So, here it is! The final instalment of my 2020 reading challenge, and the final quarter…
October, November, December
Let’s have a look at what I have read during this quarter…
Books I’ve read:
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owen
The Kindness Club at Mapleberry Lane: A Summer Suprise by Helen Rolfe
The Kindness Club at Mapleberry Lane: An Autumn Promise by Helen Rolfe
Coming home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
New beginnings at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
Hopeful hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine
The Midnight Library is one of my favourite books that I have read this year. Its fantastic and I have recommended it to so many people already.
It’s so thought provoking and interesting, but gripping too.
I can’t recommend it enough
Alot of these were a similar type of book this quarter, easy readers. These are some of my favourite types of books, cosy, romantic, lovely and easy to pick up and get through, so I was super pleased to discover the Glendale series in particular.
I didn’t get through as many of my festive reads as I would have liked but I have one more on the cards for January, I recieved it as a gift for Christmas, from my sister.
It’s called ‘Finding Love at the Christmas Market’ by Jo thomas.
I haven’t quite decided how my reading challenge will take shape this year yet… maybe I will continue with the quarterly updates or I may go back to a monthly update, either way, keep your eyes peeled for that!
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!
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
π Some β’ of β’ my β’ favourites π
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)
β On β’ my β’ TBR β’ list π
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
π π» Current β’ Festive β’ Read π
Hopefully Hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
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.
As I have said many times, Autumn/Winter are my favourite seasons!
I know its chilly but hey, its England, we were made for this weather.
Plus, it’s so pretty π
Theres nothing like a crisp autumn walk, frosty, leaves crunching under foot, trees fire bright against a pale sky, wrapped up in cosy jumpers, a hot beverage in hand.
Now tell me that isn’t a delight!?!
Here are some of the ways I’ve been enjoying the Autumn so far!
β’ P U M P K I N β’ P I C K I N G β’
Me, my sister and my nephews had a great time pumpkin picking, at a local patch π
We went early Oct to get the most out of our Pumpkins.
I’ve used them to dot around the lounge to create a cosy, autumn vibe. Some will of course be carved on Halloween.
β’ A U T U M N β’ W A L K S β’
I definitely have a new appreciation for walks since the lockdowns and the pandemic in general.
Theres alot of enjoyment to be had in the fresh air, amongst the trees and pretty plants. I loved our sunny summer walks but in Autumn it’s an even more beautiful experience.
β’ C O S Y β’ R E A D S β’
…because I could read anywhere… but, theres nothing better than in my little reading corner, in autumn and winter, because it just feels even more cosy.
β’ H A L L O W E E N β’ F U N β’
I am a big horror film fan so I enjoy the spookiness of Halloween.
Lockdown no 2 was announced this Halloween (Horror!) So I wanted to make it even more fun, because if you can’t enjoy the little things, (even when stuck at home) during a global pandemic, when can you!?
Over the weekend I ended up watching eight different horror films!
β’Nightmare on Elm St (New) β’Friday the 13th β’ Psycho (New) β’Anabelle β’ Freddy Vs Jason β’Nightmare Before Christmas β’IT (The Original) β’Hocus Pocus
We like to carve a pumpkin each year, because its just some harmless seasonal fun, and since I had a few from our picking spree, I carved a few.
As well as the films and pumpkin carving, we also listened to some Halloween tuness (until the X-Files theme freaked me out π€£π±) we had Spooky, mummy sausages and jacket potatoes for dinner (because why should kids have all the fun) and Halloween Hot chocolates to round off the evening.
And a spot of Halloween Animal Crossing!
It was really good fun and it made us forget about the pandemic a bit, a fun weekend/evening spent together.
β’ P U M P K I N β’ C A R V I N G β’
Because you have to do one of these every year! Come on now.
‘Parry’ By me & Tim My slight fail, HP lightening scar and glasses attemptThis was really flippin’ hard π€£ Yes, I’m that cool.
… and yes I am indeed wearing a Bat onesie in this picture, my traditional Halloween costume/pumpkin carving outfit! π¦
Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me!
β’ A U T U M N β’ N A T U R E β’
β’ H U N T β’
As a fun little pre lockdown 2.0 activity with my nephews, we went on a Nature Hunt.
They love running about in the park and exploring and they enjoyed it even more than I thought they would (so did I!!)
β’ B A K I N G β’
I spent another lovely pre lockdown day with my niece π
What’s more cosy (and delicious) than baking!?!
