So, January went by in a blur and also felt entirely endless. It’s been a little quiet at The Novel Cauldron lately. Toodles, my seventeen-year-old toy-poodle, passed away on January 25. She was safe and snuggled at home, surrounded by the people she loved.
We’ve been full of grief and entirely overwhelmed by gratitude. Toodles was such a sweet, shy, and special little floof and she will be missed and kept safe in our hearts always. She loved snuggles, sweaters, and carbs so I highly encourage you to indulge in these simple pleasures this week and give a gentle pat or special treat to your precious pets.
Reading Update
I’m honestly not quite sure how I managed it, but somehow I read thirteen books this month? But to keep things simple, here are my top five reads for January:
Three Star Reads
The Gilded Web by Mary Balogh
The Pearl by Tiffany Reisz
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Highland Defender by Kathryn Le Veque
The Listening Path: The Art of Creative Attention by Julia Cameron
Four Star Reads
Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green
Once Upon A Dream by Sierra Simone
The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
In Love & Pajamas: A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together by Catana Chetwynd
Five Star Reads
American Queen by Sierra Simone
It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Imbolc: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Brigid’s Day by Llewllyn’s Sabbat Essentials
Not too bad. I was shocked it was so many book.
I had good intentions to stick to read-a-longs and keep up with buddy reads, but I discovered I boarded the Mood Read Express.
No regrets.
I think I’m going to continue riding that train this year.
Are you sticking to your TBRs or do you have a seat on the Mood Read Express with me?
Glad to be back to writing again and here’s to a fresh February. Happy reading, friends!
