Two posts in a single week! It’s quiet this morning so I’m trying to squeeze in a very fast check-in with all of you before the holiday week. I wanted to share what I’m reading right now – it is fantastic! – and my last minute holiday plans.
I finally started Prophet Song – this year’s winner of the Booker Prize. Friends, I am really loving it and can see why it won the prize. It’s set in Ireland during a national emergency. The country has elected a radical government that is tyrannical and controlling every aspect of their lives. Eilish’s husband, Larry, is a teacher and works for the Teacher’s Union. He is detained during a protest and Eilish, caught in the middle of caring for her father in the early stages of dementia and her four children, does her best to find answers and to protect her family.
I am only about halfway through it but am enthralled. It is, however, contributing to a heightened sense of paranoia! And still, I’m anxious to see how Lynch resolves this story and what happens to Eilish and her family. Have you read it? If you can’t get a copy at your library, you can order from Amazon. The estimated delivery is over a week, so this could also be a good opportunity to order from Blackwell’s – it will likely be delivered just as quickly as an Amazon order and it costs less. I’ve used Amazon & Blackwell’s affiliate links in this paragraph, which means that I’ll get a small profit from the sale at no extra cost to you. I always appreciate it when you use my affiliate links!
We are moving slowly today, but I’m planning one last trip to the grocery store soon. I’ll be whipping up a batch of Mary’s candy cane cookies this afternoon. She sent me her recipe last year and it was such a big hit that I ended up making three batches of them. They’re quite involved and I will probably only make one batch this year, but I’m looking forward to them. They look so impressive!
And after I get the kids in bed tonight and exercise, I will finally start wrapping presents. I’m hoping to get everything wrapped up and hidden tonight so that it won’t be hanging over my head all weekend.
And between all that? I hope to squeeze in a few pages of Prophet Song! I hope you all have a peaceful and restful weekend. Take good care!


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you. It is a busy time of the year and I am trying not to get too “rattled”! Blessings to you and your family.
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I hope your holiday went smoothly, Linda. Happy New Year!
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Sounds like an interesting book Katie, enjoy your time reading it ☺️
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thanks, Tina! It was a difficult read but so good!
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I’m so glad y’all are making the candy cane cookies … you’ll need the sugar for Prophet Song 😉 Merry Merry!
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They turned out beautifully, Mary. I am a total grinch in so many ways but these candy cane cookies have become a perfect tradition 🙂
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I’m glad you’re finding time for reading. The cookie sound delicious!
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Thanks, Gretchen! The cookies were a big hit!
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Sounds like an interesting book. For some reason, I am having trouble keeping track of the date and since I was thinking Christmas was on Sunday, I am a day ahead of the game so tomorrow I have more free time than I expected 😂
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Hurrah for being ahead of the game! What a wonderful feeling 😀
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Prophet Song was my highest-rated book of the Booker List, though I can’t say it was entirely an enjoyable read — it is very anxiety-provoking! I could not put it down or stop thinking about it when I couldn’t read it, though, and I think it deserved the prize.
Enjoy your baking and I hope you get time to wrap all the presents!
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Prophet Song was just excellent. I was filled with dread throughout the whole thing but wow. And I’m really hoping that it’s not foreshadowing our future. yikes!
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Enjoy your baking… and I hope your holiday is full of all the good things (including reading time!) XO
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Thanks, Kat!
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I hope the Candy Cane cookies are a big success and that you have finished your wrapping. I wish you and your family a gentle peaceful Christmas.
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Happy Holidays and Happy Reading, Katie!
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thanks so much, Laila!
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