Hello Again, Bookish Friends!
It’s been a little while since my last post, but I promise I haven’t been idle. Between finishing up work for the year, festive gatherings, and sneaking moments to write behind the scenes, December has been a whirlwind. I’m allowed to finally sit down, catch my breath, and share everything I’ve been up to - and all the exciting material I’ve been working on. Not all that I will share on here. But I can say that my next Substack will be our Austria trip :)
Here’s a little of what’s been happening in my world. Like, literally, a snippet.
Work is madness!
As a teacher, November - December is crunch time. Final reports, endless paperwork, and ensuring my students end the year on a high note - it’s all rewarding, but wow, is it exhausting! In between late-night report writing, I’ve been trying to make a dent in my reading pile.
The temptation of “best books of the year” lists is real, but I’ve been taking a different approach: rereading old favourites. One book that’s been calling to me is Wuthering Heights. But I’ve been caught up in the new cast of the adaptation and I seriously have some thoughts. I am very conflicted with this cast, and I really hope and trust that Emerald knows what she is doing. This will make or break. But it did set off my passion to reread some older titles.
On a lighter note, I stumbled upon T2’s Tea and Classics collection while browsing for ways to unwind after work. Naturally, I couldn’t resist and found myself gleefully adding it to my trolley. Can we take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous it is? As a fan of A Christmas Carol, I was especially thrilled. Festive tea and classic literature - what more could you ask for?
All the festive flicks
Have we all been loving the Christmas movies on Netflix? How cute are they? I have, it’s been comforting me through this process. I’ve watched:
Our Little Secret: Starring Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding, this film follows childhood friends Avery and Logan as they reconnect after a decade, navigating the complexities of their pasts and present relationships.
Hot Frosty: Featuring Lacey Chabert, this quirky romance tells the story of a widow who brings a snowman to life, leading to unexpected adventures and heartfelt moments.
The Merry Gentlemen: With Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray, this film centres on a Broadway dancer who stages an all-male, Christmas-themed revue to save her parents’ small-town venue.
These films have been perfect companions during cozy nights in. In Aus, we spend our Christmas in the scorching sun, so it’s best to keep that aircon pumping if you can, pour a wine/beer or drink of your choice and indulge in all of the treats.
Have you seen it yet? Wicked ?
Speaking of stories that come to life, I recently saw Wicked, and it was every bit as magical as I’d hoped. I LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! I actually think I will see it again. It was so clever.
Naturally, it got me thinking about books that explore different perspectives, like Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. If you’ve never read it, it’s worth diving into for a richly imagined backstory that challenges what we think we know about Oz.
Back to film. So, I cried, I laughed, I gasped, I was absolutely amazed with how incredible this was. If you haven’t seen it, please do. In fact, here are 2 reviews that you might enjoy. Both sum up my thoughts pretty clearly.
A Bookish Christmas
It’s been quite the whirlwind in our bookish world lately! My book club hosted its own Secret Santa at the most delicious Mexican restaurant you could ever imagine - tacos, margaritas, and books, what more could you want? We also attended Bookworld Magazine’s Christmas Stealing Santa Party, which was an absolute hit! (Stay tuned - I have some very exciting news to share on that front, but you’ll have to wait a little longer.)
This festive season has been full of surprises, including some wonderful bookish finds. I finally got my hands on a copy of When the Moon Hatched, a book I’ve been eager to dive into, and Dubai Nights, a title I probably wouldn’t have picked for myself but am so intrigued to read.
With all these Christmas events in full swing, I’m absolutely soaking up the joy of the season - and, of course, making time for plenty of cozy reading moments.
Wrapping Up the Year
December is always a mix of endings and beginnings. While I’m reflecting on this year’s reads and experiences, I’m also looking forward to what’s next.
What about you?
Drop your thoughts in the comments - I’d love to hear about your December so far, what’s on your reading pile, or even your dream cast for a Wuthering Heights adaptation. Let’s chat books, holidays, and everything in between.
Until next time, I’ll be sipping my cranberry fizz, puzzling my way through the season, and dreaming of Hamilton Island’s warm sands.
Between now and then, enjoy this really lovely cocktail recipe that I found on TIKTOK:
Recipe:
According to TIKTOK, he used the following ingredients:
Ice cubes
Baileys
Vodka
Gingerbread syrup
Cream
Amaretto
She shook all the ingredients together. (As for the measurements, you might need to guess).
For the glass, she dipped the rim in caramel sauce and coated it with gingerbread crumbs.
Finally, she poured the drink into the prepared glass, topped it with whipped cream, sprinkled on what appeared to be cinnamon, and garnished it with a mini gingerbread cookie.
It looks absolutely delicious!