The Comfort Book Club / Wintering by Katherine May
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ย. 2022
- Welcome to November's Comfort Book Club discussion! My Mum, Donna, and I are chatting about this month's book club choice, 'Wintering' by Katherine May, a beautiful memoir about the power of rest and retreat in difficult times. There are spoilers in this chat, as we're assuming you have read the book if you watch. Special thanks to the readers who sent voice messages for this video, which were included in our discussion:
Jason from New Zealand
Gina from the USA
Vanessa from the Czech Republic
Victoria from the USA
Madeleine from France
Antoinette from Canada
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BOOK CLUB: I host the Comfort Book Club with my Mum, Donna, and every month we pick a comforting read and discuss it on the last Friday of the month. Everyone is very welcome to read along with us. Learn more about #TheComfortBookClub (and find the list of upcoming reads) here: mirandasnotebook.com/the-comf...
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LINKS:
(affiliate links used for Blackwells)
Wintering by Katherine May: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro... - บันเทิง
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my American followers! And happy weekend to everyone else; I hope you enjoy the latest Comfort Book Club discussion. Miranda x
Reading and sharing hobbies with parents is absolutely amazing.
Yes, I'm lucky to share a love of reading with my mum!
I read this book during a very grief filled time. So helped me. Highly recommend
It is such a good book to read in difficult times! ❤️
Thank you for recommending this book. I love winter. When the weather starts to become cold, I "wake up" and become energized. My husband says I have seasonal affective disorder in reverse! Snow is my version of magic - sorry! But I also agree with Ms. May that there are many restorative aspects to winter and cold.
It sounds like you and Katherine feel the same way about winter! ❄️
I can't wait to read this book after listening to your discussion.I really had to laugh at how you love snow better in literature except for perhaps a dusting. I live on Vancouver Island in Canada and we have snow in the forecast soon , I was just mentioning to my sister how I prefer a dusting and preferably on Christmas Eve or on the mountain tops not down in the valley where we live so I can just see it! There we go, I've put my weather order in!
Haha, yes, that sounds just like Mum! She liked the snow to stay on the mountaintops when we lived in France 😉 ❄️
"Wintering" became a book of reflection for me and took me quite a while to finish. I fell into a pattern of reading a bit, then stopping and meditating on the various periods of my life when I "wintered" whether from grief, loss, illness or profound fatigue. I was amazed to realize that I somehow instinctively knew I needed to slow down and enter a phase of extreme self nurturing - good food, plenty of rest, time spent walking and reading. At the end of every "wintering" there was a beautiful sense of clarity about what was truly important in life. Thank you to Katherine May for writing such a wise book and to Miranda, Donna and all of the Comfort Book Club members. (Your stollen looks delicous - my favorite Christmas treat, which I am now absolutely craving.) 💕
So glad you found 'Wintering' such a reflective and personal read, Nancy. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts!
I agree with comments made regarding careers being something that requires wintering. COVID caused a career change for me that resulted in my keeping my young granddaughter and leaving the world of education permanently. It was a special time with my granddaughter that I appreciated so much. Now she has started Kindergarten, and my routine has once again changed. I believe now is my time of wintering as I search for meaningful ways to use my time. Thank you for suggesting this book. I have enjoyed your videos for years now with enthusiasm for where your creativity continues to go😊
It's lovely you had such a wonderful experience with your granddaughter, Shanne! I wish you the best in figuring out the next stage. So glad Wintering spoke to you! xxx
Like Victoria from Santa Barbara, I find the information in "Wintering" fascinating. The bit about the pre- industrial family sleep patterns is especially relevatory. The more sophisticated we have become as a society, the more disassociated we have become from our natural human biorythms which can cause anxiety and depression. The process of Wintering can help us get better in touch with our needs. Also, I really appreciate the honesty of Jason's voice message which is in the imparting- of- experience spirit of this book. Thanks, Miranda for choosing a book I never would have picked up on my own.
