Christmas Reading

In mid-November here in the northern hemisphere, the shadows lengthen and the darkness falls early.  Last night we were doing errands, and there was a beautiful sliver of a new moon -- an eyelash moon.  When I took Duncan out at bedtime, the stars were twinkling and were a beautiful sight to behold.  I love this time of year.  When we're out, I like to see lamplight in people's windows; it projects warmth and coziness to the outside world.  If you're lucky, you might catch glimpses of bookshelves filled with books, pictures on the wall, or family gathered around the table for dinner.  Perhaps the curtains are drawn and you'll only see the warm glow behind them.  Nevertheless, it speaks of home and hearth.     I know some of you have already begun decorating for Christmas.  We have not, but we'll probably need to start soon.  As part of the season's rituals, I like to start my Christmas reading around the end of November or first of December.  I usually read the same books every year, but they always seem to make me happy.  I am thinking of finding some new things to add to the list though.   

   Winter Solstice is such a good holiday read.  I sure wish Rosamunde Pilcher was still writing.  The book above that is a little hard to make out; it's Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon.     

  
   A Christmas Carol has been a favorite for most of my life, and the other book in this group is Skipping Christmas, by John Grisham.  I understand they made a movie based on this book, and supposedly it wasn't very funny.  I find the book to be laugh-out-loud funny, and it has a good message, too.  There are also Christmas mysteries out there too, if that's something you're interested in.    

      

I like these two, which I believe I've mentioned here before.     

This one is considered a cozy mystery; I've read most of the "Aunt Dimity" books, and they're quite enjoyable.  If a Christmas in the Cotswolds appeals to you, you might enjoy this book.  

When I was a teenager, I read Two From Galilee, and I think I will re-read this.       What are your favorite books/stories to read during the Christmas season?  I'd love to hear from you!  Thanks so much for your visit today, and I hope you have a great week!