Book Lovers Chat - December 2024
"books may well be the only true magic" Alice Hoffman
This voiceover is an audio version of my Book Lovers Chat below. It is unedited, so may have some stutters, imperfections, and background noise. I hope you enjoy listening to it anyway!
Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a gentle community for YOU. We find pockets of time for slow & gentle living, books, writing, journaling & life affirming work. You are so welcome here in our cosy space, grab a cuppa & stay a while... 🐢🙏📚☕💌
Welcome back to another Slow Sunday Letter! I hope you have had a slow and gentle week.
This post is wonderfully timed as it is my Birthday today!!!!! I am having a very low key day celebrating with my Husband (who is usually working on my Birthday!) and I am so excited. I must admit the older I get the more simple I like my Birthdays to be! I will be happy with a long walk out in the countryside, some coffee and cake, maybe a bubble bath and a good book - and then we’re planning a cinema night at home on the big projector. I hope to be in PJs by 8pm, with a mug of hot chocolate! But before all of that… let’s talk about books!!!
In this month’s Book Lover’s Chat, we are building our Winter Reading List to see us through December, January and February. To go along side this - I have designed a Winter Reading Bingo card for you - can you get BINGO before the Spring!?
You know the drill - grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s settle down for a read together…
Please note - this post may be too long to read in your email so click through to read on your browser or read on the Substack app.
Winter Reading
I found putting together my winter reading list a little trickier than my Autumn one - not least because I struggled to put myself into the headspace of January/February and the New Year vibes!
So I have given this my best - there were a few books I knew I wanted to read over December, and some I’ve been saving for January - looking at you Big Magic!
I’ve also got a collection of short stories to dive in and out of over the season. I keep a book basket by my bed with poetry and short stories and I’ve come to love dipping into this little treasure trove before bed, or first thing in the morning.
The Winter Spirits - Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights
The tradition of a haunted tale at Christmas has flourished across the centuries. These twelve stories - authored by some of today's most loved and lauded writers of historical and gothic fiction - are all centred around Christmas or Advent, boldly and playfully re-imagining a beloved tradition for a modern audience. Taking you from a haunted Tuscan villa to a remote Scottish island with a dark secret,, these vibrant haunted stories are your ultimate companion for frosty nights.
My Winter Reading List
This list I am sure will evolve and change - especially if I get any book shaped gifts under the Christmas tree! But I am happy with it. Please do share your winter reading and if you have read any on my list do let me know your thoughts!
Winter Reading
One Christmas Morning - Rachel Greenlaw
This Christmas - Emma Heatherington
The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan
The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea - Axie Oh
Little Women/Good Wives - Louisa May Alcott
Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell
Winter Solstice - Rosamunde Pilcher
The Lost Bookshop - Evie Woods
Olive -
Weyward - Emilia Hart
Big Magic -
Chasing Fog -
Winter Reading Bingo!
A little bit of fun for over the winter months, click the above PDF and either print or have your Bingo card on your phone to record your reading - and see if you can be the first to get BINGO!
My November Reads
(all my summaries and reviews will be spoiler free)
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
3 STARS
Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, raised and educated by ghosts. There, living among the dead, Bod discovers that he possesses remarkable magical powers: he can avoid people's notice, scare them, and even invade their dreams.
There are dangers and adventures for Bod in the graveyard. But it is in the land of the living that the real danger lurks, for it is there that the man Jack lives - and he has sinister plans for Bod...
My Thoughts:
My first Neil Gaiman and I really enjoyed it. The story moves along at a lovely pace and is full of intrigue. I was hooked from the rather brutal opening which creates our orphan protagonist, who then finds himself under the care of the ghostly inhabitants of the graveyard.
The ongoing threat is managed well throughout the book and reaches a thoroughly satisfactory climax. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in the graveyard and reading along as Bod grows up and learns more about himself, the world and his past. I was entertained throughout, and particularly enjoyed the wonderful illustrations by Chris Riddell.
