Hey, girl! Don’t force yourself to read because reading is supposed to be fun! Worse case, listen to an audiobook! That really helps me when I don’t want to read a physical book!
Hi! I couldn’t agree more! The frustration part is that I want to read, but I’m just not making it a priority for some reason 🙈 I have been listening to audiobooks which has been helping a lot :) thank you for your lovely advice!
I must try this audiobook thing. I have heard it is good for certain books. Also a different kinetic aspéct to “read” books, always a welcome mental stimulation.
Thanks Carolyn. I really enjoyed your video and I could relate to so much that you have mentioned. I need to check out the books that you mentioned as they sound so perfect. Best wishes Andrew
I usually have like a 2-page warmup! then I'll walk around and look out the window or something and then take a deep breath and start again and THEN I usually get in the crazy zone. where i'm like immersed all the way and seeing everything in my mind. Hope that helps, best of luck with your upcoming reading!
For the past 4 years,i've re-read one Harry Potter's book every December (Order of the Phoenix is next for me this year) 😊 it puts me in the best Christmas mood. My boyfriend bought me the full collection in English (i read them in french when i was a kid). It is great to re-discover them. Love you videos, love from Belgium ❤
I love it here on this side of RUclips. Thanks for sharing this with us. In November, I read Babel, The Violinist, Black Cake, Transcendent Kingdom & Carrie Soto is Back. I ALWAYS watch A Christmas Story.
I make it a tradition to watch Christmas classics like It's a Wonderful Life, The Shop Around the Corner, or, my personal favorite, Miracle on 34th Street, all while snuggled up in a cozy plaid and cradling a cup of hot chocolate. It is a truly magical experience that I always look forward to.
I always start Dec with dickens’ a Christmas Carol but last year I read Truman capote’s short story A Christmas Memory! The must watch movie is It’s a wonderful life. Happy holidays!
Hiiii Carolyn, it makes me so happy to see your new video each time, and I have been catching up on your old ones while cooking, cleaning, and brushing my teeth and whenever I have some free time
I have the book Christmas Stories Charles Dickens that someone received as a Christmas present in 1911. I like reading the stories from that book especially - A Christmas Carol. Movie - Miracle On 34th Street with Natalie Wood.
I love reading Little Women at the holidays. It’s my number one favorite. I often start it in December but don’t finish but it doesn’t matter because I could pick it up from any page at any point in time. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is probably my favorite holiday movie.
OOh! I love this time of year the most. Every December I either reread A Christmas Carol or watch a theatre production of it. This year I'm going to read the book, I just bought a beautiful illustrated copy. And my go-to-without-fail-every-year movie to watch is It's a Wonderful Life. I know it's old fashioned and black and white but I love it.
I am in the middle of reading meditations and what i like most is that these books were his personal journal that he never intended to release. This is the most interesting to me because unlike other philosophers who might want to tell you how to live aurelius is almost writing to himself how he would like to be. If you have time i would look up about his life and the statue they have of him in rome. It is so beautiful and thought provoking.
I’ve been in a slump for a few months too, I’ve noticed myself dnf’ing a lot of books because I simply am not interested. But it’s okay, I’m sure it’ll pass for both of us ❤️ happy holidays sweet Carolyn!
Along with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, Meditations has been a life long friend. I always read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for Christmas. Thanks!!
Carolyn, I felt the same way last year! Then I read The Count of Mount Christ in 10 days! It was really good for me! I had only felt that way before about War and Peace. So it’s definetely a reading that I highly recommend 💗☺️
Carolyn, your videos really brighten up my day :) I don't have a particular favourite book or movie for Christmas, but I do like to read / watch / listen to sth about the WW1 Christmas truce around this time of the year. Hope that you will get over the reading slump soon!
I have this tradition of re-reading The Hobbit every december. Can't wait to go on that journey again. 😊 A movie I always watch this time of year is a version of Cinderella from the 70s that's very popular here in Germany. I also watch Mickey's Christmas Carol every year.
‘The Masterpiece’ by Emile Zola should be required reading for every artist. Carolyn, I think you would love it. ❤ (my copy is Oxford World’s Classics)
Every December I like to read ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens; and my favorite movie to watch is ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ with Cary Grant and Loretta Young.
Hi Carolyn, I was bullied in Jr.High School because I was a book nerd,wore glasses,old fashioned clothes,and was quiet, they called me "Teacher". At the time it was hurtful,now I feel proud to be associated with intelligence ! I love reading children's Christmas books this time of year..Santa Mouse,The Night Before Christmas, The Gift of the Magi (though not a children's book). Christmas movies I love... White Christmas,Christmas In Connecticut, Alistair Sim/Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas,Raymond Briggs The Snowman,Emmett Otters Jug Band Christmas, The Nutcracker Ballet danced by the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company designed by Maurice Sendak. I am in a reading slump due to all the Holiday preparations and the anxiety that accompanies it.
thanks for this video carolyn. i’ve been going through the exact same thing with not enjoying books the same for months. since i read fairytale nothing has compared with King’s writing! i really needed this and appreciate your content
A wonderful video as always❤️ Every Christmas I rewatch the Brambly Hedge Winter story! I grew up watching Brambly Hedge and it just makes me smile every time I see it. My friend also got me the Complete Brambly Hedge book and I totally recommend getting it😍!! I have been eyeing Meditations for a while now and seeing you talk about it has finally convinced me to get it💕
Thanks for the video, it was really interesting. I read and loved neverwhere so I hope you still like it at the end. I don't have a holiday book but there is always a sound of music film on during Christmas. I read two books by Proust, a couple of Woolfs, an Everisto and a Pratchett during November. Which I find is plenty for a month. I couldn't do the incredible numbers of books most booktube people get through in a month. I hope you get over your slump soon.
