I have even less to talk about today than I did yesterday, isn’t that sad?

I do have a lovely new pair of earrings, though, which came today. I found them through the Thrifty Boutique ezine, and ordered them from Atterg. So pretty, I couldn’t resist–even if this is a daft time of year to be buying myself jewelry.

(And yes, there are, in fact, two of them. I just photographed only one for you.) Dangly, which I love in an earring. Silver, one of my favorites. A hammered-silver circle, which catches the light marvelously (important when you have long, dark hair). And then a dangling, beaded pendant, which gleams beautifully and also catches the light. What’s not to love?

A little early, but here’s my answer (illustrated, even!) to this week’s “Booking Through Thursday.”

1. Any favorite holiday books or stories that you like to read
   and reread this time of year? And if so, why? What makes it so special
   to you? Favorites from your childhood? (This is a perfectly good time
   of year for picture books–it’s like watching the Charlie Brown
   Christmas special. Adults can “do” cartoons in December.)
2. (Psst.
   You can talk about favorite movies or tv specials, too, if you want,
   even though they’re not about reading. You know, just this once.)

I have to say that ultimately, my favorite Christmas-themed book is this one, Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect, written by Richard H. Schneider and beautifully illustrated by Elizabeth Miles. I originally bought it for my niece when she was somewhere around five, but I loved it so much (naturally, I read it before I wrapped it for her), and raved about how sweet it was so often, that on Christmas morning, there was a copy for ME under the tree, too. I wouldn’t want to spoil the story for you, but it’s about a perfect little tree growing in the Queen’s forest, hoping (as all trees do) to be perfect enough to be selected for the royal Christmas Tree . . . but one night, it sheltered a rabbit from some dogs, and ended with a gap in its branches . . . and one day there was a bird . . . and suddenly, the tree wasn’t quite perfect anymore . . . well . . . I won’t tell you any more, but it’s a charming little story. And oh, really, the illustrations are just gorgeous.

Otherwise, I surprisingly don’t have any other Christmas books that I particularly love. I know, me, the huge book lover. It’s a shock. There are some classic things on film that I do love, though. Charlie Brown’s Christmas special. It’s a Wonderful Life (now that they don’t show it thirty times a day anymore). Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. Nobody sings that song like Bing does, either. Or Nat King Cole’s version of the Christmas Song. Elvis’ Blue Christmas…. Yeah, the music I love. Well, in the month of December, anyway . . . the middle of November is a little early….

Oh, but speaking of Christmas music? I don’t know if any of you watch Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but at the end of their Christmas episode, they had a New Orleans jazz-like rendition of “O Holy Night” played by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. It’s amazing. You can download the song, played by Troy Andrews and fellow musicians, at NBC’s Studio 60 site or via the Tipitina Foundation. Or watch the actual video tribute.

Trust me when I tell you that–whether you like Christmas music or not–this is one beautiful piece of music. Amazing. Go listen. Or save it to your computer. So, so beautiful. Really. Trust me on this one. It gives me chills . . . in a good way. You do not want to miss it. It’s just as beautiful for the ears as those earrings . . . Good for the soul, too, that kind of moving beauty….

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