Category: books

Blogmas Day Fifteen: Getting into the festive spirit 🎅🏻

So, here are my top 5 ways to well and truly get into the festive spirit!

1. Listening to Christmas tunes

Whilst I’m still at work, and there are still lots of restrictions in place for going out, this is one of the things that has made me feel the most Christmassy.

We have been listening to them lots at work and in the car.

If a Christmas sing along doesn’t get you into the festive spirit, what will!!

2. Watching a Christmas film 📽

I LOVE Christmas films for adding a bit of festive cheer into your life.

Even more so as the cinemas are closed. I miss it more than I thought.

I shared some of my faves in a earlier Blogmas post so check them out here !

Grab some popcorn, your fave festive chocs, a hot choc perhaps? And you’ve got yourself a super festive afternoon.

3. Reading a Christmas book 📚

As soon as November hits I start the festive reads and I don’t stop until February.

If you love festive books as much as me then take a look at these ones, they are some that I’ve really enjoyed.

Books are a great escape from reality and perfect for a bit of festive downtime during the Christmas chaos.

4. Christmas Day Prep 🎁

I love wrapping presents, planning Christmassy activities and of course planning the Christmas eats too.

I know that this year is going to be a bit different in terms of Christmas, but its important to make the most of the situation we are in, enjoy what we can do and not focus on what we can’t.

And hey, you might even end up with a new fun tradition thanks to 2020!

I love stocking up on a few of our favourite Christmas treats, like mince pies and slowly picking up buffet bits and bobs, from various shops depending on what they have each year.

And wrapping presents for my loved ones always makes me feel super festive 😊🎁

5. Festive baking 🥧

I really enjoy baking and festive flavours (except you cinnamon 🤢) so I always look forward to baking at this time of year, especially when you can indulge a little more, guilt free, and try all your efforts.

I’ve been looking up some yummy ideas to inspire my baking over the next week or so!

Here’s a festive recipe I’ve already tried out. They were super yummy!

Christmas Tree Brownies

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Blogmas Day Ten: Decorating My Reading Corner ❄

Happy Day Ten of Blogmas!

Here’s a little sneak peek at how I’ve decorated my reading corner… I love fairy lights (any excuse!) And they look super cute with a few little other festive touches.

Super cosy!

Adding a few festive touches has made my reading corner even more cosy!

Annd I’ve even managed to not poke myself in the eye with one of the light up branches, whilst reading, so win win!

Books & Christmas = a pretty epic combo! 🎄📚

Has anyone else decorated their reading areas?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Blogmas Day Seven: ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ’ꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴡᴇᴇᴋʟʏ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ 📚🎅🏻

• W E E K • T H R E E •

Since this weeks Children’s book is a Christmassy one I thought I would unashamedly shoehorn it into a Blogmas post for today!

The Christmas Elf and the magic of kindness

By Marcy Kelman and Hannah Mark’s

This book is SO cute. The illustrations are lovely and bright and the message that it gets across is so sweet.

The book is all about being kind and finding and embracing what you are good at… not worrying if you can’t always do what someone else can do, because we all have our own individual talents.

The perfect, Christmassy story with a beautiful message to those who read/listen to it.

18 days until Christmas!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Blogmas Day Five: Some of my fave Christmas reads 🎅🏻📚

I LOVE a festive read. I fully read festive books throughout December and this year is no exception… infact I’m trying to read even more than usual this year to really get me into thr festive spirit.

Thought I would share with you some of my favourites, as well as ones that are on my tbr (to be read) list

🎄 Some • of • my • favourites 📚

  • Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain.
  • Coming Home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walter’s
  • A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
  • The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux
  • Sleigh rides and Silver bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain
  • Dream a little Christmas dream by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)
  • Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland
  • Christmas with Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)

❄ On • my • TBR • list 📚

  • A Christmas Wish by Lizzie Lang
  • The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
  • Dash & Lily Series by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
  • One more Christmas by Sarah Morgan
  • The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
  • The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
  • The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine

🎅🏻 Current • Festive • Read 📚

  • Hopefully Hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

Have you read any of these??

What are your fave festive reads??

Any recommendations??

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Blogmas Day Two: A Festive Book Review- ‘Coming home to Glendale Hall’ 📚🎅🏻

I thought that for Day Two I would do a little book review. I an going to do a fee of these, as part of Blogmas, throught December as I am trying to read plenty of festive books.

Let’s take a look!

This lovely, cosy festive read takes us on the trip back to Beth’s hometown of Glendale, and more specifically Glendale Hall, the family home.

She fled at the age of 16 due to her pregnancy being rejected by her family.

She is now back or Christmas, 10 years after she fled, to see her ill grandmother.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book is how endearing the characters are, their characterisation is really nicely developed and you instantly like them, feel for them and are rooting for them. They are very real characters with a fluffy romantic edge.

And because you have this ease with the characters, you find yourself quickly immersed into the book and turning the pages feverishly, digesting more and more of the Glendale cosyness.

The story is very enjoyable and is written with a lovely festive feel that makes you ready for the christmas season, itching to put up your own decorations, see lights around the town and make a hot chocolate or six.

I couldn’t put it down.