Thank you, Faith; I found that so interesting too. And yes, Jason's message very much embodied the spirit of 'Wintering'! Have a lovely weekend xxx
Thank you Miranda and Donna: the Comfort Book Club isn’t only about books, it’s about sharing ideas, points of views and opening up to different opinions. The choice of Wintering was perfect I think this book strikes different emotional chords in each reader. This made listening to you and the other club members such a pleasant and interesting experience.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the discussion, Laura! Thank you for your lovely comment 💙❄️
Thank you for the Holiday wishes. It brings me so much joy every month when it is time for #thecomfortbookclub discussion. This month's read was wonderful and brings understanding to us. Thank you for this vlog and the recommendation😊
Thank you so much, Kami! I’m so glad you enjoyed our discussion of ‘Wintering.’ Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡
Thank you Miranda and Donna for another delightful CBC discussion. It is always a pleasure hearing what fellow readers loved most. I certainly agree that the many references to literature by Katherine May made me want to make a mad dash for my bookcase mid reading. I giggled hearing that snow is far more captivating on the page (don’t I know it!) I also agree that this book made me realize living seasonally is how we live whether conscious or not. With gratitude again,
Antoniette ❤️
Thank you so much for your lovely message, Antoiniette! And I so agree, the natural world and its seasons are intertwined with our own: learning to appreciate and celebrate them, can bring both comfort and joy! Hope you’re having a good week 🎄📚❤️
I so look forward to your comfort book club videos with your mum, even if I haven't read the book selection. The videos are so soothing .
Thank you!
I grew up in Michigan,🥶🥶🥶in winter. Robins were considered a sign spring really was on its way🥳🥳🥳
I loved this book and will definitely revisit it from time to time. I really enjoyed the message that it is okay to "hibernate" sometimes and take care of yourself when you need to. It is interesting to consider a difficult time for whatever reason is "wintering" and therefore a season which will pass and spring will come. Thank you for the interesting discussion x
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sue! I too really appreciated the message that sometimes it's essential to take time out and rest and recuperate when needed. As Katherine writes, these days you're expected either to be fully 'on' or fully 'of'f' - with no in-between. I think this attitude is very hard on all of us!
Thought Donna’s hair looked especially nice, today!
You picked the perfect read for this month! It was such a revelation to me that there was actually a word that described this human experience. I loved that Katherine added the fable of the ant and the grasshopper and went on to delve more into the life of a grasshopper. I often think, now and again, especially at this time of year, how I feel like the grasshopper so much more than the ant and have felt almost ashamed at not being more of an ant. 😅 It’s so true, like Donna said, that everyone has different strengths and offerings. I just loved Katherine’s writing and humor throughout the book and I know it’ll be a book I’ll return to time and again at this time of year. She opened up the whole season with beautiful ways of enjoying it, settling into it, and reminding us that this is a time for so many joyful, mindful, and slow-living activities or, maybe, even a lark! I am really looking forward to getting to know the Vanderbeeker children for next month! I hope you both are having a lovely and relaxing weekend. 🥰
So interesting to read your thoughts, Rhonda! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m very glad this book resonated with you 😊💙❄️
Love the book club videos with your mum 😍 Already looking forward to the next one 😍
So glad you enjoy them! Thank you!
This discussion has decided me and I will be adding Wintering to my reading in the next couple of months. Thank you for the cosy chat and take care, both of you, and all the readers here.
Thank you very much! xxx
Thank you Miranda and Donna and all the Comfort Book Club readers and contributors for such an enjoyable discussion of this month's book Wintering. It was a delight to read and I found myself flagging pages and underlying so many lines and adding my own thoughts as I read along. Wonderful, thank you so much for choosing this lovely book. On to the December read already, where has the year gone! Have a happy few weeks until we meet here again, Teresa 📚♥️
I'm so glad you enjoyed this book so much, Teresa! I found myself marking several lines too. Hope you have a lovely start to December this week! xxx
Thanks! In my season of wintering, this book was a treasure as are you.
Thank you so much for your very kind support and words, Shanne! They're much appreciated 💙
Hello Miranda, thank you for a wonderful discussion. It was so lovely to hear how the book resonated with so many of the CBC readers; the personal anecdotes were special in their humour, wit, and honesty. And I connected so much with your views on how the book highlights the goodness of marking seasonal living (and reading) in our lives and in the world around us. Best wishes, Jason
Thank you so much for your support and wonderful comment as always, Jason! Mum and I so enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the book. Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you for speaking from experience, Jason. I enjoyed your voice message.
Such a lovely discussion. Thank you Miranda & Donna. I bought Wintering some time ago for my daughter for Christmas. I loved it all.
Thank you so much, Christine! So glad you enjoyed the discussion xxx
I am enjoying the Comfort Reads Bookclub discussions. I haven't finished Wintering yet but am enjoying it. I have the next book to read, 😊.
Wonderful! Thank you! ❤️
Another very satisfying Comfort Book Club discussion. I love this book, it is one that I kkep by my bed in case I can't sleep or feel under the weather, and it works every time.
