Recently I had the pleasure of attending the book release party of Christine Eisner’s new book, Comfort Living.  The party was held at the very lovely Ivy Hall, a historic Atlantan treasure recently restored to it’s glory by Savannah College of Art and Design.  Docents were on hand to talk about the house, give tours and answer questions about the restoration.  I really enjoyed the beautiful woodwork (even on the ceiling) and art through out the house.  Christine picked the perfect place to debut her book.

While this is Christine’s first book, so is no stranger to writing; she has maintained a blog on her Comfort Living website for quite sometime and has written extensively for numerous design publications.   A professional designer and owner of her own firm, Lifestyle Design, Christine draws upon her great knowledge about art and design to create an inspirational book full of tools to live a more balanced and aesthetically rich life.   It’s not only a book to read, but to experience, as Christine guides you through an 8 week journey towards a more balanced life.  There is ample space to record your thoughts and action plans and plenty of questions to get you thinking about your living space in a more intentional manner.   The book is very user-friendly and the reader will quickly understand the “Comfort Living language” and readily apply it to their life.   For instance, Christine describes  ”Campfires” as:

Easy but intentional combinations of objects and routines that draw people in for a sense of well-being, comfort and community.

These Campfires can take the form of elements from nature, furnishings, activities, colors or sounds (just to name a few), but the key is to find the specific tools that help you create a welcoming and comfortable space.   In my own home office where I spend most daytime hours, my Campfires include a bright, colorful rug, photographs of my children, my toys on display, the birds outside my window and my puppy under my chair.  If you are unsure of your own Campfires, Christine provides questions for consideration.

As Christine says, “homes should be a haven for the people who live in them, not just a display for “company.” ”  Read Christine’s book to make your house a home, your home a haven in your life and your life a more balanced one.  You can purchase Comfort Living on the website ComfortlivingbyChristine.com, Amazon.com or at any major bookstore.

As in “Easy Reader, that’s my name–uh-uh-uh” from The (original) Electric Company.  Morgan Freeman was supercool!

I love to read, but lately my time has been devoted to other matters, so I haven’t been reading many books.  Now I remember why….when I read a book it consumes me until I am done.   I stay up late at night (which effects what I do the next day), I don’t want to break to cook dinner or blog or check my email or do anything–I just want to read until I finish the book.   But it’s summertime and what better time to indulge; I have read 3 books in the past 3 weeks.

Marley & Me by Josh Grogan

I know this book has been out for awhile and I am probably the last person on earth to read it, but here I am.  I started reading the book during our winter vacation to Amelia Island, but I just couldn’t get into it and put it away.   This time when I picked it up, I was immediately drawn into the story and didn’t stop until I was done.  I don’t know if this is because now I have Chili Dawg, but like everyone else I was bawling my eyes out by the end of the book.   Yes, out of sorrow about Marley’s last days, but also the story just touched me so much; the dog was a witness to the making of a family.  I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I can’t imagine that it captures this story of unconditional love as well as the book does.

Belong To Me by Marisa De Los Santos

This book had been on my reading list for quite awhile and I finally bought it to read on our trip to Disney World in April.  I don’t know what ever possessed me to think that I would actually read a book after spending all day in the parks; I would come home each evening and collapse!   It took me awhile to really get into this book, but half-way through I was invested in the characters and cared enough to read to the very end.  An enjoyable read about friendship and family and how those relationships define us–for better, worse or in sometimes surprising ways.

Palace Council by Stephen L. Carter

I bought this book over a year ago to read on a Mexican vacation.  Why do I always think that I will read on vacation?  Have I not learned yet that when I travel with my family it is not a vacation, but a change of scenery?  Why do I think that I will be lounging around reading instead of doing everything that I do at home, but in another location?   Anyway, I finally picked it up this week and began the long journey.  I have read Cater’s other books, The Emperor of Ocean Park and New England White and I know that reading them is a real commitment–they are so long–and this one is his thickest book yet.     So began a week of late-night reading and groggy mornings.  I have always liked mysteries, but not so much politics and Carter’s books are filled with politics–especially this last one–but he tells such a good story that I am instantly drawn into his world of political intrigue.    Espionage, murder, love, conspiracy and family ties set among upper-class society and intertwined with American historical landmarks made for an excellent book that even after 510 pages had me wanting more.

It’s summertime!  Grab a glass of lemonade, find a shady spot outside and spend a lazy hour or two reading a good book.

As in “Easy Reader, that’s my name–uh-uh-uh” from The (original) Electric Company.  Morgan Freeman was supercool!

