For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn was an unexpected surprise for me. It's a booktok hype that actually worked. Find out why in my review.

While cleaning today, I found an old signed Bob Gould hockey card. I've had this since about 1990ish, when he was one of my teachers in school. Out of curiosity, I looked it up on eBay. It's value? About $2-10. Goes to show you that not all 'collectables' are worth much.

So, I'm working on sorting through that collection of old sci-fi books I rescued a few weeks back, and I'd say about 80% of the books are actually alien conspiracy theory books. Not quite what I was hoping for from the collection, but oh well, in the end, they didn't end up in the dump.

My favourite fantasy books aren’t always the epic ones. They’re the ones where magic smells like coffee and comfort ☕✨ New on Uptown Oracle: 5 Cosy Fantasy Reads for Darker Nights 🔥

Book Review: Edge of Darkness by Kyla Stone exploringallgenres.com/edge-of-dark... #booksky 📚💙

It's a chilly -20C/-4F today, and that is perfect for staying inside and reading all day long.

Nothing beats the feeling of a new pair of warm fuzzy slippers on the coldest day of the year. They have been sitting in my closet for the last few months just waiting for this day to come around.

I'm really tempted to start reading one of the books I got for Christmas. However, I have 3 library books that I need to read and return before the end of the month, so I have to prioritize those, then I can read something new.

I got spoiled! So many books (with more on the way due to late ordering - oops). Plus, my son got me some of my favorite snacks as well.

Merry Christmas, everyone! And for those who don't celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

🎄 Merry Christmas! Day 25 of the Kodansha Countdown! ✨ 🙏 Saint Young Men Vol. 1 Buddha and Jesus share an apartment in Tokyo, enjoying a hilarious, low-key vacation on Earth. ⏰ Ends 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/fv8F50XHbbs

As is the family tradition on Christmas Eve, we watched Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Am I finally getting around to designing new graphics for my blog in the second half of December, when I could have done it at ANY point earlier in the year? Yes. Has this been one of my main goals for 2025? Yes. Better (almost) late than never.

Wait, why does the weekly layout start on January 5th? How is that helpful?

Last year, I stopped using a planner and used a notebook instead to keep track of things. It worked fairly well, but I decided to go back to a planner for 2026.

It's snowing! I rarely get excited about snow anymore, but around Christmas, it's always exciting. Last year, we had a green Christmas, but this year we are getting a good amount of snow.

Day 24 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🎊 Celebrating 1 Year in Print! 🎊 🥊 Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Vol. 1 By Asao Takamori & Tetsuya Chiba Drifter Joe Yabuki fights to survive in juvenile detention, becoming a legendary boxer! ⏰ Ends 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/X06g50XH0pX

I didn't plan to leave the house today, and especially didn't plan to go to any stores. But then I remembered I had to pick up our Christmas turkey today. Thankfully, it was a quick in and out of the butcher, and now I can go into full holiday introvert mode.

Day 23 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🎴Chihayafuru Vol. 1🎴 By Yuki Suetsugu 💮 Chihaya meets Arata and discovers her talent for competitive karuta, sparking a dramatic coming-of-age story! ⏰ Ends 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/EIUm50XG1JV

🌶️💙📚 The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts ⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes and no. As Hester’s patience wanes with Sonya’s continued presence in the manor (and vice versa), it becomes even more imperative to find a way to break the curse. hookedbythatbook.com/review-the-s...

A Few Scattered Thoughts on My Latest Reading of The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis irresponsiblereader.com/2025/12/22/a...

New "Let's Study Japanese Through Shoujo Manga" post on my blog!! In this post, I break down the vocabulary and grammar from one of the Christmas scenes in 花野井くんと恋の病 canadianaujapan.ca/2025/12/17/j...

Book Review: Death Comes At Christmas by Marie O'Regan & Paul Kane exploringallgenres.com/death-comes-... #booksky 📚💙

Getting an email thanking me for downloading and reading an ARC, but after looking into it, I was declined in that ARC request, so I don't know why they are reminding me to share my review of the book. It's probably an error on their end, but still a bit weird.

Day 22 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 💫 In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 1 By Mika Yamamori Yoi, a girl known as her school’s “prince,” meets the other prince, Ichimura-sempai—who sees her for who she really is. ⏰ Grab it before 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/epPE50XFOei

I have spent the vast majority of the day in the kitchen. Between the 8 dozen gingerbread cookies, 1 pack of Pilsbury snowmen cookies, and a loaf of bread, it's been a busy and warm day. I have an hour break, and then it's back to the kitchen to cook dinner.

