No no no! Not another gift guide! Well, no. And, yes. Consider this a highly subjective list of books that gave me a little joy – or at least eased the dread – this year. I liked them, you might too
What I love about Nigel Slater (and Nigella) books is I can feel the joy and satisfaction they take in food not as an abstract performance but as comfort to consume. I could read both of them about roast chicken and in my mind taste the crisp skin, lick the tasty burnt crispy bits off the spatula and not gaf about how any of it looks.
Delighted to see Meditations for Mortals here. And yes, Raising Hare. Both jostling for top non fiction read for me this year. So sorry to hear about Rachel's loss. I have found myself in that space too. Now I must get to Miranda July... great list! ❤️
I am currently reading Wintering (for the first time). Really enjoying it, particularly poignant as I’m going through my own winter (seemingly never-ending health issues, which are starting to make me anxious about having done zero towards Christmas yet 😞).
I loved Four Thousand Weeks; I’ve listened to it a couple of times. I will check out Meditation for Mortals.
I’ve ordered All Fours on BorrowBox - that’s winging its way to me in January.
Love this list, thank you! Loved Raising Hare and Meditiation for Mortals has already led me to his other book and the Jenny Oddell and I loved them both too. Of to buy Miranda July today.
Also a note of appreciation for rereading Wintering every year, I do that too, over the Christmas Holidays and find something new in it every time!
We’ve adopted the Jolabokaflod tradition for several years - eating chocolate and reading together in silence is my perfect way to pass a couple of hours on Christmas Eve. I always hope for snow but usually have to settle for a looped video of a snow covered cabin in the woods projected onto our living room wall. It’s where the magic is. Great list - the Dideon / Babitz is being added to mine
Thank you for this! I am so delighted to see John Banville’s Quirke series in here although I am still quite devastated by what happens in April in Spain which I think has the most beautiful depiction of a couple who love each other (and love eating together). I did not expect to find this in a crime series.
What I love about Nigel Slater (and Nigella) books is I can feel the joy and satisfaction they take in food not as an abstract performance but as comfort to consume. I could read both of them about roast chicken and in my mind taste the crisp skin, lick the tasty burnt crispy bits off the spatula and not gaf about how any of it looks.
Yes! No cheffy faff.
Delighted to see Meditations for Mortals here. And yes, Raising Hare. Both jostling for top non fiction read for me this year. So sorry to hear about Rachel's loss. I have found myself in that space too. Now I must get to Miranda July... great list! ❤️
I agonised over it and almost copped out by putting a big list of lots of other good books at the end!
I am currently reading Wintering (for the first time). Really enjoying it, particularly poignant as I’m going through my own winter (seemingly never-ending health issues, which are starting to make me anxious about having done zero towards Christmas yet 😞).
I loved Four Thousand Weeks; I’ve listened to it a couple of times. I will check out Meditation for Mortals.
I’ve ordered All Fours on BorrowBox - that’s winging its way to me in January.
Wintering is balm for the exhausted soul, every single year x
Love this list, thank you! Loved Raising Hare and Meditiation for Mortals has already led me to his other book and the Jenny Oddell and I loved them both too. Of to buy Miranda July today.
Also a note of appreciation for rereading Wintering every year, I do that too, over the Christmas Holidays and find something new in it every time!
you are my people!
I started doing Jolabokaflod a few years ago with my family. Everyone loved it.
It’s such a joyous thing
We’ve adopted the Jolabokaflod tradition for several years - eating chocolate and reading together in silence is my perfect way to pass a couple of hours on Christmas Eve. I always hope for snow but usually have to settle for a looped video of a snow covered cabin in the woods projected onto our living room wall. It’s where the magic is. Great list - the Dideon / Babitz is being added to mine
Love this, Sam!
Thank you. Happy thanksgiving x
🧡 🍁
Thank you for this! I am so delighted to see John Banville’s Quirke series in here although I am still quite devastated by what happens in April in Spain which I think has the most beautiful depiction of a couple who love each other (and love eating together). I did not expect to find this in a crime series.
Yes! Its so heartbreaking, and still is two books on.
Thank you Sam. A perfect Christmas list!