December was a great month for reading this year. I have high hopes for January - lots of good reasons to sit in with a book 📚☕

Photo of a book, propped open on a sofa

I (mostly) go to book clubs of my own free will. However, I have hit a bit of a humbug mood and just want to read a book that I pick and bloody enjoy. So I am re-reading Europe in Autumn by Dave Hutchinson. I may re-read all of them, haven't decided yet.

@staggerlee42.bsky.social is not 😂 But me and my daughter love loudly & he just has to struggle through. I thought the tour was spectacular (on film, I'm not Rockefeller). It was only doing my 'research' for the tour that I started listening to her (being a bit more alternative in her early days).

I'd give that a listen 🤣

We love some sparkle in this house 😍 And not outrageously priced for once -thank goodness for a shorter album 😂

September's reading round up. It upsets me ever so slightly that it's not symmetrical.
The Seishi Yokomizo was two shorter stories.
Mick Herron does modern spy-thriller well.
Now 'racing' my son on The Lord of the Rings. Sadly for him, I love it with nerdy passion and am now hurtling through it.

Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album on top of a fluffy blanket

No complaints about it in our house today. Poppy and I had a listen this morning, with thoughts, before this shiny number arrived after lunch. Definitely a change in sound and vibe, certainly plenty of great lyrics, and back to pop beats. Improved on second listen 👍

Just finished two interesting days at a public administration conference, which is almost a vacation from work. Sort of. In that, a change is as good as a rest 😂. Now waiting for the other half, tucked up out of the rain, having almost certainly bought a book we already own to pass the time 😬😆

That looks 😍

The Best Potato Soup The Best Potato Soup...a thick , creamy, hearty soup that's absolutely delicious! This is a very satisfying dinner loaded with potatoes, bacon and kale.

One of my favourites - properly comforting and all fairly standard, available ingredients 🥣🍂 bunnyswarmoven.net/the-best-pot...

July was also ace for books #books #reading

My August reading round up - pretty good month for books I really enjoyed. I see I haven't rated the Rankin but I always LOVE them. They're one of my comfort books (I know, terrible crimes happen in them - what can I say 🤷) but they're like read in two days every damn time! #books #reading

White bowl containing soup with buttered scones on the side

I have loved summer but I'm pretty ready for autumn - warm drinks, dark nights, books and comforting food 🧡. 'Manifesting' those vibes today, as fellow kids do, with homemade soup and scones - up since 5.30am because school rugby coaches hate parents 😂

Wait, forgot the turmeric!! I have used both a teaspoon sort of sized sprinkle of ground turmeric (because that's what I had) but also a bit of fresh stuff from the grocer (just peeled like ginger and thrown in).

red chilli, just cut up the middle and left in one piece; crushed clove of garlic. All whacked in a pan and simmered for 45 minutes. I strain after because I don't like bits. From a TV doctor's Instagram post.

It is, in fairness, easy enough if you have a reasonable store cupboard. Spicy, warming and apparently full of anti-inflammatory, anti-viral properties. Stock (used stock pots, chicken and veg both worked fine); bit of peeled ginger; half an onion; 3 cloves; TSP black peppercorns; star anise;

@translinknisupport.bsky.social What's happening on the 6a route into Belfast? Looks very much like I am going to miss my son's rugby awards dinner...Been waiting for about 30 minutes.

Collage of six book covers from March.

Round up of March's reading. Top pick is Lost in the Garden, although it was a good month!

Photo of two books.

Recently finished The Visitor by Maeve Brennan. In the interests of balance, have moved onto Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett. Partly because I read a policy article drawing parallels between some policymakers and witches, which tickled me.

February's book round up. Really enjoyed the Janina Ramirez - accessible and enjoyable style. I have Femina somewhere and I'm looking forward to reading it soon(ish)

Picture of an orange clothbound book titled The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges on a table beside a half pint of beer

Waiting for the Notorious POP at youth club. Lost for a good reading nook so making do with this. Now reading Jorge Luis Borges, The Library of Babel for bookclub. I do not know if it's me but think @staggerlee42.bsky.social probably would like it

Graphics of three book covers and a breakdown of reading data. 100% fiction; 60/40 split of print to digital; categories included were literary, crime, contemporary, mystery and historical.

Well, this is new. Wrap up of my books from January, which turned out a little slow - being January, cold, busy and better for hibernation. Top recommendation would be The Great Believers - really great book.

Imagine it simultaneously going off for 20 people. Then again a couple of minutes later 😦

Made for a vaguely surreal bus moment...eh, what's that noise? Who is that noise? Why is it going off in waves?

Indeed, I'm seeing a lot of overlap here 😄

My daughter loves his stuff.

For the panettone @staggerlee42.bsky.social ?

🤣

Picture of book cover

Last minute effort to manage the book for book club, so just starting this - Vladivostok Circus by Elisa Shua Dusapin #nowreading

Nightmare! That'll be a ball ache...