![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
freenarnian.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
queensthiefI hope I'm not stepping on the be-knitted-and-be-socked toes (mix-matched, or "liberated", of course!) of the "while she knits" posts here, but I've been nosing around for a good topic to post, and finally today I thought of one.
So, the holidays are fast approaching. You know your Elven-senses are tingling with it. The 80's jingles in your local Walgreens, the aisles lined with pumpkin-flavored-everything, the lights, the traditions, the panic of realizing your wallet isn't going to stretch as far as your gift list... (I recommend used book stores for that last one).
And yes, in many cases, a goodly dose of nostalgia and melancholy to wrap up the whole season in shimmer.
Facing a holiday season farther away from friends and family than I'd wish, I've found myself turning to the "old friends" on my bookshelves to keep me company. Most recently, Beatrix Potter and, of course, The Hobbit, because I'm possibly MORE excited about the midnight showing of the film than I am even about the holidays. :)
Well then. My question for y'all is: What books featuring holiday-ish themes are you reading/planning to read/make a tradition of reading? They don't have to feature snow and frosted cookies and garland specifically (though I'm interested in hearing about those too)... really, it can be any book you associate with this time of year, or a book you hope to give/receive as a gift, or...whatever! (For example, I tend to re-read Harry Potter books in October/November for no other reason than that's when I first read the series, and now I associate it with autumn, my favorite season!) Also, how best do you like to read them? A chapter each night, tucked up in bed, counting down the days to a holiday event? Wrapped up warmly on the train ride home? With a cup of tea or cocoa, snuggled into the comfiest corner of your couch?
Get cozy and discuss!
So, the holidays are fast approaching. You know your Elven-senses are tingling with it. The 80's jingles in your local Walgreens, the aisles lined with pumpkin-flavored-everything, the lights, the traditions, the panic of realizing your wallet isn't going to stretch as far as your gift list... (I recommend used book stores for that last one).
And yes, in many cases, a goodly dose of nostalgia and melancholy to wrap up the whole season in shimmer.
Facing a holiday season farther away from friends and family than I'd wish, I've found myself turning to the "old friends" on my bookshelves to keep me company. Most recently, Beatrix Potter and, of course, The Hobbit, because I'm possibly MORE excited about the midnight showing of the film than I am even about the holidays. :)
Well then. My question for y'all is: What books featuring holiday-ish themes are you reading/planning to read/make a tradition of reading? They don't have to feature snow and frosted cookies and garland specifically (though I'm interested in hearing about those too)... really, it can be any book you associate with this time of year, or a book you hope to give/receive as a gift, or...whatever! (For example, I tend to re-read Harry Potter books in October/November for no other reason than that's when I first read the series, and now I associate it with autumn, my favorite season!) Also, how best do you like to read them? A chapter each night, tucked up in bed, counting down the days to a holiday event? Wrapped up warmly on the train ride home? With a cup of tea or cocoa, snuggled into the comfiest corner of your couch?
Get cozy and discuss!
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 07:53 pm (UTC)also, I've been getting a QoA reread hankering over the past couple of weeks, but first I have to survive Term Paper season. I plan on filling the holiday break with LOTS of books, but haven't figured out what they're going to be yet! :-)
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 08:00 pm (UTC)Glad you approve of the topic! :D
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/19/12 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/16/12 08:39 pm (UTC)This Christmas, I'm hoping to get A Stranger to Command!! I've been thinking about it for nearly 2 years because of the cost, but I'm finally breaking down .... I can't wait to get it!!:)
I was thinking the other day that since I don't have any new books to read, I will probably curl up with "Crown Duel" if I have the time (The ending is soooo sweet - see icon :) (and if I'm not curled up with a textbook .... :(
Great idea for a post!! :)
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 08:48 pm (UTC)A Stranger To Command is Sherwood Smith's account of Vidanric's early years, prior to Crown Duel, right? I read an early, early, pre-edit, pre-published version she posted on her website, a long time ago. (In fact I think I have it saved in a word.doc on my old computer somewhere.) The story definitely stuck with me. I need to read the Thing Proper now!
