Winter Reading Plans/TBR | December 2024

[@cindyhaiken5644]

Fabulous sweater that nearly matches the monochrome covers of many of the books you discuss. Brilliant. As I type the winter solstice is 6 hours away and I am ready for very cold weather, hot drinks and books! Still trying to get through a few more books in 2024 before I shift focus to next year and very excited to start with picks to fulfill your prompts!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m looking forward to the prompts too… and hopefully being a bit better at them than this year. Hahaha. Though I’ve still a few days left.

[@JentheLibrarianreads]

Lie With Me is one of my favourite books, love it 🥰 Once you’ve read Fingersmith, watch The Handmaiden (a Korean/Japanese movie inspired by Fingersmith, which is amazing!)

[@SavidgeReads]

Yes I’ve had that on my… actually don’t know what the movie version of a TBR pile is. Haha. A TBWL? And would like to watch The Little Stranger too, which has the fabulous Ruth Wilson in it and I’ve been meaning to watch for yonks.

[@susprime7018]

The Duke of Earl looks comfy in the Persephone room. Rizzio is a pretty book, enjoy your reads.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!

[@Gail-inWestSussex]

Lovin' your thought process on the Savidge seasons! I've just ordered Black River as it sounds like it could be right up my alley. I've got Fingersmith on my shelves, and keeping my fingers crossed that I can tie it in with one of the prompts you're going to be announcing. Yup, totally agree on Richard Armitage!

[@suze9231]

Love your jumper! I really enjoyed A Bird in Winter and I’ve been looking for something similar ever since.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh glad you enjoyed it. I do really need to get to it. She’s a brilliant writer. Have you tried any of her others?

[@suze9231]

I haven’t read any more of her books which makes no sense having enjoyed my first one.

[@LouiseReader]

I know you love an Australian read, a fun Aussie winter read is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. A closed room mystery set in an Australian ski resort (don't laugh we do actually have them) and written by a standup comedian so it's got a very quirky and fun tone. I've just finished his second in this series which is set on The Ghan the train that runs between Darwin and Adelaide. A third in the series is Christmas themed and he wrote it as an advent calendar. But its Aussie Christmas so summery and hot. Love your jumper. It really suits you, you should wear it non stop. And I'd love to see it in the Persephone room!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh that sounds like a very fun crime novel indeed. I think his Christmas one has been quite prominent in shops recently! I think if I wore this jumper not stop I’d overheat. Hahaha.

[@julieaulava9567]

I JUST finished listening to Everyone on the Train is a Suspect. Lots of fun. I didn't know the book referenced was real - as in the first book. Will be adding it and the new one to my list.

[@MeMyDogAndBooks]

that's pretty much how i do seasons LOL!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s the correct way, I won’t hear otherwise 🤣

[@between.bookends]

I'm hugely in love with RIchard Armitage as well. lol! Excited to hear more about all the hints you've dropped about reading plans for next year. Hope you have a lovely Christmas!

[@SavidgeReads]

Looks like there’s an Armitage queue. I gave Pip a copy of it tonight (for some 2025 reason, ooh another tease) and now she’s in with us. Haha.

[@Georgesmomsu]

A Bird in Winter sounds like a Su book. I am looking forward to Crime Time with Pip 😉

[@SavidgeReads]

I think Crime Time might come back a little naughtier. Pip has definitely got naughtier.

[@Georgesmomsu]

@ I AM HERE FOR NAUGHTY CRIME TIME!!!

[@pampam8584]

I can’t wait to see what you think of Fingersmith. I love it so much! BOO to those that spoiled it, I hate that!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thankfully I’ve forgotten what the spoilers were but also trying not to even scratch that memory just in case 🤣🤣🤣

[@pampam8584]

@ I have a useless short term memory - it sometimes comes in handy for things like this 😂 p.s I’m gonna be repeating that Anna Chancellor line for DAYS! Lol

[@juditkovacse]

The mood board sounds great. And I would love to hear a reflection video at the end of winter about how it went. Don't have any suggestions for it though. But I was planning on reading Fingersmith some time in 2025 myself.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m really, really, really looking forward to some Sarah Waters this year and (early) next year.

[@ofohsh0]

p.s. love how your sweater matches many of the books. For a wintry/thriller setting, I loved The Resting Place by Camilla Sten in case you wanna add that to the list 😏

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve not heard of it. I might just look it up! 😉

[@boscarinoma2305]

Love your sweater!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!!!

[@cecilialau_]

It’s on my tbr, so I can’t call it a recommendation, buuuut I thought of it when you went through your beaut suggestions in the beginning with specific covers and content - I will be reading Isaac soon too, can’t wait - and I thought of Marlo by Jay Carmichael. Maybe you’ve already read it, but it’s set in Australia described as “a poetic gay love story” 🤌

[@sarahg2671]

Thank you for the recommendations, Simon ❤ Black River and Winter Love look really good, as well as the poetry collection. A queer historical rec for you if it sounds interesting - Vera Mutafchieva’s "The Case of Cem" (translated by Angela Rodel).

