We had our first major snowstorm of the season last night. Driving around has been a nightmare, though it sure was beautiful seeing the first Christmas lights shining, while the streets and the trees were clean and white.
It gets dark so early, and this time of year I wish I could curl up by my fireplace with a good book. Instead I am on Parliament Hill because politics have been too interesting over the last few weeks, interesting as in the Chinese curse of `May you live in interesting times.` I`m beat!
My reading dreams of fireplace going, snow gently falling outside, and me lying on the couch nearby with a book in hand are enhanced because I have found a new author I enjoy.
Every night, I look forward to my latest Aurelio Zen mystery by Michael Dibdin. Anyone heard of him? Zen is a Venetian detective who lives in Rome and gets himself involved in various scrapes around Italy. One murder mystery of his takes place in the Vatican, right in St. Peter`s Basilica. Since I recently traveled there, it was cool to read about places I had seen.
I also tend to give books as Christmas presents. Someone is going to get Dennis Lehane`s latest mystery. Of course I can`t wait to read it myself!
I have Mike Synder`s My Name is Russel Fink to give to a lucky someone in my family. Can`t wait for Mary`s memoir because my daughter-in-law is a big fan.
What books are you buying for Christmas presents? What books would you like to find under the tree this year?
Deborah Gyapong writes about politics and religion in Ottawa, Canada`s capital, and blogs at www.deborahgyapong.com
I like your query, Deborah.
What I'd like under the tree: My Name is Russell Fink. So Young, Brave, and Handsome, Writing Down the Bones, any used short story anthologies (I'm working on the world's largest collection).
Since none of my four kids have any money at all to spend, I've included the following on my list: to give me the names of two books they would like me to read this year. I'll commit to read them (library) and discuss them--a gift for them and for me.
What I'm giving: Multiple Bles8sings (about the Gosselin family, with sextuplets and twins) and a complete set of used Philip Gulley's Harmony Series books to my wife (still looking for these--any ideas out there?). Poetry for one of my sons. The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (all of the books in one handy volume) for another.
We've got stacks and stacks of books; really no need for more. But it's one of our favorite things. (Maybe I'll start an ebay used book store of my own!)
Posted by: Ron | December 11, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Hey, Deb. I'm giving a copy of Demon . . . a memoir to two relatives. Beautiful writing, profound.
I'm not in need of any novels right at the moment. My TBR pile is too high, I'm proofing a ms. for a friend, and I've got three or four coming for January's CFBA tour. Yikes!
If we don't hear from you before . . . have a wonderful Christmas in the blessings of Jesus.
Posted by: Nicole Petrino-Salter | December 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM