I feel like I’ve been a bit MIA lately, so I wanted to pop on and give a little update 👋🏻
I have still been reading (when am I not?), but life has been… well, hectic. Illness struck yet AGAIN 🙄 — because apparently it’s my whole personality now — and work has been full-on with projects that just don’t quit, but we powered through and completed it, mate! 💪🏻😅
So let’s grab a brew and have a catch up on life recently….
November Rollercoaster
November threw me a proper curveball, which wasn’t on my 2025 Bingo Card! I was wrapped up in an “internal promotion” for a couple of weeks… or, you know, the idea of one. Long story short: I was offered a “role” (using that term loosely here), had a long hard think about it, weighed up every pro and con and then politely said “thanks, but no thanks.” Honestly? I feel great about it. Empowered, even. Sometimes the right choice isn’t the one everyone expects, and that’s okay. Also remembering your worth in these situations is key. Money isn’t everything.
November was also really tough emotionally for me. The 17th marked the one-year anniversary of losing my favourite boy, Alfred. My 16 year old soul cat. The one that got me through life in more ways than anyone could ever imagine. Grief hit hard (still is), as it tends to do, and life has been completely overwhelming lately. I’ve been trying to be a bit kinder to myself and I plan to keep that going for the rest of 2025.
Festive Fun & Family
On a more positive side. November was a real mix of festive joy and family moments too. At the end of November, I put up the Christmas tree with the help of my daughter, who would normally avoid it like the plague. So it was really nice to have her there, amidst the Christmas chaos… even if she dramatically “checked out” at having to put 300 baubles on the tree! 🤣
In other news, my daughter also picked up her brand new car. 21 years old and already smashing life in the balls. Proud mama right here!
We also managed to get out and about a bit (in and around the lurgy):
- York Christmas Markets – Not quite as magical as last year (maybe because we didn’t get there until dark), but we mooched the stalls, ate ALL the treats, and came home with cakes and sweet goodies galore.
- Shiverpool, Liverpool ghost tour. – Absolutely amazing! If you’re ever in the area, go. Seriously.
Reading Update
November was slow for reading and I only managed to finish:
I didn’t even get my book club pick done until last week. But sometimes that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
December has already started stronger though, with a couple of completed reads under the belt:
- Daughter Of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor – 4⭐ Enjoyed it that much that I have just treated myself to the second book in the trilogy (review incoming)
- The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano – 4⭐ Loved the mix of history, magic, and intrigue. (review incoming)
- The Summer War by Naomi Novik – 3⭐ Short and sweet; the start felt a bit rushed, but the ending really delivered. (review incoming)
December TBR
My December TBR is absolutely packed as I try to squeeze in a few more for my Goodreads Challenges, but 43 books of my 25 Reading Book Challenge is pretty impressive, even if I do say so myself.
Here’s my hopefuls for the weeks ahead:
- Midnight in Everwood (Book Club) – A dark retelling of The Nutcracker, small town, big secrets, and twisty, spooky vibes.
- The Will of Many (Community Picks) – 640 pages of epic fantasy, rebellion, politics, and magic. Big, immersive, and perfect for a longer read.
- Listen for The Lie (Hispanic Heritage Month) – Twist-filled thriller about secrets and lies. Excited for the rollercoaster.
- Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Spinetinglers) – Teen witches, rebellion, and dark humor. Can’t wait!
- Weyward (Fiction Faves) – Historical fiction with folklore and romance. Curious to see how it all threads together.
- The Salt Path (Memorable Memoirs) – Reflective memoir about resilience and walking the South West Coast Path. Slower, but a nice genre break.
- On The Savage Side (Native Voices) – Intense & emotional. Deep dive into family and heritage.
No ARCs until January, so I have a bit of room to breathe and actually catch up on reviews.
I think 2024-me definitely planned the year ahead well!
Christmas Break & Exciting Plans
December is going to be all go, go, go, but in the best way. I officially finish work for Christmas on the 17th, and then I have a lovely long stretch off. More reading, more blogging, more relaxing, some movies and a bit of gaming thrown in for good measure… yes please!
For now though, I’ve got some of your blogs to catch up on.
Until next time… keep turning pages and surviving the madness 📖🖤
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