Sunday, 18 December 2011

What are you reading this Christmas?

I've always liked to do a bit of reading over the Christmas period, I have my old favourites that I read every year, the first being a favourite of many,  'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. The version I have has been illustrated by Arthur Rackham, (1869-1939) a brilliant artist who done a huge amount of work.

A selection of illustrations from 'A Christmas Carol'
  Another book I read every year, also by Charles Dickens, is 'The Chimes' A Goblin Story of Some Bells That Rang an Old Year Out and a New One in. This story is not so well known and it gets lots of mixed reviews, (I know a couple of people who prefer to listen to it by audio book rather than read it). The story of The Chimes can be a bit long winded but I find that like any book, if I read with lots of inflection and emotion (sometimes even accents) then it is more enjoyable.

'The Chimes' by Charles Dickens. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
 My third Christmas book that I like to flick through is Penhaligons Treasury of Verse & Prose, (pictured below) it was scented at one time but I've had it so long and it's been thumbed through so many times there is no perfume left. As you can guess from the title it is full of wonderful verse, from the well known carol...

The Holly and the Ivy (sung here by Annie Lennox) to 

In the Bleak Midwinter sung by the Moody Blues
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
                                   Treasury of Verse with a picture of a Victorian Christmas Card                                    

Well that's some of my reading organised,  do you have any Christmas favourites?

I have a few new new bits that I painted this week, I'd like to show you but I need to keep them secret ;) at least for one more week :) but I'm going to link this post to 1st Unique Gifts Blog and go and have a peek at some great makes and great blogs.

Whatever you are doing this Christmas, have fun, be good and stay safe. Best wishes to you all.

Jan x
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24 comments:

  1. Stephen18 December 2011 at 20:03

    I have to confess I don't read as much as I used to when I was younger. The most reading I do these days is the Handmade Monday blogs :-D

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  2. Planet Penny18 December 2011 at 20:12

    Arthur Rackham is one of my favourite illustrators, perfect for a Christmas Carol. I haven't come across 'The Chimes' I must put it on my reading list. Have a very happy Christmas,
    Penny x

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  3. lovetartan18 December 2011 at 20:13

    Have a great Christmas and New Year Jan - Mich x

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  4. Wendy18 December 2011 at 20:58

    Happy reading! I'll be loading up my Kindle as a Christmas treat to myself! :-)

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  5. Sarah - The Lilac Dragonfly18 December 2011 at 21:23

    Have a wonderful Christmas Jan. S x

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  6. Mrs A.19 December 2011 at 04:02

    I have not heard of ''The Chimes' by Charles Dickens before. Have a lovely time over Christmas reading your favourite books. Happy New Year to you. Hugs Mrs A.

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  7. Carolee Crafts19 December 2011 at 06:44

    Currently a Ruth Rendell but may dig out the Christmas books this week all part of tradition.

    Have a very Happy Christmas

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  8. Unknown19 December 2011 at 08:34

    I love my soppy Christmas films...

    Lesley
    www.bathbombcreations.blospot.com

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  9. Christmas Pie Crafts19 December 2011 at 08:54

    I love reading and cannot go anywhere without ensuring I have a book (very lucky, I was given a kindle for my wedding anniversary this year, so much easier to carry around with me). Reading a Hercule Poirot book, plus dipping in and out of a candle-making book I was given recently.

    Hope you have a lovely Christmas

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  10. Helen19 December 2011 at 10:27

    Not sure its an apprpriate christmassy read, but its The Lovely Bones.
    I am reading Twas The Night Before Christmas to the girls tho!
    Happy Christmas x

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  11. liz19 December 2011 at 12:03

    Love that Moody Blues track:)

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  12. Ali19 December 2011 at 13:09

    What wonderful illustrations. I have to admit that I don't get much reading done these days (the down side of not having a commute each day) but I love watching Christmas films (I haven't found one I don't like - no matter how cheesy, corny, silly or whatever!!)

    Have a wonderful Christmas

    Ali x

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  13. Jam Dalory19 December 2011 at 16:31

    I don't really have any Christmas books but I do love watching A Muppets Christmas Carol every year! (I am a grown up, honest). Merry Christmas. x

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  14. Janice Ashworth19 December 2011 at 22:13

    We have always read a night before Christmas on Christmas Eve to the children, they are all grown up and left home, but still all phone through on speaker phone to listen to and join in with Mr WD when he reads it,

    Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog throughout the year, have a great festive season and a brilliant 2012

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  15. Carol19 December 2011 at 22:30

    Thankyou so much for your good wishes and kind thoughts, they are really appreciated and I sincerely wish you and your family the same. Heres hoping 2012 will be a better year for everyone. I too read fav. books to the grandkids year in, year out. They sort of expect it now and I am not sure if they enjoy it or tollerate it. lol.

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  16. Susie20 December 2011 at 01:09

    I am so behind checking everyone's blogs, but this was fun. I have read a Christmas Carol, but only once, and my youngest son played Tiny Tim in a Community Theater production once (an adult production, which was quite awesome for him, altho I didn't like the part where Tiny Tim died!). I have not read The Chimes, but I ran across the title recently looking for dog names (long story which would probably be of no interest to this group!) I was a Dickens fan in my youth, loved reading Great Expectations as a child when everyone else thought it was torture. Perhaps I would understand the story in a whole different way as an adult! :) Thank you for reminding me about this stuff. :)
    Additionally, thank you so much for the idea of putting bags on my hands to take photos during messy projects! I never would have thought of it, but it's genius! :) Merry Christmas, I hope you are ready. :)

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  17. Dawn Woods20 December 2011 at 09:20

    Hi Jan, Hope you have a fabulous Christmas, look forward to reading your blog in the new year. xx

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  18. itsamistry20 December 2011 at 11:51

    I like to get the Christmas DVD's out especially the black & white movies. Have a fantastic Christmas.

    Anita

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  19. Cathy at PotterJotter20 December 2011 at 17:06

    Am drooling over the illustrations in these Christmas books - gorgeous! Happy reading and Happy Christmas!

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  20. bebebubu20 December 2011 at 19:00

    Have a fab Christmas and new years. See you again in 2012

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  21. Emily21 December 2011 at 13:53

    I don't have any Christmas traditions but yours look great! Maybe I should start. Thanks for your sweet comment!

    Emily x

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  22. Mrs A.22 December 2011 at 18:34

    Had to laugh at your comment. I like your thinking, spot on in fact!!!!!!!! We are both on the same wave length though I'm not thinking rusian doll. If mine fails might have to resort to that. Hugs Mrs A.

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  23. Caroline Lovis (Redneedle)24 December 2011 at 18:07

    Ashamed to say I have read no where near enough Dickens which I intend to rectify. Have a lovely Christmas x

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  24. Pickle Lily5 January 2012 at 11:44

    Happy New Year Jan! Just to say I have given you a Liebster Blog award today!
    Jo x

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I love reading your comments and I'll always try to get back to you :)

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