Welcome to the first Sunday/Monday Post of 2025. As usual, I will be linking up to:
Sunday Post
Sunday Salon
Stacking the Shelves
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?
As promised, I took a couple of weeks off from these posts (but not blog activity). Since my job was letting us work from home the week of Christmas and New Year's, I went to visit my family in Northern California the weekend before Christmas. I then worked the two days before Christmas and took the rest of that week off. It was great. That allowed me to join my parents and niece and nephew in sleeping around the Christmas tree one night. We went to look at Christmas lights one night. And I got to go to church with everyone twice. All of those things are things I would have missed out on if I had to drive up on Christmas Eve, which was the original plan.
The Sunday between Christmas and New Year's, I drove home, and I've been working from Southern California since then. New Year's Eve, the friends who host my monthly game day had a few people over. Yes, we played games. And we laughed. A lot. It was a fun night. New Year's Day, I stayed around the condo. Wasn't as productive as I should have been. And I haven't even thought about taking down decorations yet. But it's not Epiphany yet, so I've still got time, right? (Let's not point out that the 12th day of Christmas is Monday, okay?)
I think that about catches you up on my life. So let's get to it, shall we?
Recently on the Blog:
This Coming Week on the Blog:
Book Haul:
Up first is the non-mystery on the list. Interesting Fact for Curious Minds is a trivia book. I've taken a quick look at it and it looks like there is some fun and surprising information in there. I'm looking forward to seeing what all I'll learn from it. Of course, the real trick will be remembering it later.
Now, let's turn to the mysteries.
I got two books in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series from Sally Carpenter. I enjoyed the first book when I read it a couple of months ago, so I was happy to get books two and three, The Sinister Sitcom Caper and The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper.
I also got the next book I need in the Noodle Shop Mysteries from Vivien Chien. Egg Drop Dead is book five. I actually hadn't realized I was ready for book five. Of course, with book eleven coming out this spring, I still have a ways to go to catch up in the series.
I also got Running on Empty, the second Wine Country Cold Case book from Karin Fitz Sanford. I enjoyed the first when I read it last year, and it is set in a fictionalized version of my home town, so that's always fun.
Finally, there's the book I bought for myself. I had saved getting We Solve Murder by Richard Osman until Barnes and Noble had their hardcover sale after Christmas. I must admit, I've only read the first Thursday Murder Club book, but this is the first in a new series from him. I've got to catch up on his books at least a little this year.
What I'm Currently Reading:
With all these great new books, I'm currently reading...none of them. Okay, I did read one of them this past week, but I'm actually working on a book I've had for a couple of years now. Welcome Home to Murder is the first book from Rosalie Spielman. I've heard good things about the series, and I really enjoyed a couple short stories I read from her in 2024. I'm 20% into it as of my typing this, and I'm really enjoying it.
I think that's it from me for the week. Hope 2025 is off to a fantastic start for you. Have a great week!
We don't take down our decorations until epiphany either. I love the time with the decorations without the hassles associated with having to prepare for the holiday. Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a really nice holiday season this year. I took my tree down on Thursday but it didn’t have any ornaments on it anyway since I have cats.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I would enjoy the Richard Osman books. I still haven't gotten around to trying him, though!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you were able to spend time with your family and still get your work done. Fantastic!
I’m glad you were able to enjoy Christmas with your family, and New Year’s with friends
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Christmas haul
Wishing you a great reading week
Oh, you've got We Solve Murders to read, I really liked that one! Richard Osman's novels have all worked well for me and I am looking forward to the film/TV adaption of the first book.
ReplyDeleteYay for family time and some time off of work. We went to TN after Christmas and came home on New Year's Day (best day to travel, no traffic!). We got our Christmas decorations down and are dreading heading back to work tomorrow. Have a great week and enjoy your books.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it worked out for you to have such a nice Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to spend time with your family, I miss those times! I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to spend quality time with your family and friends. Sounds like the perfect way to spend the holidays. Welcome Home to Murder is on my TBR. Good to know you're enjoying it. Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteYour family Christmas time sounds so worth going for. I have never heard about a family sleeping around the tree one night. How special. I read We Solve Murders and enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I are older so we only have a 4 foot tree. Now don't laugh, we just pick it up and store it in the basement until next year, lol! We do have decor around the house we do have to pack up. It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday with your family, Mark.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a great time with family over the holidays. You got a nice assortment of books too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed We Solve Murders, and hope you do too. I like the idea of sleeping around the Christmas Tree one night, although if all 10 of us were here, it could get a bit crowded!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading in 2025!
Our Christmas tree was packed up as soon as we got home from our trip, mainly because we needed to sort through our decorations and get rid of the ones we don't want anymore. My husband is currently on a clean up everything mission and the Christmas decorations were top of his list!
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2025