Looking for a Good Book?

Day 16 of the Advent Calendar

Book Tree. Getty Images

There are so many books I want to read during that quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’m going to start with this one: Sylvia Plath’s Tomato Cake: A Compendium of Classic Authors’ Favourite Recipes. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

If you’re still looking for great recommendations for books to give as holiday presents, (or as a gift to yourself) here are two newsletters that never let me down.

Every week,

Elizabeth

Held of

What To Read If

puts out a fantastic list of books and does so in the most entertaining manner and with wonderfully engaging writing. Here’s a link to her newsletter:

You Need Help with Your Holiday Shopping

Are you looking for books for children? Anytime I want to buy a book as a present for a child,

Sarah Miller

of

Can we read?

is where I go first. Sarah’s newsletter is an extraordinary and warmly written resource. Here is the link:

Children's books for Christmas 🎄

Secret Recipes: Recipe Card Microstories

A great idea for a nostalgic gift is a book that I’m continuing to read and cook my way through:

Amie McGraham

’s Secret Recipes: Recipe Card Microstories.

As Amie writes in the introduction:

For what are recipes but the stories of our lives?

I made “Gramma’s Marinade” for a steak the other night that I cooked in a cast iron skillet and it was great. There’s something so lovely about cooking from these cherished recipe cards and learning their stories.

Here’s a link to Amie’s terrific newsletter

Cook & Tell

and where you can find her book. ✨

Shhh! It's a Secret!

Part Two: Comments from Writers about Holiday Traditions

Yesterday, I began posting comments that readers of

Leigh Stein

’s newsletter shared about their holiday traditions and here is part two!

Becky Ellis

of

Kitchen Table Conversations

Persimmon cookies! Most people don't know what to do with that beautiful orange jeweled fruit, but we have a recipe that has been handed down for generations. When my children were little they took a batter stained recipe card and a fresh batch of warm cookies to class when asked to bring in a family heirloom. Other kids were delighted! They are taste like fall and everyone loves them.

Amelia Wilson

Eggnog!

Elizabeth

of

What To Read If

Obviously for me, cookies! Also: my family's hilarious Christmas Eve smorgasbord, which includes everything from Indian and pigs in a blanket to a roast turkey and mashed potatotes.

Wait a minute!

by Ann Vevera

Kanelbullar(Swedish Cinnamon buns)😍of course.

Claire Polders

of

Wander, Wonder, Write

I recently wrote about December treats and why marzipan is the one I always crave the most.✨

Day 16 of “The Little Town” Advent Calendar— The Post Office

See you tomorrow! 📪 🎁 Jolene