Happy New Year!

On By Annika PerryIn #books, Writing

Firstly, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! 

My blog last year unintentionally languished without a single post, a situation that crept upon it unexpectedly as time flew by. I felt pulled away by the days, weeks and months. Never would I have expected to be AWOL for a whole twelve months and I’m thankful to break this hiatus at the start of this year. I plan to be back on a regular basis and look forward to reconnecting with friends and to meeting new bloggers as well.

There’s never been a Christmas where book presents did not feature and this year was no exception. I was kindly gifted two fascinating books (hints do help!😀) and already I treasure these tomes.

Like so many, I was captivated by Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat Pray Love’ book of 2006; her physical and spiritual journey of self-discovery and love resonated deeply within me. The book was complete, a wholesome ending … or so she and the readers thought.  After an amicable divorce from José, Elizabeth Gilbert embarked on a new albeit  destructive and addictive relationship with her hairdresser. The book is ‘about love and loss, addiction and recovery, grief and liberation’ and her ultimate search for peace and freedom. I look forward to delving into her story.

‘Words’ by Susie Dent promises to be an enjoyable and knowledgeable daily read, as for each day of 2026, a quirky and unusual word is explained in detail. The author is a renowned lexicographer and etymologist. As a human lexicon, she has been on the popular British TV word game ‘Countdown’ for over thirty years as well as being an author. 

Her latest book describes the history of quirky and unusual words. After all, who knew the word Bluetooth stretched back to a tenth-century Scandinavian King! Furthermore, it introduces the reader to unknown words including, ‘depooperit’ and  ‘whangdoodle’ as well as explaining foreign expressions such as the Norwegian ’gruglede’. Susie Dent will more than fulfil her promise to give the reader a daily ‘linguistic vitamin shot’! I will relish this medicine! 

I’ve never excelled in any type of craft. My attempts at knitted scarves zigzagged to oblivion. One summer as a child I nagged my gifted grandmother to teach me to crochet before she finally caved in and agreed to give me a lesson. Bless, she knew me only too well and after a frustrating ten minutes, I thanked her before scuttling off to play. One Christmas to everyone’s surprise, including mine, I won the class award for best decorated Christmas hat. My invention of a mortar board ladened with colourful gift-wrapped parcels proved an instant hit. A success resoundingly obliterated by the worst ever Easter hat of garish yellow feathers flop!

Imagine then my wary excitement upon opening a present of a book nook. This miniature magical bookstore, complete with books, lighting, chairs, tables will rest between my normal books creating a warm and cosy addition to my literary world. There is only one issue — it is a craft kit! 

I smiled hesitantly at my husband’s trust in my abilities in this speciality, tempting me into this world through my passion of books. Loath to read instructions and usually of the I’ll-work-it-out-along-the-way school, this time I am, for once, reading the detailed booklet followed by watching a couple of explanatory YouTube videos. This time, I feel prepared, this time I’m optimistic and I am keen to begin my journey into this craft. I will post progress of my build and hopefully it won’t be too long until the finalised project is in place, tucked and illuminated neatly between two precious books.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Heading picture courtesy of Pixaby. Work art by FreeFunArt at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oracleridge/everwitch 

141 thoughts on “Happy New Year!”

  1. Hi Annika!
    Life is full and it’s hard to keep up. I’ll be anxious to hear about what you think about Gilberts new book. Lot’s of hoopla and I followed all of her IG intros.. lots of mixed reviews from others.
    Great to see you back.. as I know how busy life which keeps us on the move.
    Hugs and love for the New Year. Stay blessed ❣️

    Reply

    1. Cindy, thank you for your lovely comment and I know your life is very busy indeed and I’m most impressed how you keep up with all your blogging! Yes, I will see what I make of Gilbert’s last book. It was only as I started writing this post that I read about the controversy surrounding it and her actions – I hope I will like it and her message. I’m slightly apprehensive. Wishing you a wonderful, healthy and happy 2026 with peaceful calm moment for yourself. Hugs xx 💕