That’s lovely, Fiona! So glad it’s such a favourite of yours too ❤️
I relisten many times to all the Book Club episodes just like I reread favorite books. As a caregiver and then widow, I have been thru many seasons. I love the analogy. 😅I heard recently, of the moon appearing to be a perfect circle. Life, like nature, runs in cycles, and when we go thru our winters, hold on, rest, spring always come!🥳
Thank you! This book was so lovely! There were so many points that resonated with me. May's writing is so gorgeous.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much, Gina! I agree, Katherine is a very talented writer xxx
Good discussion. Thank you both for this Comfort Bookclub. I'm reading books now that I probably would have missed before. My best wishes to you both. 📚💕💕
Thanks so much Diane! I’m glad you enjoyed the discussion 😊❄️
Really enjoyed visiting the Comfort book club today hosted by Miranda and Donna!
Really like how the books chosen are quite pertinent in our time and we always glean some literary treasures! Thanking you both once again for all your hard work that goes on behind the scenes in making this such a special book club for all of us who attend!xx
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Julie! I'm so glad you enjoy the Comfort Book Club ❤️
Thank you, Miranda and Donna for hosting the comfort book club. I have learned so much from you about seasonal living as I am also learning how to live within the different seasons of my own life. Your book recommendations have brought so much joy to me and my family. I hope that you both have a wonderful holiday.
Thank you very much for your lovely support, Hilary! I so appreciate it, and I’m very pleased to have inspired you with my seasonal living content 😊❤️
As you mention, Miranda, reading Wintering made me appreciate winter more too. I am still not a big fan of snow - I couldn't agree more with Donna on this point.
It was lovely to hear all the readers' insights and experiences, thank you for giving us this opportunity. Have a nice day, Vanessa 🤗🌻
I didn't make time to read Wintering this month but nevertheless very much enjoyed listening to the discussion, and Wintering is definitely on my TBR list.
Hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Karen!
Hello Miranda and Donna, this has been my first time taking part in the book club read along and I look forward to many more.
Wintering was a re-read for me too and I really appreciated coming back to it in the winter season. Like many, the idea of the cyclical nature of life that runs alongside linear time has been so helpful for me. Embracing the different seasons and also finding ways to mark different points of the year is something I am doing more and more. I found the description of it as a self-help book for people who don't usually read self-help books helped me make sense of the genre of the book. All the very best from a fellow Yorkshire dweller!
So glad you read along with us, Sarah! Thank you! Yes, I too love Katherine's emphasis on the cyclical nature of 'wintering,' and also on the joy to be found in marking the seasons. Hope you have a lovely weekend! xxx
Lovely discussion as always and enjoyed all of the contributors thoughts. This was a reread for me as well and I know I’ll return to it again. I’ve never been a fan of winter and have also wintered myself and the book helps ease the entry into the literal winter and provides comfort in the metaphorical winter. 🤍✨ Starting the vanderbeekers tonight!
Thanks so much, Courtney! So glad you enjoyed the discussion xxx
I've been watching a lot of your vlogs this week, they are just so lovely. Just wanted to mention your Mums new hair do in this video. It really suits her especially having a fringe. You look wonderful Donna x
Hello Miranda and Donna, I am late for this discussion, but I so loved this book that I want to thank you for the recommendation.
It was my first time reading this and it was a revelation. I was in need of wintering after a not-so-good time, but I thought I would be ungrateful on my part ( I had some health problem to solve, but I did it) not to come back as before. I didn't know I had to give myself permission to rest and go within for a time and that's it. Just giving myself consent and listening to more and more of your reading, and seasonal reading suggestions made it for me. I am ready for a wonderful and peaceful Christmas season.
I don't often comment, but I watch any one of your videos and I thank you for the peace and happiness you spread in the world, the best kind of virus.
Thank you for this video. I’ve never heard of this book, but it is one that I will definitely buy. I’m going through some very hard things right now so this video came just in time.
I'm so sorry you're going through a hard time, and I hope you find some solace and gentle reassurance from this book 💙
@@MirandaMills Thank you 😊
Hi, I love your videos. You and your mom are very sweet. Happy Chrismats!!
😀💕xx thanks Miranda and Donna. Another lovely podcast. I very much enjoyed the book and the discussion. A great choice.
Thanks so much, Sue! So glad you enjoyed both! 💙❄️
Thank you, Miranda and Donna, for another wonderful book recommendation! I finished it in the early hours this morning - a beautifully written book in a myriad of ways!
Oh I had wanted to say that Donna's hair looks AMAZING!