Day 21 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🐾 Heaven’s Design Team Vol. 1 🐾 By Hebi-Zou, Tarako and Tsuta Suzuki ✨ Designers in heaven create animals daily. An informative manga for your next zoo trip! ⏰ You have until 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST to grab your Vol. 1. Visit: https://ow.ly/6yVA50XLyWW

For family movie night, we watched The Grapes of Wrath. It seemed like a fitting choice given we had been doing a week of Depression meals, so might as well watch a movie set during the Depression.

For our final Depression-era dinner of the week, we had Hoover Stew. I did modify it slightly, using canned corn instead of canned beans. It was good.

Day 20 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🍵 Matcha Made in Heaven Vol. 1 🍵 By Umebachi Yamanaka Chako returns to her childhood home and impulsively claims a mysterious new housemate is her husband to ward off her stalker ex-fiancé. ⏰ Grab it before 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/rrMF50XLyM3

Review: Safe Haven at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover @harlequinaus #read #book #review #bookreview #fiction #romance #ruralromance #AussieAuthor #SafeHavenatWagtailRidge #WagtailRidge bookdout.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/r...

Tonight's Depression-era dinner was corned beef hash, which I completely forgot to take a picture of. It was fine.

Made me happy! If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia @julieoliviaauthor #BlairYoung @emilyeidenvo @maybealexraby @seanpatrickhopkins @prhaudio @prhaudio.bsky.social #IfItMakesYouHappy #BookSky #2025AudiobookChallenge #LibraryLoveChallenge

I realize I haven't watched a single Christmas movie so far this month. I am going to need to fix that ASAP.

Day 19 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 ⛸️ Medalist Vol. 1 ⛸️ By TSURUMAIKADA ✨Eleven-year-old Inori dreams of figure skating, and with the help of coach Tsukasa, she’s ready to chase the impossible. ⏰ Available until 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST https://ow.ly/9Lpk50XLyvz

Spent the morning getting groceries, walking and playing with the dog, cleaning around the house, and a bit of late Christmas decorating. Time to grab a bite to eat, and then the rest of the day will be spent listening to my library loan audiobooks that need to be returned early next week.

Book Review: The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans exploringallgenres.com/gingerbread-... #booksky 🎄🌶️📚💙

Tonight's Depression-era meal is Baked Sausage with Noodles, a Canadian dish from 1933 created by the Maple Leaf Meats company. This was tasty and super filling.

Well, so much for my new headset. I think I got a defective unit. It has a buzzing sound, and only one ear works.

Thankfully, I was able to find a reasonably priced headset at the store. I just need to wait for it to charge, and then I can get back to listening to all these audiobooks.

My computer's headset would fully die when I have 3 audiobooks to get through in the next 4 days. I guess I need to run to the store and quickly find a replacement so I can finish these books.

Day 18 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🔮 Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 1 🔮 By Kamome Shirahama ✨ Coco dreams of becoming a witch—and when she stumbles into the world of spellcraft, her magical journey begins. ⏰ Grab it before 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/HbqG50XCcOV

No new Depression-era meal tonight. We had leftovers from the previous two nights, so that's what we ate.

Ok, I fixed my "mistake" and ordered the books hubby expected me to order weeks ago. The only downside is, they aren't expected to arrive until mid-late January. So I guess my Christmas present will be broken up into two gifts across two months.

Day 17 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 👊 WIND BREAKER Vol. 1 👊 By Satoru Nii Haruka Sakura only cares about strength. At Furin High, where brawlers defend their town, he’s here to fight his way to the top! ⏰ Grab it before 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/UG6l50XCb6r

Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins #SunriseOnTheReaping #bookreview #books #bookblog #bookblogger 💙📚 #booksky #reading #TheHungerGames

Me, two weeks ago: I see you haven't wrapped my present. Hubby: Yup. Me, joking: If you don't soon, I'll order more books & sneak them in the box. H: Ok. Guys, he wasn't joking! The present is still unwrapped because he's waiting for those books that I was supposed to order as extras!

Day 16 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 🥷 Ninja vs Gokudo Vol. 1 🥷 By Shinsuke Kondo ⚔️ Ninjas and yakuza have fought for centuries. In modern Japan, ninja Shinoha meets yakuza Kiwami—can their unlikely bond end a 300-year grudge? ⏰ Grab it before 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://ow.ly/tVCh50XJJeJ

Tonight's Depression-era dinner was slug burgers. No, they do not contain slugs. They are called that because they cost a nickel, and fake nickels were known as slugs. Great crunch, decent flavor, and very filling.

Day 15 of the Kodansha Countdown! 🎉 ❤️ MARS Vol. 1 ❤️ By Fuyumi Soryo 🌊 Kira, a gifted artist, and Rei, a troubled motorcyclist, are drawn together by fate—but can their love survive past scars? ⏰ Grab it by 11:59 pm PST / 2:59 am EST: https://kodansha.us/product/mars-1/