This week

I'm reading

It's been a bit of an odd reading week! 

I finished Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh which was a lot of fun and which I reviewed here.

After that, I pretty much hit a reading wall. I think it is because I don't have any more due dates for blog tours etc so I looked at the 50 books or so that are at the top of the various folders (amongst the thousand or so that I have on there) and couldn't decide which book was next up.

It turns out though, that a delayed flight and three hours sitting at an airport, can help with that. I read Best Wishes From the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, which is the second book in the Full Moon Coffee Shop series and is set at Christmas.

I then quickly read the epilogue to Helen Rolfe's Best Days of Our Lives which was lovely. 

On the way home I read The War Time Book Club by Kate Thompson. I have had a couple of her books on my TBR pile for a long time and I have to say I am wondering why I waited so long!

I'm watching

I haven't watched my normal number of Christmas movies yet this year and I can't see that changing this week which is a shame. I did watch Tinsel Town which stars Keifer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson as well as a few familiar British actors. It is about a washed up American action star who ends up in a small town doing pantomime. It was a bit of fun but if I was given away prizes, the prize for worst Yorkshire accent goes to Rebel Wilson. Here's the trailer

We did go to the movies to see a delightful documentary called The Golden Spurtle. It is all about the World Porridge Making Championships which is held in a small Scottish town of Carrbridge each year. You would think that a movie about porridge might be a bit stodgy but it was a lot of fun! We bought a spurtle when we were in Scotland but we haven't used it yet. Here's the trailer

We watched the first episode of the second series of A Man on the Inside with Ted Danson. We really enjoyed the first series and I hope to watch more this week!

Life

We did a quick trip up to Brisbane this weekend to do Christmas with the kids before they start travelling to their Christmas destinations!

We had dinner at a lovely restaurant and then we went to the beach with Nala, the golden retriever who used to live with us! Oh, and the kids and their partners!

Posts from the last week

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in Snowy Places
Blog Tour: Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh
Weekend Cooking: Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: November statistics





I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date, Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and the Good Book and a Cup of Tea link up hosted at Boondock Ramblings

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: November stats

Before I get started with this month's statistics, I wanted to mention that I have announced the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge for 2026! You can find all the details in this post. If you love historical fiction and reading challenges, I hope you will join us!

Now, onto the November statistics

Every month I share some of the statistics related to the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. I find it interesting to see what are the books that people are reading and reviewing!

In terms of the books read in November, there were 42 reviews linked up for the challenge, shared by 16 participants. There were 39 individual titles reviewed, written by 38 different authors, There were 3 reviewers who reviewed 2 or more books each. Thank you to everyone who shared their links whether it be 8 or just 1.

So which books were reviewed more than once? There were three.

The first book Murder at Cottonwood Creek by Clara McKenna which was reviewed by Mark at Carstairs Considers and Laura from Laura's Reviews. This is the seventh book in the Stella and Lyndy series set at the beginning of the 20th century.

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood is the second book to have been reviewed more than once this month. Actually, I should say that it is a novella which was listed for the Booker Prize. It was reviewed by Kay at What Me Read and Davida from Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog. 

The final book to mention this month is The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard. This sounds like a really fun read. It was reviewed by Laura from Laura's Review and Margaret at Books Please. 

Agatha Christie makes a comeback this month with Shellie from Shellie Loves Books reviewing both Cat Among the Pigeons and They Came to Baghdad.

Next month I will be back with both the statistics for December and for the whole of 2025! I have had a bit of a sneak peek and as at now there are 2 books that are tied for the honour of being reviewed the most times for this year's challenge. Let's see if that changes during December!

I am sharing this with Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and A Good Book and a Cup of Tea hosted at Hopewell's Library.

Weekend Cooking: Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas

 

Jemima Jones is a woman who is going places. She and her partner Matthew are heading back to her family farm in Wales and then they are off to taken on exciting new roles running a luxury hotel in Seattle.  Her dad has always encouraged Jem to follow her dreams, even though it takes her away from the farm. However, when Jem arrives home it is to find her dad very unwell, the farm looking worse for wear and her father on the cusp of making a deal to sell one of his best paddocks to a solar farm company. And it's not just the family farm that is looking a bit neglected. The nearby town is not what it used to be either.

While her dad has always encouraged her to follow her dreams and to make something of herself, Jem knows that she needs to stay at the farm and help her dad out while he recovers and maybe figure out what actually has been going on in her absence.  Matthew does not understand her decision making at all.

Soon she is out with the animals, fixing fences and so much more. When she looks around and sees the hard work that goes into farming with little financial reward, she begins to document her experiences on social media, quickly building up a presence online as the Social Shepherdess. 

Jem also has an unexpected house guest in the shape of Llew, a former star rugby player and now solar panel salesman. To say that things are frosty at the start is an understatement. 

Reconnecting with old friends who are similarly struggling to make ends meet and keep their businesses alive, Jem uses her growing social media fame to highlight the plight of others, most notably the local cafe which was so much a part of her childhood but now is barely staying open. When the worst happens just weeks before Christmas, Jem becomes part of a sit in to stop the cafe being set up into a bland, chain restaurant which serves microwavable food instead of the hearty Welsh food of the past.

As the town comes together, they come up with a multitude of ideas of how they can try to save their businesses and towns. Some are new ideas, and some are revivals of old traditions, but what they all do is bring the community together and Jem and her friends are at the heart of it!

Jem also has a decision to make. Does she want to continue in her corporate career or is her heart telling her that it is time to come home to the farm. And how do Llew and Matthew fit into her future. 

There are also some fun secondary characters throughout the book. I particularly like the feisty neighbour Myfanwy who has been feuding with Jem's dad for years, Evie the community nurse and Mae the single mum who work in the cafe. There are also some lovely secondary romances throughout!

I have read a number of Jo Thomas books now, including three Christmas books. They have always been a magic mix of good story and great food. It is very clear that understanding where our food comes from and supporting farmers are subjects that Thomas is passionate about

Even though I haven't really talked much about Christmas yet, this is a very Christmassy book. Food is also at the heart of this book, and there are several recipes for traditional Welsh foods that are mentioned in the book, such as Cawl which is a Welsh stew and Welsh Cakes which are scone like creations.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, Foodies Read hosted by Based on a True Story, British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog and Comfy Cozy Christmas hosted hosted by Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.  

Rating 4/5

Weekly meals

Saturday - Pork Schnitzel, mash and gravy
Sunday -
Monday - Meatballs
Tuesday - Mexican Chicken and rice
Wednesday - Beef Stir Fry and rice
Thursday - Out for dinner
Friday - Away for the weekend

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page

Blog Tour: Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh

 

Sadie and Bronagh have been friends for many years. They are widowed sister in laws, friends, and after a bake off competition in a their local pub ends in disaster they are now on the run from the law. Of course, they are doing it in style, having borrowed Bronagh's grandson's Ferrari. What started as an overnight adventure to Dublin ends up being a much longer adventure as the two fugitives cross over into Wales and our renegades end up making their way to Devon.

Whilst Sadie is mostly sensible, Bronagh is quite the character and soon she is telling everyone that she meets tall stories about who she is and which famous Irish people she is related to. Meanwhile, back at home, their extended families are worried about what the two octagenarians are getting up to and where they might be, although Ryan doesn't seem to be too worried about his car.

When the two ladies end up in Devon, they find themselves staying at an animal rescue farm which doubles as a bed and breakfast. It's fair to say that Tails and Hope farm isn't exactly thriving, especially in the lead up to Christmas. It is here that Sadie reveals a formerly unknown talent for event organisation and fundraising. It is all hands on deck.

Before too long, the whole Irish family (including a sulky girlfriend) makes the trek to the village to try and talk some sense into Sadie and Bronagh, but they too get involved in all the activities in town ranging from nativity plays to baking competitions and so much more. The Devon getaway gets longer and longer as time goes on. Could it be that there is a new life in Devon calling, or will the comfort and memories of home draw them back to Ireland eventually.

You can't really tell from the blurb, but this book is connected to The Vintage Village Bake Off which I read a couple of years ago. It was such a pleasure to revisit the Devon village and re-unite with reluctant lady magnet Robert and his new love Tressy, his sister Hattie and many of the villagers, some of whom still are trying to get their hands on Robert's baked goods (nudge, nudge). Baking is still an important part of this book, from the opening scenes to the end, and there is some delicious sounding food in it!

This book kicks off at a frantic pace, and I was a bit worried that it would keep that speed up all the way through, but it did calm down a bit once the two ladies got to Devon.  I am not sure that I have even half the energy that Bronagh and Sadie have. It is a very large cast of characters with all the Irish family and all the villagers plus a few newcomers to town. 