I picked up The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan on a whim while in Barnes & Noble one day.  Spending so much time on the computer lately, I felt the urge to hold paper in my hands.   I knew that I picked a good book when I read this paragraph on page 10:

I hit send and start my routine: pull on yesterday’s yoga pants (I don’t actually do yoga), pair them with a new green T-shirt from Costco, toast frozen waffle for Claire, smear bagel with cream cheese for Georgia, water down juices for both, strap girls into car seats, drop girls off at preschool, come home to move things (dishes to shelves, cans to recycling, socks to laundry basket, bills to pile, shoes to closet).  By 11:30 A.M., after I’ve lost he whole morning to a couple dozen five-minute tasks, it’s time to head out for pickup and begin the afternoon routine, which is as dull and typical as the morning routine, so I’ll spare you.

I could so relate to this when my kids were young!   I thought this passage was both funny and honest.  But despite the monotony of her days, Kelly loves being a mother.  And she equally loves being a daughter–especially the daughter of her charismatic Irish-Catholic father, Greenie,   This is what she calls the Middle Place–”that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”.   

 Kelly’s world is perfect until she learns that she has breast cancer.   The journey of her treatment and recovery is told from the the vantage point of her current life and flashbacks into her childhood; the reader is able to see how her family and upbringing shapes both her worldview and self-image during the most trying time in her life.  But just when she thinks she has a handle on things, she learns that her beloved father has cancer also; Kelly must now learn how to support her father in a way that she has never done before–as an adult.   It’s truly touching to see the love that Kelly has for her family and the way that this love evolves and grows when she least expects it.

Funny, refreshing and honest, I really enjoyed reading about Kelly’s journey as a mother, daughter and cancer survivor.

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is snuggle up by the fire with my daughter and read aloud our favorite Christmas books.  Since I pack the books away along with the Christmas decorations, every year it is like discovering old friends again.  I have been buying Christmas books for 13 years now so I tons and love them all, but here are 5 of my favorites.

The Nativity: Six Glorious Pop-Up Scenes by Francesca Crespi I have several books about the nativity, but I love this one because I like pop-up books.  Usually I would not recommend pop-up books for young children, but this one is very sturdy and pretty kid-friendly.

Christmas For 10 by Cathryn Falwell This book is a holiday version of another book by Cathryn Falwell, Feast for 10.  When my son was about 2 1/2 he had memorized Feast for 10 and “read” it aloud during our local bookstore story hour, so Ms. Falwell books have sentimental meaning for me.  But mother-pride aside, I love her books because they show a family working co-operatively to create a meal and enjoy it together, or in this case prepare for Christmas while spending quality time together.    As a bonus, it is always nice to find books featuring people of color.

Mrs. Claus Take a Vacation by Linas Alsenas This is a fairly new book to our collection and while it is very simple, I like it.  Mrs. Claus gets fed up staying home while Santa sees the world, so she decides to go a solo trip, leaving Santa at home to prepare for Christmas by himself.  I like that Mrs. Claus is independent enough to have a great time by herself (while Santa is at home moping), but that eventually she does miss Santa and comes home.  A fun read for kids, but a thoughtful message about the growth of a marriage too.

‘Twas the Night B’fore Christmas: An African American Version Retold by Melodye Rosales  I know; just how many versions of this story is necessary?  I have several versions myself, but this is my favorite.  I will tell you that the written language in this version is not “proper” english, but instead colloquial language that would have been used during the turn of the century, so if you have a problem with that, this is not the book for you.  But I found the language to be rich and full of detail, like reading Zora Neale Hurston.  The illustrations are beautiful and the Santa in this version of the famous poem is quite a character!  I just love the last line in the book as Santa rides away in his sleigh, “Merry Christmas To All!  Y’all Sleep Tight!”

*If you see a copy of this book, snag it right away!  As I just searched for it on Amazon, I saw that people are selling this book starting at $50 and well into the $100’s.  Wow.

My final book suggestion is only for true believers in Santa Claus.  I bought this book, Santa Claus by Rod Green, in 2006 when it first came out and I think that we might have gotten through the whole book once because it is so rich and full of information.  If you or your kids have ever wondered just how Santa does all that he does, this is the book for you!  The North Pole, Santa’s workshop, the reindeer, the suit, the sleigh, delivering the presents–it’s all explained in this book.   This book is best explored a little bit at a time because it is quite a lot to digest in one sitting.   It would also make a great gift as it is a really beautiful book.

I hope that I have given you a suggestion or two of Christmas books to share with your child.  Make some hot cocoa, get a cozy blanket, grab a book and snuggle up to read together; these are the times that memories are made of.