Holiday Reading
November 28th, 2009One of my favorite holiday traditions is reading. Unlike those who reread A Christmas Carol and other Christmas classics, I cherish time to read holiday themed books by some of my favorite modern authors. Joanne Fluke has come out with a “Christmas mystery” for the last few years. This year’s read is Plum Pudding Murder. The main character, Hannah Swenson has her own cookie shop, The Cookie Jar, and when she isn’t baking or concocting ways to keep her cat, Moishe, from killing her Christmas tree, she is solving a murder. The characters and Lake Eden, Minnesota setting will be a familiar comfort to Hannah fans, but a person new to the series could start with Plum Pudding Murder without being lost. Besides the mystery, the novel is laden with delicious recipes including Hannah’s full Christmas Eve dinner menu, and a real plum pudding, made with real plums.
I started reading this Hannah mystery the Saturday before Thanksgiving and finished it in about three days. Reading about all of the festive baking, decorating, and family-centered scenes in the book helped me relax and enjoy my time off, and it gt me excited about my own holiday celebrations. It also made me realize that I may think my holidays are stressful at times, but unlike Hannah, no one expects me to track down any murderers.
Among the recipes from the book that I am most anxious to try are chocolate raspberry truffles, white chocolate pumpkin dreams, and cranberry scones.
Put some cookies in the oven to bake, grab this book, and go sit by a warm fire. Perfect!
Tags: baking, Hannah Swenson, holidays, Joanne Fluke, mysteries, Plum Pudding Murder, reading, Recipes
Thanks to Amy for the Lemonade Award for Great Attitude or Gratitude!
November 29th, 2009 at 2:33 am
One thing I am promising myself is to take the time to read. I miss it so!
November 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Well, if you want to borrow some books, just let me know. Do you have a good library there?
November 30th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I love to read! It is one of my favorite past-times. So I always try to make time for it. Thanks for giving me another great book to try out. Hope you have a blessed week!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I have a holiday reading tradition as well. Since Jane Austen’s birthday is December 16th, I always start one of her novels that day. I’ve done it for the past few years and now feel all Austen-y during the holidays!
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
That’s a neat tradition! I haven’t read an Austen novel in a while. That would be fun.