On Wednesdays I take my littlest to the library whilst his big brother is at story writing club. They always have a communal puzzle anyone can help with, and today Fox decided he could help. I always feel so lucky when I‘m in a library. We also read the tagged book which was a lot of fun 😊

Puzzling whilst I listen to Starling House (and loving it).

Sitting by the sea in the sunshine with my bright yellow book, I can imagine spring is coming!

I‘m not sure what it says about me that I was drawn to this library book, my whole life is taken up with laundry and now I‘m reading about it 🤪 I‘m hoping it can give me some tips to make life easier

It has been a while since I have read a mystery that drew me in like this one. I think it was the depth of the characters that made the difference (I have read so many mysteries lately with 2D characters). There was no mushy middle and on the whole a satisfying ending. I will be recommending this one.

12 years ago today I became a Mummy. My beautiful boy has complex special needs and my world has become a whole lot smaller over the last decade. It‘s one of the reasons books are so important to me, they aren‘t just my escape from everyday life, they are my chance to go other places and have other adventures. Books keep me sane!

I‘m poorly in bed, feeling very grateful that when I feel like this I am able to be in bed (yesterday was a long work day feeling rotten and wishing I was in bed). I got this book for Christmas from my hubby and I thought it was a good time to start planning some adventures for better days

I quite like a bit of romance between my more literary or mystery picks but this book…urgh! The misunderstanding which could have been sorted out with one conversation trope is strong in this one! And for my that is not a good thing. And whatever you do don‘t listen to it, the narrators, especially the male one, were terrible. I don‘t often pan but this definitely was one!

I‘ve got a cold so I‘ve ticked myself up in bed to continue collating my TBR!! 227 titles so far… I wish I was a quicker reader!

Happy Birthday @wanderinglynn 🎉 The tagged book is on my wishlist because I always need more scary stories in my life! #49bdaygiveaway

Today after a year of library abstinence whilst I tried to clear my TBR shelves I finally allowed myself to go wild in the aisles once more. My littlest and I went after school and up picked up whatever took our fancy (the kids have been allowed to borrow books this year, I‘m not a monster). Apart from Exiles these books are all completely new to me. It felt so good!! And I‘m excited to dive in and see if they are as good as they look.

I had been planning some cosy reading this morning but the beautiful sun was just too tempting for us. Really enjoying the tagged book which mentions this beach.

The suns out, the kids (much to their disappointment) didn‘t get a snow day, so pumpkin and I talk a lovely slushy walk and I started this new audio book. ⛄️

It‘s snowing in Brighton! This is a very rare occurrence! It‘s the first time my 5 YO has see more than a few flakes! I had a cosy day inside and finished the tagged book. It wasn‘t my favorite mystery, but I finished it in two days and found it an entertaining read that was pretty well tied up at the end. There are definitely character choices there for easy plot twists that felt off but I find that‘s always the way with Jewel.

Sweet dreams Christmas tree, see you next December 🎄 I‘ve been listening to the tagged book today whilst putting away the Xmas decs. It‘s my Bookclub pick, and not one I would have picked up by myself, but it kept me entertained and I‘m looking forward to carrying on listening tomorrow.

Today I started my first book of the year (after finishing up some December reads). I‘m excited to see what the year ahead brings, sorting out my TBR into one place has reminded me how many books I can‘t wait to read! The tagged book is set 15 minutes down the road from my house. I do love a book set somewhere I know 🏠

I‘m a Currently Reading podcast Patreon subscriber and as part of that I get a copy of a very detailed book tracking spreadsheet. One bit of it I haven‘t done before is the TBR list, but I‘ve decided it‘s time.. starting with an extremely long Litsy list!! Wish me luck!!

Hello my Litsy friends, I took a whole year off whilst I tried to clear my physical TBR ( last years resolution was not to buy/ borrow any books) as you guys are just too much of a bad influence on my book buying habits 😂 But I have missed you deeply and I‘m so glad to be back. I can‘t wait to hear all about what you‘re reading!! Below is my last book of 24/ first if 25 📚

It‘s that time! So I‘m listening to the above to finish the trilogy and cross off #atleastfourdifferentPOV for #52in522024

More puppy spam because this is my life right now! (They are 4 weeks old and were complete surprises but I am currently mum to 3 boys and 7 dogs 😵‍💫) One thing about the little fur babies is that they give you a lot of audio book cleaning time. A LOT. I listened to this because I was intrigued and it made me very sad. It must feel very good to have her voice heard finally. It won‘t make it to my top 10 this year but it passed the time.

Just me and some sleepy pups in bed with Murdle. That‘s the way to start 2024! A belated Happy New Year! I hope every one of you reads wonderful books and laughs often this year ❤️

Does life get better than good coffee, a great Christmas book and puppy snuggles on a rainy morning? Probably not. #jollyhollyreaders #wintergames

My #jolabokaflod parcel is on its way! Hohoho! 📚 🎅🏻

Early morning bed Christmas film watching with 3 little boys, 1 dog and 6 pups. #wintergames @Laughterhp I‘ve somehow missed the post about the first weeks game and now would be the perfect time to do it! Can you tag me in the post about it please. I need to get those points for team #hollyjollyreaders

A Short and interesting look at Christmas traditions and where they started with a healthy dose of Brysons trademark humor. And a great one for #WGwordsearch #wintergames #jollyhollyreaders . It didn‘t talk about these guys and their origins though- spotted at Westfield‘s today.

