I cannot believe that Christmas is only two weeks away – seriously, how? It sneaks up on me every year and this year is no exception, apparently. I need to get my act together – lots of presents still to buy, magic to make, all that good stuff. Every year I say I have no idea how it will all get done, and every year it somehow does get done. Elves?

Anyway, it was hard to find reading time last week because I was on a business trip – the last one of 2022. But I squeezed it in where I could and look! Not too shabby. On Monday I finished up The Franchise Affair – read in two days because it was a fast read and I was motivated. I had an episode of Shedunnit to listen to on the plane (en route to the aforementioned business trip) that was going to spoil the ending, and I wanted to finish the book before traveling for that reason. I did, and then listened to the podcast episode, and it was all very satisfying. After that, I turned back to God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen, which I had going on Audible. It was a fun and engaging listen, and perfect for this time of year. After finishing that, I started Christmas Days, also via Audible. I’m not far into that one yet, but it’s good.

As for print, since I no longer carry paperbacks – let alone hardcovers – when I travel, I was combing the kindle library for something fun, and hit upon Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her, an interesting nonfiction read about the history of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, Nancy Drew, and “juvenile” publishing. I blazed through it on my few spare moments over the week, finishing it up on the weekend, and really enjoyed it. Finally, on Sunday evening, I pulled The Swallow: A Biography off my shelf; I was looking for something fast to read, because I have two books to pick up at the library this afternoon and don’t want them idling on my entryway table for too long.

As for what’s next – those two library books are on deck. One is definitely a Christmas book, and one might be? (I’m not sure. I’ll read the doubtful one first.) It’s getting to that time of year and I think I’ve put off the Christmas reading long enough – I’m already deep into it on Audible, as you can see, and I have a stack of print books on holiday themes to get me through the next two weeks. The idea of decorating, shopping, wrapping, sending cards, etc., is exhausting – but festive reading, I can manage.

The Christmas tree is in a new spot this year! With the Peloton occupying its usual space in the living room, we are trying out this corner of the family room for the tree. Don’t mind the weird ornament clusters; at some point I’ll find the time and energy to QC the kids’ work.

Have you decorated for the winter holidays yet?