Post Christmas Read, Watch, Recommend.

It was a loverly Christmas in the Groliver households. A time for family cheer, eating, drinking, gift exchanges, laughter and falling into bed at night utterly spent.

The past week has been fantastic, if not completely exhausting. The days haven't been too bad, but every night has us driving to some event or another. Predictably, I have started to come down with a cold. Being run down and tired, as well as mingling with infected individuals has meant my immune system is starting to weaken.

Happily, though the nights are packed, the days (aside from actual Christmas) have been nice and quiet. Husband and I have taken the opportunity (except on the days where we have to work) to sleep in, read by the tree, stroll through downtown, hit up a matinee, eat sushi. It's been so nice to spend time with him like this, savoring the quiet moments and the spare time.

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh......the luxury of spare time!

This week I read one of the books I got for Christmas from my mom - Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland. It's about King Louis XIV of France and his mistress, Louise de la Vallière. Historical fiction is totally my thing and this one was particularly well written and interesting. I actually did not want to put it down and finished it last night when I should have been asleep. I recommend it if you like this genre. Next up, Villa Triste by Lucretia Grindle, a WWII story about partisans who fought the Germans. Can't wait to get stuck in.

We also made our way over to a theatre to catch a viewing of the latest Mission Impossible installment. Big, slick and flashy, this is pretty much what you would expect from the franchise. I really like these movies for what they are - fun, action filled, easy intrigue. We were nearly the only people in the theatre, and sat in front of everyone, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves, while we enjoyed our contraband coffees from Habit and our Christmas goodies I had stashed in my purse.

On the boob tube, I have been enjoying season two of How to Make It In America. I never saw season 1, but goddamn I like this show. It centers around twenty-somethings trying to get their clothing label going in NYC. It's a bit reminiscent of Entourage - not surprising, as it's HBO. It's got a good story line, some good sexy bits, and a really really good soundtrack. Don't watch it with your mom.

What are you watching and reading these days?