I saw this post on the Guardian book site a few weeks ago, and I think it encapsulates just why I read fantasy: "Getting Hooked on George RR Martin". For those of you who have wondered why read a fantasy novel, or what it can offer, this is a good place to understand the lure fantasy has for us. Let me know what you think! And yes, I have read three of the books in the series by George RR Martin that he mentions, I have the fourth on my shelf waiting to be read. I do highly recommend this series, though I warn it is a big story he is telling. And hard to put down. Fantasy, when it's well-written, offers a sense of magic and wonder that only poetry (in my opinion) comes close to equalling.
I have just begun The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and I am loving it. If you haven't read it yet, and want something to take you into the holidays with the love of books and delightful characters, this is the book for you. My favorite line so far? "So far my only thought is that reading keeps you from going gaga." I love this line. This is my life! Reading keeps me sane. I can relate!!!! I also love that the heroine discovers the man she is about to marry has boxed up all her books without telling her. What does she do? what is her reaction? Let's just say that I completely agreed with what she did!!
Just because I love the Advent Tour so much:
Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise began the advent tour yesterday with a marvelous list of her favourite mysteries she read this year, and favourite mysteries over the last two years. This is an excellent list to begin looking for mysteries for that special crime-reading someone on your Christmas list. I've read several of the books she's mentioned, and have added several authors who are new to me. So if you are looking for new crime books to read (or buy as gifts), this is a very good place to start.
At Dolce Bellezza, it's all about the chocolate orange and keeping memories of what we love alive. Isn't this a lovely way to usher in the holiday season? We usually get the chocolate oranges every year, and I am delighted that she did such a lovely post on why they mean so much to her.
Brenda at Joyful Holidays has a lovely post about the Advent Calendar, how it began and a cookie recipe, a traditional German Christmas cookie. Yum.
Capricious Reader has a post about some of her favourite Christmas songs, in case you are in need of finding the mood for Christmas. She has linked them to Youtube videos, a lovely way to hear the music she loves. I know that with no snow here in Ottawa, and unseasonably warm temperatures, it's hard to think that Christmas will be here in 3 weeks!!!
Once Upon a Bookcase writes about her Christmas dinner and how they spend time as a family at Christmas eve. Yum, I'm hungry now. All that lovely Christmas food.
Bookend Crossing has an Irish poem about the bones of Santa Claus, an "Irish St Nicholas", that I have never come across! Very Irish and delightful.
And lastly on the two days of the virtual tour so far, Linus's Blanket has a wonderful rendition of O Holy Night. This is one of my favourite Christmas songs, and always makes me want to cry when I hear it.
And that's just over two days. 23 wonderful more days to read what you love about the season!
So even though I am not an organizer of the Advent tour, if you haven't joined yet, there is still time - really. I discovered last night that I hadn't been assigned a day yet! So I sent Marg and Kailana and email and am now happily added to Dec 21. If you want to join, there is always room for you.