I always listen to A Christmas Carol narrated by Patrick Stewart in December. Our Christmas Eve movie is Polar Express. In October I always read The Graveyard Book. I know you didn't ask about October but it's a must read for me every year.
Hi Carolynn, I always read a Christmas Carol, followed by The Chimes by Charles Dickens, and several books by a marvellous Portuguese writer and poet, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andersen.
Nice! I love David Sedaris! I hope you find a way to love reading again for the enjoyment of it! 😢 Maybe in 2023 you’ll get the bug again! Now I can’t wait to read “Heaven”, the way you related it to your gorgeous curly hair!! ❤
lovely video Carolyn, i really want to read a mieko kawakami book soon, breasts and eggs is mean mugging me from my shelf. i HAVE to do a reread of The Secret History every winter or I die, and somehow always end up rereading Inkheart as well. I’m really looking forward to picking up The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey this december, it’s been on my TBR for years now and I just need to read it at this point. i know it’s basic but every year I watch elf, but the best is watching tons of repetitive hallmark movies with my grandma around christmas :)
Love your book recommendations, Carolyn! Well, in Christmas time, i use to read A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. Christmas movies: Elf and Charlie Brown Christmas.
Book: A Christmas Memory (Capote), read aloud to close friends sipping eggnog a few nights before Xmas (have tissues ready); Movie: Gremlins; Short Films: Charlie Browns Christmas and The Grinch.
I don't really have any specific books I read every year, unless you count the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas lol but my absolute favorite Christmas movie has always been Rudolph. there's so much nostalgia and happy cozy vibes with that movie.
I always read "Wuthering Heights" over Christmas - just like Sandra Bullock's character in "The Proposal". 😁 And the movie I always watch is "It's a wonderful life". One of my favorites. If you haven't seen it, please do watch it ❤
i wish you luck with getting out of your read slump ! you have helped me so much to get out of mine :) i just read a christmas carol and i think i’m gonna have to read it every december now! i am looking forward to reading the lion the witch and the wardrobe and watching the movie adaptation💗
December Movie: Babette's feast 1987, Book:Selma Lagerlöf 'Gösta Berling. I have to confess that I started reading classics again after getting acquainted with this channel. I swore never to read these worrks again because of the neglect of 'la deuxième sexe', but the combination of the work of you and Emma made me realise that it's better to embrace and swallow, and be yourself in it. Have a lovely Christmas soon!
I’ve been interested in reading Mieko Kawakami so your review makes me want to read her even more. There’s no book that I read every December but for personal reasons The Great Gatsby is good for me to read around this time of year. Also, I’ve been wanting to read A Fable by a William Faulkner but I only want to read it in December for some reason. As for Xmas movies, Elf and Christmas Story are my go-tos, but also Misery, Die Hard, and a Kurosawa film called Scandal are also good to watch during the Christmas season.
So funny that you uploaded this today - I filmed my own november wrap up a few hours ago :P Love your hair, your lipstick and I so enjoy your lovely personality. You're an inspiration! 🧡
Every December I read Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol", the poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, and several of the new release Holiday romance books. As for movies I watch in December, I try to catch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown's Christmas, and A Wonderful Life. Those movies bring back great family holiday memories. I also enjoy "The Santa Clause" movies (I can't wait to watch the new one for this year) and Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas." I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
I've been reading a few classics these past few months, and as a non-English speaker it's sometimes a bit difficult. I'm going to try to control myself better when I pick up books from the library: pick a classic, pick an illustrated children's book, pick a more regular novel, and then repeat, lol. I get discouraged when the English is a bit difficult, and I have to rate a book low, and then the next one doesn't work too well either. So yeah, I need to work on my own magical formula. I do have to say that I read P & P years ago, and since I survived that, the rest should be a piece of cake! 🤣 I'll drop my list of books read for this month, if you want to know. You might spot the influence of a certain lovely young woman with beautiful curly hair in there. 😉 Matt Haig - The Humans Roald Dahl - George's Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl - Billy and the Minpins E.M. Forster - A Room with a View (that's the one I had issues with this month) Kenneth Grahame - The Wind in the Willows (I'll have to reread this one some day, because I brought home a beautifully illustrated version in my mother tongue, and turns out it was abridged. Next time I'll read it in English.) Kent Haruf - Our Souls at Night Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret (showed it to my mom, explained how gifted the author is with illustrating as well!) E.B. White - Charlotte's Web Fredrik Backman - Anxious People (first book by this author, SOOOO GOOOOOD!) David Walliams - The Midnight Gang H.G. Wells - The Island of Doctor Moreau (currently reading, happy I found this author because his books are pretty easy for me) The Little Prince and A Christmas Carol were read last month. I don't have a tradition yet of watching certain movies or reading certain books around December, but I'd love to build it (I just moved out on my own, so it's okay). I'd love to go back to rewatching LotR every year or other year in December, though. Recently discovered The Rise of the Guardians (because people ship Jack with Elsa, apparently?) and loved that movie, which is a nice one to watch in the season. Oh, for October: Coraline and The Night Before Christmas! Muahaha. Sorry for rambling, hope you, Willow and the family are good, and happy rest of the week and weekend!
