I always forget what a weird day the 31st December feels like. Usually grey and rainy, with a sense of waiting for something intangible (though realistically that thing is midnight, I guess, and the new year). But the sense of waiting always makes me feel unsettled, like I’m forgetting something important. The ‘did I lock the door?’ feeling when you’re halfway into town.
Anyway, a lot of people like to look back at their year, the things they’ve enjoyed and the things they’ve achieved. I love to read these reflections but I’m not very good at writing my own, because my brain smooshes stuff together, then goes blank, and then I start losing all sense of time (was that this year or 3 years ago? What IS time?!). And then we’re lost.
But suffice to say that in amongst what’s been a challenging year for me, particularly the latter half, I’ve enjoyed so many brilliant things – from books to music to film and TV and more. I usually talk about these things throughout the year, either on this very blog, or on Twitter and Instagram, so it’s worth following those if you’d like to hear me randomly pipe up about how much I love Andor, rave about Piranesi or the Murderbot series, or talk about an unforgettable line from the film 1917.
Book blurbin’
What I will say is that I’ve been honoured to read and review some absolutely brilliant books this year, including The Mooncatcher’s Rescue by Karen Lamb, The Late Crew by Rab Ferguson, A Billion Balloons of Questions by Amy B Moreno (such a beautiful picture book!) and something very exciting yet to come from the fantastic Ross Montgomery. They are all great and you should read them. For more books I’ve read and loved, check out my Goodreads, which I try to keep (fairly) up to date(ish).
Mountainfell-in’
Of course Mountainfell came out in November this year and I’ve been thrilled to see the fruits of my labour plopping into the bookshops. It’s brilliant to see people read and enjoy it (if you want to make an author ecstatically happy by the way, including this author, writing a glowing review of a book you’ve enjoyed this year is a surefire way to do that – just saying).
The reception to Mountainfell has been truly heartening and I’m grateful to everyone for their enthusiasm, their wonderful reviews and quotes. Particularly Nick Tomlinson who wrote to me to say, I’m sure Mountainfell will be amazing, and not just because it sounds like a pagan metal band. And I think that’s my favourite quote of any book ever.
Guest Blog Postin’
I’ve written a number of guest blog posts which you can find links to in my November mini-blog. I’ve also written a couple more since then which I’m particularly proud of – this one on Why I Love Writing “Complicated” Characters for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, FCBG (ever wondered who the first fictional villain I ever felt sorry for was? Well wonder no longer!) and this one on Why I Love Writing (and Reading) About Magic for Peters.
Cat pics
Finally, we have welcomed two new members into our household this year. Meet Stevie (pic 1, left) and Snorlax (pic 2, right), our 5-month old rescue kittens. Snorlax has massive paws and we predict he’s going to be a big cat when he’s older. Similar to the Pokemon, he likes food and fuss, and then to flump onto his side and snooze. Stevie (think Stevie Nicks!) is a little kitty in a big scary world right now, but if her brother does something she’ll cautiously give it a try too. Though stealthy and wild, we seem to be slowly winning her over.
It is amazing to have cats again, even though I now spend most of my time scooping poo and being a human springboard when they get the zoomies. I predict more cat pics and updates in 2023 (though no poo, I promise).
A huge thank you to everyone this year, for everything, and sending you all my love and wishes for the new year. May your reflections be deep and may you find everything you’re looking for, including and especially the answer to whether or not you locked that door.