If you are looking for something that screams fun, features memorable characters with a big dash of Christmas spirit, then this may be the book for you!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, Foodies Read hosted by Based on a True Story and Comfy Cozy Christmas hosted hosted by Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.  Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

About the book

Golden Girls on the Run

Age is just a number. Trouble is a lifestyle.

When octogenarian sisters-in-law Sadie and Bronagh find themselves at the centre of a scandalous (and slightly explosive) bake-off fiasco, there’s only one thing to do – steal Sadie’s grandson’s gleaming red Ferrari and make a run for it.

Sadie is the practical one, all cardigans and contingency plans. Bronagh treats rules as loose suggestions – especially if mischief or wine is involved.

What begins as a quick getaway across Ireland soon spirals into a wild, cross-country adventure filled with fake identities, unexpected friendships, and more than a few brushes with the law.

Sadie and Bronagh may be on the run, but what they find at the journey’s end might just be what they were missing all along…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/GoldenGirlsRun

About the Author 

Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens , A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @judyleighuk

Twitter: @JudyLeighWriter

Instagram: @judyrleigh

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JudyLeighNews

Bookbub profile: @judyrleigh

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set in a snowy place

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Books Set in Snowy Places (If snow isn’t your thing, pick another kind of place and share books set there!)

Normally when there is a seasonal theme I swap it to represent the season here in Australia. However, this time I decided to go with the theme even though it is summer here.

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan - I just finished listening to this. There is a lot of snow in this book to the point that the characters get snowed in for some of the book!

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson - This isn't a common Australian setting as it is set in the Alps in winter, and there is a lot of snow. (my review)

Meet Me Under the Northern Lights by Mandy Baggot - This one sees our main character heading off on a last minute trip to Iceland (my review)

Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin - This luxury festive train travels across Northern Europe and ending up in Lapland

Small Things Like These by Claire Foster - Now, I didn't read this book all that long ago, and I am relatively sure that there was snow in the book, but I am prepared to be wrong about that!

Escape to the Northern Lights by Carrie Walker - our main character thinks she is going to a luxury spa weekend but really it is a winter back to nature, vegan wellness retreat (my review)

A Winter Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack - This is the second book in the Adventure Wedding series, set in the Italian Alps, and Mother Nature plays a bit part in the story! (my review)

One Snowy Day by Shari Low - I mean it even tells you about the weather in the title! (my review)

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - This one is set in winter in Norway! (my review)

Beartown by Fredrik Backman - It's ice hockey season in Sweden. Of course there's snow! (my review)

This week...

Big news this week!! I have launched the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge for 2026! If you love reading historical fiction, reading challenges and want to connect with other historical fiction lovers....join us! Here is the sign up post

2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

 I'm reading

Given the above I probably should be reading some historical fiction but it feels like I am reading everything but that genre at the moment!

I finished reading Menu of Happiness by Hisashi Kashiwai, which is the third book in the Kamogawa Food Detectives series. As usual I enjoyed the stories in this book, and I will read the next book when it comes out in English. 

I also finished listening to The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan. This was connected to a short story she put out last year called The Christmas Book Hunt. This time, Mirren and Theo head to the Scottish Highlands to help a cash poor laird search his book rich castle for a book following a series of clues left for him by his grandfather. It was a fun story, but the audio wasn't fantastic. There were lots of weird gaps so I had to listen to it sped up otherwise it annoyed me!

From here it is all the books I started!

I am supposed to be buddy reading Flashlight by Helen Choi. I have read the first chapter, which was very interesting, but I hadn't gotten to it yet! Will make more in roads this week. 

Last year I read A Christmas Carol and The Chimes by Charles Dickens and posted about it here. I decided that I was going to read Dickens' other Christmas stories and so this week I started reading The Cricket and the Hearth. I must confess that I was a bit perplexed by the first part of the book which was all about the cricket, but the story is moving along now!

I also started reading Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh. I need to finish this one first as I am on a blog tour for the book this week! 

I normally try to listen to Hogfather by Terry Pratchett every Christmas and I will still try to but I thought I better start Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil first. This is the current Cook the Books selection. I would prefer to be reading it, but this book isn't available in any of the libraries in my state, and the ebook was completely unreasonable priced so I have used one of my Audible credits to get it. I wasn't sure how it work as an audiobook but so far it is good. 