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  2. Welcome back, Annika. It’s obvious from all your comments that you were missed. I love your review. I loved the book, Eat, Pray, Love, too. she sounds like a free spirit. I wish you luck with your creative project. That would not be my forte. Thanks for visiting my blog as well as you get back up on the blogging horse. I am honored to be in your path. 🙂 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Robbie and wishing you a wonderful 2026 too! You are a true marvel in the arts- I’m always in awe of your paintings and cake decoration and of course your books & poetry! I’m sure you’d thoroughly enjoy this kit! 😀

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    1. Natalie, thank you and I’m having fun being back here! As I read quite a lot on Kindle it is such a treat with real hardbacks – I handle them as precious items and am so careful when turning the pages! 😀 I’ve started the kit and thoroughly enjoying it although a bit fiddly! Wishing you a wonderful and adventurous 2026.

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  7. sometimes life happens and we are compelled to respond in the best way we can! I often feel like I can’t keep up with the correspondence in this space and wonder if I should take an extended break. But I miss the company, no matter how sporadic. All this to say, I hear you, and I am looking forward to chatting with you this year!

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    1. Bless, thank you for hearing me, Ju-Lyn! I too very much missed the contact here last year but, as I wrote, time flew away. Everyone has been incredibly warm in the welcome back which is a sign of the comradeship and community on WP. If you need an extended break for whatever reason, I wouldn’t worry that people would not be here on your return – the generosity and genuine spirit prevails. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2026!

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  8. “I will relish this medicine! ” And I shall relish your return to the occasional blog posting! YaY Annika is back!
    Happy MMXXvi…may we all go forth with renewed strength to see the beauty of life, show others hope & care and not be consumed by the darkness of these times. Hugs.

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    1. Laura, your words have in tears of smiles – thank you for such a warm welcome back and I’m impressed with the Latin numbers for the New Year. Wow! Your wishes for the New Year touch me deeply – may it be so indeed – so much beauty in the world and my it not be overwhelmed by the darkness. Sending hugs your way xx 💕

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  10. I’ve seen some of those book nook crafts kits when they’re completed, and they’re delightful, Annika. I’m sure yours will be wonderful. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re back. I was just wondering about you yesterday when I was tidying up my blog. I always enjoy your posts and your reviews.

    And thanks for the reviews. I enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love and I’m sure I would like All the Way to the River. Thanks for recommending Words too. Wishing you a lovely new year, my friend. See ya around!

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    1. Diana, it’s great to know that the finished book nooks look wonderful and that is an even bigger incentive to get it finished. Thank you for your warm words about my post & reviews – it is special to be back and to such a welcome! Here’s to a year filled with good books, writing galore and peace & joy in our lives.
      💕

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    1. Sally, what a joy to see your lovely comment. Your tapestry and crochet sound wonderful and how exciting to take it up again. Maybe concentrating intensely on another craft gave the writing side of your brain freedom to become extra-creative! Congratulations on finishing your WIP and I look forward to reading your book in due course.Hopefully my book nook kit will give me some sparks too! 😀 Wishing you a very Happy New Year. 💕

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  15. You were missed with your positive upbeat take on life. I too with Eleanor Roosevelt believe we must try new things even in our dotage. I think it keeps our minds nimble. For example, I re-attached all my security cameras to a new WiFi. I would have told you I couldn’t do that–until I did!

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    1. Awww … thank you so much, Jacqui – it’s lovely to be back! Wow, well done with your security cameras. To be thrown a challenge of something not being possible makes one try even harder to make it possible. I do like gadgets however even with the smart metre to operate the heating system my husband has to call me when I’m away to put heating/hot water on!

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    1. Haha! I know, a year away is crazy and I actually felt quite nervous returning again … not that I needed to be at least with everyone so welcoming. Thank you so much for your lovely warm comment. A very Happy New Year to you and your family, Jennifer.