So, apparently this is the part of the review that I’m supposed to write something I didnt like as much about the book… (Boo!)

… I knew what was probably going to happen in the end…???

My question is…Does it matter if you predict or don’t predict the ending when the journey to it is so enjoyable though?!

I’m really clutching at straws here because I bloody loved the book and am now on book 3!

So, if you want to get into the Christmas spirit, feel cosy, festive and ready to enjoy all things Christmassy then grab a hot chocolate and cosy down with this absolutely gorgeous seasonal delight.

Any festive book recommendations are welcome!

23 days until Christmas 🦌

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ’ꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴡᴇᴇᴋʟʏ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ 📚🌻🌟

• W E E K • T W O •

Pop classics: Back to the Future

Based on the movie written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale.

Illustrated by Kim Smith

This book is basically just a simplified, child friendly story book version of the brilliant ‘Back to the Future’ film.

‘After time-travelling to 1955, Marty Mcfly finds himself stranded in the past. The time machine he used doesn’t work anymore, and he needs to help his parents fall in love… or else he’ll never be born! Can he make things right before it’s too late?’

Back to the Future is one my of favourite film franchises so I was super excited to pick this up.

The illustrations are lovely and it adapts the story really well for a younger audience.

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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My Reading Corner Makeover 🌿 📚🌸

I wanted to update my reading corner recently. I am happy with the theme and colour scheme, as it fits well into the lounge where it is….

… I did however, need more space!

As I mentioned on my Instagram (RoseannesBlog) page, me and my husband recently went to Ikea and there is where I found my new bookcase! As well as a few other little bits to finish off the area

So, let’s take a look!

The new addition to my bookcase is the slim one nearest the wall. This is the Billy Bookcase from Ikea.

This bookcase is from the Billy Bookcase range and is just like my original case (also a Billy), but it works really well as a little case for a small space, or a add on to create a little extra space.

This was perfect for the space that I have for my reading corner.

I can’t wait to fill up my new shelves properly.

Here are some of the little bits that I’ve bought to add to the area.

I bought some plants to decorate the shelves, a cute pink lamp for my desk and a new swivel desk chair.

I’m really happy with the extra book space thats been created, without ruining the area that I have already prepared.

Its still super cosy too…even more so! And I can’t wait to enjoy my books in this area.

What do you think?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ’ꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴡᴇᴇᴋʟʏ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ 📚🌻🌟

• W E E K • O N E •

Night-time around the world

MOON

Written & Illustrated by Britta Teckentrap

This book is beautiful. The illustrations alone are amazing.

It also features loads of lovely animals (always popular with children) in their different habitats, around the world.

It shows how the moon and its position and appearances changes on these different parts of the world.

Exploring the night sky in a fun and gorgeous way.

Definatly one to add to your family collection.

Happy Monday everyone!

Have a great week ☆

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ’ꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴡᴇᴇᴋʟʏ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ 📚🌻🌟

ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ’ꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴡᴇᴇᴋʟʏ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ

Working in education, in a early years setting, means that I am constantly surrounded by Childrens books. I also have two nephews and a niece who I love reading stories too.

I love childrens books and they are a brilliant way to engage, excite and capture a childs brilliant imagination.

So, I thought that each week I would do a ‘Weekly Feature’ of a children’s book, to share with you some of the beautiful books out there.


The first one is coming tomorrow!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Black History Month 👊🏿🌍

2020 has shone a light on the reality of racism, in all its forms.

Sparked by the Black Lives Matter protests, which stemmed from horrific injustices such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (to name a few) we are informing and educating ourselves on the wrongs of a nation, (well I hope you are) with regard to black lives and their treatment. People are educating themselves on black heritage and culture… and learning all about black history is such an important part.

‘A genuine change must first come from within the individual, only then can he or she attempt to make a significant contribution to humanity.’

Dalai Lama

This is why educating and informing ourselves is so important and Black History Month is the perfect opportunity.

Black History Month began in 1987, in order to celebrate and bring a focus to the history and contributions that black people have made to the UK.

Black history is almost completely forgotten in most traditional history curriculums.

Here is a link to the Black History Month website: Black History Month

One of my favourite mediums of information is of course print & books.

I have been purchasing some books over lockdown and in the recent weeks. These books were recommended by many people that I follow on my blogs Instagram page.

They touch on the stories and injustices of black people and they are certainly eye opening.

I would particularly recommend ‘Just Mercy’ by Bryan Stevenson, (although this is focussed on the American Justice system it is still such an important read)

Amazon have a great Black History section that offers book suggestions for both adults and children.

These include:

•Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga •Black British History: New Perspectives, Edited by Hakim Adi •Black Poppies: Britain’s Black Community and the Great War by Stephen Bourne •Black, Listed by Jeffrey Boakye

& for children..

•Bedtime Inspirational Stories – 50 Black Leaders who Made History: Black History Book for Kids by L A Amber. •Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
•Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A by Arlisha Norwood. •Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation by Baroness Floella Benjamin.

I have also been listening to Podcasts on Spotify, a brilliant resource. There is a Black Lives Matter & Black History Now playlist.

This playlist is brilliant and I’m enjoying the ‘Inspirational Black Life Stories’ And the ‘BLAM UK: Black History Bites.’

I hope that you find this post helpful

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

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