Happy New Year!
It’s the first day of 2024, and a brand new year that I hope will be full of books.
I finished 2023 by reading 97 books. At the start of the year, I set a small goal, and then increased it during the year as I read more books. I plan to do the same this year. For a full summary of what I’ve read, my GoodReads Year in Review is here.
Back to December. I admit to madly trying to finish one of the three books I had on the go last night, and I achieved that goal! I have an audiobook with about an hour of listening time left, and another one I’m about two thirds of the way through. As this week has been a quieter week, I also spent some time going through some of the picture books I had downloaded during the year and hadn’t had time to read and review.
Here is what I read during December:
- Little Shark Lulu is Asleep by Dr Charlotte Birkmanis, Josie Montano & Carla Hoffenberg – a lovely picture book I bought at a book launch a few months ago, and only just got the opportunity to read.
- Becoming Mrs Mulberry by Jackie French – I listened to this interesting story on audiobook. It’s one I’ve wanted to read for a while and it didn’t disappoint.
- Touched by Tinsel by Phillipa Nefri Clark – another book I’ve wanted to read for a while. I bought this earlier in the year & saved it to read in December. A fun RomCom set in an Australian Christmas.
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – I was recommended this book when looking for books featuring neurodivergent main characters. An enjoyable story.
- Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto – a YA story that I listened to on audiobook. This was a lot of fun.
- Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble by MC Beaton – When I downloaded this audiobook, I didn’t realise I had listened to it a number of years ago! This was a short story that was fun to listen to on Christmas day.
- Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert – this is another one recommended to me when looking for books featuring neurodivergent characters and another enjoyable read.
- Homeschool Rocks My Socks by Cyrena Shows – a fun picture book I had downloaded during the year that looks at life as a homeschooler.
- Molly Goes for a Walk by Claire Mahoney & Nandina Vines – another picture book I had downloaded that was a lovely story about an injured pet.
- Unmasking Millie by Millie Carr – a sweet story about a young girl being diagnosed with ADHD. This was quite simplistic, however it was good for a picture book.
- Forgetful Freddie by Manisha J Poudyal & Jonathon Klassen – a lovely picture book that shows sometimes people are just forgetful and to look at the fun side of this.
- Santa’s Wish: The Joy of Giving by Gaurav Bhatnagar – a lovely Christmas story.
- Homeschool PJ Time by Andrea Salzman, Lacy Salzman, and Amber Nicole West – another homeschool picture book that also has some great ideas for STEM lessons.
- One Last Time by Manisha J Poydyal – a sweet picture book about moving homes.
- Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella – a fun Christmas novel, that was the book I worked hard to finish last night!
The two books I didn’t finish are Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow and The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen on audiobook. I look forward to finishing these in January.
I hope you had a wonderful December and were able to read some great books too.
