Books to See You Through the Holidays

Books to See You Through the Holidays - theHumm December 2018

By Christine Row, Librarian

This is my first time submitting to the Speaking Volumes column and I am excited to be part of the December issue. This is my favourite time of year but it does come with its drawbacks: mainly the fact that I eat too much, drink too much, and inevitably grow tired of socializing. In order to plan mini-escapes and soothe my self-loathing soul, I am gathering a cache of diversions to help me be nice instead of naughty.

Fortunately, Cormoran Strike is back to keep me out of trouble. Lethal White is the fourth mystery by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling). With the help of his assistant Robin, war veteran and private detective Cormoran solves crimes from a shabby private detective agency in London. I know this description sounds like a formulaic mystery, but the characters and writing are so compelling that you will get hooked. If you have not read this series yet, start with The Cuckoo’s Calling and you can send me a thank-you note as this series will keep you out of trouble for the entire holiday season.

On November 27, Louise Penny’s Kingdom of the Blind will be released. Rather than London, the Armand Gamache mysteries take place in and around Three Pines, Quebec; a fictitious town based on a mishmash of locations in the Eastern Townships. The stories are always filled with relatable, charming characters, fresh baguettes, fine wine and grisly murders. The drool-inducing descriptions of food may force you to visit your hidden stash of chocolate too many times, but you will at least be thankful to live in Eastern Ontario, far from the Eastern Township murder sprees. Chief Inspector Gamache has solved crimes in thirteen previous books, so this may be your answer to avoiding winter altogether.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty will also be part of my Christmas hibernation kit. I am swayed by the description: “Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever?” Although I was not blown away by Big Little Lies, I loved the television series. It may sound like a superficial read but I tend to dive into fluff when the going gets tough. Please don’t judge me.

Yes, it’s true that politics and family may not mix, but I’m still going to a hide away with a copy of Rick Mercer Final Report. Though the political landscape feels like low-hanging fruit for a political satirist, I believe Mercer will deliver an intelligent, hilarious and timely summary of the past year in politics. This book also includes his greatest rants, which might be the best medicine to forget how you freaked out because your inconsiderate child/husband/dog ate the LAST HAZELNUT LINDT BALL!!

In keeping with being nice, I am also thinking of ways to keep my immediate family out of trouble. One of my sons will get a copy of the late great Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. Hopefully the shocking tales from the hellhole of kitchens will put a cork in his complaints about working at a fast food restaurant. My other son will receive Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the Ice, because Curtis Joseph’s tales from his difficult childhood will surely make me look like a saintly mother. Finally, my beloved husband will be honoured with the 736-page doorstop Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin. This may be the answer to ensuring a peaceful and quiet 2019.

I cannot end this article without including a recommendation for kids. Mary Lumsden of Mill Street Books in Almonte introduced me to The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith back in September. This book was published ten years ago but the recently released YouTube video of a grandmother reading the book has revitalized this story about a three-legged donkey. I don’t have a toddler in the house, but I will buy a copy just to bring laughter to this holiday season.

Happy Local Holidays! - theHumm December 2018

By Kris and Rob Riendeau

Here at theHumm we’re big on local economies. The retail and service businesses in the small towns that we cover play a huge role in the cultural life of those towns. Each store, restaurant, or s......

Books to See You Through the Holidays - theHumm December 2018