December Book Club: Holiday Stories
What I read, what I wore, what I created + announcing next year's plans
This post serves as our official December book club “meeting,” where we’ll share the books we read and the creative ways we immersed ourselves in our stories.
December’s Theme: Holiday Stories
Below, I’ll pose a series of questions along with my responses. You’re welcome to answer as many as you like or simply share your reflections, link to Instagram posts, TikToks, blogs, Substacks or any other places where you’ve shared! Even if you’re reading this later in the year, feel free to join the conversation whenever you like.
I’m excited to hear about your reading adventures!
What Did You Read?
This month, I read am reading The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller.
What made you choose this book?
I purchased it years back, and it has been sitting on my bookshelf ever since. The snowy cover (on my edition, it has since been updated) looked very wintery so I thought that it would be a perfect read for the holiday season!
What were your thoughts?
Confession time. I’m still in the middle of the book, so I’ll share what I know so far:
I don’t think this is a holiday story. Oops! 😂 It begins in September and feels like more of a fall read. Maybe the cover was misleading, or maybe it will end up being Christmasy in the end?
I see why the cover quote compared it to Gilmore Girls. Our main character Olivia becomes a pastry chef at an inn, set in a small New England town, with a terrific cast of eccentric supporting characters reminiscent of the Stars Hollow gang.
I love that Olivia is not your typical protagonist. There are the beginnings of a romance, but the story mostly focuses on her career journey. She is strong and rebellious, and has made some questionable choices thus far, but I’m rooting for her!
Reading Louise Miller’s exceptional food descriptions is making me want to open a bakery. See below.
Bringing the Story to Life
👗 Costume
Olivia’s most prominent characteristic (so far) is that she keeps dyeing her hair shocking colors like purple and “Tiger Lily Orange” — fun for her, but not for me.
So for this month, here’s a very lazy photo of me in an apron and like all good chefs, a pair of Crocs.
🍪 🎨 Snack + Project
I was excited to find a recipe for “Blue Ribbon Apple Pie” — the one Olivia makes to secure her job at the Sugar Maple Inn — at the back of the book!
After making an impressive and somewhat complicated Pumpkin Cheesecake for Thanksgiving this year I was feeling pretty ambitious and thought that now would be a great opportunity to try making homemade pie crust for the first time.
It wasn’t easy! It involved a lot trust that it was all going to come together, which is difficult when you’re you’re holding crumbly dough in your hands. But it worked out in the end!
I was happy with the filling and the consistency of the crust, but thought the flavoring could have used a dash more salt. I’d love to try the recipe again, and have been feeling called to the kitchen lately. If baking is your thing, expect to see me writing more about it here in 2025.
Next Time on Book Club
Given that I’m still finishing The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living I haven’t sat down to think about what these book posts will look like in 2025. For now, I can tell you that they will continue, but with a few modifications.
If you have any suggestions or ways you’d love to see me cover books and reading, please leave a comment and let me know!
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
Seek out a book reminiscent of a favorite tv show or movie.
Is there a creative activity you enjoyed most in 2024? Make plans to do more of it in the coming year!
Make a baked good inspired by one of your favorite holiday stories.
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
I’ve had my eye on Rothy’s shoes for years, and finally picked up these cute double buckle Mary Janes.
I was surprised and delighted to receive a set of incredible Seinfeld pencils from my friend Brooke, just in time for Festivus!
We are back in New York this week and I took myself out on another lunch date to Maman. Of course, I loaded up on more cookies!
In a couple of dream nights, back to back, we caught performances of & Juliet and an encore of The Great Gatsby, which was even more incredible this time.
Our cat Rory had a very positive first checkup after starting treatment for his recent cancer diagnosis. We’re feeling hopeful! 🙏
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
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I really enjoyed that book a few years ago, love a cozy VT setting hehe! And the quirky cast of characters 🥲
Ohh this sounds like such a cosy book! And that apple pie looks delicious.