We had a lovely time together β‘
Gotta love a Unicorn Cupcake π¦π§
& finally…
β’ B O N F I R E β’ N I G H T β’
Again, due to Lockdown (thanks Rona!) we won’t be seeing people for a bit, but its timing did coincide with Bonfire Night and so we resurrected a Byford tradition, and got together to celebrate.
Outside, wrapped up, enjoying other peoples fireworks, sparklers, s’mores, soup, jackets, bangers, log burners and catching up!
A great evening! We missed this tradition last year as there was alot going on, so it was great to do it again.
It’s been a little while (probably the Summer hols) since I’ve done a little ‘life’ update and I love capturing memories on here. I think I forget to use my blog this way sometimes when I get carried away sharing about my hobbies.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it!
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.
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:
β’Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga β’Black British History: New Perspectives, Edited by Hakim Adi β’Black Poppies: Britain’s Black Community and the Great War by Stephen Bourne β’Black, Listed by Jeffrey Boakye
& for children..
β’Bedtime Inspirational Stories – 50 Black Leaders who Made History: Black History Book for Kids by L A Amber. β’Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison β’Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A by Arlisha Norwood. β’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.’
πππ ππππ₯ ππππ§π & the Crime/Detective Books Series.
By Helen Phifer
I stumbled across Helen Phifers books whilst browsing on the Kindle app, on my phone. Now, I totally get the merits of a Kindle but I am defaintly team ‘Physical Book’. However, when I discovered her books I couldn’t resist and they were only available as a Kindle download. I was hooked immediatly and here I am, three separate, stand alone detective series later and I am still throroughly enjoying her books.
Heres a general review of her books as a whole. The most recent that I have read being ‘One Left Alive’
‘One Left Alive’ is part of her newest series ‘Detective Morgan Brookes Series’. Her books are Crime and Thriller Novels and its no suprise that they are bestselling.
They are gripping from the get go. The horrific murder/s that gets the ball rolling, in the beginning of the book, will both horrify and intrigue you in equal measure. You will have to find out what has happened and you won’t put the book down until you do. If, like me, you are a horror fan then Helen’s books will be right up your street. There are always moments of pure, on the edge, ‘oh my god, I don’t want to read on but I must’ moments that will keep you hungrily reading until the end. (They are not for the squeamish readers amoung us!)
The characters are so relatable and are ‘normal’ people, and even with the strong police element, they and the storylines, aren’t overly complicated. Its quite fascinating to look into the police process. I love police dramas on TV, such as Line of Duty, and its almost like reading a episode. And as I said, the investigation is easy to follow, but it always keeps you on your toes and is never predictable.
With regard to the characters, I like how you are following ‘the story’ but also their story too. You are always rooting for them to succeed both professionally and personally.
As soon as I read and finish one I always want more, so thank goodness there are a few in each series. The second book of this series is in preorder already.
I was genuinely gutted when I got to the last book in her ‘Annie Graham’ series. Gutted.
I hope you liked this review! I am going to try and do a review for each different genre that I read.
I recently reviewed the childrens fantasy series ‘The Land of Stories’ by Chris Colfer, (any Disney lovers young and old will love this series) So, check that review out here.
As always any book recommendations are ALWAYS welcome.
Here is the penultimate quarter of my reading challenge for 2020.
July, August, September
And in a honesty it hasn’t been a very impressive one. I’ve found myself quite busy and unable to focus, as well as I would like, on my reading, which is a bit annoying.
But, none the less, here we are!
Lets have a look at what I have read during this quarter…
Books I’ve read:
Just Mercy: A story of justice and redemption By Bryan Stevenson
Cuckoos Calling By Robert Galbraith
Roald Dahl‘s Book of Ghost Stories
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparkes
Sorry Not Sorry By Naya Rivera
This quarter was quite a mixed bag.
Just Mercy was more of an ‘educate myself’ book choice and that it has been.
The injustice of the American ‘justice’ system is abhorrent and it’s definatly an eye opener in terms of how easy some people have it and how some people have so much power just because of the race/family/country they are born in.
I have been meaning to read the Robert Galbraith books for a very long time and I just haven’t got round to it.
I am glad that I finally did because I really enjoyed it and I loved the characters especially.
I have read The Notebook several times but it is a Nicholas Sparks fave of mine and I just fancied going back to it. I read it in just over a day and it was great.
I have quite a few books ready and waiting for the final quarter and I want to make it a goodun’.
I’ve got a Christmas book blog post idea too!
Also, you can check out my Insta ‘RoseannesBlog’ as I post regularly on there too.
Roseanne Byford 