The book that I’ve been waiting all year to read for December is The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon because it’s diving back into the world of Shadow of the Wind (which I adored) and takes place during Christmas! So it’s perfect heh. As for movie, it’s Bridget Jones’ Diary HAHA the blue soup scene has been engraved in my mind since I was a kid lol
@@jovanakovacevic224 omg luckyyy! wish i could have immediately gone to barcelona after reading the book must have been a great experience very happy for you! ☺️
Last year I started my personal challenge called "Winter with Dickens", I read Oliver Twist in February, so now it's time for Nicholas Nickleby this December :) I'm currently listening to Meditations as well, I got a kindle edition 3 years ago, because my sister screamed at me to read it, but I didn't like the translation, so I put it away for a bit, and a few days ago, I found it on audiobook and it's so much better than my kindle version ❤
Hey. I have always gone through phases with reading. Sometimes when I am very stressed I just don’t manage to focus enough to really allow myself to get into a book. I am having that right now. I am in the middle of 5 books now because I kept trying to force myself to read something but nothing stuck. So I think I just have to give myself a break and eventually the hunger for reading will come back (probably once the uni stress slows down). Thank you for your amazing recommendations.
I just got a collection of Scandinavian short stories about Christmas that I am excited to read this December! It has a mix of classic and contemporary authors. I also always read my collection of the poems of Robert Frost. My dad used to read us "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" every Christmas Eve, so I associate Robert Frost's poetry with Christmas and my dad. Our family holiday movies are White Christmas (Bing Crosby and Danny Kay) and Holiday Inn (Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire). We've watched them every year since I was a baby. We also like Elf, Klaus, and The Willows in Winter. :)
@@sophiefollowsrivers "A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales For a Nordic Noel". It's published by Penguin, as part of the Vintage Classics, I believe? Mine has a white cover with a large pattern of folk art on the front (things like doves, angels, gnomes, deer, etc.). I got it on Book Depository, if that helps!
A Christmas carol for the book, and it's a wonderful life for the movie. But I also always watch the Grinch cartoon, because It was a favorite as a child.
We all get hit by reading slumps. Some times mine can last for months. Perhaps try reading something outside of your usual purview - like something from another genre, or in a field of non-fiction you wouldn't normally read. If it piques your interest, it may invigorate you to read and explore the genre further. Or, at worst, you may end up ditching it and returning to your comfort zone by reading books/authors/genre you know you love. Just my two cents Canadian (about 1.5 cents US). All the best!
Yeah... I have been in a book slump. Following other hobbies. I finished Frankenstein at the beginning of November and will finish Anxious People by the end of the week (I made a schedule of reading so I could get out of my slump). Holiday reads? None... but I do want to read A Christmas Carol. Movies: It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas.
Sometimes switching up genres can reignite one's enthusiasm for reading. Being an artist, I bet you could get really engaged reading some art/art history books. I'm an artist and an art historian, and I find that my enthusiasm for reading art history never wanes--there are so many artists and movements and individual works one can read about, it's really inexhaustible. Not to mention, reading about art (and of course looking at art) can be the greatest inspiration for an artist.
Speaking of book covers, I recently imported the American hardcover edition of The Cat Who Saved Books, because it was just so much beautiful than the UK edition that I had to have it 🥲
I'm starting to make it a tradition to read "A Castle In The Clouds" by Kerstin Gier with this december😊 Last year I saw that Emma said it is one of her fav one's and now it's mine too!🐘💖 I'm also german as the author is and I hadn't heard of this book before haha🤗
I was bullied because of my curly hair as well. Mine used to be way curlier than it is, it's more wavy now and I just love it! For me reading is supposed to be fun, always, but I sometimes force myself to read so I don't spend the entire day on social media, for example. I want to continue reading Game of Thrones, but only if the author actually publishes the 6th books. Great video
I love to read the Christmas mystery over advent every year. It is by jostein gaarder. It is to be as an advent calendar. I also adore watching narnia and home alone
I don't have a specific Christmas book - probably because being in the southern hemisphere my seasons are reversed. But I do start thinking about what I'm going to read about now because I go to my in-laws for a few days over Christmas and they live very rurally, even the internet is a bit slow and dodgy so there is tons of time to read. I like to bring at least one chunky classic like Vanity Fair, or an Austen, then some new pop fiction and a narrative non-fiction. I learned the hard way not to bring a mystery as that leaves such a hangover or a book in a series as there is nothing worse than not have the next book to continue. My Christmas movie is Love Actually, I like watching in the week before Christmas when wrapping presents. Other ones a tend to watch aren't "Christmassy" but give me the right vibes are The Blind Side and The Boat that Rocked... or an oldie like Forrest Gump.
