We are fast approaching my favourite time of year.
No, not Christmas (although I am a huge fan).
No, not New Years (although I appreciate getting to start another one).
My favourite time of year is that time right in between Christmas and New Years, after all the chaos and madness that Christmas can bring and before the excitement of ringing in the New Year. This is my time. I get to snuggle up with my books and read to my heart’s content. Now I am not talking about the latest on social media, running your own business or how to make a ton of money. All of those are worthy reads throughout the year as a matter of course. Those are the books I have to read to stay on top of things. I’m talking nothing but pleasure reading. A novel, a story, an adventure. You aren’t going to solve any mysteries of the world, cure cancer or strike it rich. You are going to read just for the pure pleasure of reading the written word.
So, I thought I would share a bit of my Christmas Library with you. To be honest, I do start before Christmas with two very special books. First is Williams – Sonoma Christmas, the book I can plan all my meals and entertaining with. The second is Joy to the World - A Family Christmas Treasury which has something for everyone. There are stories, songs and poems from all around the world and as the name implies is a family tradition and treasure.
Then it’s time to get cozy with the rest of my favourite Christmas reading.
Richard Paul Evans has a wonderful collection starting with his well known The Christmas Box, then Finding Noel and finally The Gift. Evans’ style is warm and intimate and makes you feel like you are getting a personal glimpse into his characters’ lives. 
The Last Holiday Concert by the author of Frindle, Andrew Clements, is fun for young readers and adults alike. One to share with your kids. 
One of my favourite authors, Frank McCourt, whose memoir Angela’s Ashes won him a Pulitzer Prize wrote a captivating children’s storybook shortly before his death. Angela and the Baby Jesus is a lovely story, elegantly illustrated and the perfect Christmas story for all ages. 
Another Irish author I read a lot is Andrew M. Greely. He takes me on adventures and makes me laugh out loud and quite often I find myself double checking that yes indeed this man is a Catholic Priest. In Home For Christmas he “weaves a moving tale of redemption in the grand Holiday tradition of It’s A Wonderful Life“.
Perhaps my most loved book to read this time of year is White Christmas:The Story Of An American Song by Jody Rosen. This vividly written historical tale tells the story of how one of the most famous Christmas songs came to be.
With any luck there will be a new book to add to my Christmas Library this year. Either way, I will be quite content to put my feet up, snuggle under a throw and read to my hearts content. By the way, I will also be sipping my favourite Holiday beverage, a Chai Alexander which I thought I would share with you too.
Chai Alexander 
1 oz Brandy
1/2 oz Voyant Chai Liquer
1/2 oz Dark Creme De Cacao
1 oz milk or cream
Shake in a cocktail shaker until frothy & strain into a cocktail glass. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg.
Cheers and Merry Christmas!
M
