Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 103 of Life On the Brink!
As we approach Christmas day, we're entering into that season where the cold (and sometimes rain) draw us indoors and the need for cozy hobbies becomes more and more apparent. What's more cozy than curling up on the couch with a mug of tea and the perfect wintry book? Sometimes the right book finds you at just the right time and creates a magical space where the hours can pass by as you're drawn into a beautiful new story.
Today I hope to help create just that!
In this episode I'm sharing my cozy reading recommendations for winter and the Christmas season. I've included both fiction and nonfiction, and every book on this list is heartwarming and comforting and perfect for this December and beyond.
What’s in my teacup? Twining’s Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla
2023 WINTER/HOLIDAY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
*a note: I go into descriptions and details in the podcast itself, so feel free to listen or read the transcript to learn more!*
-"Cosy: The British Art of Comfort" by Laura Weir
-"Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year" by Beth Kempton
-"The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well" by Meik Wiking
-"Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" by Heather Fawcett
-"Mandy" by Julie Andrews Edwards
-"Hercule Poirot's Christmas" by Agatha Christie
-"The Enchanted Sonata" by Heather Dixon Wallwork
-"A Castle in the Clouds" by Kerstin Gier, translated by Romy Fursland
This Week’s Little Joy: I got to hear one of my favorite musical compositions played by a live orchestra! I'm singing with the Truetone Honeys this week with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (!!!) and they're starting the second half of the concert with the Main Title music from my favorite version of "A Christmas Carol," a piece of music that I've listened to dozens and dozens of times. It's such a beautiful score and to hear it in person was just magical!
What I’m Listening To: The soundtrack to the 2009 “A Christmas Carol,” composed by Alan Silvestri. Like I mentioned, Track 1 is my absolute favorite, but this whole score is so intentional, blended with so many Christmas carols so seamlessly. I highly recommend!
Thank you so much for listening! Feel free to leave a comment, or head to Apple Podcasts to leave a star rating or review. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, send an email in the contact form on this site. I’d love to hear from you, and I'll be back with a new episode every week leading up to Christmas!