I feel like you did really well considering you feel like you are in a slump. I often like to finish December with a Jill Mansell book. I love the romance and how easy it it to read. I always watch Love Actually with my mum and then I like to get in The Smowman, Elf and Annabelle’s Wish before Christmas Day 💙
I look forward to reading Donna Tartt’s Secret History in December, since I might have some more reading time because of the holidays. My christmas movies are the Lord of the Rings movies 😁 I don’t remember how it started, but we’ve just watched them every year 😁
I’m currently reading The Final Empire after putting it off for several years. It’s one of those books that I know I’m going to love so I put it off because I don’t want it to end if that makes sense lol. I know there’s a whole world waiting for me in the Cosmere & I’m so excited! I don’t have a book I read every December, but I have a few movies I always try to watch. The biggest one being A Christmas Story. We watched that every Christmas Eve for years while I was growing up & I love it so much. I also try to watch as many of the older animated/stop motion (?) classics as possible like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mr. Magoo’s a Christmas Carol, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and several others I can’t remember right now lol. We had a whole bag of VHS tapes we’d watch every year growing up 😅
I finished one hundred years of solitude .. words can’t explain how amazing it was !! and im looking forward to read my first Dickens which is a christmas carol
@@vulee100 I understand that initially it was going to be a 4 star read for me as well.. honestly there were so many symbolic moments I really enjoyed and the little “twist “ at the end is what made me love it more. I read it in the english translation but i feel like reading it in its original language will make it a better experience, which i’m looking forward to reread it.
I look forward to watching and reading A Christmas Carol. I love the Hallmark Christmas movies and the only time I'm in the mood for the cheesiness of Hallmark. I love the live action Grinch, "It's a Wonderful Life", the claymation classics like Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I also, love the Santa Claus franchise and the first movie always makes me cry.
Neil Gaiman is an amazing writer. I would highly recommend some of his graphic novels like Sandman and Miracleman. Also, some great movies and TV shows like Mirrormask and Good Omens.
Sometimes when I'm in a slump I just don't read for a while. I didn't read for three months this year (during the summer) and came back to reading with such a renewed vigor! Maybe try nonfiction or audiobooks as well, if you don't want to stop reading altogether. Xx
Hey Carolyn. I don’t have a December book but a movie which I love watching every year is “Serendipity”. In November I read “The picture of Dorian Gray”, “Beloved”, “That woman”(biography of Walis Simpson), “84 Charring Cross Road” and reread “The stranger” of Camus ( after more than 15 years 😄). Big hug 🤗
I legit read and pick up anything if it got Chris Riddell as an illustrator. I love his work so much! Havnt picked up this "neverwhere" yet tho. Trying to take it easy on my buying atm. my physical TBR is way to big and i need to read the books i got before i start adding more >.< But its hard
A book I’m reading in December will be a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. A movie I have to watch every year is the animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ from the 60s. ❤️❤️
Hi! To answer your questions; I don't have a book I read every december, though I'm considering re-listening to Hogfather by Terry Pratchett??? So maybe that one. As for movies; every year I've watched the Disney Nutcracker and the Four Realms. It's so magical and brings me so much joy
I am in the same boat. I did not read this whole year. I’m forcing myself to read a book or listen to an audiobook and it’s like really difficult. I know that last year I was like reading 5 to 10 books in week and I needing to read more books and I was very happy and now , I’m just you know what the Frack.?! I’m thinking to buy some bookish apparel, maybe jumpstart my reading juices again.
Hi dear I have finished Frederick backman's book, every morning the way home gets longer and longer, I enjoyed it so much so thank you, I want to read Paris apartment by Lucy Foley
Ooh I too read Me Talk Pretty One Day this month because of the Rory challenge, haha. Also went to see him live which was fun. The book fell flat for me too. His humor is definitely marmite.
Every Christmas I would watch The Bells of St. Mary’s with Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby. Such a wonderful, heart-warming film. New Year’s Eve, When Harry met Sally. The only books I think of as seasonal are the Little Golden books I read to my little ones.
Hey, girl! Don’t force yourself to read because reading is supposed to be fun! Worse case, listen to an audiobook! That really helps me when I don’t want to read a physical book!
Hi! I couldn’t agree more! The frustration part is that I want to read, but I’m just not making it a priority for some reason 🙈 I have been listening to audiobooks which has been helping a lot :) thank you for your lovely advice!
I must try this audiobook thing. I have heard it is good for certain books. Also a different kinetic aspéct to “read” books, always a welcome mental stimulation.
Thanks Carolyn. I really enjoyed your video and I could relate to so much that you have mentioned. I need to check out the books that you mentioned as they sound so perfect. Best wishes Andrew
I usually have like a 2-page warmup! then I'll walk around and look out the window or something and then take a deep breath and start again and THEN I usually get in the crazy zone. where i'm like immersed all the way and seeing everything in my mind. Hope that helps, best of luck with your upcoming reading!
I do the same and it works for me
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your hair.
Thank you so much 😊
For the past 4 years,i've re-read one Harry Potter's book every December (Order of the Phoenix is next for me this year) 😊 it puts me in the best Christmas mood. My boyfriend bought me the full collection in English (i read them in french when i was a kid). It is great to re-discover them. Love you videos, love from Belgium ❤
I love it here on this side of RUclips. Thanks for sharing this with us. In November, I read Babel, The Violinist, Black Cake, Transcendent Kingdom & Carrie Soto is Back. I ALWAYS watch A Christmas Story.
I recently got out from a 3 weeks slump. What helps me is just to relax and don't force myself to read. Also, re-reading. 🤗🤗
Every year me and my other half watch the greatest Christmas movie of them all: Die Hard.
I make it a tradition to watch Christmas classics like It's a Wonderful Life, The Shop Around the Corner, or, my personal favorite, Miracle on 34th Street, all while snuggled up in a cozy plaid and cradling a cup of hot chocolate. It is a truly magical experience that I always look forward to.
Have you seen ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ - it’s my favourite, Cary Grant brilliant!
