A hugely enjoyable myth-busting history of Christmas, written and narrated by Bill Bryson. I spent a pleasant few hours listening to this while doing Christmassy things. 😍🎄😍

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Spreading a little thoughtful cheer with #MondayMoments 😊
It's a very gloomy, rainy, cold day here in Derbyshire. So I'm sending out my own smiley sunshine 🌞 with a check-in.
🌞How are you all?
🌞What have you been up to?
🌞How are you feeling?

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

My plan for tonight's #Hyggehour is to browse Amy Stewart's amazing "spirited toast to the marriage of botany and booze." While doing so, I shall be sipping a festive, sloe gin hot toddy. ??❄️?

What are your plans?

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

Join our #Hyggehour #Readathon tonight between 8 and 9pm. Grab your cosy books, blankets, snacks, and drinks for a peaceful reset.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

This has been a standout read of the year. I absolutely loved everything about it. The narrative is told alternately between Snow, the fox wife, and Bao, the private investigator looking for her. The setting is China at the end of Empress Cixi's reign, as modernity and Western culture start to infiltrate China.

It's heavily interlaced with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore.
Highly recommended 5⭐️

Hello #SaturdayChatterday

A check-in for all Littens to share your plans, recommendations, what's on your mind, etc.
All are welcome. ♥️☕️♥️

Play ☕️ Tag ☕️ Share

Tagging all #MidwinterSolace folks 💙❄️💙 @Faranae @Deblovestoread @TheBookHippie @Marmie7 @Julsmarshall @PaperbackPirate @dabbe @quietjenn @Charityann @peaKnit @Librarybelle @Read4life @BarkingMadRead @TheAromaofBooks @Sarahreadstoomuch @Cazxxx @wanderinglynn @Soscha @Lizpixie

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

#Fridaynightshare Week 2 - Non-fiction- Winter

I had to choose The Library of Ice (despite choosing it last year 😅), as it had such an impact on me. It is a glorious homage to landscapes we must protect.
https://www.nancycampbell.co.uk/books/the-library-of-ice

MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Woohoo, it's Friday which can only mean it's time for #FridayNightShare 😊 Each week will have a different theme, alternating between a fiction and non-fiction read. Get recommending your favourite reads.
Week 1 theme - Non-fiction - Winter 💙❄️💙

Let's get stacking 📚
#Justforfun

@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

#VirginiaBloomsberries

Here, we have our reading list for 2025. It's a good mix of her novels, short stories, esays, and biography. I'll tag them all in the comments for your perusal.

I can't wait to delve deeper into the world of Virginia Woolf. 📚📚📚

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

@LitsyEvents

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Activity - Week 2 - Favourite walks.
I'm so lucky to have this view from my garden. I use the field often, particularly when I have asthma flareup and can't walk for a long distance.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Activity - Where do you go for your walks? Share your photos of your favourite walks.

I love seeing these, so don't forget to tag us.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

I forgot to post my #10beforetheend stack. 😅
My 5 physical books pictured above plus 5 on Kindle
1) The Toymakers - Robert Dinsdale ✔️
2) Tagged - Reading
3) Murder on the Christmas Express- Alexandria Benedict ✔️
4) Father Christmas's Fake Beard - Terry Pratchett
5) The Mistletoe Murders - Nita Prose

@ChaoticMissAdventures

An enjoyable thriller with good characters. The isolated situation of a stranded train added to the tension nicely.
Book 3 is complete for my #10beforetheend
@ChaoticMissAdventures

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Every Wednesday, I will post an image, quote, or phrase, which will hopefully help you press pause, take a deep breath, and reset before going about your day.

Here's our #WednesdayWisdom 💙❄️💙

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

📷 https://www.instagram.com/toyoufromsteph?igsh=MWVtbnczdXhsY2RlZw==

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Can I have all three? 😅

📷 Lucy Clare Illustration
https://www.lucyclaireillustration.com/

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

My 2nd book selection for #10beforetheend is this amazing novel. Only 3 chapters in and I'm completely entranced. Disclaimer - it has nothing to do with foxes being my favourite mammal. 💙❄️🦊❄️💙

@ChaoticMissAdventures

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Spreading a little thoughtful cheer with brand new #MondayMoments 😊

🌞How are you all?
🌞What have you been up to?
🌞How are you feeling?

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

What am I reading? 😱
The Long Walk was written by Stephen King, aged 18, under the pen name Richard Bachman. It is absolutely horrifying.
#LosersClub @BarkingMadRead

Are you joining our communal #HyggeHourReadathon tonight?

All welcome to get comfy, cosy, and lost in the world of books. It's a great way to end the week. 📖🕯🫖🎧📚

I can't praise this enchanting tale too much. It has given me so much joy over the last few days. It was an absolute perfect winter read.

Get lost in the magical world of Papa Jack's Toy Emporium. You won't regret it.

Also ✔️ the prompt for London between the wars #BookedinTime @Cuilin @dabbe
Book 1 of #10beforetheend @ChaoticMissAdventures

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Calm Contemplation 2 - The Story of Magic

These questions are a wonderful pause to recognise your emotions, beliefs, and thoughts around Christmas.
⭐️ I loved magical stories as a child, still do.
⭐️ I'm in awe of magic but don't believe in it as such.
⭐️ Traditional stories & cultural influences
⭐️ No and no
⭐️ 10

A dreary day in the UK as we're battered by Storm Darragh. So it's time to batten down the hatches for a cosy day of staying warm, tea drinking, reading the tagged.
Having finished my reread of David Copperfield, I might have to watch The Personal History of David Copperfield. 🤞there's no power cut.

What are your plans?
#SaturdayChatterday

Hello #SaturdayChatterday

A check-in for all Littens to share your plans, recommendations, what's on your mind, etc.

All are welcome. ♥️☕️♥️

Play ☕️ Tag ☕️ Share

#LitSolace #MidwinterSolace

My #5JoysFriday this week

⭐️ A gorgeous, fruity Malbec to relax with 🍷
⭐️ The Litsy community 💙❄️💙 and an amazing response to the return of #MidwinterSolace
⭐️ Relaxing winter vibes 📖
⭐️ A lovely new Christmas scented candle 🕯
⭐️ The tree is up 🎄

@DebinHawaii

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

I like the Calm Contemplation sections throughout this book.
⭐️ I have fond memories of Nativity plays when my children were younger.
⭐️ I am an atheist, so faith plays no part in my Christmas or indeed life. However, the Story of Faith, carols, candles, and choirs all make me feel very nostalgic and Christmassy.

#MidwinterSolace

My choice for #MWS #FridayNightShare is a traditional reread of Charles Dickens Christmas Stories every December.
I also chose Eowyn Ivey's wonderful The Snow Child. It is set in the wilds of 1920s, Alaska. It revolves around a childless couple, Mabel and Jack. They build a snow child that comes to life, changing their lives.
It's a magical retelling of a Russian folktale, Snegurochka or The Snow Maiden. ❄️💙❄️

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Woohoo, it's Friday which can only mean #FridayNightShare is back. 😊 Each week will have a different theme, alternating between a fiction and non-fiction read. Get recommending your favourite reads.
Week 1 theme - Fiction - Winter 💙❄️💙

Let's get stacking 📚
#Justforfun

@Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie

Have you thought about your reading challenges for 2025 yet? Taking part or giving it a miss?
The Spirit of the Wild Moor has a challenge that might be a bit different. More on the wild side for all the #NaturaLitsy & #LitSolace folks.
https://www.wildmoorbooks.com/

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Activity - Create a mood board

I used to despise winter and the long dark nights. 5 years ago, I became very ill with brittle asthma, triggered by cold temperatures. I now have to spend most of the winter indoors to avoid flareups. Coming to terms with chronic, debilitating illness has been a task.
However, once I changed my mindset to focus on what I could do rather than couldn't, things began to improve.
⬇️

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Activity - Create a mood board to express your current mood or improve it with your favourite things.

I love seeing these, so don't forget to tag us.

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

#Bookhaul = HappyMe 😍

Maybe I need 2 lists for #10beforetheend
1 for fiction and 1 for non-fiction 😅

@ChaoticMissAdventures

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Every Wednesday, I will post an image, quote, or phrase, which will hopefully help you press pause, take a deep breath, and reset before going about your day.

Here's our first #WednesdayWisdom 💙❄️💙

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

📷 https://www.instagram.com/toyoufromsteph?igsh=MWVtbnczdXhsY2RlZw==

This looks fun 💙❄️💙

I'm going to join in #10beforetheend starting with the tagged. I'm going to choose Christmas/winter themed fiction for my 10 reads.

@ChaoticMissAdventures

#MidwinterSolace December #buddyread

Just on the premise of this authors note, I feel better already. 😌
Have you started it yet? 🕯📖☕️

Link to her free Christmas Care Package https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/course/cc/

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

A little guide to the upcoming #MidwinterSolace weekly events.
😍

My #20in4 was a great success. I finished both of these magnificent books and Antarctica by Claire Keegan. In total, I managed 23 chapters in 4 days.

It's great to see this lovely readathon back. Thank you for hosting @Andrew65

#NaturaLitsy

This is such a beautiful book. Mabey is a prosaic nature writer who extols the complexities of the botanical world and its impact on our art, history, literature, medicine, and science.
My favourite chapters were The Cult of Celebrity, Growing Together and particularly Chiaroscoro.
5 ⭐️

November was a very enjoyable reading month. Can you tell I was hiding from the real world? 🌎 😅

🙂 Full #BookspinBingo board @TheAromaofBooks
🙂 All 3 picks for #Roll100 @PuddleJumper
🙂 No bails
😍 Highlights - The Cabaret of Plants, Januaries, Cursed Britain, as always, David Copperfield. 😍
🫣 Lowlights - The mysteries of Udolpho- so wordy! Orbital - disappointing

#MidwinterSolace #LitSolace

Spreading a little thoughtful cheer with brand new #MondayMoments 😊
It's a very gloomy, rainy, cold day here in Derbyshire. So I'm sending out my own smiley sunshine 🌞 with a check-in.
🌞How are you all?
🌞What have you been up to?
🌞How are you feeling?

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

#NaturaLitsy December #buddyread

💙❄️ Oh, I like this mindfulness spin on a snowstorm ❄️💙

May be of interest to those taking part in #MidwinterSolace

https://litsy.com/p/ZVBTcUZRSmVv

I don't know what it is, but this is just not capturing my attention.
#Unpopularopinion #HailTheBail

My #HyggehourReadathon will be spent in Antarctica with Claire Keegan 🎧 while browsing old December issues for #MidwinterSolace inspiration, sipping festive tea to set the mood. 🫖

It should knock a few more chapters of my #20in4 goal. Only 5 more to hit my 20 chapters in 4 days. @Andrew65

What are your plans? 😌

I love this image so much. I think it encapsulates the mood of #LitSolace completely.
📷 Anetteprs Illustrations

So, #LitSolace is a tag I created to use as a connection with other Littens, using nature, mindfulness, Hygge, and the seasons using the wheel of the year.
It started with #MidwinterSolace in 2022 to help us through the winter nights in the runup to Midwinter Solstice. This extended to 2 months last year.

All welcome. X

Are you joining us for tonight's #HyggeHourReadathon 🕯📖 🕯

This event started at last year's #MidwinterSolace thought up by the wonderful @Chrissyreadit (Thank you so much x). It was so popular we decided to keep it going all year. It's a perfect way to reset before the start of another week.

Happy 1st December. Welcome to our 3rd #MidwinterSolace event. 💙❄️💙

Who's ready for 2 months of Hygge, mindfulness, good company, games, and of course, books to get us through the long winter nights? I know I am.

All are welcome to join us. The more the merrier. 💙❄️💙

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

@LitsyEvents @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

#NaturaLitsy

Welcome to the discussion thread for our November #buddyread for The Cabaret of Plants by Richard Mabey.
Did you enjoy the book?
Has it renewed your sense of awe and wonder at the plant kingdom?
Did you like the literary/artistic references throughout?
Did you have a particular favourite section or chapter?

Cont. ⬇️

#VirginiaBloomsberries

Well, November was a blur! How did you get on with our #buddyread
Modern Fiction was first published in 1919 as Modern Novels. It was later published in her collection of essays The Common Reader - Vol 1.

Did you agree with her push for a more subjective, less materialistic firm of storytelling?

Hello #SaturdayChatterday

A check-in for all Littens to share your plans, recommendations, what's on your mind, etc.
All are welcome. ♥️☕️♥️

Don't forget to Play ☕️ Tag ☕️ Share ☕️

@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @bookwyrm7 @kspenmoll @Bookwormjillk @Soscha @TheBacklist @dabbe @Cuilin @TheSpineView @Deblovestoread @DogMomIrene @DebinHawaii @MaleficentBookDragon @Catsandbooks @Sace @teresareads @Read4life @Librarybelle @PaperbackPirate

Oops, I made the graphic then forgot to post. Crazy day yesterday!
My #5JoysFriday include
1) This is a wonderful moment to stop and take measure of my week, so thank you @DebinHawaii
2) #NaturaLitsy Nov read is an absolute joy and is a new favourite.
3) Spectacular sunrises this week.
4) Excited for #MidwinterSolace
5) My beautiful mum, should have been her 76th birthday on Thursday. Gone for 21 years but never forgotten, always loved. ❤️

My final #BookspinBingo list for 2024. I have 7 #buddyreads to work through. I've left the rest pretty open for mood reading. It has been a very stressful year, and I want to finish it in a chilled mood. 🙃

I'm so looking forward to a relaxing family time, good food, good company, and obviously plenty of reading opportunities. ❄️📚 ❄️

@TheAromaofBooks