A great book with an interesting premise…I need to buy the rest now.
On another note: All year long I‘ve been turning every book I read into a tiny handmade version.
One by one they added up to 137 miniature books, which I have carefully tucked inside a fillable bauble for my tree.

Introducing My Year in Books: 2025

Thank you so much for my #jolabokaflod parcel. I have been in hospital, and rehab and only just managed to get to open my gifts. I can‘t wait to dive into both books. I have plenty of reading time ahead of me as I get used to my new knees.

I have been recovering from my knee surgery in hospital and rehab and finally got home to open my #aussiesecretsanta gifts. Thank you so much. I certainly need some reading material while I continue my journey with new knees. I love the fairy bread ornament too.

Day 8 and still in rehab. I go home on Monday- hooray!
I didn‘t know what I was getting into, having both knees replaced at once…but onwards and upwards!

Posted and received!
My #aussiesecretsanta and #jolabokaflodswap parcels were sent off this morning. I didn‘t get a photo because I had to queue for 40 minutes and by the time I got to the counter I was almost passing out with pain, but both are winging their way to the recipients now.
I also received my own parcel yesterday and it is snuggled under my tree, distracting me every time I glance that way.

I love this quote. Despite everything he has been through, he still has a wonderful and optimistic way with words.

This is my Christmas for 2025.
Bilateral knee replacements after over 5 years waiting. Surgery is happening on 11 December and I am so happy at the thought of finally being able to walk again that I am ignoring the probability of missing Christmas.

Wow! I just finished this and I am obsessed all over again with Tim Curry. I listened to the audiobook which was hard, it was sad to listen to his old voice, croaky and struggling with pauses and words. But I soon got into the rhythm and was absorbed in his tales of performing. His version of IT terrified me far more than the recent remake.

I admit I originally picked this up because the family in it shares my surname. 🤣 Then I realised it is by an author I like, and since October is the spooky month, I thought it would be perfect. It was deliciously chilling and a perfect read for the lead up to Halloween 👻

Since the beginning of the year I have been making mini books of each one I have read in 2025. So far there are 111 tiny tomes in the jar. 📚
Come Christmas I plan to put them in a clear bauble, with the year on the front, and hang it on my tree. 🎄

My time in Harlot Bay has come to an end with Wicked Witch, the 10th book in this cute series. I enjoyed this book most of all as it brought all the previous stories together and gave reasons for past actions. A wonderful series which I will definitely revisit in coming years.

The penultimate volume in the Torrent Witches saga does not disappoint. Another mystery to solve involving Harlow‘s family and a step closer to finding out just what did happen to all the Dads/Husbands of the Torrent gals!

Not my favourite story but still an interesting read. These books have been the perfect addition to my holiday rest. Just a couple more to go.

Any book where someone stays in a remote cabin in the woods is enough for me. Throw in the fact that she is a writer of detective stories, finds a body in her lake (sans head) and Bigfoot theories abound and I am there! Seriously good mystery!

Another enjoyable read in Harlot Bay. A love potion is causing mayhem in the area and Harlow Torrent, slip witch, is on the case.

Another dip into Harlot Bay and the Torrent witches. These are enjoyable cosy mysteries with a paranormal twist.

The Torrent witches of Harlot Bay are on the case again as they solve the mysterious thefts in their neighborhood and also navigate the Holiday Season. This series has caught my imagination and I am loving delving into the witchy shenanigans of Harlow and her family.

This series is fun and quirky and each book is bringing the bigger story to life. There are a few long running storylines which flow through the series but each book is a mystery in itself with a satisfactory ending that still leaves you wanting to continue and find out more. Perfect for this preHalloween lead up.
On another note, an entirely self-serving one, how do you like my little ghost book lover?

This third book in the series was very well done, a few new characters thrown in and the mystery was a good one. On to book 4!

This is the description of the library in this book…
“Floor to ceiling shelves, a library ladder, comfy single chairs and tasteful, small, wooden tables. A translucent green vase of flowers almost glowing in the light coming through the window.”

Just finished book two and wow — what a ride! 🙌 The characters are really starting to come into their own, and the plot kept me turning the pages. A worthy follow-up that has me excited for what‘s next! 📚✨

A cute cosy mystery which is a nice break from my usual graphic crime books. I still get the mystery buzz with a hefty dose of supernatural flavor. I‘m happy I found this series.