Is it a Christmas film… my husband thinks so. #wintergames #jollyhollyreaders #christmasmovie

Today I took my kids to visit Father Christmas at Hever Castle (home of Anne Boleyn). Definitely one of my favorite traditions, but as my oldest is nearly 11 one that might be coming to an end! On the way there we started listening to the tagged book because my kids love facts. Until I realised to my horror Bill was about to start debunking Santa!! I made an excuse and put on the radio 😂 🎅🏻 #selfiescavangerhunt #wintergames #hollyjollyreaders

Ooh I loved this one! Set in a 1980s publishing house this was a comic horror that kept me smirking the whole way through. Witty and creepy with a Christmasy edge, What a combo! Not that many words for #wintergames #wgwordsearch but a lot of fun none the less! Currently free with audible plus.

Heads up #hollyjollyreaders if you are looking for the perfect #wintergames #wgwordsearch book this is it! A cosy mystery set at CHRISTMAS in a town called MISTLETOE about a girl who moves back home to her FAMILY and helps them put on their annual Christmas GAMES. Oh yes and there‘s a murder. I‘m hit or miss on cosies and I loved this one. Full of warmth, mystery, snow and a little romance.

It‘s here! My #jolabokaflodswap parcel has arrived! I‘m so excited!! It‘s gone straight under the tree 🎄

5 weeks ago we adopted a gorgeous doggy called pumpkin. She was very skinny. She started putting on weight- great! She got a bit nippley so I took her to the vets. He said- phantom pregnancy, will be over in a few weeks. Today Pumpkin had 6 puppies… 😑🤦🏻‍♀️🤪 🐶 So there goes my December.

I heard about this one on the Currently Reading podcast and I had my hold in at the library before they had finished talking about it! I love me some mixed media! I also love me some bubble bath!

1 snuggle up somewhere, preferably with a smaller human, dog or hot water bottle to keep me warm and read. Before we moved to the coast I would have said snowy walks but we don‘t get snow on the south coast and I really miss it.

2. Favorite bookish tradition- compiling my Bookclub‘s “best book of the year” list. Favorite non bookish tradition. Going to see HoHo (what we call Father Christmas) with my kids - the oldest is 10 so it precious!

My first festive book of the season… hopefully it‘s only up from here 😬 My main issues with this one we‘re the terrible, completely unrealistic dialogue, the very predictable conclusion, and also other predictable bits, and (one of my pet hates) the rushed ending. All round no from me! But I had some very enjoyable walks listening to it. Including seeing the most incredible halo moon last night.

Starting a little early with Christmas reads this year because I have so many I want to get too! Even though it means I will miss out on #wintergames points for them. I‘m covering a lot of genres this Christmas. Starting with horror!

I loved this book. And after 3 books St. James is now definitely one I will make an auto read. I would say this is the one that kept me most gripped so far but she is the master of creepy suspense and I‘m always drawn in to her books. Highly recommended if you like to be a little scared but not terrified.

I am so ready for the #wintergames ❄️ Here is my physical TBR but I also have a kindle and audio TBR. I also need to pick up The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey which is my December bookclub pick. Can‘t wait to start earning points for the #hollyjollyreaders 💚❤️💚

Tonight was Pumpkins first time at bookclub. Here she is with a couple of my bookclub pals looking very at home! She snored so loudly she actually disrupted the discussion (so rude!)t

I‘m REALLY enjoying this book so far, it‘s a mix of mystery and supernatural that‘s just right for my tastes. Enjoying this pumpkin snuggle too 🥰

This was a great book, I listened to it and it came with extra commentary which was nice. If you are interested in all the weird and wonderful stuff human beings have believed ( @Texreader the Bermuda Triangle gets a mention) then this book is for you. My only complaint we be if you already listed to the authors podcasts you have probably heard quite a lot of what‘s in the book. A great listen for walks with my fur buddy.

I‘ve decided that next year I am taking a break from reading challenges and only reading my shelves. However, my good intentions have backfired and I‘m buying more books than ever in preparation! Todays purchase- a book about more books… well that‘s not going to help is it! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 📚 (tagged book by same author as this one isn‘t in the Litsy catalogue)

This is a very well written homage to gothic horror. But it did feel formulaic at times. Also I don‘t do well with child harm in books. It created a great discussion at bookclub and on the whole we decided we preferred the theatre show but liked it more than the film.

This was a great book to keep me company on an 11 hour round trip to pick up this pup. It kept me interested, I wanted to know what sort of comeuppance Juniper would get. It had depth and it made me think. If you can handle unlikable lead characters I would recommend this one.

Thank you @TheWolfbehindTheEyes for my #HHS gifts and @wanderinglynn for organizing 😊 I did open this last night but unfortunately one of the candles had smashed in quite a spectacular fashion and it took ages to get all the little glass shards off of everything 😣. I have a little boy who loves Harry Potter so he will love the Fawkes! Happy Halloween 👻 🎃 🧙🏻

My new furry reading partner has arrived! Meet Pumpkin the Staffy 🥰🎃

Book haul! I got a bookshop gift card for my birthday. I finally got to use it today. They didn‘t have either of the books I went in for. Did that stop me buying books?- no. Did it stop me buying more than my gift card amount?- no, no it did not. All of these were in my TBR except the tagged book which I just couldn‘t resist!

I should be concentrating on finishing my reading challenges this month. But this book has been calling to me from the bookshelf so I gave in. Later today I‘m going to pick up my new rescue pup so hopefully there will be lots of snuggles and reading time this month ☺️

Tonight bookclub- we read The Women in Black. There were lots of masks, wigs, ghost stories and giggles.

Hot chocolate and the dead are my bedtime companions tonight

IKEA gets it!