2025 ...... My Life in Books

 I'm looking forward to another great year of reviewing in 2026.

I love this fun book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and you can see her post HERE

 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2025.

I have linked each book to my review.

This is meant to be a fun tag and the answers do not reflect my enjoyment of the actual book.

2025 was the year of: The Reunion

In 2025 I wanted to be: The Sunbaker

In 2025 I was: Searching for Treasure

In 2025 I gained: An Invisible Tattoo

In 2025 I lost: My Hot Housemate

In 2025 I loved: The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe

In 2025 I hated: Dancing With Bees

In 2025 I learned: The Dressmaker's Secret

In 2025 I was surprised by: Eva Reddy's Trip of a Lifetime

In 2025 I went to: Rainbow Street

In 2025 I missed out on: The View From the Balcony

In 2025 my family where: Out of the Woods

In 2025 I hope: A New World Rises

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

In 2024 ..... My Life in Books

In 2022 ..... My Life in Books

 

In 2020 ..... My Life in Books

2025 Edition of My Year in Books

My fun 2025 reading stats from Goodreads as at mid December. I've read two more books since then bringing my total to 129 books. I am not a fast reader but I read a lot of children's books which keeps the stats up.

I still have nine read books that I need to post reviews for and hope to catch up on them over the new year.

My blogging goals for 2026 are to host more giveaways. I will be trying to post one per month in the first week of each month. January's giveaway (coming soon) will be for a copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane. 

I am also looking into a paid email service which I'm hoping will show a bit more detail, rather than just sending a link to click. I'm currently on a free service.

I read so many great five star books but I think my most memorable book was Sins of the Father by John Byrnes. Click on cover to read my review.

Thank you to all my readers. I do appreciate you sticking with me through the years. Here's to a fabulous 2026 with more giveaways and a multitude of five star reads.

Review: A New World Rises: Tales of a Lego® Future by Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler

You've seen the Relics Exhibition at the Australian Museum, Sydney? Now get the book!

 

Haven't been able to get to the exhibition? Get the book! 

 

A New World Rises: Tales of a Lego® Future is the unauthorised Lego® masterpiece by Lego® Masters winners Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler with children's author and illustrator, Cristy Burne.

The year is 2130, it's a post-human world and Lego® minifigures have risen to build intricate civilisations inside discarded objects. Each new city is inspired by the relics' original use.

 

Through A New World Rises: Tales of a Lego® Future Harvey and Towler hoped to inspire families to get out their Lego® collections and see what their imagination can build.

 

The new minifigure worlds have been built inside everyday items such as an old car, piano, refrigerator, ATM, jukebox, bookcase and many more.

 

The hardcover book features 184 pages of amazing photos with a full shot of the setup and close up shots of each part of the setup, which gives a clear insight into the hours and thought that has gone into each build.

 

Each page includes fun and playful text combining to give a picture of a new world rising from the debris. A world that focuses on recycling and sustainability.

 

A New World Rises: Tales of a Lego® Future is a 'must have' for every Lego® enthusiast, young and old. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 5th August 2025

Genre: Fiction / Art

Pages: 184

RRP: AU$44.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

In 2024 ....... My Life in Books

 I love this fun book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and you can see her post HERE

 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2024.

I have linked each book to my review.

 

 

2024 was the year of: Someone Else's Bucket List 

In 2024 I wanted to be: The Mistress of Dara Island

In 2024 I was: The Hidden Girl

In 2024 I gained: A Single Lifeline

In 2024 I lost: Prize Catch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2024 I loved: The Venice Hotel

In 2024 I hated: The One That Got Away

In 2024 I learned: Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me

In 2024 I was surprised by: Shock Waves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2024 I went to: Where the Dead Go

In 2024 I missed out on: All I Want for Christmas

In 2024 my family were: The Seachangers

In 2025 I hope for: Jack's Best Day Ever

 

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

In 2022 ..... My Life in Books

 

In 2020 ..... My Life in Books

 

 

My Year in Books 2024 Edition

 Some fun little stats from Goodreads. 

These were from mid December so can probably add another book or two. I love how in the photo they have featured all the children's books. 🤣 I do read a lot of Children's books and that is why my reading stats are so high.

I usually finish with my favourite book of the year but I'm finding it hard to pick just one book this year. I read so many that blew me away. So I'm picking three top reads for me in 2024.

 

  

 

Wishing You a Merry 2024 Christmas from The Burgeoning Bookshelf

  A big thank you to all my followers for all your support. I appreciate every comment and giveaway entry. I hope to have more giveaways in 2025. I will be back soon with my 2024 challenge update (let's see how I went).

 

2024 was a big year with a new grandchild arriving in April and the wedding of my youngest child in July. We also have another grandchild due in January 2025. Nothing like getting the new year off to a good start.

 

Lately I've been binge reading Maya Linnell's books. I read four of her books back to back and enjoyed each one. If you are after I nice romance read for the holidays I would recommend any, or all, of Maya's books. They are a slow burn romance with a main focus on farming and small country communities. Reviews will be coming in the next week. I have also read a great Science Fiction book called eMortal by Steve Schafer which delves into AI and sentience. My review of that will be posted soon.

