Menocheery; Parcel Planning

Okay, it's on the go, the early stages of the festive season. I bring you today some suggestions for those of your kith and kin who enjoy a good book. Yes, I'm talking gift-giving!

Many of you will recall that I have followed the travels of Snow and Curt on their tubular channel for several years now. What is more, I was privileged to get to meet them when they came to Edinburgh - almost exactly two years ago. They are back in the USA for now, but already planning the next big adventure... Meanwhile, they have, among other things, moved into publishing, based on their excellent adventures. 

Snow is writing books from the perspective of their two cats (sadly, G-Money died earlier this year). I have bought the first one and, despite it being aimed at younger children, am delighted with it! You can click the image (or here) to go buy one for yourself or any of the youngsters that you know.

Snow has worked very hard on learning how to use AI for illustration properly and consistently; all the writing is her own. Some folk questioned her choice on this, but I agreed with her that many illustrators utilise digital tools now, anyway, and charge way more than she could afford... she has learned a new skill, has done it brilliantly, and who better to 'build' images of her cats than she who knows them best? I've had the book for a month now, and I keep picking it up to stare into the eyes of those kitties and feel a smile spread across my face. So don't let the age range put you off - this old gal appreciates the Travel Cats every bit as much as any pre-teen will! The second book, Costa Rica, is going live this week, too... and there's going to be a Christmas book ready in time for the holiday! 

If, however, you don't know any kids, or fancy buying a junior book for yourself, perhaps you might like an adult colouring book? I do love to colour (and do so every day on my Zen Colour app)... so it was a no-brainer to order Curt's book when he announced it this weekend!

At the time of preparing this post (Monday), it has not yet been delivered, but I fully expect to be as delighted with this as I have been with the Travel Cats. Again, you can click the image (or here) to go to the sales page. Now to go dig out all my colouring pens and pencils!

For those who want a good preview, you can't beat Curt's own flick through from the announcement in the video... I have set the pickup time at the end of Snow's section and leading into Curt telling us all about it. What is good is that, along with the pictures, there is information about each of the places depicted, so there is educational value to it, too.

Then, for those who enjoy "cosy crime" writing, I would like to introduce you to the works of Wendy Boynton.

I met this lady when I was visiting Aitch earlier this year. Wendy was sitting quietly in the community hall on Art Market Sunday. We had a lovely chat... and I bought the set of five currently available to gift to Aitch for her Christmas. (That was early, I know, but I was working on the Chrissy in July principal!) Wendy wrote a lovely note in each with her autograph. In addition, I am buying the books on my Kindle and am currently reading book two. Again, you can click the image (or here) to go to Wendy's website, and from there you can purchase or take the link to Amazon.

I really like the characters that Wendy has brought us, as well as the very realistic sense of what it is like to be 'of a certain age' and living in shared accommodations. If you (or somebody you know) enjoy the likes of Miss Marple, The Thursday Murder Club, Midsomer Murders, etc., then this could very well be the thing to give them this Christmas!