Rewitched - Lucy Jane Wood
4 STARS
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark, but she hasn’t seen it in a while either. Balancing work at her beloved London bookshop, Lunar Books, with handling her toxic boss and concealing her witchcraft from those around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.
But, when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic for ever. With the month of October to fix things and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure and even from an (infuriating) coven watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .
My Thoughts:
I really loved this book, it truly is a magical debut from Lucy Jane Woods. A friend of mine recommended this, and said you can tell she poured her heart in to it, and Lucy really has. It was a delight, and a great Autumnal read - max cosy vibes! Strong female energy, a cat, a book shop and magic - what’s not to like!?
I picked this book up for the witchy autumnal vibes expecting quite a light hearted read, but it reached 4 stars because of its heart, it’s beautiful depiction of family and found family, its mystery and genuinely moving moments.
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
4 STARS
In a house haunted by memories, the past is everywhere ... As darkness falls, a man caught in a snowstorm is forced to shelter at the strange, grim house Wuthering Heights. It is a place he will never forget. There he will come to learn the story of Cathy: how she was forced to choose between her well-meaning husband and the dangerous man she had loved since she was young. How her choice led to betrayal and terrible revenge - and continues to torment those in the present. How love can transgress authority, convention, and even death.
My Thoughts
This novel may well have been my most anticipated read of 2024 - and it didn’t disappoint - though I would say, I did struggle through the general darkness and many of the unlikeable characters! This book drew me in from the first few pages. I felt completely immersed in this moody, atmospheric novel - I could barely put it down once I had started it. Wuthering Heights is just as haunting, dark and passionate as I had heard it described! I am so glad I have experienced it!
The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien
5 STARS
Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services – as a burglar – on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo’s life is never to be the same again.
My Thoughts
I had misjudged this book … having never read Tolkien before, and having never seen the movie The Hobbit… I expected this book to be heavy and hard going. I was very wrong … I flew through this book in 2 days, simply because I was having the best time. Tolkien truly is a masterful storyteller and world builder … the characters are wonderful and the story compelling and moved at a wonderful pace with so much humour. I loved Bilbo … his constant hunger and thoughts about food and his longing for home throughout his adventure was so endearing (and relatable!). I laughed so much throughout this book and just loved every moment! My fourth 5🌟 book of the year !!!!
New On My Book Shelf
This month I have added these books to my bookshelf…
As I have been building my Winter and Christmas reading I have stocked up on some new Christmas books!
One Christmas Morning - Rachel Greenlaw
This Christmas - Emma Heatherington
Next Up on my TBR List
Next up on my TBR list is:
The Christmas Bookshop - Jenny Colgan
I also leave some space for spontaneous choices, and library visits! (and maybe Birthday/Christmas gifts!!!)
Hello From Me !
I am wearing my ‘a writer’s life’ hoodie which you can buy following this link…
browse my merch by clicking here!
Bookish Substacks I’ve enjoyed this month…
I hope you have enjoyed this months Book Lovers Chat! This is my favourite post to write - I just love putting it together and thinking and talking about books and reading! If you would like to see anything at all featured in Book Lovers Chat, please let me know as we grow this community together. I’ll be back at the beginning of next month, and in a brand new year with even more reading inspiration!
As always, I’d love to know if you have read any of the books we have discussed here, and if you have started building your winter reading list yet!
Thank you for being here,
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Happy birthday Emily! I wish you a wonderful celebration!
I am so glad you loved The Hobbit, is so good and it really flies by!
I read the Christmas bookshop last year, it's a cozy reading.
I will probably read Christmas at the island hotel by Jenny colgan, I bought it last year but never read it yet. I have Marmee in my tbr and surely reread the nutcracker by E.t.a. Hoffman! Let me know if you read winter solstice, I am curious about that.
Have a lovely birthday! 💫💕
Happy Belated Birthday!! 💫