My region was blessed with a very mild winter. We were due for some relief after several horrible years. Anyway, the result is that Spring is coming a month early, from the looks of it. The trees are already sending out leaves—they are in that stage when everything looks a little hazy because of the new shoots. The bulbs are blooming too. I love hyacinths, and they are poking up everywhere now.
My own winter was interesting, and brought some changes that I will be revealing in the next few months. My next book, The Wicked Duke, went through production and it is ready to go for its May 31 release. I really like this book, and the hero surprised me in many ways as he emerged from his secondary character status to take the lead. I think, by the time the book ended, that he surprised himself too. Please take a look at the excerpt on the book’s page.
Peace on Earth. Three simple words. No matter what our faith or beliefs, we all can agree that Peace on Earth would be a good thing. So this season, let us all pause and think about the wonderful world we would have if only we could achieve Peace on Earth. It may be unlikely. It may be impossible. We should still hope and, if we are religious, pray for it.
I hope that everyone who reads this has a season of peace, and days that make good memories and lots of fun.
I will be celebrating with my family, continuing traditions that I have known my entire life. I will get nostalgic about Christmases past, and about family members now gone. But even those thoughts will contribute to the joy, because they are a part of this time of year for me.
I hope that you celebrate, enjoy, relax, and go ahead and eat that dessert (you can work it off after Jan. 1. That is what new years are for).
So, is all your holiday shopping done? If not, and you have a writer or reader on your list, I have compiled some gift ideas here.
Of course there is always the old standby—the gift card to a bookstore. Or a hardcover book, or a short stack of paperbacks. If you want to enhance these gifts with a little something else in a basket, or go outside the box a bit, here are some other ideas:
- Literary inspired covers for e-readers, smart phones and check books.
- Wall chargers and battery chargers for phones and e-readers while traveling.
- Earbuds to listen to audio books.
- For tea drinkers, a really pretty teapot with some really nice teas. I like the “tea for one” pots that come with a cover that is a cup.
- Apple TV (or similar) to stream movies based on books. I know this is a big splurge, but for some of you it may be the perfect gift for someone.
- Fitness monitors that beep to let you know it’s time to get up and move. Good for writers.
- Restaurant gift cards so you don’t have to interrupt reading and writing to cook!
Molekine journals— They aren’t fancy, but they have been favored by writers for decades. There are a wide variety of sizes and paper, including ones for artwork. Pens glide over this paper smoothly, and this brand has been celebrated down through the years. They are easily available online. Of course there are many other, fancier journals out there too, but Moleskine has this long tradition that it is cool to continue.
Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens in assorted colors. I have these and love them. They are inexpensive and the colors are fun. Fountain pen writing is old-fashioned, but a pleasure. You can usually find the set for around $15 at the big A, but some online vendors charge much more.- Reader-oriented jewelry. Go to Etsy for this. There are vendors there who make and sell earrings and bracelets and other jewelry with either quotes or images from Jane Austen and other classic authors. Others just sell book-oriented jewelry. On a recent visit I was attracted in particular by cute earrings composed of stacks of tiny books, and by a charm bracelet chock full of Jane Austen images and quotes. Search for Book Jewelry Handmade, Literary Charm Bracelets and other similar word combinations. If you know your classical author of choice, just plug in that name. Make sure the seller will mail at once so you can get it in time.
Stand up desk. These may take time to get used to, but getting out of that chair is good for writers! Pricey, but it may be just what your writer wants or needs.- Tablet easel or prop/stand for iPad or other tablet. These allow for easy reading at a table or on a couch, or for easy viewing when following a recipe in the kitchen. There are many choices from pillow props to metal or wooden ones. Search on your preferred sites for Tablet Stand. Make sure you get the right size, or one that handles most tablets if you don’t know which one is owned. I just bought one for less than $20.
- T- shirts that proclaim the love of books. These can be found at places like Signals and Acorn, and again at Etsy where you would search for Literary Clothing.
- A big snuggle throw. Get one that is really soft, but avoid polyester or nylon that traps in heat and moisture. Aim for cotton, wool, or even acrylic.
A ruana, also for snuggling and reading, or for keeping warm, but not too warm, at the computer. Ruanas are sort of like shawls, but shaped more, and sort of like lightweight ponchos, but split up the middle. I write in my various ruanas all winter. See tips under snuggly throw for fabric content.
A chair/couch desk. Here is an inexpensive one that I know works, by Table-mate. It isn’t fancy, but it does the trick. There are others available in various designs and many price points. This one can be bought in Bed Bath and Beyond or Walmart, if they are in stock when you go, and also at various places online. This one is adjustable, and just the right size for a laptop or one of those tablet stands. Mine even has a little pull-out place to put a drink. If you start researching these, make sure that what you buy is not too hard to adjust. Also, if you want to use it at a sofa or easy chair, make sure the wheels or base will slide under the front of the chair (many will not—they are too high.)
A reader’s side table. Narrow enough to fit any space, and sturdy enough to hold books and coffee cups, these are practical little tables for a reading nook. The one pictured is from Levenger, which also has other cool reader gifts.
