LIFESTYLE | December 2021 Reads

I made up for my lack of reading time this month.
Clearly.
I did not catch that I had documented ‘The Art of Gathering’ until I realized I captured it twice.
It’s a lovely cover nonetheless.

Shadow & Light | Tsh Oxenreider

Preparing for Christmas in a mindful way has always been important to me. This book celebrating Advent provides a reading for every day leading up to Christmas along with music and art suggestions for a true and meditative Christmas journey. Tsh also provides a few alternative ways to use this book. Be you traditional or in need of something to prompt you into the tradition of Christmas, this book has made our December evenings all the more meaningful.

The Nutcracker | E.T.A. Hoffman

I had forgotten that I had read The Nutcracker a handful of years back, but this book gives us as a family the ability to read aloud this beautiful story with all its magical and traditional Russian / German story.

All About Feelings | Felicity Brooks & Frankie Allen

This book has been in our home for a few years, but recently I re-read it and am so moved with how it was put together to give children the tools through language the nuances of feelings and how to identify with them.

At Home in Mitford | Jan Karon

Revisiting this book as a comfort read during Autumn and the heaviness that the pandemic has brought. I am enjoying living inside the town of Mitford and all its characters.

The Arrival | Shaun Tan

A surprising find of a graphic novel. No words, yet many illustrations fill the page to create a unique and moving story. I have a feeling that the interpretation and meaning behind the book is dependant on what the ‘reader’ brings to it.

Stories that Stick | Kindra Hall

Although this was an interesting and on-brand topic for me, I was left feeling like I could have had more. Understandably this was from the business perspective of how a story can elevate one’s business message and what one is selling.
This all seemed very primal and obvious to me. I am sure there are entrepreneurs and others in business who would find this enlightening.

The Art of Gathering | Priya Parker

Another slightly disappointing read. It could be due to hearing Priya Parker interviewed on various podcasts before I read her book. I resonated with what she had said in these interviews in regards to creating an atmosphere for gathering either virtual or in person.
It could also be due to the concept that this book was written pre-COVID-19, and thus, its message gets lost at times.

Clanlands | Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish

I wasn’t amazed by Sam and Grahams account on their journey through Scotland for their TV docu-series ‘Men in Kiltz’. I adored the series and did find a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes amusing, but I would say, the series is just as good, if not better. Looking forward to season 2. Always a fan of Scotland and those that are involved in creating Outlander.

FILMS/TV SERIES TO WATCH

Selling Sunset S02,03,04 - because other people’s drama is my kind of drama. & the houses !!!
Modern Love S02 - There should be more anthology series in the world. This has me crying with the sentiment.
Annie - Because this is the version of Annie I fell in love with and ADORE.
Succession S03 - Because media mogul families exist and there is something alluring about seeing how all this shakes out in the next generation.
Nine Perfect Strangers - A mysterious take on what healing can look like…in all its forms.