Have a wonderful Christmas and I hope you find a favourite book, or two, under the Christmas tree.

 

 

Happy New Year 2023!

 Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2023

May your year be filled with family, friends and five star reads. 

 

In 2022..... My Life in Books

 

 

I love this fun book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and you can see her post HERE

 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2022.

2022 was the year of: The Way it is Now

In 2022 I wanted to be: The Brightest Star

In 2022 I was: The Understudy

In 2022 I gained: A Recipe for Family

In 2022 I lost: The Postcard from Italy

In 2022 I loved: The Last Summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2022 I hated: Keeping Up Appearances

In 2022 I learned: The Raven's Song

In 2022 I was surprised by: Lily Harford's Last Request

In 2022 I went to:The Wattle Seed Inn

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2022 I missed out on: The Reunion

In 2022 my family were: A Family of Strangers

in 2023 I hope for: A Little Spark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

My Life in Books... 2020

 

Goodreads: Year in Books Meme 2020

 

This is my journey in books for 2020!

 

 

 

I read 32,440 pages over 114 books 

________________________________________________________

Longest book

813

pages

 

Shortest Book

28

pages

________________________________________

 

Average book length in 2020 was 284 pages 

 

_____________________________________

 

 

 Most Popular

 3,443,844

 people also shelved                                                                     

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

 

 

Least Popular

0 people

also shelved

 ________________________________________________________________

 

 

My average rating for 2020 was

4.3⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

____________________________________

 

My favourite book of 2020 was

 

  

   _______________________________________________

 

The year in books meme is hosted by Bite Into Books so head over and see her post. Why not join in and post a link to your year in books.   

 

==============================================

I think 2020 was a difficult year for all of us and if I had to think of a bright side it would be that I managed to get extra reading time whilst we were all in lockdown.
I'm looking forward to more great books, reviews, giveaways, memes and bookish tags during 2021.
I big thanks to everyone who supported my blog, my subscribers, readers, those that left a comment and the wonderful publishers and authors who supply the books for reviews and giveaways.

 

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 

     

In 2020.....My Life in Books

 

 

I recently saw this book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and thought it would be fun to join in. 

The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2020.

 

2020 was the year of: The Year That Changed Everything 

In 2020 I wanted to be: The Good Teacher

In 2020 I was: The Wreck

In 2020 I gained: Just One Wish

In 2020 I lost: Six Minutes

In 2020 I loved: Mum & Dad

In 2020 I hated: The Boundary Fence

In 2020 I learned: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight 

In 2020 I was surprised by:  The Night Whistler

In 2020 I went to: The Farm at Peppertree Crossing

In 2020 I missed out on: The Grand Tour

In 2020 my family were: Together by Christmas

in 2021 I hope for: Better Luck Next Time 

If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 

 

The New Year Book Tag

I  first saw this tag on Caffeinated Fae  and couldn't resist giving it a try. Check out her blog to see her answers.

How many books are you planning on reading in 2020?

I have set my 2020 Goodreads goal at 70 books. I deliberately set it low so there is no pressure. I usually increase throughout the year.

Name five books you didn't get to read in 2019 but want to make a priority in 2020?

Charlottes Pass by Christine Lee
Blurred Vision by Steve Harrison
Esme's Gift by Elizabeth Foster
The Neighbour by Fiona Cummins
The Wolf Hour by Sarah Myles

Name a genre you want to read more of in 2020? 

A new challenge for me this year is the Historical Fiction challenge so I will be trying to read more Historical Fiction.

Three non-book related goals for 2020?

1. More coffees with friends.
2. Become more organised so I can have more coffees with friends.
3. Stress less about the small stuff and enjoy more time with friends.

What's a book that you've had forever that you still need to read?

I have about 800 books on my shelves that I have had forever and still need to read.

One word that you're hoping 2020 will be?

Family.

Tagging:

If you think this looks like fun and would like to join in I'm tagging you! 

Life According to Literature Tag

I saw this fun tag on Theresa Smith Writes  and  Claire's Reads and Reviews  and thought it would be fun to join in.

THE RULES: Using only books you have read during the year (2019), answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. Let me know below, if you’ve joined in too.

Describe yourself: The Giver of Stars 
How do you feel: Without a Doubt 
Describe Where you currently live: In a Great Southern Land 
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Butterfly Room 
Your favourite form of transportation: The Invention of Wings 
Your best friend is: The Ex 
You and your friends are: The Lost Girls 
What's the weather like: Home Fires 
You Fear: A Lifetime of Impossible Days 
What is the best advice you have to give: Don't Drink the Pink 
Thought for the Day: Wish You Were Here 
How would I like to die:  Making Trouble
My soul's present condition: Airborne (reviewed on Goodreads)

If you want to join in I would love to read your answers. Let me know in the comments.