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Original poster

Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles

349 replies

Dillidilly · 08/07/2021 20:57

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.

OP posts:
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FiloFaxx · 18/09/2021 09:56

Ah I was so pleased with my santa hat emoji I didn't notice my typo 😂 say*

NoWordForFluffy · 18/09/2021 10:00

I've had no response on Twitter. I just sent him a link to the thread and asked if he'd like to join the start of our read along!

lachy · 18/09/2021 18:56

Tweeted the lovely Nigel and Mumsnet Towers.

Brooze · 18/09/2021 19:59

Checking in!

Geamhradh · 18/09/2021 20:09

@lachy

Tweeted the lovely Nigel and Mumsnet Towers.
Good move! I was going to say maybe we should ask HQ to put in a word. He's been before!
FilthyforFirth · 19/09/2021 19:53

I went in to my WH Smiths today and upstairs in the clearance section they had several CC books for £6. Worth popping in for those who still need one for the read along!

Wren77 · 20/09/2021 21:49

Well I went and bought Winter Solstice last week as everyone was raving about it but accidentally bought the kindle version which was disappointing as I do like a 'real' book but then I dropped my phone in the toilet in work (it was in my jeans back pocket - was getting changed into my scrubs!) so cant read it anyway now because the phone had the kindle app and is still on the blink (despite rice and those sachets that come with the LFTs). But now I read here people are thinking Winter Solstice is a bit naff so maybe I shouldn't be feeling so downhearted about it?!

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 21/09/2021 09:54

My new CC arrived yesterday and was tucked into the bookcase beside Nigella Christmas and Jamie's offering (oddly, I can't abide Jamie on TV or in print, but I really like his Christmas recipes). No sneak peeks for me till the readalong begins!

I must remind my dad to take his out at the appropriate time as well.

footchewer · 21/09/2021 10:09

Asking MNHQ to have a word seems a good idea.

BTW my Ysewijn ''Official Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook'' has now arrived in the post and, while it is a wonderful book, it's a coffee-table food history for Downton lovers, not so much a useful cookbook - unless you're cooking for twenty each meal, with a plethora of British fauna (hare, pheasant, mutton, venison etc) on your doorstep waiting to be hunted by your estate team. As I'm not much of a Downton fan (maybe I'll get into it one day?) I'm not really getting the Christmas vibe from it, but that could be me. I'll spend some more time with it. For now, I'd say stick with 'Pride in Puddings' as mentioned previously; it's excellent.

daisyjgrey · 21/09/2021 10:14

Place marking for November! I was born on winter solstice and am a winter person through and through. Ordered the book to add to the pile!

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 21/09/2021 20:44

"I went in to my WH Smiths today and upstairs in the clearance section they had several CC books for £6."

Ooh thanks. Worth making a special trip to see if there's one for MIL. I think she'd love it

Peridot1 · 22/09/2021 16:08

@Wren77

Well I went and bought Winter Solstice last week as everyone was raving about it but accidentally bought the kindle version which was disappointing as I do like a 'real' book but then I dropped my phone in the toilet in work (it was in my jeans back pocket - was getting changed into my scrubs!) so cant read it anyway now because the phone had the kindle app and is still on the blink (despite rice and those sachets that come with the LFTs). But now I read here people are thinking Winter Solstice is a bit naff so maybe I shouldn't be feeling so downhearted about it?!
I don’t think it’s naff. I reread it every year. Her language is very of the era really. A bit old fashioned. But I don’t mind that at all. Lots of writers are or were like that.
Wren77 · 22/09/2021 22:16

I think I will buy a hard copy and give it a go!

thelegohooverer · 23/09/2021 07:02

Thank you for this thread! I’ve just bought the book on audible. Exactly my kind of thing. I’m a little bit in love with Nigel now.

VikingNorthUtsire · 23/09/2021 10:46

I don't have a hard copy but do have it on Kindle. Would love a read/cook-along as we move into winter

I read a book on hygge last year, and although it was a bit clichéd, it did inspire me to make an effort through the darker months; lighting candles, making the house feel cosy and smell good, keeping socially connected. I definitely feel like it helped a lot with getting through lockdown last year.

Bearyinlove · 23/09/2021 16:06

I just ordered a copy so I can join in the read along. Got a second hand copy for just under £13 delivered which should be in very good condition apparently. I have been waiting a few days and that's the cheapest I could find in that time alas.

So excited to start it and join in the with the chat :)

Flidina · 23/09/2021 21:22

Received my copy today, resisting the urge to dip into it. Can't wait for the read along, love Winter Solstice, one of my favourite books, read it every year

yoshiblue · 26/09/2021 17:08

@FilthyforFirth

I went in to my WH Smiths today and upstairs in the clearance section they had several CC books for £6. Worth popping in for those who still need one for the read along!
Thanks @FilthyforFirth found one in our local WHS today. Marked as £9 and scanned as £6 at the till! Made up!
Autumngoldleaf · 26/09/2021 17:14

I really, really enjoyed listening to his pod cast last year at Xmas.

Original poster
Dillidilly · 26/09/2021 20:10

I've just unearthed my copy from renovation chaos, had a peek inside and buried my nose to savour that wonderful book smell! Hands up who else does that instinctively when they open a book lol?

The Introduction is quite long, so I think I'll start the Read Along Thread on Oct 1st. That will give a couple of weeks for anyone else to get a copy, and then the last two weeks we could read the Introduction at a leisurely pace as people join the thread at different times, so as few people as possible get left behind x

OP posts:
lachy · 26/09/2021 20:45

Not long to go!!

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 26/09/2021 22:21

That's a bargain @yoshiblue

yoshiblue · 27/09/2021 07:19

@NigelSlatersXmasTaters I know! I think I spent all afternoon periodically saying, ‘what a bargain!’ DH saying ‘thank god for Mumsnet!’ Grin He has to hear daily the latest tip or bargain I’ve found!

NoWordForFluffy · 27/09/2021 08:38

Darn, forgot to go in Smiths on Saturday. Must go back!

Orangesandlemons82 · 27/09/2021 08:58

Exciting! Mine is arriving today!

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