Our December reading was so much fun! I was surprised at how many quiet evenings I had at home this month to enjoy a crackling fire and a good book.
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1. Read a Christmas classic.
Charity - The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It can barely be Christmas if I haven’t dipped into this classic once again! This year I delved into the historical context, author’s life, and the writing style of the book, which made me understand how influential this book was and still is today.
Gina - The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Charity and I purchased a webinar on The Christmas Carol and spent several afternoons listening to an explanation of the background of Victorian literature and English Christmas traditions. It was such a fun way to learn more about a favorite book.
2. Read an Advent book.
Charity - Hallelujah by Cindy Rollins
I enjoyed this study of Handel's Messiah so much last year that I decided to repeat the experience. The beauty of Scripture put to music and the powerful story of Christ's birth and resurrection, awed me once again.
Gina - Waiting on the Word by Malcolm Guite
For the last couple years, I've been attempting to gain a greater appreciation for poetry. I have enjoyed Malcolm Guite's poetry so purchased his Advent complilation. Guite organizes a poem for each day from December 1 to January 6 and includes a short discussion on the poem. The poems come from a wide variety of authors from the past centuries, including some of Guite's own work. Reading this book was the perfect beginning of each day. I may have formed a new poetry-reading habit.
3. Read a cozy book.
Charity - A New Song by Jan Karon
The Mitford series is the definition of cozy. I enjoyed rereading several of Karon’s delightful books in her series about a small town and a faithful priest. The comical characters always have me chuckling and the descriptions of food and cups of tea make me hungry every time.
Gina - Welcome Home by Myquillyn Smith
A dabbled in a number of books that could fit this category, including reading a Mitford book and Emily Steiner's newest book. But when a friend gave me Welcome Home by Myquillyn Smith, I knew this was my cozy book. Smith (known as The Nester online) has written several books on home decorating, but this may be my favorite yet. She shows how you can use the five senses to decorate your home for the four seasons in a cozy minimalist style. The book is lovely, warm, and inspiring and I expect to refer to it as the seasons change in the coming year.
For the next two months, Charity and I plan to join the Brighter Winter Reading Challenge. This is the fourth year and is always a winter highlight. It isn't too late to join in.
I too am doing the Brighter Winter reading challenge. I be already finished one book. I may just read two books at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this challenge.
ReplyDeleteI read:A Christmas Carol, Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp, and The Dry Divide by Ralph Moody.
I had never read an advent devotional before; I really enjoyed it. Thank you!
It was a beautiful way to slow down and savor a season that I find will dictate me if I let it.
And the Dry Divide isn’t exactly cozy, but I was ill, and it was close at hand. 😉
I also finished Winterbound, a sweet, middle grade fiction read.
I have been looking for a decent wholesome book to read and I tell you what I am in love with the Mitford series even though I am only on the first few chapters of book one "At Home in Mitford" with book 2 on its way. Thankyou for sharing. Have gleened encouragment from your challenge & as we have 1week & 1month left of Summer here my whole tribe are doing the challenge of reading 1book or more by end of summer.
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