I always start Dec with dickens’ a Christmas Carol but last year I read Truman capote’s short story A Christmas Memory! The must watch movie is It’s a wonderful life. Happy holidays!
Harry Potter books and movies are my holiday comfort food.
Hiiii Carolyn, it makes me so happy to see your new video each time, and I have been catching up on your old ones while cooking, cleaning, and brushing my teeth and whenever I have some free time
I have the book Christmas Stories Charles Dickens that someone received as a Christmas present in 1911. I like reading the stories from that book especially - A Christmas Carol. Movie - Miracle On 34th Street with Natalie Wood.
OK sounds good I'll check em out. I usually just stack rocks, but I can try reading.
I love reading Little Women at the holidays. It’s my number one favorite. I often start it in December but don’t finish but it doesn’t matter because I could pick it up from any page at any point in time.
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is probably my favorite holiday movie.
Every December I read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, and movie I always watch is Miracle on 34th Street (the one from the 1990s).
OOh! I love this time of year the most. Every December I either reread A Christmas Carol or watch a theatre production of it. This year I'm going to read the book, I just bought a beautiful illustrated copy.
And my go-to-without-fail-every-year movie to watch is It's a Wonderful Life. I know it's old fashioned and black and white but I love it.
I just love your beautiful collection of lovely delicious books 🧩💋💋💋♥️♥️💋💋
Finally reading A Christmas Carol this December 🎄 and a must watch movie would be Love Actually and The Grinch 😊
You and Emma made me go ahead and start GOT!!! Ugh I’m loving it so much! I’ve seen all the episodes and I still love the story!
I am in the middle of reading meditations and what i like most is that these books were his personal journal that he never intended to release. This is the most interesting to me because unlike other philosophers who might want to tell you how to live aurelius is almost writing to himself how he would like to be. If you have time i would look up about his life and the statue they have of him in rome. It is so beautiful and thought provoking.
Best Christmas movie for me : Klaus! Have you seen it? And in December I look forward to reading Of mice and men, that will be my first Steinbeck :)
I’ve been in a slump for a few months too, I’ve noticed myself dnf’ing a lot of books because I simply am not interested. But it’s okay, I’m sure it’ll pass for both of us ❤️ happy holidays sweet Carolyn!
I’m sorry to hear that, but yes…I’m sure many wonderful books are in our futures! Happy Holidays to you as well ❤️
I don’t celebrate christmas so there’s no holiday book but I love rereading Jane Eyre so much ❤
Along with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, Meditations has been a life long friend. I always read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for Christmas. Thanks!!
Carolyn, I felt the same way last year! Then I read The Count of Mount Christ in 10 days! It was really good for me! I had only felt that way before about War and Peace. So it’s definetely a reading that I highly recommend 💗☺️
WOW !
Carolyn, your videos really brighten up my day :) I don't have a particular favourite book or movie for Christmas, but I do like to read / watch / listen to sth about the WW1 Christmas truce around this time of the year. Hope that you will get over the reading slump soon!
I have this tradition of re-reading The Hobbit every december. Can't wait to go on that journey again. 😊
A movie I always watch this time of year is a version of Cinderella from the 70s that's very popular here in Germany. I also watch Mickey's Christmas Carol every year.
3 things:
your ramblings bring me happiness
your hair is gorgeous
live with meditations by your side for the rest of your life
I like to read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Gogol every December
‘The Masterpiece’ by Emile Zola should be required reading for every artist. Carolyn, I think you would love it. ❤ (my copy is Oxford World’s Classics)
Every December I like to read ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens; and my favorite movie to watch is ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ with Cary Grant and Loretta Young.
Hi Carolyn, I was bullied in Jr.High School because I was a book nerd,wore glasses,old fashioned clothes,and was quiet, they called me "Teacher". At the time it was hurtful,now I feel proud to be associated with intelligence ! I love reading children's Christmas books this time of year..Santa Mouse,The Night Before Christmas, The Gift of the Magi (though not a children's book). Christmas movies I love... White Christmas,Christmas In Connecticut, Alistair Sim/Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas,Raymond Briggs The Snowman,Emmett Otters Jug Band Christmas, The Nutcracker Ballet danced by the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company designed by Maurice Sendak. I am in a reading slump due to all the Holiday preparations and the anxiety that accompanies it.
My holiday books are Jane Eyre, Little women, Mists of Avalon, Anne of Green Gables movie Little Women Anne Of Green Gables
Lovely.. as always
its okay to not to read, really we all should do things that makes us happy, and its okay to take breaks. i love your videos
You recommend the best books. Keep up the good work and may God bless everyone.
Aw I’m so glad you think so! You as well :)
thanks for this video carolyn. i’ve been going through the exact same thing with not enjoying books the same for months. since i read fairytale nothing has compared with King’s writing! i really needed this and appreciate your content
A wonderful video as always❤️ Every Christmas I rewatch the Brambly Hedge Winter story! I grew up watching Brambly Hedge and it just makes me smile every time I see it. My friend also got me the Complete Brambly Hedge book and I totally recommend getting it😍!!
I have been eyeing Meditations for a while now and seeing you talk about it has finally convinced me to get it💕
Every December my kids and I read A Christmas Carol. ❤
That’s the book I read every year too! ❤️ Such a wonderful story to share with your family! Happy Holidays 📖✨
I try to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens every December. My favorite holiday movie that I look forward to watching every year is Elf.