I'm watching


I am starting to get my Christmas on, mostly through watching things on TV, but that's a start. This week I watched A Merry Little Ex-mas, which stars Oliver Hudson and Alicia Silverstone as a newly, amicably divorced couple who are trying to look like what Christmas looks like for this first year as a separated family. It was a fun watch. 

I did also watch The Chocolate Queen - a Very Chocolatey Christmas. The Chocolate Queen is Australian pastry chef queen Kirsten Tibballs, and she shared a number of relatively simple recipes, along with a couple of guest chefs. I might watch it again to see if I can get motivated to make some of what she shared. Maybe.

We have watched quite a bit of the cricket this week, which is very out of character for us! It's not something we have really done together since we met, but apparently this year we are interested! Australia is playing England, in a test series called The Ashes which has been happening every couple of years since 1882. It helps that Australia is performing pretty well!

On Sunday I went and watched Hamnet which is showing here as part of the British Film Festival. This is the movie adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's book of the same name. It isn't a happy movie, but it was definitely good, and very moving. Definitely worth seeing if you enjoyed the book!

Life

Speaking of getting our Christmas on, we did take a quick trip into the city to check out the Myer windows. Every year they have a specially themed Christmas story. This year it was all Lego and it was a lot of fun. I did try to convince Robert to go and do some other Christmassy stuff in the city but it was the end of a long day, so that will have to be on another day!

We had our book club Christmas lunch yesterday and we did a book gifting! We all ikced a number and then we got to unwrap the corresponding book. I ended up with a book I had already read but someone else had a book they already owned so we did a sneaky swap. The book I bought home with me was Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz. It was a lovely lunch and I got to have my first mince pie and christmas pudding of the season as well as a delicious burrata and tomato salad and some roast turkey!

Finally, a quick shout out to anyone who is visiting as part of Comfy, Cozy Christmas, hosted by Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs. I look forward to seeing what Christmassy adventures other people are having! I should warn you though, I am in Australia and our Christmas is less comfy and cozy than hot and sweaty, weather depending! Melbourne does tend to have variable weather so it could be 15C/59F or 38C/100F, or anywhere in between!

Posts from the last week

Top Ten Tuesday: Christmas Books That Remind Me of Songs
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2026 Sign Up
Daughters of Batavia by Stefanie Koens
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 Wrap Up Posts

In My Kitchen: November
Six Degrees of Separation: Seascraper to The Four Dutchmen




I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date, Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and the Good Book and a Cup of Tea link up hosted at Boondock Ramblings

Six Degrees of Separation: Seascraper to The Four Dutchmen

Welcome to this month's edition of Six Degrees of Separation, which is a monthly meme hosted by Kate from Books Are My Favourite and Best. The idea is to start with a specific book and make a series of links from one book to the next using whatever link you can find and see where you end up after six links. I am also linking this post up with The Sunday Salon, hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz and A Good Book and a Cup of Tea hosted at Boondock Ramblings.

This month the starting point is a novella called Seascraper by Benjamin Wood, which was fitting given that there was an event called Novellas in November. 

Keeping with short stories/novellas and the word wood, I am choosing The Yellow Wood by Minnie Darke.  This was an Audible original short story that I listened to last year. 

I am focussing on the word yellow for my next selection and choosing Yellowcake by Margo Lanagan, which was a short story collection. I really enjoyed Margo Lanagan's writing but she disappeared of the publishing scene years ago now, which is a real shame.

A full length novel from the same author is Sea Hearts. I did think about going down the route of books which have different titles in different markets as this one was called Brides of Rollrock Island elsewhere. 

However, I couldn't resist sticking with the sea connection so I have chosen Never Want to Sea You Again by Leonie Mack. This short story was a fun read from earlier this year. One thing about this story is that you can choose your own spice level, so if you like closed door action you can choose one version and if you like it spicy you can read the open door version 

If I think of the sea, the one thing we know is that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and so I have chosen The Fish Girl by Mirandi Riwoe. (my review)

The Fish Girl was inspired by a character from a short story called The Four Dutchmen by W Somerset Maughan. In Vaughan's story, the character is a nameless "Malay trollop", whereas in The Fish Girl she is given a name and a whole backstory. 

Next month is a wildcard to begin the year so we need to start with the book you finished this month’s chain with. That will be interesting given I haven't actually read The Four Dutchmen. I actually found this month a bit challenging so hopefully next month's will be a bit easier!

See everyone next year!