*

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan was a Christmas gift, a book that found me at the perfect time. Set in 1985 in Ireland, this atmospheric and beautifully written story unfolds in the lead up to Christmas; it crackles with cold and glows with light. It’s about choices, and the quiet courage of unremarkable people leading unremarkable lives. You get the sense reading this book that every word was chosen with care. I think most authors would have made wildly different choices in regards to pacing, but I think the pacing is part of what makes this story so special. I already know this will be the perfect story to return to next season. 📸: I’m holding up a hardcover copy of Small Things Like These with one hand. A diamond painted bookmark (another one of my gifts) is on one corner of the book, and a lit Christmas tree is visible in the background. via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DEU2X7Hx_QD/