross, narrated by Laurel Lefcow (Dreamscape Media, 2018)
Cozy holiday mysteries are fun to listen to around Christmas, and this audio collection of short mysteries — each centering on a yule log in some way — fit the bill perfectly! Each one featured a series character (e.g. Lucy Stone for Leslie Meier’s contribution) but familiarity with the series is not necessary.
Read in Print
Christmas Reading
I meant to read this last year, but finally got to it this year: Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners by Gretchen Anthony (Park Row, 2018). I listened to most of it, but read parts of it in print. The audiobook was narrated by Donna Postel, Andi Arndt, and Eric G. Dove; the Midwestern accent given to Mrs. Violet Baumgartner, the well-meaning but overbearing matriarch of the story, was a little annoying, but I liked the audio version, otherwise.
On the Nightstand
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory (Penguin Random House, 2019) is a light romance about a middle-aged American woman in England for Christmas week. Amusing and enjoyable, though not quite a rom-com, which is what I usually like in a romance.
“Filled with delightful, swoon-worthy dates and many laughs, this affectionate, cross-continent holiday romance is perfect for cozying up with on a cold winter’s night.”—Library Journal
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It’s a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.