HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY KWANZAA Seasonal Reads

From my home to yours, may your  holiday season be healthy and happy, regardless of what you celebrate or observe. Many people are not traveling or celebrating in the same way they did last year. Many have an empty seat at the table. Regardless of the reason for the gathering, we're all in similar situations. As a reader, I "escaped" the pandemic and the confines through books. What about you?

Here are some of the seasonal books I've spotted this year that caught my fancy. Most are Christmas cozies. Feel free to leave your favorites in the comments! (I'll add them to my TBR list for next year!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Happy Hannukah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa!

Holiday-themed Books 

It is definitely the time of the year for people of different cultures and faiths. To me, the "sentiment" I most embrace is that of "Peace on Earth" and kindness and good will to others. Unlike many, my home has both a menorah and a Christmas tree, reflecting different faiths of my family members. Each year, I enjoy the holiday-themed cozies and romances - yup, I do watch the Hallmark Channel!  Here are just a few of the holiday cozies I've read in the last month ... feel free to share your favorites of the season in the comments!

Yuletide Murder: A Deadline Cozy Mystery #10 by Sonia Parin

The bridge to the mainland is down, and Eve and her guests are all stranded. So much for her quiet Christmas holiday in her Inn with friends and family. Especially when Todd Emerson is found dead. She's determined to make it the best Christmas ever, complete with tiny marshmallows, and a certain police man right after she figures out who the killer is. Lots of holiday spirit and a good pace. Quick read.

Hoppy Holiday Homicides :Pet Whisperer PI #9 by Molly Fitz

Angie and her new found cousin Mags are all set to enjoy the annual Holiday Spectacular in Glendale, when they discover two bodies in the ice garden. Then Mags is kidnapped. It's up to Octo-Cat, Paisley the chihuahua, and EB bunny along with a few humans to help Angie figure out the killer. This is the 9th  in the Pet Whisperer PI series with a holiday theme and Angie the PI Pet Whisperer. If you like family, pets, and a bit of romance, add this one to your holiday TBR pile. 

17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree : A Maize Albright Star Detective "Between Cases" Holiday Novella by Larissa Reinhart

Maizie is all set for New Years Eve in Black Pine, Georgia when she is spooked by someone who comes to Nash Investigations in search of the Death Necklace from one of Maizie's movies. She gave the movie prop to her dad and now people are after her to get the necklace. Between Maizie and her sister, Remi, a lot can go wrong as they try to save the necklace and catch the bad guys. As always, the characters are great and the plot includes a bit of humor as well as tension. What a way to start the New Year.

BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON FILLED WITH HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND MANY ENJOYABLE BOOKS!

Happy Holidays! Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Chanukah! and Merry Christmas!

This is truly the season of holidays and it is not too often that they overlap as they do this year.  

On December 24th some will have already lit the menorah with the first candle of Chanukah as others make their way to midnight Mass and leave cookies and milk for Santa. 

Chanukah will continue through Christmas and Kwanzaa begins on December 26, also with lighting of candles.  Both Kwanzaa and Chanukah end with the start of 2017.

Different cultures, different belief systems, but all of these are rich in traditions and hope.  A time to gather with friends and family.  And, of course, gifts!

Whether you contemplate the story of Chanukah, the birth of Christ, or reflect on the principles of Kwanzaa, I hope we can all take a moment to think of others and ways to ensure:

Peace on earth, goodwill toward all!