A winter morning on the Fraser
Christmas at my house is and has always been a low-key affair. Even more so now that there are no children involved. So with shopping done, decorations up, and baking largely complete (more may or may not be done) I was free to enjoy a completely relaxing weekend – which, given the harried masses I’ve seen rushing around town this weekend, does not seem to be the norm.
I had a vacation day remaining for the year so, since my colleagues with children will be taking time off over the next couple of weeks, I took Friday off and made a long weekend of it. Nothing is nicer than a random long weekend when other people are working. On Friday, I ran errands (thrilling stuff), went for a walk in the woods, and saw the new Star Wars movie (meh). But the best part of a long weekend is that when Saturday comes around you realise you have an entire weekend remaining. Joy!
I made the most of my weekend by reading most of Saturday afternoon and evening. It has been so long since I’ve been able to read uninterrupted for any stretch of time. I finished Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans (marvellous), read all of History’s People by Margaret MacMillan (wonderful – the perfect holiday gift for any history fiend on your list), and started Their Finest Hour and a Half, also by Lissa Evans. I also read the newest edition of Slightly Foxed cover-to-cover; the wonderfully eclectic essays always leave me with a warm, cosy feeling that all is right in the bookish world (and always add countless titles to my library list).
Slightly Foxed has been much on my mind recently: I renewed my subscription for another two years and, as a reward for finishing my recent exam, placed a (for me) large book order. I bought:
Corduroy by Adrian Bell
Country Boy by Richard Hillyer
Portrait of Elmbury by John Moore
The Past is Myself by Christabel Bielenberg (already a favourite)
Marrying Out by Harold Carlton
Silver Ley by Adrian Bell
They’ve just arrived and are so beautiful. My only worry now is which to read first.
Off to a baroque Christmas concert now but have every intention of returning to my books this evening. A very social week lies ahead of me – not to mention three and a half days of work – so best to get as much reading in today as I can!
The Captive Reader 
Your Slightly Foxed order makes me want to reach through the screen for a good browse, Claire. The perfect reward after exams!
I was so happy to finally make it to the shop last May and should take a closer look at their subscription. Off to do that now….and just in case I don’t make it back before the 25th…’Merry Christmas!’.
Isn’t the shop wonderful? I long to go back, knowing I would buy far too much, which is why I travel light when I go to London – I know I’ll be coming home with perilously overweight luggage! And you really must look into a subscription. I’ve had one for the last four years and grow more delighted with each new issue.
Merry Christmas to you, too!
I love “The Past is Myself”. I have also read the sequel, which is a lot less dramatic, since it is mostly about the Bielenberg’s lives in Ireland after the war, and how she came to write the first book. It is still worth reading though. I have not heard of the other books on your list.
As for Star Wars, I have to admit that I am old enough to have watched the original when it was first in the cinemas. I like the original, but I have had the feeling that there has been a lot of manufactured hype about the current one.
I haven’t read the sequel but would be interested to read it. After such eventful war years, it’s good to know their lives become less dramatic!
It sounds like a lovely weekend! I was rushing around yesterday, though not for Christmas shopping. I spent much of today on the couch with a book, and it was lovely. We only have three days of work this week – all of Christmas Eve off for a change, which will be nice. I hope your week goes well!
Couch + book = perfection. Enjoy your Christmas Eve off and the rest of the holidays!
It sounds idyllic. Going to check out some of your reads!
Good plan! There is to explore on the Slightly Foxed website, too.
I’m so glad you liked ‘Crooked Heart’ – it’s one of my favorite books of the year. Your pile of Slightly Foxed editions is just beautiful. I haven’t received my Winter edition of the quarterly yet – I’m sure it’s caught up in all the Christmas mail – but I anticipate reading it cover-to-cover myself over the holiday. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
My edition just arrived on Friday so I’m sure your one will come soon. Happy reading when it does!
They’re so beautiful! I’m planning to read the Elmbury book at some point soon, because I think it’s based on Tewkesbury (which I grew up near). Marrying Out is brilliant, btw.
It was your review of Marrying Out that made me so excited to read it!