About Books & Literature: Holidays and More Holidays

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor An interesting confluence: a traditional Chinese New Year food is Jiaozi (dumplings) and in each New Year batch, a family hides a coin in just one dumpling. It symbolizes financial luck for whoever finds it. A traditional Mardi Gras tradition is king cake, a yummy brioche concoction in which is hidden a tiny plastic baby (or a bean). Whoever finds it gets good fortune. And as for Valentine's Day? Well, I'm pretty sure there's nothing hidden in that box of chocolates in the kitchen, but I'm going to eat all of them just in case. I mean, I'll take fortune wherever I can get it. Best Collections of New Orleans Literature Today is Mardi Gras, and though Carnival is celebrated throughout the world, the most famous iteration is the bacchanalia that takes place in New Orleans. Looks like it's going to be a soggy and thunder-filled one this year, so don't feel too bad about missing it this time around. Best curl up with a book instead. Try one of these collections, full of stories from William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, George Washington Cable, Kate Chopin, and Anne Rice. Read More... Children's Books About the Lunar New Year Holidays in general tend to be popular subjects for children's books, but few are as rich in history and visually stunning as Chinese New Year, and thus, the library shelves are bursting with great options on this theme. Have a look at some of these beauties. Read More... Search Related Topics:  children's books about holidays  childen's books about seasons  Great Books About Love Romantic dinners are fine and all, but honestly? I'd rather just snuggle up on the couch with my sweetie, reading our own separate books and indiscriminately shoveling chocolates (and king cake and dumplings, while I'm at it) in our mouths. Ahh, old people romance. Need a timely, topical read for just this scenario? Read More... Search Related Topics:  books about love  romance novels  book recommendations Love Poems for Valentine's Day Pro tip: a blank card with a poem hand-written inside is approximately fifty times more romantic than a pre-printed card. Unless, tragically, your handwriting looks like mine, in which case, buy the Hallmark. Read More... Search Related Topics:  love poems  elizabeth barrett browning  john donne Related Searches Kids Books Childrens Books Publishers for Books Reading Books Publishing Books Featured Articles Review: Tracy Chevalier - 'Burning Bright' Review: Gigi Amateau - 'Come August, Come Freedom' 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilder - An Overview Superheroes for Hospice Interview Getting Into a Writing Frame of Mind Do You Know Me? Quotes That Help You Dig Deep   More from About.com The Perfect Engagement Ring How to find a gorgeous ring with a style and price that suit your needs. Read more...> Best U.S. Destinations Experts pick the top U.S. destinations for 2013 based on budget, special events, and more. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Advertisement