My Christmas reads and watch-list

I just finished reading my last Christmas-themed book of the season, and probably my last full read of the year. (The first was Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno which, according to the list at the back of my diary, I finished on 4th Jan.)

The Christmas Guest was my first Peter Swanson and one I really enjoyed, so I’m going to look into his other novels in 2024. Must admit he absolutely reeled me in with the identity of the diarist featured in the first half of the novella! Nicely done, Mr. Swanson.

My other Christmas reads of 2023 were:

• The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallet. (Fun from beginning to end.)
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. (Because Christmas.)
• The Christmas Jisgaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict. (Another festive winner from Alexandra, featuring another amateur sleuth that I would absolutely read an entire series about!)

And two Christmas graphic novels:

• The gender-swapped A Christmas Carol by José-Luis Munera (beautifully drawn with a great new take on Scrooge’s redemption.)
• Four Gathered on Christmas Eve by Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Becky Cloonan and James Harren, with Dave Stewart on Colours.

I also picked up a couple of Christmas short story collections over the festive season, but will save those until next year.

Elsewhere, shared a note of the Christmas movies he watched:

My 2023 movie list was:

• Violent Night. (Love me a Viking Santa!)
• Anna & the Apocalypse. (A Zombie musical set at Christmas? It’s like it was made for me!)
• Candy Cane Lane.
• Krampus. (An annual must-watch!)
• Die Hard.
• A Christmas Horror Story.
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
• Love Actually.
• Die Hard 2.
• Klaus.
• Muppet Christmas Carol. (Seeing it on the big screen for the first time in 30-years, an early Christmas present from my eldest, Chloe.)
• Elf.
• Merry Little Batman. (which I adored. Sweet, silly and packed with Easter Eggs.)

So no Scrooged or Batman Returns this year, which is unusual for me, but might still happen as it’s still very much Christmas in this house.

Speaking of which, this will also be the last post of 2023. I’m taking New Year’s Eve off from Perfect Sunday so will be back next Tuesday, 2nd January.

I hope you all have a happy New Year and are full of excitement for 2024!

In the meantime, let me know what books and movies you’ve enjoyed this festive season?