This is a seriously LOOONG book. It‘s enjoyable though. I read it years ago and remembered loving it so decided to give it another read via Audible while I worked on my little book nook.
Still 3 hours to go (out of 40) of my book but the little owl book shop is finished. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

While listening to my Audiobook I finished my teeny tiny latch hook rug. Cats and books 📚❤️

I love this!

I couldn‘t find the book in the directory but it is The Dropouts by Liv Parkinson. I loved this quote.

Gripping mystery. Loved it!

A great, easy read with enough little quirks and surprises to keep you guessing.

I‘m really enjoying this twisty thriller, about a third of the way through and can‘t put it down.

Just wanted to share my new personalized number plates with people who will appreciate them. I‘m trying to ignore the fact that the holes in the bumper were already crooked 😁

I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were a couple of twists that kept me guessing.

I don‘t know how I feel about this book. I wanted to like it but parts of it just left me cold. I had to force myself to finish it - it did catch my attention at times but mostly I was wishing it would end already.
Maybe I was distracted by the view?

Came home after a 6 night cruise to the beautiful Whitsundays and plonked down in front of the heater with the book I didn‘t get to finish on the cruise 🚢

Thank you for the lovely gift. I shall begin reading on Boxing Day. I had Christmas Eve with my family and didn‘t get home until late so apologies for my tardiness in posting.
📔💛📕❤️📗💚
#aussiesecretsanta

Heading to the post office today 📖🎄🎅🏻
#aussiesecretsanta

Do you have a book you always read at Christmas?
This is mine, a cute story which gives me Christmas feelings every year.

Got my second home grown book box and it‘s another winner! I can‘t wait to get stuck into this book, it looks amazing.
The chocolate and chips were delicious, the book bag is already in use and those stickers are finding homes all over my house.

About to start this after attending her stand-up event in Brisbane, and buying a signed copy.

It was my Litsyversary this week - 7 years!

This book was hard to read, the fear of what could happen, the anxiety that living with that fear causes, and the tragic outcome that seemed so inevitable are all such difficult subjects. This was written with empathy and such realism that I felt embroiled in the story and part of the ultimate finale. A brilliantly written book which pays homage to all those who have survived domestic abuse, and sadly to those who haven‘t.

I got my first Book Box today. I was curious as to what it would be like as I used to get the Bookish Box from the US and I wanted to try a home grown Aussie version. Lots of goodies inside, including Shhh I‘m Reading socks, a Reader tote which is super thick and good quality, some confectionery, a cute notebook and a few tea varieties, including a can of peach ice tea, some stickers and bookmarks. Worth the $90? Very close I‘d say.

A great read, atmospheric and gripping. I had an on again off again Readathon but this was the highlight for me.

Is so totally relate to this. I‘m not in many photos when my children were young.

I wanted a thriller, full of suspense and intrigue… it didn‘t live up to that for me.

December‘s reads. A definite Christmas theme. I had no tree or decorations due to packing up the house to move but I got my Christmas fill with books and films.

He‘s a hacker, what‘s he going to do? Turn us off and on again?
Brilliant adaptation of a great mystery book on Netflix! If your eyes are tired of reading all those Christmas gift books give it a go. Most have binged it in one day! 🙋‍♀️

Thank you so much @Lizpixie for my gorgeous gifts. I feel so spoilt. The mug is great, and the books look so good I want to dive right in. I love the bookmark and the notebook is so pretty. I have resisted the chocolate until the craziness has finished and I can settle down with a relaxing cuppa.
Thank you @thegirlwiththelibrarybag for organizing again.
Merry Christmas everyone 🎄🎁📕❤️

Trying to pack over Christmas means no tree this year. No wreath or garland, not a bauble in sight. My new rental has a formal lounge, or as I like to call it, a library! Gimme books Santa!

EDIT: POSTED - Should arrive Friday.
The last item finally arrived so I am off to the Post Office.
#aussiesecretsanta

Had me guessing until around the middle when I had the ‘ahah‘ moment. A mother‘s love is boundless but I was inwardly shouting at her right from her first decision! A good story but ultimately not quite believable for me. I enjoyed it though and hoped desperately that it would all work out for her.