Second hand books I love going to second hand shops. More and more people discover the pleasure of shopping there. It is exciting, since you never know what to find. An ordinary shop has a theme, a certain kind of goods, but here, you can find anything. Especially, when it comes to books. Often there are even new books on the shelves. But, what I enjoy is when you find a rarity, a book that you probably cannot find in an ordinary book shop anymore. There might be classics, books you missed to read when you were younger, and thought you could not get hold of anymore. The shelves for nonfiction sometimes hide unique books on a theme you are interested in. I often find interesting historical books there. In Sweden books are very expensive so to find a book in a second hand shop is a good deal. Are you a customer of second hand shops? In the English speaking world there seem to be a lot of thrift shops for books, alas, not so much in Sweden. While in Ireland, earlier this year, I visited Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway, which is said to be Ireland’s best-loved, independent bookshop. My review, and a list of the fantastic books I found, under the link.

I have been to Oslo for a couple of days. Always nice to visit, even in the winter. I did not have time to read anything, and reading has been very slow in December. So far I have not finished even one book. The good news is that Netflix has adapted Gabriel García Márquez' novel One Hundred Years of Solitude into a TV-series. I read the novel some years ago and loved it. It is not an easy read, you have to rest in between the chapters. Márquez magic realism takes you into an almost crazy world, but you can't help loving the peculiar family of Buendía as you follow them over generations. Márquez got the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982, " for his novels and short stories, in which the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent's life and conflicts ." The novel has one of the best first lines in literature. It is quite remarkable. “ Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. ”

Today is the Saint Lucia day, a Swedish tradition leading up to Christmas. Lucia brings warmth and light in the darkness that is prevailing this time of the year. But, where does the custom come from? The Origins Lucia's roots are a fascinating blend of history, myth, and culture. The celebration honors Saint Lucia, a Christian martyr from 3rd-century Sicily, known for her compassion and bravery. According to legend, Lucia secretly brought food to persecuted Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a wreath of candles to free her hands. In Scandinavia, her story was mixed with local folklore about light conquering darkness during the long winters. The date, December 13th, was significant in the Julian calendar as the winter solstice, marking the year’s longest night. Over centuries, Lucia became a symbol of hope, light, and generosity, and is deeply rooted in Swedish traditions. Celebrations today Lucia Day in Sweden begins early, with Lucia processions (Luciatåg) taking place in schools, workplaces, and churches. Each procession features a "Lucia" dressed in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles (these days often electric for safety!). She is accompanied by attendants, known as "tärnor" (maidens), "stjärngossar" (star boys), and sometimes even "pepparkaksgubbar" (gingerbread men). The procession sings traditional Lucia songs, including the iconic Sankta Lucia , filling the air with hauntingly beautiful melodies. It's not uncommon for families to wake up to the sound of children singing, offering saffron buns ( lussekatter ) and gingerbread cookies. If you want to see what it is all about, go to youtube and search for Sankta Lucia Sweden.

There are some favourite authors where I am thinking of reading all, or, at least most of their works. For now, I am trying to go through the collection of three authors. Agatha Christie I think this lady does not need any further introduction. I have mostly seen TV-series of films of her works, but never really read very much. It is a pleasure to read her works. They are sometimes rather easygoing, one could even say simple, but to solve the crimes is really difficult. She wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections. I have so far read 29 novels and short stories. There will still be a few to read in 2025. Donna Leon Donna Leon is mostly famous for her crime novels set in Venice. Her protagonist is Commissario Guido Brunetti. A smooth Italian detective with no illusions about either crime or politics. Great novels, especially if you love Venice. She wrote 33 novels about Brunetti. There are also a few nonfiction books by her, but I concentrate on the Venice set. I have so far read 13 novels. Daphne du Maurier Another interesting author, and not within the crime genre. du Maurier is more into historical fiction as well as nonfiction. Rebecca is probably her most famous novel. She also wrote The Birds , a short story, on which Hitchcook based his famous film. I think she wrote 33 books, including short stories and nonfiction. I have so far read 12 of them.

Today I am reading a blog post from my blogging friend Jeanie over at The Marmelade Gypsy She and her partner Rick were recently visiting England and have given us a few posts from their trip. This post (linked above) is about their visit to the British Library. While reading I was thinking that I actually never visited the British Library. What a mistake. It seems you can easily get a day pass for the reading room if you want to do some research. You can also visit the Treasure room and discover old copies of Shakespeare, Beowulf as well as a Gutenberg bible from 1455. There are also notes from famous composers, handwritten notes from famous authors and a lot more. On top of my list for my next visit to London? Yes, the British Library.

My favourite cooking books One of my favourite cooking books is Nigella Express. Nigella Lawson shares her fast recipies in this book. I think none of the recipes take longer than half an hour to make. There is something for all situations; in busy daily life, as for a weekend treat with friends. I have used her recipes for many years and they never disappoint. Another celebrity cook that is a favourite is Jamie Oliver. I have several of his books, and his recipes always work. I think only one dish did not turn out as well as it should, but otherwise, they are easy to make and ends up on your plate as they should ... and tasting good. I like his no-nonsense way of cooking.

