This week's links. Enjoy.
Secular Carols by Tracey Thorn
Lovely music for Christmas — Tinsel and Lights, the new holiday album by the brilliant Tracey Thorn, also known as one half of the legendary duo Everything But the Girl.
Iconic Film Stills in Their Real-Life Locations
This is fun — New York-based photographer Christopher Moloney prints out stills from iconic films made in his home town and takes photos comparing them to their real-life counterparts. The link above takes you to a selection on the Vanity Fair site — see lots more on Christopher's site here.
2012 Good Gift Games
Wondering how to entertain your family during the holidays? Matthew Baldwin picks the ten best new board games of 2012 — a perfect way for all ages to spend time together.
Why Drinking Tea Was Once Considered a Dangerous Habit
Fascinating glimpse of social history — in the 19th century, there were those who believed that peasant women drinking tea were committing a reckless, suspicious act, linked to revolutionary feminism. Wild.
New Review Writers' Books of 2012
Round up of great titles in photography, architecture, art, psychology, graphic novels, biographies and science books from 2012.
Saveur 2012 Cookie Advent Calendar
Love this — each day in December, click on another part of the kitchen illustration for a new cookie recipe for the holidays (and watch the kitchen gradually become more colourful, too).
The Secret Contents of Second-Hand Books
One bookshop has collected some of the odd, intriguing personal treasures left within the pages of 'pre-loved' volumes. I love discovering these kinds of things — I've found a Victorian Christmas postcard in a 19th century book, newspaper clippings, bookmarks from long gone bookstores to name a few.
Chocolate Mint Krinkles
These cookies from the 2012 Saveur Cookie Advent Calendar look amazing — I'm definitely trying these out for holiday baking!
(photo by trevor tondro)