Thanks for the video, it was really interesting. I read and loved neverwhere so I hope you still like it at the end. I don't have a holiday book but there is always a sound of music film on during Christmas. I read two books by Proust, a couple of Woolfs, an Everisto and a Pratchett during November. Which I find is plenty for a month. I couldn't do the incredible numbers of books most booktube people get through in a month. I hope you get over your slump soon.
I always listen to A Christmas Carol narrated by Patrick Stewart in December. Our Christmas Eve movie is Polar Express.
In October I always read The Graveyard Book. I know you didn't ask about October but it's a must read for me every year.
I’m gonna be doing a re-read of a Christmas Carol.
I love and adore The Holiday! I watch it every year, several times hehe ~
I love you and Emma so much ❤❤❤❤ like I LOVE LOVE YOU BOTH
I love to read A Christmas Carol by Dickens. Loved Jane Eyre in November. I love the movie It’s a Wonderful Life
Hi Carolynn, I always read a Christmas Carol, followed by The Chimes by Charles Dickens, and several books by a marvellous Portuguese writer and poet, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andersen.
Nice! I love David Sedaris! I hope you find a way to love reading again for the enjoyment of it! 😢 Maybe in 2023 you’ll get the bug again! Now I can’t wait to read “Heaven”, the way you related it to your gorgeous curly hair!! ❤
Thank you, I hope so too! It’s such an incredible read! I hope you enjoy it! 📖✨
lovely video Carolyn, i really want to read a mieko kawakami book soon, breasts and eggs is mean mugging me from my shelf. i HAVE to do a reread of The Secret History every winter or I die, and somehow always end up rereading Inkheart as well. I’m really looking forward to picking up The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey this december, it’s been on my TBR for years now and I just need to read it at this point. i know it’s basic but every year I watch elf, but the best is watching tons of repetitive hallmark movies with my grandma around christmas :)
Love your book recommendations, Carolyn! Well, in Christmas time, i use to read A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. Christmas movies: Elf and Charlie Brown Christmas.
I love reading Nevermoor every year around that time 🤩
Book: A Christmas Memory (Capote), read aloud to close friends sipping eggnog a few nights before Xmas (have tissues ready); Movie: Gremlins; Short Films: Charlie Browns Christmas and The Grinch.
I don't really have any specific books I read every year, unless you count the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas lol but my absolute favorite Christmas movie has always been Rudolph. there's so much nostalgia and happy cozy vibes with that movie.
I always read "Wuthering Heights" over Christmas - just like Sandra Bullock's character in "The Proposal". 😁
And the movie I always watch is "It's a wonderful life". One of my favorites. If you haven't seen it, please do watch it ❤
i wish you luck with getting out of your read slump ! you have helped me so much to get out of mine :) i just read a christmas carol and i think i’m gonna have to read it every december now! i am looking forward to reading the lion the witch and the wardrobe and watching the movie adaptation💗
December Movie: Babette's feast 1987, Book:Selma Lagerlöf 'Gösta Berling. I have to confess that I started reading classics again after getting acquainted with this channel. I swore never to read these worrks again because of the neglect of 'la deuxième sexe', but the combination of the work of you and Emma made me realise that it's better to embrace and swallow, and be yourself in it. Have a lovely Christmas soon!
The second quote you read reminded of the book "midnight library".
I’ve been interested in reading Mieko Kawakami so your review makes me want to read her even more.
There’s no book that I read every December but for personal reasons The Great Gatsby is good for me to read around this time of year. Also, I’ve been wanting to read A Fable by a William Faulkner but I only want to read it in December for some reason.
As for Xmas movies, Elf and Christmas Story are my go-tos, but also Misery, Die Hard, and a Kurosawa film called Scandal are also good to watch during the Christmas season.
So funny that you uploaded this today - I filmed my own november wrap up a few hours ago :P
Love your hair, your lipstick and I so enjoy your lovely personality. You're an inspiration! 🧡
Every December I read Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol", the poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, and several of the new release Holiday romance books. As for movies I watch in December, I try to catch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown's Christmas, and A Wonderful Life. Those movies bring back great family holiday memories. I also enjoy "The Santa Clause" movies (I can't wait to watch the new one for this year) and Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas."
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
I've been reading a few classics these past few months, and as a non-English speaker it's sometimes a bit difficult. I'm going to try to control myself better when I pick up books from the library: pick a classic, pick an illustrated children's book, pick a more regular novel, and then repeat, lol. I get discouraged when the English is a bit difficult, and I have to rate a book low, and then the next one doesn't work too well either. So yeah, I need to work on my own magical formula. I do have to say that I read P & P years ago, and since I survived that, the rest should be a piece of cake! 🤣
I'll drop my list of books read for this month, if you want to know. You might spot the influence of a certain lovely young woman with beautiful curly hair in there. 😉
Matt Haig - The Humans
Roald Dahl - George's Marvellous Medicine
Roald Dahl - Billy and the Minpins
E.M. Forster - A Room with a View (that's the one I had issues with this month)
Kenneth Grahame - The Wind in the Willows (I'll have to reread this one some day, because I brought home a beautifully illustrated version in my mother tongue, and turns out it was abridged. Next time I'll read it in English.)
Kent Haruf - Our Souls at Night
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret (showed it to my mom, explained how gifted the author is with illustrating as well!)
E.B. White - Charlotte's Web
Fredrik Backman - Anxious People (first book by this author, SOOOO GOOOOOD!)
