Hello lovely readers,
The Vintage Shop has just been published in Germany and I was sent a box of copies by my publisher - look how lovely the cover looks! I find it fascinating to see the different styles of book cover design around the world.
December is here and I started my Christmas shopping in my local independent bookshop. They gave me some great recommendations and ordered some specific requests I had. The books arrived the very next day. A reminder of why bookshops are a brilliant place to do your Christmas shopping!
Things feel a little quiet for me as I approach the end of the year. I recently lost someone very special to me and grief and winter weather are making me want to curl up with books and comfort food and not do much else.
I recently asked on social media for recommendations for books to help when you’re grieving. I received such brilliant suggestions that I decided to pull them together in a list. If you’re also dealing with a loss, then hopefully some of the titles here might provide some comfort and solace.
If you have any others you think I should add to the list, I’d love to hear.
Another thing that I’m finding helpful is journalling. Every day there are things I want to tell the person I’ve lost so I write them down in the journal. It’s a small thing but it’s helping.
Christmas will feel quite strange for me this year but I’m trying my best to get into the festive spirit. I don’t especially feel like celebrating and yet I think that’s all the more reason to celebrate. Because life is short and I want to grab onto small moments of joy - like watching my son’s face light up as he sees the Christmas lights switch on, savouring delicious festive treats and making my house smell permanently of cinnamon and clementines thanks to cosily glowing candles.
As we approach the end of the year I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to you for supporting me and my books. I can’t wait to share my new book The Lifeline with you next year.
Keep scrolling for book reviews, things I’m loving and a recipe for the warming winter tea I’m drinking by the gallon at the moment…
What I’m reading
This month I found a new title to add to my list of all-time favourite books. Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop was a charming celebration of books and reading. Set in a small bookshop it tells the story of its owner, the barista who works in the café, and a number of the regular customers. There were so many wonderful quotes in this one that really stayed with me.
“…happiness is never beyond reach. It’s not in the distant past, nor on the horizon of the future. It’s right in front of me. Like that day’s beer, and today’s quince tea… I think life becomes easier knowing that happiness is not that far out of reach.”
Hwang Bo-Reum, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
Another bookshop book that I absolutely loved this month was Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop, a memoir written by a woman who decided to set up a bookshop in her tiny Tuscan village, home to 180 people. It’s an enchanting depiction of an Italian village, its people, and the power of books and community.
“A community is like a special family where you help those who need helping and celebrate with those who have something to celebrate. Where you’re always happy to lend a hand. Where you belong.”
Alba Donati, Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop
My reading might have followed a bit of a theme this month because I also read Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, another book set in a bookshop. Except this one was a little different, featuring a secret society and a quest to decode ancient texts. I don’t usually read fantasy or mystery but I really loved this! It was intriguing and magical but down-to-earth too and a real page-turner.
Another book I really enjoyed this month was When in Rome by Sarah Adams. I love a rom-com and this was a great one, featuring a burnt-out popstar, a small town and a grumpy pie shop owner. A soothing, easy read that made me smile.
A bookish Christmas list
My grandfather used to buy me books every year for Christmas. He would write a personal inscription inside each one. This year will be the first year that I don’t receive a book from him (or give him a whole stack in return) so I think I may have to just buy these for myself. I think it’s what he would have wanted.
Nordic Winter Cookbook - the photos in this book look just as beautiful as the recipes and are giving me serious hygge vibes.
Sauna - By the same author is this book about Finnish sauna culture which I think might just make me want to move to Finland.
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, Jenny Colgan - I’m a big fan of Jenny Colgan’s novels for beautifully drawn settings, relatable characters and a hearty serving of cheer. I can’t wait to read this follow-up to The Christmas Bookshop and am hoping for similar levels of festivity and bookishness.
Sourdough, Robin Sloan - Having really enjoyed Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore this month, I’m keen to read Sourdough by the same author.
Wintering, Katherine May - This is a book that’s been on my list for a long time and this winter is the winter I think I definitely need to read it. About adapting to life’s winter periods.
Things I’m loving at the moment…
Sainsbury’s CHEESE ADVENT CALENDAR.
Bird and Blend’s tea advent calendar.
Candles: I like to burn one on my desk to make my writing space an inviting place to spend time. I’m obsessed with the Christmassy fragrances of The Botanical Candle Company’s Half Light and Last Light. Zara’s Gingerbread candles are great too.
Festive tights from Snag - I bought their stars and candy stripes.
I saw one of these book nook kits in my local garden centre and I’m now OBSESSED.
And if you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for yourself or a booklover in your life, here are some of my favourite shops…
My favourite places to find bookish gifts…
A recipe for a warming winter concoction
It’s germ season, hurrah! We’ve had lots of winter colds in our household so I’ve been drinking gallons of this warming tea to keep my vitamins and spirits up:
You’ll need:
1 lemon
A nub of ginger
1 red chilli
1-2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon of turmeric
Honey
Method:
Peel the skin of the lemon into strips, then cut the remaining lemon into slices.
Peel and slice a good-sized nub of ginger.
Slice and deseed a chilli (throw away the seeds).
Chuck the lemon skin strips, slices, ginger, chilli and cinammon into a large saucepan of water. Swirl in some turmeric and honey.
Bring the pan to the simmer.
Serve yourself great ladles full of warming yellow magic.
Happy December, everyone. Thank you for being a subscriber to my newsletter! And remember, books make the best Christmas presents!
Hi Libby - I instantly thought of another couple of grief-related books for your list: Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Finding the Words by Colin Campbell (which only seems to be available on Amazon so maybe it wasn't published in the UK?).
My husband bought me a book nook kit for my birthday and I’m loving building it - although I’ve had to set aside for a bit as I’ve started a new job in a bookshop and I agree wholeheartedly that book shops are wonderful places to do your Christmas shopping! I look forward to reading Wintering too, it feels like the right time for me as well. Sorry for your loss - this Christmas hits a bit different for me too after some sad news about my mum’s health.