December 2023 Recommended Reading and Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Once again, I apologize for being dreadfully late again, the same as last month. Besides being busy, my heart just hasn't been in it - I don't know how many people read these posts or use them, and it discourages me. But I did want to leave you with something.

So Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary, everyone! Technically, it was January 2018 that I started making these individual recommendation posts as opposed to a continuing topic, but I included a recommendation for December 2017 around that time, so I consider that the "unofficial" start. When it comes to reading, I have something rather typical in mind in regards to content, but the movie at least is holiday related, so there's something festive for you to feast on.


Reading: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigía Edition (1987) by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway is one of the most significant writers in American literature, and this is a collection, while not technically "complete", collects all of the major adult stories published in his lifetime, including such classics as "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", "Big, Two-Hearted River", "Hills Like White Elephants", and "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place", just to name a few. It serves as a demonstration of Hemingway's consummate modernist skills as well as an introduction before digging into his famous novels.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Short-Stories-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/0684843323/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Short-Stories-Ernest-Hemingway-ebook/dp/B00120954E/



Viewing: Arthur Christmas (Sarah Smith, 2011)

In this underrated CGI collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and England's Aardman Animation (of Wallace and Gromit fame), Santa Claus is an inherited title that has moved into the modern era with state-of-the-art technology to maximize Christmas celebrations. However, one young girl's gift has been left behind in the hustle, and Arthur, the clumsy youngest son of the current Santa Claus, takes it upon himself to deliver it, in contrast to the indifference of his absent-minded father and more business-oriented older brother. Teaming up with his eccentric grandfather and a hyper elf, Arthur has to beat the clock to make this girl's Christmas a happy one. It's a wonderful film with a lot of layers to it, one that eschews the typical cliches of villains and heroes to make a warm, truly festive experience.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-Sarah-Smith/dp/B01JZ82Y4M/
Blu-Ray/DVD Combo: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-Two-Discs-UltraViolet/dp/B008Y1YJ90/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-James-McAvoy/dp/B009SQQRH2/


I'm sorry again that it's late, but I hope that this fills up your holiday. Once again, have a very Merry Christmas, everyone! See you next year!