The Reads of Christmas Future

During the holiday season, I only read holiday novels (either set during the season or have a seasonal theme) and this year the season started sooner. Usually, my holiday reading session starts on Thanksgiving and lasts until the first week in January, but this year I felt a need to start earlier and began November 1st. I especially love reading short stories and anthologies during this time as I can read a complete story between decorating, baking and crafting. Here are some of the books that I've added to my list. I'm not sure how many I'll get to but I know I'll enjoy trying to get through all of them...and maybe some others from my prior reading lists that I've rediscovered on my bookshelves or on my Kindle.

The 12 Slays of Christmas by multiple authors (anthology) - https://www.amazon.com/12-Slays-Christmas-Abby-Vandiver-ebook/dp/B075FGNTG4

Better Off Thread by Amanda Lee- https://www.amazon.com/Better-Off-Thread-Embroidery-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01CZCW26A

The Boyfriend Swap by Meredith Schorr - https://www.amazon.com/Boyfriend-Swap-Meredith-Schorr-ebook/dp/B074PBG2MP

The Cat of Christmas Future by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Future-Whales-Tails-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0759XZ5JD

The Cat of Christmas Past by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Past-Whales-Tails-Mystery-ebook/dp/B014QH43GE

The Christmas Letter by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Letter-Cozy-Mystery-Tilly-ebook/dp/B075RR9JX3

Christmas in Venice by Maria Grazia Swan- https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Venice-Maria-Grazia-Swan-ebook/dp/B01N0KP3VW

Christmas Spirit: Cozy Mystery Series by Morgana Best - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Spirit-Mystery-Middle-aged-Whisperer-ebook/dp/B0165221E4

Death in D Minor by Alexia Gordon- https://www.amazon.com/Death-Minor-Gethsemane-Brown-Mystery-ebook/dp/B071Y7QDYR

Death is Coming to Town by Eleanor Cawood Jones -  https://www.amazon.com/Death-Coming-Eleanor-Cawood-Jones-ebook/dp/B00H5D4C4A

Double Deck the Halls by Gretchen Archer – https://www.amazon.com/DOUBLE-HALLS-Bellissimo-Casino-Crime-ebook/dp/B076BJSQJG

Feliz Navidead by Ann Meyers - https://www.amazon.com/Feliz-Navidead-Santa-Cafe-Mystery/dp/0062382314

Finding Justice by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Justice-Rescue-Alaska-Mystery-ebook/dp/B074MHGYY6

Fourth Victim by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Retreat-Southern-Seashore-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0747TK39Y

Freshly Ground Murder by Tonya Kappes - https://www.amazon.com/Freshly-Ground-Murder-Killer-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0764DWFT2

Lowcountry Bordello by Susan Boyer - https://www.amazon.com/Lowcountry-Bordello-Talbot-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0147MG9W4

Pearls Gone Wild by Diane Vallere - https://www.amazon.com/Pearls-Gone-Wild-Samantha-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MD0U8XS

Reindeer Roundup by Kathi Daley - https://www.amazon.com/Reindeer-Roundup-Donovan-Cozy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B075RR4X5C

Seeds of Revenge by Wendy Tyson - https://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Revenge-Greenhouse-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B07519T827

Trouble Under the Mistletoe by Rebecca Barrett - https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Under-Mistletoe-Familiar-Mystery-ebook/dp/B076V2XZQZ

The Lists of Christmas

The Lists of Christmas

I’ll admit it, I’m Christmas crazy. There is something about this particular holiday season (I’m not much into Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving) that puts me in the mood to experience and do everything Christmassy. Fortunately, I only put myself on the doer of the lists of must dos and my family can either benefit from or ignore all my Christmas giddiness preparations. I’m the crazy Christmas person in our home and I learned early on it made for a more pleasant holiday season (for all) when everyone’s enthusiasm for the holiday was respected.

To get the most out of the season, I have a few lists. Now, this won’t work for everyone but I’m a planner. I like plans. I thrive on order. And I like to know I won’t miss out on my favorites so I have a Christmas planner and have the following lists:

      1.  Handcrafted Gifts – I like to make each family member one item for Christmas. I need to get started if I’m going to get them all done.

      2.  Cookie Baking – I always do three favorites and one new recipe. My family helps decide on the three and I pick the new one. (Favorites: chocolate chip, spritz, and peanut butter and jelly)

      3.  Wish List – I have learned to include where I’ve hidden the gift as some years it’s such a great spot, I can’t find it until spring.

      4.  Holiday Movies – I have quite a collection of Christmas/Holiday movies and now that we have the Hallmark Channel again (YAY!), I have more movies to watch. I create my own holiday programming guide so I can fit in all my favorites and catch all the new ones on the Hallmark Channel.

      5.  Holiday Reading – I start putting together a list of books I’d like to read. I write mini-reviews on my blog www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com

      6.  Christmas Eve Dinner – I do an appetizer meal on Christmas Eve. I put out the trays in the late afternoon as we finish up any Christmas day preps (like putting together items for the little ones who’ll be over the next day), wrap presents, watch movies and talk about past Christmases. I have about three tried and true appetizers everyone loves and then two new recipes (or 1 recipe and 1 frozen option). It’s one of our favorite dinners of the year.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!