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    1. How lucky am I that you came across my post and thank you for taking time from your projects to write. I hope you are keeping well and wishing you a very Happy & Creative New Year, Cheryl.❤️

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  19. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    Dear Annika, how wonderful to see you again. Please don’t take such long breaks again.
    I love the present you got from your husband. Will be exciting to see the finished work.
    as to the books I have read some of them but look forward to pick up more from your lists. Xx

    Miriam

    Reply

    1. Miriam, I promise, I will try to ensure to not be away so long again – I definitely deserve a gentle reprimand. 😀 The book nook looks great, I agree and can’t wait to place the finished item in my bookcase. Glad you like book lists – my next post features my reads of 2025 so lots to mull over then. Thank you so much for your warm welcome back, Miriam. xx 💕💕

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      1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

        I am really not “ Anonymous “ but having problems with WordPress.

        I am ‘ Mywindow’ – ‘ delphini 510 . But Miriam is right.

        it was such joy seeing you back and I hope to get your future posts too.

        🌟❣️ Miriam

        Reply

        1. I’m so sorry you’re having such problems with wordpress, Miriam. I’ve seen quite a few others with issues with WP and so hope you can sort them out soon. Many thanks for commenting – never ‘anonymous’! 😀

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  20. So glad you are back, Annika. Some of the older bloggers have disappeared for good. I myself did not blog as much last year, but now with the holidays, lots of ideas are emerging to write about. I suppose that will peter off as work starts again and writing becomes about deadlines.

    I had heard about Bluetooth coming from old Harald! It is funny hey?

    Your Christmas book nook looks so very cute and I do hope you enjoy challenging yourself! Happy New Year!

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    1. Amanda, I did notice that quite a few bloggers have totally stopped for various reasons – I never meant to take such a long break! I hope you manage to continue blogging too but it does become more difficult with other commitments.

      I can imagine many such interesting and funny moments as I read ‘Words’ – being Swedish I was especially chuffed with the history of Bluetooth!😀

      It is fun with a new challenge and especially to see if I can beat my poor craft history! A very Happy New Year to you too!

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        1. You’re right about the fun sayings, Amanda and as I speak fluent Swedish, yes, I do use some – mostly learnt from my mother. One that comes to mind is: ‘Such is life when the skirt is striped’! 😀

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          1. I really like that saying. Initially I read it as ‘Such is life when the skirt is ‘stripped’! Haha… I didn’t notice I had misread the word and was thinking the saying might have multiple meanings – but the one I immediately thought of was that we have to accept the hard facts of existence, alluding to decisions or things outside our control.
            Then I looked at it again and saw ‘striped.’ Uh-oh! That is when I thought of those colourful folk aprons/skirts in Swedish folk culture and realize that striped refers to the differing colours of living life. Life is so varied, and throws different challenges due to different personalities, demands and people and age stages. Or is there a different nuance to the saying that I have missed?

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            1. Amanda, first I’m laughing at the misunderstanding and I’m not surprised. Then you gave me a lightbulb moment as I’ve always tried to find a reason behind the saying and I love your thoughts behind it! That makes sense and I don’t know of any other explanation.

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              1. Well I don’t know I am right any the striped skirt. Is it a reference to do with women in particular? As it says striped skirts not striped clothes.??
                ( Glad you were laughing…stripped skirts makes the mind boggle!)

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  23. Happy new year Annika! How lovely to see you back here at the start of a new year. I had to smile throughout your post as I too share your love of books and your trepidation at the art and craft of crocheting. Thanks for the two book recommendations, they both sound compelling. And all the best with your new craft venture. Hope the year ahead is filled with love, learning and many surprises. xx ❤️

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    1. A very Happy New Year to you and your family, Miriam! May it be one of many more adventures, creative ventures and filled with joy & laughter! I’m glad you like my two books; it’s always a treat with some hardbacks at Christmas time. I’m looking forward to my new craft challenge – and hope it turns out better than my needlework projects! 😀 Wishing you a great start to 2026. xx 💕

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    1. Thomas, thank you so much and wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyful 2026. Oh, we love our books and enjoy buying them as presents. Funnily enough, just before Christmas we were yet again in a bookshop when I saw the Susie Dent book and almost bought it for myself. My husband’s efforts to stop me with the purchase ensured I knew at least one of my presents! 😀

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    1. A very Happy New Year to you and your family, Esther and wishing you a wonderful and exciting 2026. I’m loving the Susie Dent book and getting carried away and reading ahead of the days, and I’m sure you’d enjoy it too! She’s also written many for children.