Today I have been to a second hand shop to buy a few Christmas presents. We, that is, my family, decided to buy second hand Christmas presents. Usually, you can find some nice presents there. You never know what to find, so it is always exciting. I will not eveal exatly what I bought, except for the fact that I found seven books for myself. Even without any effort, because I did not really want to add any more book to my TBRs. Well, things happens sometimes. I am quite pleased with the books which were: From bottom to top. Vävda tapeter (Woven Tapestries) by Jack Lindblom. A book that looks at tapestries as "historical documents", and they are like paintings. I am looking forward to learn more about this art. Otroliga historier (Incredible stories) by Birgitta Petrén is a book about the Skåne (Scania) as it belonged to Denmark. The history is very intersting and I am looking forward to learn more about this time. Ljus och skugga (Facing the Light) by Adèle Geras. Set in a splendid country house in England, this rich and absorbing novel begins as Leonora, daughter of a famous Edwardian painter, is about to throw herself a huge house party to celebrate her 75th birthday. Guests will include her two grown daughters and their spouses (and lovers), a film crew making a movie about Leonora's father, and numerous family legends. Even happy families have their secrets, and Leonora's stunning revelations make for thrilling reading. Musik & tystnad (Music & Silence) by Rose Tremain. Set in seventeenth-century Denmark, Rose Tremain's dazzling, prize-winning tale is a pungently atmospheric, richly provocative, and masterfully orchestrated romance of point and counterpoint: loyalty and deception...tenderness and violence...community and alienation...peace and conflict..."Music & Silence." Peter Claire is an English lutenist summoned to Denmark to join King Christian IV's royal orchestra. Designated the king's "Angel" because of the purity of his physical beauty, Peter falls helplessly in love with the lovely companion of Queen Kirsten, the king's adulterous wife. The young musician finds himself dangerously torn between loyalties, ensnared in the deep-seated unrest of a royal court where the forces of good and evil, of harmony and dissonance, are ensconced in a battle to the death. Husmoderns rådgivare (The Housemaid's Advisor) av Kerstin Wenström. A book from 1924 with advices for the "modern" woman. It is always interesting to read these kind of books, on the "work" that women had to do in the old days. Jag såg kärleken och döden (I saw love and death) av Erik Eriksson. A Swedish journalist who reported from the Vietnam war. He experience bombing and fightings first hand, and saw lovers adieu in Hanoi. I thought it could be an interesting book to read, since we are visiting Vietnam at the beginning of 2025. Skånes historia i årtal, från 550 till 1720 (Scania's history in years, from 559 to 1720) by Jonny Ambrius. A history of the area where I live is always interesting. It is also good to use as a dictionary when you want to know what happened a special year. These were the books I found without even looking closer on all the books they had in the shop.

"I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them." – Emma Thompson That is true. Sometimes when you are down and out a good novel can take you into the right track again.

Today I have been to St. Pauli church here in Malmö to listen to the Christmas Gospel of Luke, and other related texts, as well as listening to the beautiful choir singing gospels and Christmas songs. A pieceful hour, awaiting Christmas. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." (Luke 2:1-7)

Today I prepared for my trip to Karlskrona to celebrate Christmas with my family. Days are grey and not very Christmas like. The best would be to enter into a bookish world of Christmas, where it always seems to be snow and merry people. I don't even have such a book. On top of that, reading has been slow lately. That is when I ran into this quote by Maya Angelou. I totally agree. “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” – Maya Angelou

The day before the big day, at least in Sweden. We celebrate Christmas on the December 24. The evening before used to be the big day of decorations and preparations for the 24th. I think people start earlier these days. Maybe because December is a dark month, and we need light to cheer us up. If you look around you, you se lights from balconies, windows and gardens. It is beautiful. Maybe, later in the evening you can sit down with a good book, or just read before falling asleep. A favourite book? A new book? I have used an audio book lately to fall a sleep. A detective story from the 19th century, where a few women come together to solve crimes. It is also the story of how women were treated in those days. Days when women did not have any rights, and were always dependent on a man; be it a father, brother or husband. The book is Död mans kvinna (Dead Man's Woman) by Katarina Wennstam. It is the second book in a series, and it was nice to meet the characters from the first book again. I am usually not very fond of audio books, and they don't always work for me. These stories do.

Christmas Eve is here. I celebrated with my father, brother and niece. It was a quiet Christmas. As usual we started with Disney favourites and a visit to Santa Claus Workshop. It is a tradition in Sweden since 1960. Then it was time for our traditional julbord (Christmas table) with special food. It was a small buffet this year, but all the favourites were there. Afterwards, we enjoyed a few Christmas presents. I got three books, all Swedish. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS