The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater. Read Along Thread 2022

[Dillidilly]

INTRODUCTION

Nigel begins his Chronicles proper on 1st November, but there is a lovely, quite lengthy introduction we can dip into during the second half of October.

Last year, posters were also kind enough to share where they had found cut price copies of CC, so hopefully anyone late to the party still has time to find a copy before we start the first chapter.

I had forgotten the lovely introduction. Together with the beautiful photograph at the very beginning of the book, flipping through it and seeing his headings reminded me of why I loved it so much last year!

I’m in! I got this for Christmas last year so am looking forward to reading it properly this year.

i want to join you but My book is missing from the shelf! I need to find it before November..

My mum bought me it when it was published, so I have read it several times now but enjoyed it even more with the readalong last year. Looking forward to trying to Be More Nigel in my Christmas preparations hides yankee candles.

I don’t think it will disappoint.

Count me in. When do people start making Nigel's Christmas cake? Iirc he makes his rather late and people on here made it slightly earlier.

I'm reading along as well. I bought a copy recently off eBay for £8 (World of Books as well if I remember correctly).

I'm in. Just bought a copy from World of Books so I can join in - love a bit of quality Christmas cheer.

My WH Smith had it for £9 yesterday in store, it is still expensive online.

I have my copy - from World of Books - which I got a while back and have mostly managed to avoid reading too much too early.

Can't wait to get started!

I don't follow Nigel's Christmas cake recipe although it sounded delicious. I actually made my Christmas cake a couple of weeks ago so his is too late for my personal preference..... I think he made it late November if I recall?

I made a few of the recipes from the book last year, the ricotta dumplings and one of the soups. Both were delicious! I also made his apricot brandy that is at the start of the book.....it was a bit too strong with star anise for my personal preference so if anyone makes it I'd advise maybe halving the amount of anise Nigel suggests.....unless you really like star anise. It didn't go to waste though, I used it in cocktails and soaked my fruit for my Christmas cake this year in the rest of it!

I confess though things got too busy and I never read past the boxing day entry so I'm hoping to join the thread for the whole thing this year.....and make more of the recipes!

I usually make a recipe somewhere in between his two Christmas pudding recipes. I still have three (!) left from last Christmas, so maybe one weekend soon I’ll make a few for next year. Ever since I started making pudding I packed in baking Christmas cake.

I’ll be reading along too: nice to see other people who do this every single year 😂

I started mine a couple of weeks ago and ordered a copy for my mum for Christmas. I’m only a quarter of the way through and I already love it!

Aah, the thread I have been waiting for since the summer heatwave when I ordered my copy. Thank you.

I need to dig out my copy! Bought last year with good intensions to read but never did.

F

I have it on Kindle but have ordered a copy of the book - I can’t really do cookery books on Kindle.

Yay! I was wondering when a thread for this would start! I got the book on Audible last year and loved listening to it and can't wait to start again. Maybe I should invest in a hard copy too this year....

Is it Nigel reading it on Audible? I've got a few spare credits and although I love the hard copy I also loved the series of excerpts he did as podcasts.

Can I join. Every year I aspire to be more Nigel but always get lead astray by other stuff. Do you think having a better candle would help? 😃

Following ... loved this thread last year, just need to get the book!

Me please. I bought my copy last year but didn't manage to read along, I'm going to this year. I've just downloaded it on Audible too, so that I can listen on the move as I'm away at the beginning of November.
Really looking forward to it.

I'm in! My husband treated me to this after watching me eye it up for years, I never managed to get through it all last year so I'm aiming to do it this year! Hopefully a bit each day and will try some recipes as well this time. Exciting! Yes I'm easily please 😆

I’m here and ready to Nigel. Bought my copy in August and it’s been looking at me ever since. I was hoping one of these threads might pop up again this year as I was planning on starting the introduction next week.

Hi

I’ve signed up just to join along if that’s ok.

I lurked and bought a copy last year but never got chance to do more than open it.

I’m off work due to bereavement this year so maybe I’ll get chance to join in and find a tiny bit of Christmas spirit I’m going to be missing.

Just got Christmas Chronicles off Borrowbox. Not as good as paper, but it is free.