It may be the start of a new year, but there are a few books I read for, or over, the Christmas holiday that I still need to post. It seemed like too long a time to wait until next December! ;-)

Rhys Bowen's newest Molly Murphy book is a holiday mystery: The Ghost of Christmas Past. Hoping to spend a quiet Christmas at home, plans change with an invitation to join Molly's mother-in-law in the country. Years ago, at this time of year, there was a kidnapping. The footprints in the snow vanished at the river, there were no other prints to be found, no ransom note ever arrived ... just what happened? How Molly figures everything out made for a nice winter read.

This book was in my stocking: Christmas Trivia, from Publications International, Ltd. Full of information on the traditions (new and old), the food, decorations, variations on Santa, carols, to the hottest gifts over time it's a fun book to read and share. Just one curious observation on my part, though .... there was not one mention of the song White Christmas!

In the effort of full disclosure here, I did not read all of this book ... it was just too big and it was over the holidays and others were waiting for it. Still, what I did read was amazing so I thought I'd go ahead and include it anyway. Journey: an Illustrated History of Travel, by Simon Adams, R.G. Grant, and Andrew Humphreys is a big (and heavy) book about, well, travel. Rich and detailed there's lots of information here, and because it's a Smithsonian book, wonderful pictures as well. From walking the earth to walking the moon and everything in between it's an amazing journey. (Sorry!) ;-)

I'm liking the change of when I post my blog, so look for new ones Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog