Oh my, it's the end of year onslaught of book lists. Yay!! 😍
Five books have released a comprehensive list that I'm still trawling through.
Do you agree with their picks?
What are your end of year recommendations?

The Best Books of 2025 - Five Books Expert Recommendations https://share.google/x2fhSyP2HJVjS77iI

#MidwinterSolace #MWS

Get gone, Stephen 👋

What idiot starts decorating their kitchen weeks before Christmas? 😅🫣
I'm about to start Natalie Haynes new book. I noticed on the author info that she has a radio show, Stand Up for the Classics.

I've been listening to her hilarious and fascinating take on the clasics. I love it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b040hjy4?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

#MidwinterSolace #MWS #LitSolace

Be kind to yourself. If you struggle with the winter months, I can not recommend the tagged enough. ❄️

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

I'm using my #libraryhaul for my Dec 1-7th selection.
#SnowyDecemberReadathon @LiseWorks

My choice for #BookedinTime December #buddyread is Julian Barnes (2019), The Man in the Red Coat. This follows renowned surgeon Samuel Pozzi through Paris in the late 19th century and early 20th century, highlighting the free flowing ideas of science, philosophy, and culture.

Pozzi, Samuel Jean (1846 - 1918) https://share.google/SUTIezRIc1NQSHFmG

Prompt - Parisian Belle Epoque

@Cuilin

Our 1st #MWS motivational reminder to do less, especially in this crazy season. Don't forget to press pause when you need it. Deep breath, and on you go. ❄️❤️❄️

#MidwinterSolace

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

I've been forgetting to post my #BookspinBingo lists lately. 😅

Here's my December list. I have a multitude of christmas or winter books to choose from, so I'll go with mood reading for this month.

I have buddyreads for #NaturaLitsy #VirginiaBloomsberries #BookedInTime #SheSaid #AAM #LosersClub #HashtagBrigade #QueerBC 📚

Starting with the tagged. 🙂

@TheAromaofBooks @Cuilin @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Soubhiville @BarkingMadRead @PuddleJumper

#MidwinterSolace folks

Here is the #NaturaLitsy December #buddyread if you would like to join us. It's a short book by Alexandre Antonelli (2022), the Director of Science at Royal Botanical Gardens. He uses current research and inspiring stories to explore the natural world and the importance of biodiversity to all of us.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

All welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

#MWS #LitSolace

Well, would you look at that. It's our 4th #MidwinterSolace event. I can't believe it.

I hope you're looking forward to six weeks of fun and support through the darker months. I'm sorry I had to cut it a little short this year. However, @TheBookHippie will be continuing the daily posts up to the end of January.

I can't wait to catch up with you all.

@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

Cont. ⬇️

It's not long until our weekly #HyggeHour readathon.
Are you joining us for a cosy, comfy, communal read?

All are welcome to join in.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

#VirginiaBloomsberries

November's #buddyread discussion thread.

✒️ Do you enjoy Virginia Woolf's writing style in her essays?

✒️ Did you agree or disagree with her?

✒️ Did you have a favourite quote from either essay?

✒️ What are her main points in her discussions?

#NaturaLitsy November #buddyread discussion thread.

🌍 Did you manage to read it?

🌎 How does Ghosh's non-fiction writing compare to his fiction works?

🌍 Did you enjoy the book?

🌎 Did you learn or discover anything new?

All welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

Up next - The Hidden Universe (tagged in comments).

The final #buddyread of 2025 is Alexandre Antonelli's (2022) The Hidden Universe - Adventures in Biodiversity. It is a brief insight into the importance of biodiversity, told through inspirational stories and current research.

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

Our final read of the year for #VirginiaBloomsberries is considered her most experimental work. The Waves was published in 1931. It records the individual accounts of six children of their lives and friendship from childhood to adulthood. VW uses the third-person narrative to show their point of view.

I'll be posting the reads for 2026 soon.

All are welcome. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

How are you all?
Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞 Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all Littens celebrating. 🦃

My constant companion for #HyggeHour readathon. Although I've never had his furry beans in my face before. 🐾
I had a very relaxing hour, listening to the tagged and sipping a delicious winter spiced tea.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit
#CatsofLitsy

It's coming up to our favourite time of the week. 😊
Are you joining us for #HyggeHour tonight? What are you planning on reading?

All welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

Hi, 👋

How are you all?

Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞

❄️ #MidwinterSolace is returning ❄️

My apologies for the short notice. The last few months have been a bit crap. I'm really looking forward to building up to holiday season and into the new year with you.

I'm not going to run a #MWS #buddyread this year. See comments for more info. ⬇️

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @LitsyEvents

I'm getting ready for my favourite hour of the week. Are you joining in #HyggeHour readathon?

I'll be cosying up with The Haunted Wood and a Baileys hot chocolate. 🔥

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

My first ⭐️ for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge

An excellent adaptation from Audible with an all-star cast.
#FamousLeadDetective #HerculePoirot

@Ruthiella @RaeLovesToRead

Let's go with #NaturaLitsy 2026 🎆

Here's our monthly #buddyread list. Here's hoping you like it. Thank you for all your recommendations

This group is for you if you love nature and nature writing. All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

Hi, 👋

Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞

I love #HiddenBooks game. I managed to do this one in 3 hours with only a few tantrums this year.

Have a go. It can get frustrating, but it is fun.

Find the book titles with National Book Tokens' Hidden Books Game https://share.google/0wE19ZlPNiBmqKXY0

It's that time of the month again. What are your goals for November's #NetGalleyGroup readathon?

