We had whippets as houseguests for Christmas. Pippa, the fawn one, is an angel. Milo is high maintenance.

Viewing

I keep saying Christmas TV was rubbish – all repeats of things I didn’t want to watch first time around. Then I look back on my viewing…

Highly recommended if you can access them:

The Australian Wars ***** BBC  Afascinating and horrifying account of the wars between settlers and native Australians in the nineteenth century.Made in Australia with plenty of contribution, not least awesome presentation, from the ‘losing’ side.

Dr Who Christmas Special***** BBC Exciting introduction to the new incarnation of the doctor.

Vigil season 2 (BBC)***** A great follow-up to the first series – this time set in the middle east rather than on a submarine – but I kept expecting Rose Lesie to say ‘you know nothing…’

Vera: The Rising Tide (Christmas Special)***** ITVX  There’s a new series coming up. I really like the detective, and the locations are part of my childhood so appeal!

Petite Maman***** A delightful French film about love, grief and new beginnings. The twins who play the two girls in the story are brilliant young actresses. Available on All4 for about a month then can be bought or rented quite cheaply on Amazon. Highly recommended.

Also recommended though not quite as highly:

Dr Who Anniversary Specials (3 programmes)**** Nice to havenewstories featuring old friends as a December prequel to the Christmas Special.

Mog’s Christmas (Ch 4)**** I kept laughing out loud but think I actually prefer the book. Yes, it’s a children’s animated film but has plenty to amuse adults.

Shetland****BBC The new post-Jimmy look is interesting, with Tosh in charge but assisted by a detective originally from the island but recently from the Met.

Festive Pottery Throwdown**** CH 4 Nice, and very festive, but I think I prefer getting to know contenders over a few weeks. There’s a new series starting. I’m not usually into reality shows but this one teaches a lot about pottery and its social context as well as the art involved, which is fascinating quite apart from the competition.

I don’t currently mention things I don’t recommend but had to say:

Home Alone** This was my first viewing ever of the iconic Christmas film and I was bored stiff. 

Reading

I did a lot of reading. (Whilst the holiday season was pleasant, we didn’t go anywhere and didn’t do much. )

Highly recommended:

Cosy and chill by Jacke Keswick**** Lovely story about setting up a new store, mixed with magic. I was initially disappointed that it turned out to be Richmond in Surrey and not Richmond in Yorkshire but once I’d adjusted my mental map I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Also A Knight to Remember**** Introduces a new series about a security team. Grant**** is the first in the series. Excellent, and a relief from all the Christmas syrup. I’m looking forward to Rylan which is imminent.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske***** Superb paranormal mm romance set in Edwardian London. Must read the sequel.

The Happiness Project by Suki Fleet***** Excellent novel exploring various ways to be different.

Also recommended:

Wolf Gift by TJ Nichols.**** Nice novella with a witch/shifter bonding. I must seek out the rest of the series. Wolf Heart**** was also good.

Rejoice Dammit by Kaje Harper**** and Where the Heart is.**** Two really nice novellas from a trusted author. A Midnight Clear also by Kaje Harper**** As usual, a common trope (second chance) made poignant and different by a great writer.

It’s Cold Outside by Suki Fleet (on their website)**** Sweet – I do hope we meet this pair, as half-promised, as adults. Light up the Dark  also by Suki Fleet**** Brilliant writing. Fascinating concept. I’d have liked more detail at the end about how the deception had worked but Cai and Nicky are a great couple and I loved the story.

Once upon a Christmas House by AD Ellis**** Nice Christmas mm romance, saved from over-sweetness by the suspense of the reality TV show competition. Well written.  I read a few more by this author but although they were readable they blurred, like so many seasonal stories.

The Ghost of Grape Lane by Mark Richards.**** Excellent seasonal short story in the Michael Brady series.

The Winter Spirit by Indra Vaughn.**** Excellent and ‘different’ Christmas ghost story.

And two I read as ARCs for more in depth review elsewhere: (I review for two review sites)

Ash Believes the Impossible by Kim Fielding**** Delightful mix of mundane and fairyland when Ash meets Clay

Yule. Tales for the Winter Solstice ed. Eno, Allingham and Tulio****. Stars are for the quality of the stories (mostly ff) but this is a very short book on sale at a very high price.

For fanfic, as usual, I’ve been reading Small-Hobbit’s contributions to the Marylebone Monthly Illustrated which place various talking animals in the world of Holmes and Watson. https://archiveofourown.org/works/52123444   is a Christmas Supplement and there is more delight to follow.

I started reading various Star Trek stories but abandoned them all.