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    1. Betsy, I’m thankful that so many feel the same about time and have similar experience of being swept away with it – it just seems to speed up each year! There must be a trick to slowing it down but I haven’t found it yet! 😀 Lovely to be back and thank you so much for your comment.

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  28. Happy New Year Annika… and I guess many of us have been pulled away from our blogs at several points this last year…
    I smiled at your owl book store as my daughter had one gifted her, and she has already made it… She now has the Coffee shop to make lol.. 🙂
    Sending you lots of love and well wishes for 2026…
    Have a beautiful New Year…
    Love Sue xx 💖

    Reply

    1. Sue, a very Happy New Year to you too and may it be a creative one filled with harmony and peace.

      Yes, I think we all have phases in our lives where other elements pull us away for a while but my friends here have never been far from my thoughts.

      Yeah! Great that your daughter has completed the book nook and then you know exactly what it should look like. It’s fun there is a collection of these and I can well imagine wanting another one when this is finished.

      Thank you so much for your warm welcome back, Sue. All the best for 2026, my friend. Xx ❤️

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      1. Enjoy your creative time with the Owl book store Annika.. 🙂 I did a Mini Greenhouse some years back .. They are intricate but absorbing,
        Wishing you a wonderful, 2026 Annika…. Sending love xx

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    1. Haha! Smiling at the ‘usual suspects’ description and so look forward to catching up with everyone! 😀 Lovely to be here again and lifted by such a warm welcome back. Hope you’re keeping well and all the best for 2026.

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    1. It’s good to be back, John! I’ve already started the book and loving it – I must admit I’m not very good at staying with just a word a day, though! 😀 I’m not sure where you live, but Susie Dent does shows across the U.K. and I’m going to see her this Spring – that should be good! A very Happy & Creative New Year to you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Audrey and I’m heartened by the warm welcome. Oh, I can’t wait to start the book nook … just been building up the courage! 😀 Hope you’re keeping well and a wishing you all the best for 2026.

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    1. Thank you so much, Teagan! I’m definitely looking forward to another year of eclectic reading and I’m reading more non-fiction books such as these two. At the moment just finishing Joanne Harris ‘Vianne’ – of ‘Chocolat’ fame – and loving the magic realism and rich evocative language- such imagination! Wishing you a creative and happy New Year too.

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    1. And a very Happy New Year to you, Debby and glad you enjoyed my post – the first of many for this year, I hope! Hope you are keeping well and wishing you all the best for 2026. Xx

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  38. How wonderful to see you on this new year day, Annika! Welcome back. Has it been one year already? I hope you had a great time while away. I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love. A great book. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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    1. Miriam, thank you so much! I know, the year has seriously flown by and I was surprised myself. 2025 was a mixed year but good overall. Eat, Pray, Love was a superb book and glad you enjoyed it so much too. I hope her latest comes close to matching it. A very Happy New Year to you and your family too and may 2026 be a wonderful year for you all.

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  39. How wonderful to see you here, Annika. It’s always great to get books for Christmas and it looks like you got some good ones. I hope to hear from you more often and we would love to see the completed book nook! happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you so much and I feel blessed with such a warm welcome back. Yes, I don’t think it would feel like Christmas without some books and I look forward to posting on a more regular basis. I’ll make sure to write updates about the book nook – an added incentive to complete! 😀 Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year, Darlene.

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  42. Those book nook craft kits look so cool but I am also worried about my ability to complete them, given our Lego Christmas decoration experience last year. Let us know how it turns out! And welcome back.

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    1. Marie, now I’m wondering what happened to your Lego Christmas decoration? I’m looking forward to starting the book nook and will definitely keep an update on my progress (and hopefully not lack thereof! 😀) It’s great to be back, thank you.

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    1. Linda, Happy New Year and lovely to hear how much you enjoyed coming across my post. The book nook looks adorable – just hope my efforts do it justice. Have you tried anything similar?

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