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I’ve not heard of that one. I shall look it up. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@gillwoolley6515]

I've read Lily and Fingersmith and loved both of them. Recently I found Tipping the velvet in a charity shop, so I will also be reading it this winter. ❤❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh glad you loved those two and how serendipitous that you found Tipping The Velvet recently!

[@ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I love me some Richard Armitage, too. Just between us. 😂

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ll tell no one. No one.

[@Victoria-Claringbold]

2025 prompt suggestions : a book with a dwelling on the cover (e.g. house, hut, castle), A book with one your names in the title (eg The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo - could be Evelyn or Hugo), a book set in the 1980s (eg The only one left by Riley Sager, I loved this twisty old house thriller). Happy holidays 🌲🥂⛄

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh thank you for these suggestions. Does the name one have to be our names or any names as we did our names this year with authors and it was one of the harder ones for a lot of people.

[@Victoria-Claringbold]

@SavidgeReads any names in the title should be easier. Also Persephone room sounds great, maybe Earl wanted to match the book covers?

[@leeh4343]

Oh yes who doesn’t love Richard Armitage? 😁

[@SavidgeReads]

Well Chris isn’t such a fan. Especially now he knows we might be meeting in real life next year. Hahaha. Ooh that green eyed monster. Lol.

[@leeh4343]

😆 oooh but that’s exciting !

[@karenmoore4430]

I read Lily for the July prompt Simon. Really good romp. You will love Fingersmith. I am currently reading the Snow Child by Eown Ivey and really enjoying it. Merry Christmas to you and yoursxx

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very, very Merry Christmas to you and yours! I’m very keen to get to Lily, Fingersmith and the new Eowyn Ivey which I should have included in this video. Drats!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’ve never read Fingersmith either. Might try and read it before you do the interview.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh!!!!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I could recommend you lots of winter books , but On guessing you’ve probably read them all? Snow by John Banville Snow by Orhan Pamuk The Snow Child I love reading Australian thrillers when it’s really cold. Authors like Chris Hammer, Jane Harper.

[@SavidgeReads]

I have read all bar two of Jane Harpers and… actually I was going to say every Eowyn Ivey book, that’s not true. I’ve got but not read her new one which is a PERFECT winter read! Drats. I should have included that in this mood board. I didn’t even think of 2025 books even though I kept talking about it.

[@LoveShannon]

If you haven't read Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw I think you might like it. I'm not sure if it's exactly the kind of book you might initially be drawn to since I'm just getting to know your reading style, BUT it's VERY winter atmospheric, very whimsical, very witchy/ghosty, and a very "sweeps you easily along" quick enjoyable read. It's the kind of book you go into with no expectations, but get to the end and think, "Wow, I really enjoyed that. It was just a lovely trip." And then sadly you kind of forget about it because it wasn't hard, laborious, life changing, introspective, social media political hot takes, pop culture required, work related reading. Simply stated, during the cold and maybe miserable months that you want to hurry up and be over, it's exactly the kind of slow down swept away drink your coffee wrapped in a blanket moment you just get to enjoy that we all really want.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh, I’ve not heard of it so will look it up after such a rave!

[@smittenforfiction]

Read a book published in the year you were born (you and your mom)

[@smittenforfiction]

Read a book set in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada (because that's where I'm from) :P

[@andrearyan816]

I loved A Bird in Winter (hoping Louise Doughty writes a sequel 🙏🏻)

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh. Interesting. I’ll ask no more as even the possibility of a sequel is verging on knowing too much. Hahaha. 😝

[@kirsty2730]

How is the reading every Persephone Classic going? I've read nearly everything by Dorothy Whipple and I bloomin' love her.

[@SavidgeReads]

That’s a very good question. It kind of came to a halt… but it’ll be coming back. I saw Francesca just the other week and there may have been some discussions of filming in the shop next year!!!!

[@katherinestephens6537]

Prompts: A book translated from the German...a memoir of a musician

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

A thriller in India with that cover? That’s for me thank you, adding Black River. Spring does NOT start in February 😂 A winter of whim sounds great, I hope for your sake it’s longer than 10 days! Thanks for waffling

[@SavidgeReads]

No spring in my head starts in January. Hahaha. I’m looking forward to a winter of whim.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@ What?! Ok I still think I’ll finish ten books before the end of the year, you have your delusions and I’ll have mine.

[@smittenforfiction]

Read a book published in 1925 (100 years ago), 1975 (50 years), 2000 (25 years).

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh I will try to remember these are here, I’m trying to keep all prompt suggestions in the prompt video comments or I’ll forget. Actually I’ll do a screen grab!

[@smittenforfiction]

@@SavidgeReads oops 😬

[@andrearyan816]

Read a book with an ice-cream on the cover

[@SavidgeReads]

Was this meant to be a comment for the prompts video?

[@andrearyan816]

@ oops sorry saw others comment here so thought you would accept suggestions on either 😫

[@ofohsh0]

how come every single comment on here isnt about earl

[@SavidgeReads]

Because people aren’t all as obsessed as you 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 and also probably aren’t trying to get too attached… just in case!!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

2025 Prompt suggestions [hopefully its okay to leave them here]: a.) a memoir or autobiog who's subject is a celebrity who piques your interest; b.) a book set in Shetland.

[@SavidgeReads]

Screen grabbed to be added to the pot!