David Walliams - The Midnight Gang
H.G. Wells - The Island of Doctor Moreau (currently reading, happy I found this author because his books are pretty easy for me)
The Little Prince and A Christmas Carol were read last month.
I don't have a tradition yet of watching certain movies or reading certain books around December, but I'd love to build it (I just moved out on my own, so it's okay). I'd love to go back to rewatching LotR every year or other year in December, though. Recently discovered The Rise of the Guardians (because people ship Jack with Elsa, apparently?) and loved that movie, which is a nice one to watch in the season. Oh, for October: Coraline and The Night Before Christmas! Muahaha.
Sorry for rambling, hope you, Willow and the family are good, and happy rest of the week and weekend!
Always watch Christmas Vacation
My favorite Christmas movie ever is The Polar Express but I also adore Rise of the guardians 🥰
The book that I’ve been waiting all year to read for December is The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon because it’s diving back into the world of Shadow of the Wind (which I adored) and takes place during Christmas! So it’s perfect heh. As for movie, it’s Bridget Jones’ Diary HAHA the blue soup scene has been engraved in my mind since I was a kid lol
@@jovanakovacevic224 omg luckyyy! wish i could have immediately gone to barcelona after reading the book must have been a great experience very happy for you! ☺️
Last year I started my personal challenge called "Winter with Dickens", I read Oliver Twist in February, so now it's time for Nicholas Nickleby this December :) I'm currently listening to Meditations as well, I got a kindle edition 3 years ago, because my sister screamed at me to read it, but I didn't like the translation, so I put it away for a bit, and a few days ago, I found it on audiobook and it's so much better than my kindle version ❤
Hey. I have always gone through phases with reading. Sometimes when I am very stressed I just don’t manage to focus enough to really allow myself to get into a book. I am having that right now. I am in the middle of 5 books now because I kept trying to force myself to read something but nothing stuck. So I think I just have to give myself a break and eventually the hunger for reading will come back (probably once the uni stress slows down). Thank you for your amazing recommendations.
Nice video Carolyn! I find it hard to make new videos on my channel sometimes, without it feeling like a chore.
I just got a collection of Scandinavian short stories about Christmas that I am excited to read this December! It has a mix of classic and contemporary authors. I also always read my collection of the poems of Robert Frost. My dad used to read us "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" every Christmas Eve, so I associate Robert Frost's poetry with Christmas and my dad.
Our family holiday movies are White Christmas (Bing Crosby and Danny Kay) and Holiday Inn (Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire). We've watched them every year since I was a baby. We also like Elf, Klaus, and The Willows in Winter. :)
Could you share the name of the Scandinavian short story collection? That sounds wonderful!
@@sophiefollowsrivers "A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales For a Nordic Noel". It's published by Penguin, as part of the Vintage Classics, I believe? Mine has a white cover with a large pattern of folk art on the front (things like doves, angels, gnomes, deer, etc.). I got it on Book Depository, if that helps!
A Christmas carol for the book, and it's a wonderful life for the movie. But I also always watch the Grinch cartoon, because It was a favorite as a child.
We all get hit by reading slumps. Some times mine can last for months. Perhaps try reading something outside of your usual purview - like something from another genre, or in a field of non-fiction you wouldn't normally read. If it piques your interest, it may invigorate you to read and explore the genre further. Or, at worst, you may end up ditching it and returning to your comfort zone by reading books/authors/genre you know you love. Just my two cents Canadian (about 1.5 cents US). All the best!
Yeah... I have been in a book slump. Following other hobbies. I finished Frankenstein at the beginning of November and will finish Anxious People by the end of the week (I made a schedule of reading so I could get out of my slump). Holiday reads? None... but I do want to read A Christmas Carol. Movies: It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas.
i always reread Daddy long legs by jean webster in December , and i love rewatching Home alone and the prisoner of azkaban 😍😍😍
Sometimes switching up genres can reignite one's enthusiasm for reading. Being an artist, I bet you could get really engaged reading some art/art history books. I'm an artist and an art historian, and I find that my enthusiasm for reading art history never wanes--there are so many artists and movements and individual works one can read about, it's really inexhaustible. Not to mention, reading about art (and of course looking at art) can be the greatest inspiration for an artist.
Speaking of book covers, I recently imported the American hardcover edition of The Cat Who Saved Books, because it was just so much beautiful than the UK edition that I had to have it 🥲
I love watching Elf and Love Actually every winter season. Also The Nightmare Before Christmas
I'm starting to make it a tradition to read "A Castle In The Clouds" by Kerstin Gier with this december😊 Last year I saw that Emma said it is one of her fav one's and now it's mine too!🐘💖 I'm also german as the author is and I hadn't heard of this book before haha🤗
I was bullied because of my curly hair as well. Mine used to be way curlier than it is, it's more wavy now and I just love it! For me reading is supposed to be fun, always, but I sometimes force myself to read so I don't spend the entire day on social media, for example. I want to continue reading Game of Thrones, but only if the author actually publishes the 6th books. Great video
I love to read the Christmas mystery over advent every year. It is by jostein gaarder. It is to be as an advent calendar. I also adore watching narnia and home alone
The Snowy Day-- it's a children's book about the first snow fall
you'd love the artwork!
