Sunday Salon for 24 December 2023
Happy Sunday! Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at ReaderBuzz. Check out her post and the links to see what other bloggers have been up to in the last week.
How’s the weather?
We had a few remarkably warm days this week. No White Christmas for us! But since Rick is responsible for plowing out our dead-end street and he has a head cold, we’re not disappointed.
What are you reading?
I rarely read a book and review it in the same week, but I did exactly that with The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan — a fun one for the season, especially for us book lovers.
Since I knew that I wouldn’t manage any more Christmas-themed reviews for the blog, I took the next book that Libby released to me from my holds list. It turned out to be Resonance Surge by Nalini Singh. I almost always devour the books in the Psy-Changeling world.
That world is much like our own but instead of one sentient species, there are three. The Psy are connected in a virtual world by their minds and have a variety of what we call supernatural powers. The changelings are able to switch between animal bodies and people bodies and the ways that they live and organize themselves are based on their animal personas. There are humans, too, but they don’t show up very often in the books.
What are you watching?
J. Draper is a London tourist guide who also makes history videos on YouTube. Since I enjoyed The Muppet Christmas Carol, for the first time, a couple of years ago, this analysis of the historical accuracy (both to 1843 and to the text of the book) was fun:
On Christmas Eve, I’m looking forward to the release of Mr. Moore’s Gift to honor the 200th anniversary of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” that I celebrated this morning.
The Doctor Who Christmas special will stream on Disney+ on Christmas Day, but I haven’t fully caught up with the three new David Tennant episodes, so I better get that done on Christmas eve, too.
What are you doing?
Since we visited family last week, we’ll have a quiet Christmas. I have some good food planned and some good programs to watch (see above). I reduced my Christmas decorations last year, but I have colorful lights, greens, and sentimental ornaments — just right.
How are you this fine Sunday?
The Christmas Bookshop looks like fun. Definitely better than the one we read for book club this month, The Christmas Murder Game. I’m glad it hasn’t snowed so Rick can rest.
Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
My Post
I watched my first Dr. Who episode this week, a Christmas Carol version, and I loved it. I don’t really know where to start with Dr. Who but I do know that I’d like to see more.
Resonance Surge sounds intriguing. I would like to read more scifi/fantasy books next year. Again, like with Dr. Who, I am not sure where to start.
Have you seen the Tudors Christmas special on PBS? I watched about half while wrapping presents and it is so interesting. I hope to get back to it soon. I think you would like it, if you haven’t already seen it!
Yes! I love Lucy Worsley. I enjoyed it enough to watch it again — thanks for the reminder. https://www.joyweesemoll.com/2020/01/03/lucy-worsleys-12-days-of-tudor-christmas-tvreview-brifri/
I’ve seen The Christmas Bookshop, and it looked interesting, so I may have to hunt down a copy. I’m with you on simplifying decorations; I have a tree and not much else. I also feel like I should watch Dr. Who but don’t know where to start. I have a student who loves the David Tennant doctor, so may start there. Have a very happy holiday!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I’m enjoying a quiet Christmas as well so yours sounds perfect to me. I’m glad Rick does not have to get out and plow!
Merry Christmas!
I’m watching A Christmas Carol right now! I hope you have an awesome quiet Christmas.
I love J. Draper’s videos! I’ll have to watch this new one.
I’ve had The Christmas Bookshop on my list to read for Christmas for a few years, maybe I’ll read it next Christmas. I hope you and Rick have a Merry Christmas!
A quiet Christmas sounds lovely, enjoy!
The Jenny Colgan book looks so good. Eventually I will get around to reading it. It’s a quiet Christmas here too and I’m happy for that.
Hope you have a great week. Merry Christmas!