This month I collected these, all books I'd reserved online. A good selection to see me through Christmas and into Just-Stay-In -January.
As usual mostly crime fiction but with a couple of non-fiction on the right - Unschooled by Caro Giles and Cacophony of Bones by Kerri ni Dochartaigh - which apparently I've borrowed before but didn't read. Plus one by Rachel Hore that I've not read.
There are two more of Anne Perry's Christmas Novellas on the top - which, according to my book of books read, I've not read - but might find I have when I start. There's another British Library Crime Classic on top by Christianna Brand who is one of their good authors.
Among the crime is the most recent Val McDermid in her Karen Pirie series; two authors that are new to me and one of the Medieval Murders books - in which several authors take in turns to add to a story taking it through the years.
Last month it was this lot below and I read seven and gave up on five. My favourites were 'Midnight in Vienna' by Jane Thynne and Murder in Paris by Christina Koning
A bit about those I read is on the Books Read 2025 page - it will soon be time to start a 2026 page.
**********************
Yesterday, Day 12, there were two sachets of coffee squeezed into one space -the packing machine must have gone awry. They were hazelnut and Columbian . I wonder if I'm going to find an empty section sometime?
Also yesterday was the only day of last week when I had nothing happening all day which was needed as I'd run out of focaccia bread. A chunk goes well with any tomato-y pasta sauce and with the leek and bacon pilaf I had for my dinner.
A gift came all the way to me from the Inner Hebrides - Thank you W - it's in the fridge as instructed. Hope my gift got there - they have had some very bad storms.
My friends who visited the other day left me two little parcels so I will have something to open Christmas morning. Other pressies will be later in the day when we all get together and after much nagging BiL finally came up with an idea for something he needs - so that's sorted and everything else is now wrapped for everyone.
Ooh an edible present. Those are always good :) A good choice of reading matter there. Let me know how you get on with the Dartmoor Murder one.
ReplyDeleteI read one of the Stephanie Austin - might have tried another now trying again
DeleteYes edible presents are usually a great idea. Hope it's something lovely when you open it. I don't find the time up to the shortest day easy but somehow Just stay in January, I can do, I think it's because I know we're turning towards the light already and I can savour staying in and cosy because I know it's going to end!
ReplyDeletePenny
I used to struggle with January but gave it a name which allowed a cosy rest time - now I can get through OK
DeleteI saw an article- the Guardian- one thing that changed my life - where someone with SAD found that sitting in front of a light box for and hour first thing in the morning transformed her experience of winter. It has to be in the morning to work.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you're all wrapped up for Christmas! I ordered a couple more presents yesterday and still need to get a few more.
I'm going to try and get out into the light more in January
DeleteI am still making for Christmas for people who like to receive a handmade gift. Well done on being organised. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI was glad to get everything wrapped and done
DeleteYou're all set now - well done! Now, sit back and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJust sitting and watching Ed Sheeran - lovely
DeleteLots of bones in the titles this month 😀
ReplyDeleteIt's always a nice feeling to get on top of Christmas prep isn't it
Alison in Devon x
Oh yes - I'd not noticed that - Oh dear!
DeleteIt's always great to have all the Christmas preparations completed. I am almost there.
ReplyDeleteChristmas dinner is fully planned and I will host, as usual. It will be festive but easy cooking (roast in the oven, a few veggies and deserts bought at the bakery). Nothing complicated!
I never know what's happening other than the 25th and 26th so have to have food plans for all eventualities - still need to sort that
DeleteConsumable presents are great, also services. Nothing to dust!
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteIf you're anything like me, you sometimes finish a book and then forget to add it to your book list. I often think later, "I KNOW I read this!"
ReplyDeleteThe library reserving thingy sometimes tells me I've borrowed something before - but that might not mean I've read it!
DeleteSo as well as lots of 'murder' in the titles, we now have lots of 'bones', I'm starting to feel slightly threatened by everything that you are learning about. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do hope you don't have an empty space behind one of your advent calendar doors. It once happened to us with the dogs advent calendar, two treats behind one door and none behind the next, we had to quickly go to the cupboard and fetch a 'normal' one so that Mavis wouldn't be disappointed.
Yep Christmas Murders and bones - the family should be worried - very worried!
DeleteThe book that scares me is 'How to Solve Your Own Murder' !! EEk!
ReplyDeleteAngie
I have no idea whey I reserved that one - someone - on a blog maybe, must have mentioned it. Not sure what it will be like but at least I have plenty of other reading if it's rubbish.
DeleteI've enjoyed four of the Karen Pirie novels. I love how she outsmarts her unpleasant boss (wish I could do that!).
ReplyDeleteOh what fun to receive the little packages. It's always nice to have a little something to open on Christmas
ReplyDeleteLooks like some great reads in your selection. I recognise several of the authors. When daughter was here we visited a smaller library in town as they were having a thing for toddlers. It was my first time going there and I was pleasantly surprised. It will be the library I go to now as it's easy to get to and the parking is a lot better than our central library. I am able to order books and pick them up there too!
Yum on the edible gift. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThere is some great reading going on at your home.
God bless.