We all now love the things that we were once bullied for. My hair is my soft spot too🤣
I don't have a specific Christmas book - probably because being in the southern hemisphere my seasons are reversed. But I do start thinking about what I'm going to read about now because I go to my in-laws for a few days over Christmas and they live very rurally, even the internet is a bit slow and dodgy so there is tons of time to read. I like to bring at least one chunky classic like Vanity Fair, or an Austen, then some new pop fiction and a narrative non-fiction. I learned the hard way not to bring a mystery as that leaves such a hangover or a book in a series as there is nothing worse than not have the next book to continue. My Christmas movie is Love Actually, I like watching in the week before Christmas when wrapping presents. Other ones a tend to watch aren't "Christmassy" but give me the right vibes are The Blind Side and The Boat that Rocked... or an oldie like Forrest Gump.
I feel like you did really well considering you feel like you are in a slump.
I often like to finish December with a Jill Mansell book. I love the romance and how easy it it to read.
I always watch Love Actually with my mum and then I like to get in The Smowman, Elf and Annabelle’s Wish before Christmas Day 💙
I look forward to reading Donna Tartt’s Secret History in December, since I might have some more reading time because of the holidays. My christmas movies are the Lord of the Rings movies 😁 I don’t remember how it started, but we’ve just watched them every year 😁
Loved you're liking game of thrones..waiting when you will read clash of kings!
I’m currently reading The Final Empire after putting it off for several years. It’s one of those books that I know I’m going to love so I put it off because I don’t want it to end if that makes sense lol. I know there’s a whole world waiting for me in the Cosmere & I’m so excited!
I don’t have a book I read every December, but I have a few movies I always try to watch. The biggest one being A Christmas Story. We watched that every Christmas Eve for years while I was growing up & I love it so much. I also try to watch as many of the older animated/stop motion (?) classics as possible like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mr. Magoo’s a Christmas Carol, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and several others I can’t remember right now lol. We had a whole bag of VHS tapes we’d watch every year growing up 😅
I finished one hundred years of solitude .. words can’t explain how amazing it was !! and im looking forward to read my first Dickens which is a christmas carol
im probably the only one to think its a bit overrated, bad≠overrated i gave it 4 stars just it didn't strike me as much.What part did you love?
@@vulee100 I understand that initially it was going to be a 4 star read for me as well.. honestly there were so many symbolic moments I really enjoyed and the little “twist “ at the end is what made me love it more. I read it in the english translation but i feel like reading it in its original language will make it a better experience, which i’m looking forward to reread it.
@@stephanievillot21 i get that and its one of the many books i will re-read in my life once i mature and read more
You are going to love A Christmas Carol. Savor it.
I look forward to watching and reading A Christmas Carol. I love the Hallmark Christmas movies and the only time I'm in the mood for the cheesiness of Hallmark. I love the live action Grinch, "It's a Wonderful Life", the claymation classics like Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I also, love the Santa Claus franchise and the first movie always makes me cry.
Neil Gaiman is an amazing writer. I would highly recommend some of his graphic novels like Sandman and Miracleman. Also, some great movies and TV shows like Mirrormask and Good Omens.
Sometimes when I'm in a slump I just don't read for a while. I didn't read for three months this year (during the summer) and came back to reading with such a renewed vigor! Maybe try nonfiction or audiobooks as well, if you don't want to stop reading altogether. Xx
Hey Carolyn. I don’t have a December book but a movie which I love watching every year is “Serendipity”. In November I read “The picture of Dorian Gray”, “Beloved”, “That woman”(biography of Walis Simpson), “84 Charring Cross Road” and reread “The stranger” of Camus ( after more than 15 years 😄). Big hug 🤗
I legit read and pick up anything if it got Chris Riddell as an illustrator. I love his work so much! Havnt picked up this "neverwhere" yet tho. Trying to take it easy on my buying atm. my physical TBR is way to big and i need to read the books i got before i start adding more >.< But its hard
A book I’m reading in December will be a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. A movie I have to watch every year is the animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ from the 60s. ❤️❤️
Re read Anna Karelian to get out of your reading slump 👀👀
*Karenina
This is a brilliant idea…👀
Hi! To answer your questions; I don't have a book I read every december, though I'm considering re-listening to Hogfather by Terry Pratchett??? So maybe that one. As for movies; every year I've watched the Disney Nutcracker and the Four Realms. It's so magical and brings me so much joy
I am in the same boat. I did not read this whole year. I’m forcing myself to read a book or listen to an audiobook and it’s like really difficult. I know that last year I was like reading 5 to 10 books in week and I needing to read more books and I was very happy and now , I’m just you know what the Frack.?! I’m thinking to buy some bookish apparel, maybe jumpstart my reading juices again.
🎄I have been saving up Anna Karenina for a Russian winter read, so I will probably start it in December!
That’s so exciting!!
Hi dear I have finished Frederick backman's book, every morning the way home gets longer and longer, I enjoyed it so much so thank you, I want to read Paris apartment by Lucy Foley
Ooh I too read Me Talk Pretty One Day this month because of the Rory challenge, haha. Also went to see him live which was fun. The book fell flat for me too. His humor is definitely marmite.
That’s so cool! I’m glad you felt the same way, because I was wondering… “is this really funny and I’m just not getting it?” 😂
Video starts at 2:21
Every Christmas I would watch The Bells of St. Mary’s with Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby. Such a wonderful, heart-warming film. New Year’s Eve, When Harry met Sally. The only books I think of as seasonal are the Little Golden books I read to my little ones.
I forgot a book for Christmas time, The Velveteen Rabbit.