So I’m trying not to send out this newsletter too frequently—and if you follow me on social media, you probably know this already—but I am making an exception because I have festive news to share: Today (October 17) is the release date of my fourth book, This is Christmas, Song by Song!
Here’s a ridiculous unwrapping video I put together for the book! (Instagram too.)
As the name implies, it’s a deep dive into 100 of the best Christmas songs of all time—the fascinating origin stories, the hidden meanings, and (most important) the greatness. Here’s a Spotify playlist of (nearly) every song in the book. (Turns out Three Wise Men aka XTC’s “Thanks for Christmas” isn’t streaming.)
Purchase info for the book is below—as well as a schedule of book events I have booked this season. (Autographed copies, I’m still figuring out, although I have bookplates on the way!)
To say this is a perfect project for me is a vast understatement. I love Christmas music. Love. Give me the sad songs, the upbeat songs, the somber songs, the goofy songs—I adore them all.
Every season, I reprogram my car to listen to the 24-7 Christmas music radio station. I collect oddball Christmas songs and compilations. (Need hair metal holiday tunes? Got you covered.) I have different versions of “Christmas Wrapping”—perhaps my favorite holiday tune?!—in heavy rotation. I own multiple copies of Christmas records by Kylie Minogue and the dBs because different version have different tracklists.
My favorite holiday memories involve being at my parents’ house, opening presents and noshing on snacks, while the warm, dulcet tones of Mannheim Steamroller trill in the background. Christmas music just makes me happy.
Above all, I loved writing This Is Christmas, Song By Song—and I hope you enjoy reading it just as much.
Where to Buy
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Bookshop | Mac’s Backs | Running Press
Events
Visible Voice Books (Cleveland) - signing and release party!, October 21, 7pm
Books by the Banks (Cincinnati) - signing and presentation, November 18, 10am-4pm
Larchmere Holiday Stroll - Loganberry Books (Cleveland) - November 25, 12:30pm-2pm
Morley Library (Painesville, OH), December 2, 11am
Meet the Author: Lakewood Public Library (Lakewood, OH), December 6, 7pm
I'm so excited to read this. I, too, adore Christmas music.