Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles

[Dillidilly]

I bought this wonderful book for my daughter as part of her Christmas present last year. Then I treated myself to a copy in the spring!
It's a fantastic book, full of stories, photography, poetry and 100 recipes for the Christmas season. As a hardback book with gold foil detailing it would even look gorgeous laid out as part of your Christmas decorations.

Each chapter roughly follows the days leading up to Christmas, and we've decided to read and share our thoughts about each chapter in the run up to Christmas, starting from late November if I remember correctly.

I thought it would be a lovely thing to share with someone you love. Currently £18.29 on Amazon.

Village Christmas is lovely.

I have an embarrassing number of Christmas books... Yet I seem to acquire more each year. I, for example, don't have the Saki one mentioned above. Yet.

Lovely thread ❤️

My very best friend bought me a copy a few years ago and each year, I religiously read it each November-January. Last Christmas was the first time since I’ve had it that I just couldn’t read it. Was so low with all the covid stuff including my dad dying early on in the pandemic and said lovely friend’s fiancé being diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Also found it gutting that travel wasn’t possible as we had planned to go to the Christmas market that Nigel talks about for our 40ths. This thread has given me hope and the desire to get back to old Nigel tradition again this year. Merry Christmas everyone

I’ve been influenced! Just ordered it 😊

This thread is giving me lovely positive vibes! Felt really low recently and have struggled to get excited about anything but this is really giving me a boost!
I bought the CC a few years ago and like others always started reading in November. So pleased someone else unthread mentioned The children of Green Knowe, it's one of my favourites and is Christmassy without being Christmassy IYKWIM, I re-read it every year and watch the BBC adaptation(finally available on DVD,yay)

OOh lovely! Just heavily hinted to my DH (followed by actually telling him as didn't have a clue why I was hinting) that it would be a lovely birthday present (birthday is at the beginning of September so not too long to wait! I really need some cosy and traditional Christmas cheer - it just hasn't been the same since my mum died in November 2019

My copy arrived this morning. I’m struggling not to read it now! I read the first paragraph and it’s lovely. Thanks everyone - I will look forward to the read along later in the year.

How long until we can start our read along?? I’m very impatient I know but work is frightful, my mental health is poor, and I want something to look forward to!

Love it. Roll on November

My 2nd hand copy arrived the other day. I’m saving it until November though, for the cosy dark evenings.

Oh lovely! I start listen to Christmas Chronicles on audible in the kitchen from
November. Can’t bloody wait.

Also I listen to Winter Solstice on audible. Especially when out and about walking or Christmas shopping.

Also I love Hercule Poirot’s Christmas and the Adventure of the Christmas Pudding…
Again on audible.

@PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya shall I start the Read Along Thread mid October, to give anyone late to the game a chance to get a copy?

I'm so thrilled by the response to this thread! Don't laugh, but it's lovely to feel I've helped some other people find a little bit of joy in a currently rather break world 🥲

*bleak
Sigh

[quote Dillidilly]@PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya shall I start the Read Along Thread mid October, to give anyone late to the game a chance to get a copy?

I'm so thrilled by the response to this thread! Don't laugh, but it's lovely to feel I've helped some other people find a little bit of joy in a currently rather break world 🥲[/quote]
Yay!! Mid October sounds perfect. I love this thread. I’m so happy you started it. I particularly love how we call him Nigel, as if we’re on first name terms.

Do I need both of Delia’s Christmas books? As I only have the first. I’ve got fomo but don’t know if it’s rational.

Ohh, Christmas Chronicles is on my Amazon Christmas wish list! I'll definitely buy it for this year then! I love Christmas books...try to limit how many I buy each year.

Norah Lofts - How Far to Bethlehem is a lovely read. A retelling of the Christmas story.

Luckily now I have DC I have a reason (excuse) to buy lots of divine picture books as well. Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares is gorgeous.

@Dillidilly it's not silly at all, I'm certainly very grateful that you started this thread and inspired me to buy my own copy. I had a quick look and know I'm going to love it, just the first few pages gave me that cozy feeling of wellbeing.....so thank you!

[quote Dillidilly]@PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya shall I start the Read Along Thread mid October, to give anyone late to the game a chance to get a copy?

I'm so thrilled by the response to this thread! Don't laugh, but it's lovely to feel I've helped some other people find a little bit of joy in a currently rather break world 🥲[/quote]
Yes yes!!

I'll join

Can't wait to join! Had a sneak peek at the beginning and know I'm going to love it 🎅

I'm very excited for this. I couldnt wait and have listened to all the podcasts! But mid October sounds perfect for a read along!

Thanks OP for recommending this beautiful book. Reading now because it's winter here ( Australia ) and I'm loving it - so soothing with beautiful recipes.
I'll be reading bits and pieces again in the lead up to Christmas.
Can I recommend The Little Library Christmas by Kate Young which is quite similar - recipes, reminiscences and Christmas books mentioned throughout.

Havent read the whole thread but thank you for it OP! I've ordered Christmas Chronicles.

Can I also recommend
Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton - kept me sane last Christmas.

@Cocogreen The Little Library Christmas is on wishlist, think I'm going to succumb and buy it now...

@MissyB1 - haven't heard of Calm Christmas, will check it out!

[quote MrsLCSofLichfield]@Cocogreen The Little Library Christmas is on wishlist, think I'm going to succumb and buy it now...

@MissyB1 - haven't heard of Calm Christmas, will check it out![/quote]
Have added these to my ever-growing wish list.

Giving this thread a bump because we've only got a month to go before we can start reading it!

@lachy I'm starting the Read Along Thread in mid October

[quote Dillidilly]@lachy I'm starting the Read Along Thread in mid October[/quote]
Hooray!