Thank you so much for your very kind support! I'm so glad you enjoyed 'Wintering' 💙
She does look lovely! There's a story about that in next week's festive vlog xxx
Another wonderful Comfort book club meeting.Wintering was a thoughtful read all of us have had moments where we needed to sit back relax and let life take its course.This is the second book I’ve read by this author and looking forward to her next one.Wishing you and your mom a lovely weekend.
Thanks so much, Rhonda! I'm looking forward to Katherine's next book too!
I have just found your channel (mentioned by Lesley of Wisteria & Sunshine,) and I adore you and your mum and your channel! Thank you for all the work you put into your videos. I am looking forward to your future videos as well as watching all your past videos.❤️
That's so kind, Jennifer! Thank you very much for your support, and I'm so glad you've discovered my channel! ❤️
I am still waiting for my library copy so will need to catch up this one at some point. I adore The Vanderbeekers though - so looking forward to a reread of that one!
Hope you enjoy Wintering when you get to it! xxx
Hello Miranda & Donna, I’m late watching your video because I’ve just finished reading Wintering. Thank you for the recommendation. As someone who has struggled through many a winter, it was interesting to explore different coping strategies. I realised that I already use some of those mentioned in the book but, like you, I don’t intend trying the wild swimming any time soon!
MIRANDA YOUR VIDEOS ARE SMALL MOMENT OF PURE JOY AND HAPINESS! THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for your support! I so appreciate it 🤍📚❤️
I was so excited to see a new video posted! I had to watch it as soon as I got the notification.
Thank you very much!
Enjoying all the Comfort Book Club discussion, after coming across your TH-cam channel. My To read list is getting much much longer, so many lovely books you have recommended, including Wintering. Thank you again.
I'm so glad! Thank you very much for your kind words, and I'm so glad you're enjoying my book recommendations! 💙
I'm hoping I can pick this book up. I actually love the winter but we don't get as much of it any more here in Tennessee in the US. I love fall and winter actually but we don't get the wonderful cold as much which makes me sad. I love hiking and waking in the winter the most in the world. I love really cold days, no wind or snow. We don't really get snow here any more either. Sometimes a flurry to cover the ground for a couple of hours. Thank you for pointing this book out to me. I really hope I can buy it and it's not too much. I'll let you know on here if I do. Love to you both 🙏🏻❌⭕️
This book sounds perfect for this season and I will surely pick it up after listening to your discussion. Can I take this opportunity to say that Donna’s new haircut is lovely and please tell her that she looks beautiful in this video. ❤
Hope you enjoy it if you read it!
What a wonderful read. It’s a book that makes you think and meditate of our own Wintering season in life.. I definitely read this book very slow since I took time to look on my own wintering up’s and downs in once life. Thank you for a wonderful read. Donna love your new hair style.🎄🎄🎄
Your mom looks lovely!!! 🎄🥂🎄
I read wintering a month or so ago because I saw it mentioned in one of your books for winter videos. I was simply chuffed when I discovered that it was one of the comfort-read book videos! Donna's dress (or top?) is especially fetching and of course, your sweet brown dress was a perfect compliment to it! Thank you for being part of my own wintering of the last year and a half! I love that so many people are following along from all over the world!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Susan! It is very much appreciated. Very happy to hear the choice of Wintering really resonated with you too. ❤📚
Thanks Miranda and Donna for another great book discussion. I will try
to get this book now. I love the idea of having rituals, even if it’s just for yourself. Donna, you look very nice today (maybe a new haircut or something?). Hello to all from Michigan in the U.S.
Thank you! Hope you enjoy Wintering if you read it xxx
Thank you so much for this recommendation, Miranda.
You're so welcome!
@@MirandaMills I have just ordered Wintering thank you again
I just saw that Wintering have been translated to swedish! That makes me so happy. I'm gonna read it as soon as I can. Thank you both for the lovely video. ❄💙
Wonderful! Enjoy 😊💙📖
What a wonderful discussion!! I am so sorry I wasn't able to participate this month 😔I will do it next time for sure. Thank you again for this marvellous Book club, Miranda and Donna, and especially for being the way you are 🥰
No worries at all, Cristina! Thanks for your lovely words ❤️😊
@@MirandaMills Thank you ❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thank you for the discussion! I have not yet read the book but now definitely want to read it! I am actually quite behind as I have only started Winter Solstice which was the last year comfort book club choice!
