My Christmas Book Haul

Delighted with my Christmas haul. The Paul McCartney book was the only title I wanted (thanks to my sister Colette for that one). I've just finished all nine hours of 'Get back' and think we could all do with more Beatles in our lives right now. 'Oh William' was a duplicate present someone else got that I happily accepted (thanks to my other sister, Sheina).

I rescued Richard Ford from my TBR pile because Frank Bascombe is like an old friend who I have met up with intermittently since the mid nineties and he's good company. He’s older now, a bit grumpier, but he still makes me laugh and he’s usually got some wisdom to share. These are four stories set around Christmas, so they suit me just fine.

I recently moved house and was upset when I couldn't find my copy of Ulysses, which has been with me since I lived in Dublin back in 2001/02 and helped me through a difficult period in my life. I'd loaned it to a family member who returned it to me on Christmas day.(Cheers Soph).

I intended to read so much over the Christmas period, to smash my reading goals from last year. But you know what? Who cares. I’m enjoying reading the books I want to read. I’m eating too many biscuits and lying around. My brother Francis has returned from Australia for a surprise visit and being with him and my family has reminded me the most important thing of all is to be with those we love. We are the lucky ones, to have this time together.

I gave away some books too. The Charity shop got a couple of bags before the holidays and maybe somebody will discover the joy of reading through them. My nieces and nephew got some too, all at different steps on the reading ladder, from the hungry caterpillar through to a book on origami, a graphic history of gaming and a Beatles songbook, of course.

This is my favourite period of the year for reading, these languorous, empty days between Christmas and New Years, full of Barry's tea and long walks. I hope ye are safe and happy with your own loved ones and have some nice books to read, wherever you may be.