Happy Saturday. After a crazy week of traffic and avoiding crowds we are settling into some quiet times for walking. Our weather has been up and down with a few freezing nights which required covering the plants...then an upswing of record highs in the 70s this week.
This week I posted about the 2026 Nonfiction Reader Challenge hosted by Shelleyrae at Book'd Out. Join in if you fancy some good suggestions and love nonfiction.
Are you participating in Shelia's First Book of the Year photo collage? Check it out at Book Journey. I see my photo there from last year with my first book of 2025 - Olive, Mabel and me by Andrew Cotter. I've already picked put my first book for 2026 and it's a nonfiction.
Hello Santa, am I too late? (haha) I enjoyed reading the book lovers' wish list for Christmas many of you posted this past week so I thought I would make mine for fun. Yes, I know Santa is gone but I do love making a list. Here is mine.
The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Tata by Valerie Perrin I have enjoyed the three previous books by Perrin but this one has not been translated into English yet and available in my country. According to the link here at Amazon. One day...
📚📚 Currently reading and almost done with Flesh by David Szalay. This is a buddy read with Susan at The Cue Card. Szalay is the first Hungarian-British author to win the Booker Prize. The settings are in Hungary, with our character living in a poor housing development, and London where he experiences a richer lifestyle through the employment of upper class individuals. This is not a rags to riches story by any means. Lots of graphic passages.
Today......
Linking up with:
Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon
Joy for British Isles Friday
Oh my, I almost forgot about First Book of the Year. I am so glad you reminded me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted what you wish Santa would bring you. It's never too late. Les sent me Evensong after she and her mom read it a month or so ago, and I will be happy to pass it along to you after I finish reading it!
Deb, I sent my photo to Sheila and I am starting with Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick.
DeleteThat list for Santa was a just for fun thing....but I will take you up on the book offer :-}
I'm glad to see that you're reading Flesh. I remember seeing it when the Booker Prize was announced.
ReplyDeleteJoy, it starts off pretty raunchy but it's interesting to see hos character development.
DeleteI really enjoy this time of year. The holidays have come and gone, and I not feel anxious to get a lot of things crossed off my to-do list. I'm making more time to get back outside and walk (when it's not raining) and read for an hour or so each afternoon (in addition to my usual bedtime reading). I would love to see 70 degrees, but that's just not going to happen, at least right now (we're in the upper 40s), if ever. I don't think we ever got to 70 last summer!
ReplyDeleteOne of my "besties" is reading Flesh and said she'll pass it on to me once she's finished. I'll be interested to read your review (and Susan's).
I'm glad to see Deb's comment about Evensong. I was going to suggest you ask her for the book once she's finished, so I hope you'll take her up on her offer. Maybe you can pass it on to someone else when you've finished.
Les, I bet it's lovely walking this time of year as cooler wether makes it more pleasant. You live in a beautiful area.
DeleteFlesh - as I mentioned to Deb it starts off raunchy and I am almost done, would send it to you but it's a Kindle copy. OH, I will definitely pass Evensong on when I am done. Spread the reading joy!!
I want to read Olive, Mabel, and Me, though I doubt I will get to it by the early part of 2026. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMy post: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/2025-survey-of-books.html
Anne, I hope you enjoy the Andrew Cotter book. I liked it quite a bit. Happy new year to you and yours.
DeleteI had a nap today, too, and now I'm too groggy to read anything. lol
ReplyDeleteJinjer, I am a big fan of naps when I feel the need for one. I am lucky as i can get up and strat doing things. My husband needs some time to recover: : -)
DeleteNow you've made me wonder what I'll read first for the new year... hmmm! Hope you enjoy what you picked out.
ReplyDeleteNicky, I usually have a list going. Will check out your blog next Sunday Salon and see what book you picked.
DeleteI should have taken my First Book picture when I had makeup on and my hair done on Christmas Day, I don’t really have a reason to do either now til the New Year.
ReplyDeleteYour quote made me laugh :)
Wishing you a wonderful reading week, and a very happy New Year
Shelleyrae, to be honest all I did was brush my hair for my first book photo! I had another one taken by my husband but you can't see the book cover well as there was light reflection.
DeleteI just did Wordle this morning. Got it in 3!
I liked the last meme on your post lol. That is how I am feeling today! I am hoping to do a lot of nothing. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Erin, I walked but it's misty and the dog didn't want to go. So I need to go again later because...you know...he HAS to go! Then I will read. No other plans
DeleteI love your Today......
ReplyDeleteVicki, it's mostly accurate, haha
DeleteHope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, hope yours is great as well!
DeleteI feel curious about your first book of the year ... but perhaps it's the Barbara Demick book? I see you finished Flesh .... I still have a little bit of a ways to go but will let you know when I'm done with it. I hear the ending is a doozy right? I will get there. We went to a movie today (!) since we had books to pick up at the nearby library 35 mins away. chat later. Many books on the pile.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it is the Barbara Demick book! I have it ready and waiting and hoope to get one more short book in before I start it next year. that sounds funny - next year. Let me know whe you are done and we can discuss Flesh. I am writing up something about it but it's hard to do without spoilers.
DeleteWhat movie did you see? Haven't been to the theater in years and i think the last thing we saw there was Gone Girl. that's been a while!
I'm still good to read the fat book about Shackleton too.
Gosh , I have no idea what my first book of the year will be. That's next year's issue! lol
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Marg, you have time to decide from your pile of books. Close your eyes and grab two and read which appelas more :-)
DeleteI need a nap, I stayed up too late reading the book I got for Christmas! Have a Happy New Years!
ReplyDeleteSammie, naps are great!
DeleteThere was plenty of napping here over the weekend - I love this quieter week between holidays. Nodding in agreement at your "Today" and I'll keep an eye out for your review and Susan's of Flesh. I like to try the Booker winner, but not sure this one is for me. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, Flesh was an interesting character study and I admit gets raunchy here and there. But I keep thinking about it and the way the main character's life played s out. This week has been quiet...thankfully.
DeleteThat sounds good to me. And after reading, having another nap. LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good Christmas. And thanks for visiting my blog with the Christmas music:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/merry-christmas.html
Marianne, it's sure been laid back with reading, cooking something fun together and yes...naps!
DeleteSame here. Our sons were here and we all did the same, just some cooking and almost nothing else. lOL
ReplyDeleteI love the time between Christmas and New Years. It's nice to relax and be a bit lazy. Fingers crossed that this is the year the Perrin gets translated into English. I'm not doing Sheila's photo collage but I do have my first books picked up and can't wait to read them all. Happy New Year Tina!
ReplyDelete