my plan today is to finish a bunch of spooky books, but two of my most anticipated Xmas books just showed up and I’m like....

Okay I’m sure a few of you might balk at the mention of Christmas right now, in this year of all years, but honestly I think a lot of us need the comfort and escapism that these two books afford (also they will be perfect Xmas presents for someone in your life/you)

Someday at Christmas follows Shell Smith, the most popular make-up artist at her department store. When Callum, the store owners grandson, comes up with creative ways to keep the shop afloat over Xmas, Shell and Callum work together... and find a little romance along the way. https://twitter.com/lizzie_byron/status/1283847466664812545

Not only is this set to be an icing sugar sweet romance, Shell is a fat brown girl! A fat successful brown girl living her best life and falling in love! I know so many people will feel so happy to see a character like Shell in a story like this, and seen too.

The Little Library Christmas is a beautifully designed cookbook for Winter & Xmas, filled with essays about Kate’s favourite books and where the recipes come from. It’s a both cookbook and a recommendation of the very best books by a tremendous cook and bookseller! https://twitter.com/bakingfiction/status/1311724488241942529

What I especially love about Kate’s recipes is that they often feel, to me, like that extra bit special, like a little more care you put in to cooking to tell yourself that you deserve it. I’ve already spied a few future winter staples in here.

I’m mentioning them specifically together not just because they arrived here this week, but because I genuinely think they’re a perfect match. You can kick back with Someday at Christmas while nibbling on delicious treats from The Little Library Christmas.

This year the Christmas season is going to be weird, it just is. Mine last year was very odd because I was recovering from surgery and the thing that saved it all was indulging in small comforts — I think these two books are the small comforts we need this year.