Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Snow, cold, and winter reading


I can't recall a snowier December than we have experienced this year.  While beautiful to look at, arriving at any destination can be rather difficult.  Thankfully, the roads were still clear when I met my friends Sheila and Suzie for coffee yesterday.  It was so nice to see them and get caught up with the goings on of all three families.

I haven't been feeling the best but I've kept in the Christmas mood with good books and movies.  Two of my favorite Miss Read books were read, The Christmas Mouse and No Holly For Miss Quinn.  Neither book requires having read any of her series to be enjoyed.

I'm still reading Shepherd's Abiding, a favorite Christmas book by Jan Karon.  Has anyone read her new book, yet?   The reviews on Amazon did not look promising.

I thought her last book okay, not my favorite but it did give insight into Father Tim's past.  I suppose it is somewhat a "bridge" book between the Mitford series and her new book.  Although my husband read Home to Holly Springs and loved it and he didn't like the Mitford books (he started to read a couple and gave them back to me).

I have a stack of books from the library which must receive attention soon.  They have been neglected to take advantage of the variety of family friendly movies available this time of year on TV.   Which is why the coffee table in the living room is groaning under the weight of books waiting to at least receive a perusal.

The kitchen is calling as cookies must be made today.  Believe me, having the oven on will feel great and even washing dishes in hot, sudsy water feels good.  Brrrr....

15 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

I've never been able to get into Jan Karon's books. I tried though. I just finished reading Cindy Woodsmall's new book The Bridge of Peace. Now it's on to Beverly Lewis's new book The Thorn. I'm having a bit of trouble getting into it. Hopefully it'll get easier to read. We got more snow this Dec. than we have in years too. Last night even more. Hugs and love

Vee said...

No, I haven't read Miss Karon's new book. Must check out the reviews. I did very much enjoy Shepherd's Abiding and Home to Holly Springs. Gotta admire an author who can write so much about one character and his world. Stay warm and cozy down there!

Denise said...

It sounds nice and cozy over at your home today.Would love to sit and read with you and a cup of tea.It's been raining like crazy in Ca.all week.I would love the snow if I could stay home.I always enjoyed Miss Read,Midford I only read the first two then tired of it.Do you enjoy Rosemond Pilchner? Her Winter Soltice is a Christmas book that introduced me to her other books.

Lisa said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the Mitford series, but I haven't read Shepherd's Abiding or her new one. I'll have to look into those. My mom, who is visiting for Christmas brought me a large stack of books from her library and I feel so rich!

carolyn stutz said...

Love your blog - usually save it as the last one to read so I can savor it! LOVED the Mitford books. Have all of them and have gone back to "visit" Mitford probably three times. Home to Holly Springs was a disappointment - everything fell into place so neatly - SO unlike all the Mitford characters. In the Company of Others is more like Mitford, but very hard to get into. I had a hard time keeping the people straight. I didn't get halfway through before I had to return it to the library, but I'll check it out again and finish it.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Fixing My Thoughts said...

Have read and enjoyed the Miss Read Christmas books (I think there are maybe three total?) very much. In case I don't get the chance to do so later this week, I wish you and yours and your blog readers a very Merry Christmas! Bess

Lisa said...

I have read, and unfortunately purchased, the new book. It was a disappointment to say the least, and if you are looking for more "Father Tim-ness" this is not the book, as he and Cynthia are just basically side characters. Not at all in keeping with the Mitford series.

Florence said...

I love all the Miss Read books. I'd love to own a complete set but then I'd probably read nothing else! LOL We're having very warm and dry weather here on the Texas Gulf coast--not very Christmasy.

Anonymous said...

Oh how I adore Miss Read! I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Jan Karon's book from the library. Send some of that snow down South!

Anonymous said...

I have read and re-read all the Mitford books. "Home to Holly Springs" was o.k. Could not get into this newest book at all. I finished it our of sheer stubborness....(I bought it, I'm going to read it.) I wish Miss Karon would go back to Mitford and write about the various characters there. It doesn't all have to be all about Cynthia and Father Tim; they could just become part of the community.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love the whole Mitford Series and thought her last book was good and interesting to learn Father Tim's background.

I haven't read anything about the new one, I have been so busy.

I am still trying to dig up my Shepherd's Abiding...can't seem to find it!

Anonymous said...

Loved Shepherds Abiding but didn't care for her newest book. It just wasn't the same without all of his friends and neighbours there.

Marianna said...

I finished the newest Karon book a couple of weeks ago. I like the new focus on Father Tim and Cynthia's relationship. However, I did not like the preachiness of this book. Father Tim and Cynthia's is a quiet faith, evident in his living. One of the characters in this book is a deeply wounded woman and the witness that Father Tim and Cynthia brought to her was not at all in keeping with their "voice". Not sure if I'll be so eager to read the next Father Tim book.

Other authors I've enjoyed that have the "flavor" of the Mitford series include Jennifer Chiaverini, Rosamunde and Robin (her son) Pilcher, Susan Wittig Albert's series about Beatrix Potter.

Anonymous said...

About Jan Karon's latest book 'In The Company Of Others' - I just put it down yesterday. I can't say I finished reading it because I skimmed about 3/4 of the entire book.

This is from such a devoted Fr. Tim and Mitford fan that I have read the series a few times and today I will be using The Mitford Cookbook to round out my Christmas menu!

It's heavy on dialect (Irish) and more than half of the book is devoted to an old diary that Fr. Tim and Cynthia find in the inn they are staying at in Ireland - you read what they are reading. If you are expecting an typical Fr. Tim/Mitford installment, this is not it.

Janet

Anonymous said...

I haven't started on the Jan Karon second book about the continuing adventures of Father Tim yet. I have a book about Miss Read and recently found my first novel of hers. She has so many!! If it wasen' for your blog Brenda, I would not have known about Miss Read's books or so many others I have enjoyed. Thankyou!!! I love Fanny Flagg's books...every one of them!! I hope she writes many many more. I am enjoying everyones comments and their suggestions. Merry CHRISTmas! Sarah