I hope you enjoy Wintering when you get to it! Winter Solstice was our seasonal book club (pre Comfort Book Club) choice two years ago, in fact! The Country Child by Alison Uttley was last year’s Comfort Book Club read. Hope you enjoy your reading! Xx
I loved this book. On the topic of sleep, I recommend trying lemon balm tea. As someone who has struggled for years to get a good night’s sleep, I recently gave this a try and it’s worked wonders for me.
Good to know, thank you!
Thank you Miranda and your mum for introducing me into this interesting book 💗
So glad you enjoyed it!
I love your videos. Greetings from Macedonia ❤️
New subscriber, what a wonderful channel you have. I bought Wintering ages ago but it's been sat in my 'to read' pile....Looking forward to reading it but first of all I'll have to buy The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street 😉
Welcome! Thank you so much for subscribing, and I hope you enjoy reading along with future Comfort Book Club choices!
You (and your mom, of course) have added so much to my reading pleasure with your lovely and well-researched films. I cannot possibly thank you enough. Merry Christmas, and I look forward to your upcoming discussions and recommendations.
Wow! What a wonderful surprise to wake up to! Thank you so much for your very kind and generous support and lovely words! Mum and I so appreciate both. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ❤️
i read along - it was my fourth time through this book:) donna you are so sweet…these are some of my favorite of your videos, together with your dear mom🤍
Thank you! A fourth reread is impressive!!!
will check it out
The beautiful hardback like yours on Book Depositary is very expensive. I might have to get the paperback with a different cover 😬
I got the hardcover some time ago. That’s a pity, but the paperback is lovely too! Hope you enjoy it! ❤📚
Thank you, Miranda and Donna, for another great episode of the Comfort Book Club. I still haven’t found the courage to contribute with a message, but I will! I have a question: Miranda, you mentioned you interviewed the author. Did I understand correctly? And if so, is the interview available online? Many thanks again for all the wonderful recommendations.
Yes, I interviewed her when I had a podcast, but it’s no longer available online (I would link to it if it were). So glad you enjoyed this episode of the CBC ❄️💙
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support! It's much appreciated! ❤️
Thanks
Thank you so much for your kind support! It is much appreciated! 💙
That was very interesting and I shall get hold of 'Wintering'. You mentioned Katherine May's love of 'children's books'. I have been re-reading many Joan Aiken books which I first read as a child - mostlry the Dido Twite books. It was intersting that you mentioned Joan Aiken in the context of winter books. I think she was a great writer and can be read by children and adults alike. I an wondering which specific Joan Aiken books are winter books.
We were thinking of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - definitely a must read if you’re an Aiken fan!
@@MirandaMills Thanks so much, Miranda for your reply. That makes sense. I think I read it in about 1972. Miss Slighcarp. I think she was one of my junior school teachers! I might be wrong but I think Simon and Bonnie also appear in Black Hearts in Battersea together with the indefatigible Dido Twite. They head up to Yorkshire, at some point if my memory serves me correctly. Anyway, it was an excellent broadcast and I particularly liked that bit about libraries in 'Wintering'. Great places.
I've been wanting to read Wintering for a while, but I have to say I found it rather disappointing. I was put off by Katherine laughing at her husband in pain with his appendicitis, so that somewhat spoiled the reading experience for me. However, she is a wonderful writer, and there were some lovely passages about nature and literature as you and your mum discussed. I'm planning to give the book another try sometime soon.
It's a pity you were put off at that very early point, as Katherine writes that she laughed out of surprise when her husband said he thought he had to go to the hospital --it wasn't from being uncaring. As soon as she realised how much pain he was in - and not getting enough help - she became frightened, did her very best to speak up for him and to advocate for him at the hospital. She writes how frightened she was she might lose him. So I cannot agree with your comment, but it sounds like this wasn't a book for you. Perhaps it wasn't the right time for you, and you'll enjoy it more if you try it another time, as you're planning.
It didn’t resonate with me at all. I thought it would because it looks like another book on hygge, but I didn’t even get that sort of feeling when reading it. (I read it all). I had high expectations after just reading the title and I like the idea of Wintering. However, I thought the author’s experiences were so far removed from mine I couldn’t relate to her. She came across as being too well off for me, too privileged. There were a few scenarios which made me think that . Also there was too much narrative about her and not enough about winter in my opinion, but probably not in the opinion of others.
I didn’t hate it, but it made me feel 😕😒🙄 slightly annoyed!
That's a shame this wasn't your cup of tea!
Thanks!
Your support is so appreciated and so kind, Heather! X
Thanks!
Thank you! ❤️
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your very kind support, Teresa! I so appreciate it! ❤️