"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Twas the week before Christmas - Day 4

"Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house." 
 ~Henry Ward Beecher

I love to decorate with books. This is my reading corner in my living room. December is a time when I put aside all my other books and start reading or rereading some holiday or winter themed books. So far a book by Elizabeth Goudge entitled I Saw Three Ships has been a highlight for me. You can read my review on my Bookshelves and Stove Tops blog. I am now rereading The Christmas Tree by Julia Salamon and this is a story that always warms you with the true meaning behind a Christmas tree.

Do you have a favorite Christmas book? I love reading Charles Dickens or Henry Van Dyke as much as a modern novel like Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley or The Golden Ring by John Snyder.

"When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than was there before."
 ~Clifton Fadiman

7 comments:

DebbieSFL said...

Heidi, I love Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and a new read to me from last year, A Darcy Christmas. I really enjoyed that one and will re-read this year over the long weekend. Have a blessed Christmas.

Unknown said...

I like to read the Miss. Read Christmas stories. I try to get something new each year and this year I got from the used bookstore, "A Night Like No Other" by Chip Davis. It's about a little boy that get stuck in the world of a snow globe. It was a fun read. Chip Davis is the creator and leading member of a 60's group called Mannheim Steamroller. This was a story that meant a lot to him. RYC-It funny because we are a little uncomfortable with cutting back on gifts this year, but I think we'll get use to it. I definetely like not having to spend so much and worry about what to buy. I enjoyed making some of the gifts and hope to do that again. I guess it's baby steps for us. We don't really need anything either and so many others do.

Celestial Charms said...

Hi Heidi,
I have a very old copy of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, that I read each year, in addition to watching all the movie versions as well. I'm going to look up some of the books you and others mentioned, as I'm always looking for recommended books. I do find winter time is the best time for reading.
Maureen

Ginny said...

What a cozy corner. I don't have a favorite Christmas novel, preferring the Biblical narratives instead.

Anonymous said...

Everyone should have a lovely reading nook like that.

Vicki said...

Your reading nook looks so inviting! I, too, love books. We've lugged them from home to home; my husband gets exasperated. Books have gotten me thru some tough times. If they cover every empty shelf, I don't care. If I wasn't careful, I could spend 'way too much money on them. So far, I can't ever see myself with a Kindle (Amazon). I have to have the paper, the binding, the permanence; although I realize it's not eco-friendly (except that paperbacks and hardcovers live many lives, through second-hand stores, library fundraisers, etc. - it's probably rare that anyone would ever seriously throw away a readable book but, of course, it starts with a tree...).

My favorite Christmas book was given to me by my aunt when I was a little thing. She was a subscriber with a company called "Ideals" and they had periodic/seasonal "magazines" which were really books with nice paper, photos, poems, themes, glossy covers (all keepers, like for Easter, Autumn, etc.). There was a special one on Santa Claus and his busy elves, which is my book I bring out each year (packed away this year, unfortunately, due to endless remodeling when my husband gets the time). The illustrations, in vivid color, were intricate, and I'd drink in every single page. One of the elves was Lazy Elf, and you could always eventually find him in a drawing, off by himself and getting out of the work of the others! The book is pretty worn out now, even with only being brought out at Christmas, but it's my treasure.

Vicki Again said...

Interesting comment from commenter Linda about Chip Davis, creator and leading member of Mannheim Steamroller. I think they hailed from Nebraska. Their instrumental version of "Silent Night" is one of the most poignant, beautiful pieces of music performed, in my opinion. It will "still" you, no matter what you're doing, no matter where you are. Just stops you in your tracks. Quietly spiritual. Like twinkling stars and falling snow. Moments of magic and beauty.