Hi Tracy, thanks – the dogs have been loving the beach. And I plan to post another photo of the dynamic duo next time — so stay tuned, ha.
Good to know about your upcoming Japanese Lit Challenge … I like hearing about these authors and also hope to read Yoko Ogama’s novel Mina’s Matchbox sometime soon. So that would work. Is that at Dolce’s site?
And that is surprising you got Knife at a good price since it’s fairly recent. See what you think of it. It’s a bit meandering but I enjoyed some parts of it.
Cheers & happy reading this holiday.

I do enjoy starting a new year of book reading. I don’t know why it makes any difference but it does. I don’t know what my first book of 2025 will be, but I plan to do a Japanese Literary Challenge in January and February so it might be a Japanese mystery.

I have heard good things about Knife by Rushdie. I don’t gravitate towards memoirs, but it is short so seems worth a read. I got it on kindle at a good price which surprises me.

Hi Constance, thanks, the sunsets have been terrific here.
And wow sounds like you might have a white Christmas there. How festive.
I like your idea on New Year’s. Enjoy the Louise Penny, cookies, and relaxation. A perfect combo.
Happy holidays.

We had an unexpected 4+ inches of snow last night and it is freezing. I like the idea of a walk on the beach with the dogs, although not in this climate.

I think I will plan a nonstop day of reading and perhaps cookie baking on New Year’s Eve. I have a new Louise Penny waiting for me! I don’t have any time off except Christmas, which will be hectic, so I will be very ready to relax.

Thanks Lux. It’s been fun to be here. I too am a mood reader, so I’m deciding pretty late about my first read but it might be something I’m getting for Christmas, lol. I look forward to checking your site for your first read. Enjoy & happy holidays too!

Thanks Kathy, it is nice & quiet at the beach right now and it should be a good Christmas. And wow The Perfect Storm is a good one. I liked the book & the movie. I hope you enjoy the book which will give more context.
Perhaps I will read the Navalny book — the Rushdie one was quite eye-opening. We watched the documentary on Navalny which is very good. So tragic. I wish he’d never gone back to Russia from Germany.
Wishing you a great Christmas!

The beach sunset is stunning and being by the beach in the fall and winter is such a nice experience. It’s not crowded and you can admire the sea and the sand.

I am thinking my first book for the New Year is going to be A Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. I was quite taken by the movie that I saw years ago, particularly the fishing village of Gloucester MA and I would like to find out more.

Great review of Knife. I just feel so bad for what Salman Rushdie has been through. Itr not fair. He has a bravery that very few people have and I compare him to Alexei Navalney. Both men did nothing wrong and they deserved to live a life in peace. I am very glad Rushdie’s family has given him strength.

Hope you and your family have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Great Carmen. I’m glad you liked these, especially Conclave, which was interesting. I haven’t seen Small Things around. The Return apparently is playing near here. I think we’re limited in our streaming while here, argh. I look forward to your thoughts on the E.P. movie. Happy holidays.

Thanks, Susan! I did like both Maria and Conclave a great deal (4*), Small Things… less so (3*) but I wasn’t crazy about the source material either. Both Conclave and Small Things… were very faithful to their respective source (a plus). I couldn’t watch Emilia Perez today but perhaps tomorrow. Hopefully by the end of this month I will have watched a few movies in contention for awards.