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 09:19 pm (UTC)Stranger to Command is Vidanric's early years, and I've read the first 60 pages preview ... I think it would be really interesting to see inside Danric's head, and understand him better, becuase you don't get to see much of the real Danric, except at the very end of Court Duel ... I like how it was told, and his letter to Russav in the beginning while serving the purpose of some quick background information, was really fun!! :)
no subject
Date: 11/23/12 04:32 am (UTC)Also, don't forget "The Bishop's Wife", the movie "The Preacher's Wife" is a remake of. Cary Grant, Loretta Young, & David Niven make for lots of win!
no subject
Date: 11/16/12 11:45 pm (UTC)/random degrees of separation
no subject
Date: 11/20/12 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/19/12 12:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/20/12 11:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/16/12 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 02:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 06:12 am (UTC)Just sayin'.
no subject
Date: 11/17/12 09:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/16/12 10:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 12:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 02:31 am (UTC)For many, many years I reread A Christmas Carol every year, very close to the actual date of Christmas. Then, I'd read it so much that it just didn't work for me any more. Does that make sense? It's so sad when you read something so many times that it loses its magic, but that happens sometimes. Maybe I'll give it a try again this year. It's been ages since I read it.
no subject
Date: 11/17/12 03:19 am (UTC)And here I was afraid I might be usurping some sacred rite of the LJ goddesses. XD
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I've only read one Dickens novel. (A Tale of Two Cities, which I loved.) I almost, almost made it through Great Expectations...I was just chapters away from finishing before something else came along and I put it aside, never to be retrieved. I mean to read all of them at some point. Really. (Is it too early for New Year's resolutions? Perhaps that can be the next WSK!)
Fun fact: Did you know actor Harry Lloyd (as seen in Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, to name a few) is the real life great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens?
no subject
Date: 11/17/12 08:52 pm (UTC)Oh good lord, no. WSK was started by Anachred and lots of people have posted them.
I don't know many people who actually like Dickens, but I've always been partial to him. I read some of his books long ago, however, and might feel differently now. I had to go look up Harry Lloyd, but how cool would it be to be related to Dickens!
no subject
Date: 11/18/12 08:39 pm (UTC)That's Harry Potter for me. I've just read it so many times, I can almost recite it. The emotions become duller with each re-read. I have given it a rest for a year or so now, and I plan to continue for a while... I really hope it can become re-readable again!
no subject
Date: 11/17/12 06:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/18/12 05:05 pm (UTC)Your illustration project sounds like fun! Any chance I can see it when you're done?! Boy, I really miss doing art. It's one of those things you have to keep up with... and once I got into oils it started getting expensive, too! But I'm really determined to get back into it soon.
no subject
Date: 11/19/12 12:43 am (UTC)Speaking of winter-themed art, I just put one up the other day.
Mountain Man (http://rosaleeluann.deviantart.com/art/Mountain-Man-337825836) by ~RosaleeLuAnn (http://rosaleeluann.deviantart.com/) on deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com)
no subject
Date: 11/19/12 03:45 am (UTC)Is "A Sensational Team" based on Code Name Verity? *tear* And PANGUR BAN! My friend and I had a Celtic-themed day of music and cooking leading up to watching The Secret of Kells for the first time. Loved it so much!
I haven't posted anything recent to my deviantArt in ages... I think the newest piece on there is 2 years old, alas.
no subject
Date: 11/20/12 01:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/17/12 08:05 am (UTC)Soon I'll be taking up my usual Christmas reads: Connie Willis's Miracle and Other Christmas Stories and All Seated on the Ground, Mrs. Coverlet's Magicians by Mary Nash (a long out of print children's book), David Sedaris's Holidays on Ice, and, of course, A Christmas Carol.
All of these make for lovely, comforting holiday reading.
no subject
Date: 11/18/12 05:08 pm (UTC)...sounds like something I'd love to read!
no subject
Date: 11/17/12 08:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/18/12 05:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 11/18/12 08:53 pm (UTC)I also associate Christmas with The Lord of the Rings, because the year the film of Fellowship of the Ring came out, I got the book for Christmas. I read it over the holidays (well, the first book and the beginning of the second --by luck, finishing right where the first movie finishes) before going to see the film. After that, with a new movie coming out each Christmas for the next few years, LotR was a good Christmas tradition.
I went through terrible "withdrawl" when I finished that book, good lord. After being in that world for so long I just didn't want to let it go! And the ending nearly killed me... : ( There's a melancholy atmosphere to that book that is very pleasurable in an all-consuming way.
I got the second and third Harry Potters as Christmas presents, and those books have a particularly cosy atmosphere that is unique to them...what with the snowball fights, suits of armour singing carols, loads of sweets, and Dumbledore in a floral bonnet.
no subject
Date: 11/18/12 10:40 pm (UTC)Harry Potter is just... well, magical. So of course it suits the season!
no subject
Date: 11/19/12 03:44 am (UTC)Some potential holiday/seasonal reads:
-- While I can't profess to have read it more than once, Anna and the French Kiss has a great Thanksgiving scene.
-- Cath Crowley's lovely A Little Wanting Song takes place during the Christmas break.
-- Doesn't Seraphina take place during winter? Clearly I need to reread it to find out.
-- My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece has a really depressing Christmas scene, but the book was wonderful, even if it gave me a case of snot and tears. Plus, the audio version is narrated by David Tennant, which is always a win in my book.
no subject
Date: 11/20/12 10:56 pm (UTC)