It is within the gentle pages of thoughtful books that can be found a worthy and wonderful life.
In many households at this time of year the Frank Capra film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is as much a part of the Christmas aura as turkey and sprouts. The feelgood film which never disappoints, a tale with a moral, a tale about no matter how bad things get, there’s always an upside to be found. Perhaps a little too cheesy for some, this type of film, and the books on which many are based – Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ in this particular case – can be a gentle and subtle way of viewing life – a little reflection and a little consideration and all of a sudden a life looks completely different. Many of the ancient myths and fables, and even the writing of pen-smiths like Shakespeare and Dickens, although from ages long gone are built on strong moral foundations – again, sometimes a little cheesy, but always worth a read – how else do we build our own morals and ethics if we know nothing of these attributes in others?
Listening to a podcast on a long car journey the other day I was struck by the political guest, the deputy leader of the opposition, declaring that her household when she was a child had no books – not a single one. And that family struggled with a whole host of challenges which were instrumental in blighting their lives – opportunities weren’t even presented, let alone missed. So the educational heavy lifting, done in later adult years, to create an individual on the cusp of national high office, was achieved in no small part through access to books, a growing confident literacy and the development of ideas and morals. In an age of shouty, angry social media it is within the gentle pages of thoughtful books that can be found a worthy and wonderful life.
Opportunity by Berton Braley (1882 – 1966)
With doubt and dismay you are smitten
You think there’s no chance for you, son?
Why, the best books haven’t been written,
The best race hasn’t been run,
The best score hasn’t been made yet,
The best song hasn’t been sung,
The best tune hasn’t been played yet,
Cheer up, for the world is young!
No chance? Why the world is just eager
For things that you ought to create,
It’s store of true wealth is still meager,
It’s needs are incessant and great,
It yearns for more power and beauty,
More laughter and love and romance,
More loyalty, labour and duty,
No chance – why there’s nothing but chance!
For the best verse hasn’t been rhymed yet,
The best house hasn’t been planned,
The highest peak hasn’t been climbed yet,
The mightiest rivers aren’t spanned,
Don’t worry and fret, faint hearted,
The chances have just begun,
For the best jobs haven’t been started,
The best work hasn’t been done.
Christmas is approaching, and I hope you’re feeling as Christmassy as I am! My top picks of the week include Brian Bilston’s hilarious And So This is Christmas – these rhymes are bound to have you giggling and cackling; and Phaidon’s mesmerising The Christmas Book, filled with breath-taking photographs of Christmas traditions and wonders throughout the world.
If you’re after some festive fiction, I would recommend The Winter Spirits, this is an anthology of ghostly winter tales, told by the likes of Bridget Collins, Natasha Pulley, Jess Kid, and many more favourites. There’s also the ghastly Christmas and Other Horrors, a collection of festive gore, brought to us by the likes of Stephen Graham Jones and Nadia Bulkin.
Look no further for something to tantalize the taste buds: The Official Veganuary Cookbook has just been released, with easy and quick recipes to be enjoyed by the vegan and meat-eater alike. We also have the perfect addition for everyone gifting an Air Fryer this year: The Everyday Family Air Fryer Cookbook by Sarah Flower features all of the comforting favourites we’re used to, and even tells you the way around these new appliances.
In non-fiction, Adam Henson is back on the farm, this time in his woolly jumper! Christmas on the Farm takes us on a journey with all types of different animals, as Adam recounts Christmases from all of his 50 years on the farm. If you’re after more nature books, Ruth Chivers has released the beautiful A Garden a Day, which shows a stunning garden for every day of the year – this is bound to brighten your day…everyday!
Lastly, for children, we have an excitement of Christmas wonders! David Baddiel writes another childrens book: Virtually Christmas; this tale for 9-12 year-olds sees robots taking over Christmas and sucking the joy out of planet Earth – can 11 year-old Etta and her friend Monty help find the real Santa before Christmas is destroyed forever? The Nutcracker by Alex T. Smith is also great for the same age range: The Mouse King is up to some very sneaky shenanigans. The night before Christmas, he steals the key to the Kingdom of Sweets and sets out to cause as much festive mayhem as he can! Clara and Fritz Strudel, and their new friend the Nutcracker, are the only ones who can stop him. For the budding young scientist: Robert Winston’s The Story of Science takes you on a journey of how science was born and evolved over time, with anecdotes and mind-boggling facts, this is a great gift for any child 8 or older. And finally, we have a beautiful compendium of Thomas the Tank Engine. This is the sort of book that a child will keep for a lifetime and pass down generations.
As always, if there’s something you need help with, or a book you need ordering, please call or email us!
From Amber
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