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@Litsyevents

I haven't forgotten #StorySpins 📖
Please complete the Google form if you would like to contribute to the planning of the group reads.
https://forms.gle/QLAuJaXHhjjNTXCk6

Anyone is welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

@Ruthiella and @RaeLovesToRead are hosting a fun Christmas challenge.

I'm absolutely all in for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge 🎄🗡🎄

Now, to get plotting! My tbr list, that is, not actual murder. 🖤😅🖤

FYI - Kindle has good deals on Christmas murder mysteries atm.

Original post - https://litsy.com/p/Qlh4VTBtRzhi

The ginger one is always ready for #HyggeHour 😍
It's as much a part of his routine as mine.

#CatsofLitsy

Do you need a relaxing reset before a new week starts?
Join us for an hour's communal read between 8-9pm (your time) for #HyggeHour #Readathon
Get cosy and relax. 😌
@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

Hi, 👋

A late posting today. I've been busy, busy, busy.
Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞

#VirginiaBloomsberries

My apologies. I forgot to post November's read.

Our November read is VW's 1929 extended essay on the writing, creativity, and the need for women to have financial freedom and self-determination.
Three guineas is her essay on gender differences and inequalities.

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@Litsyevents

#NaturaLitsy

My apologies. I forgot to post November's read.

Amitav Ghosh looks at the impact of climate change in his 2016 non-fiction book, The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable. He focuses on the influence of culture, history, and politics on environmental issues and how these relate to colonialism.

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

@LitsyEvents

I thoroughly enjoyed these funny short-story retellings of fairy tales. All the girls in these stories are capable, strong, and bloody brilliant. It's a great collection.
https://share.google/gga3syUidNRyWRuWU

One for #StorySpins in 2026? 🤔

I adore reading the glut of retellings of myth, legends, fairytale, and folklore.

Would anyone be interested in joining a new reading group to do this together? I've called it #StorySpins for now.

I'm still planning out a way to do it. However, it will definitely be a relaxed challenge around a monthly theme. Short stories would count, too.

Let me know if you're interested, and I'll keep planning.

@LitsyEvents

When your daughter makes you cry as her first ink is a dedication to me. It is stunning and really suits her.

My favourite bee is the red-tailed bumblebee as it's one of the first signs of spring. Debra means bee.
I'm so honoured and teary. My beasties are my world.

Debra : Meaning and Origin of First Name | Search Family History on Ancestry®. https://share.google/J0EASVzyLr2v9RE7s

It's my favourite time of the week. I love this regular reset and how habitual and comforting it is.

Do you need a relaxing reset before a new week starts?
Join us for an hour's communal read between 8-9pm (your time) for #HyggeHour #Readathon
Get cosy and relax. 😌
@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

Hi, 👋
My apologies for my absence over the last few weeks. How are you all?
Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞

Thank you so much for hosting this brilliant event #HauntedShelf
It is by far my favourite of the year. @Puddlejumper @CSeydel

Here's my total tally of 6137 points for Team #GrimReaders

Same time next year? 🖤☠️🖤

#HauntedShelf #GrimReaders

Only 4 away from a full board for #AfterDarkBingo

I'll tag the books I read in the comments.

@PuddleJumper @CSeydel

#HauntedShelf #GrimReaders

A full board for #FallReading
Lots of pumpkin based snacks and drinks were consumed 🖤🎃🖤😋 #TeamPumpkin

🎬 The Little Stranger (2018)

I'll tag the books I read in the comments.

@PuddleJumper @CSeydel

#HauntedShelf Team #GrimReaders

A full bingo board for #NaturaLitsy #SpookySpots 🖤🦇🖤

I'll tag the books I read in the comments.
@PuddleJumper @CSeydel

Happy Samhain 🖤🎃🖤

Wishing you all a blessed day in whichever way you celebrate.

Sharing this amazing artist @Swanbones
Go check out her Insta page. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBG0-kCuyhT/?igsh=dnhma3g1cDlrcjUw

#NetGalleyGroup #NGG #ARCs

I hope you did better than me this weekend. 😕
I did manage to write 5 reviews, but I still need to post them.

How did you do?

I'm still wrapping my head around how good this book truly is before writing a review. For context, I read it in 6 days, 1040 pages. My daughter introduced me to Avendell art, who has created magnificent illustrations for #Alchemised
⚠️ Warning - don't look until you've finished it or don't mind spoilers. ⚠️

It's appalling that these weren't published in the book.

https://www.instagram.com/avendellart?igsh=MXgyM2xzd2Y3aTZoaw==

#HauntedShelf Points check-in.

@Puddlejumper @CSeydel Here's my total points for team #GrimReaders ☠️
I managed to finish the tagged last night, which banked 35 hours of reading time alone. It's a strong contender for my book of the year. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Do you need a relaxing reset before a new week starts?
Join us for an hour's communal read between 8-9pm (your time) for #HyggeHour #Readathon
Get cosy and relax. 😌
@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

Hi, 👋

Grab a ☕️ and join in the #Chatterday chitchat.

All are welcome to join in. No topics are off the table. This is a safe place to share your thoughts, feelings, plans, and experiences. Just as you would with a friend in the real world.

Wishing you all a fab weekend. 🌞

#NetGalleyGroup

It's time for another monthly catch-up with those lovely #ARCs for October's #NGG #Readathon 😊 Didn't it come around quickly?

This is dark and not for the fainthearted. To be fair, it does come with a warning in the title pages. 😱