Welcome to The Weekend Post #174! The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I will also be joining Deb at Readerbuzz for the Sunday Salon and Marlene of Reading Reality in her meme Stacking The Shelves.
My Week:
The weather has been changing quickly—after a stretch of warm, sunny days, the rain moved in on Friday, and the forecast is calling for showers on and off over the coming week. It feels like fall has officially arrived.
Much of my week was spent with Mom working through the paperwork to notify different agencies and companies following Dad’s passing. On Thursday, we held a small, intimate graveside service with immediate family, and later today we’ll gather with extended family and friends for a Celebration of Life in his honour. For the service, I created a memorial bookmark in Canva, and I’m so pleased with how beautifully they turned out.
Mom is slowly but steadily recovering from her back fracture, and it’s such a relief to see her making progress. Thank you so much to everyone who has shared kind messages of condolence—they mean more than I can say.
Just a gentle reminder that The 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge offically begins October 1. You can begin anytime on or after this date until the challenge concludes December 31. You can find more information in the link above.
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, & Libro.fm:
Laney Reynolds returns to her hometown of Cherrywood Creek for the holidays, hoping its festive charm and snowy streets will help her heal from the growing distance in her marriage to Connor, whose ambition once consumed him. But Connor isn’t ready to give up—determined to prove that love matters more than corporate success, he follows her to the small town, trading high-rises for holiday traditions. With only a month to win her back, he’ll need more than sweet gestures and romantic nights to show Laney that her husband, not his career, comes first.
Mallory Blue has always cherished her grandmother Nan’s community theater and annual Christmas play, but this year everything changes as Nan struggles with dementia and Mallory takes on the overwhelming task of directing the show herself. With the help of Nan’s journal—filled with stories behind each ornament on her tree—and the unexpected support of Hollis, the once-rebellious boy from her past now playing Santa, Mallory discovers hidden pieces of her grandmother’s life. As she faces pivotal choices in both love and career, Nan’s wisdom and Hollis’s steady presence guide her toward finding the true magic of the season.
From The Library: None
From Audible: None
What I’m Watching:
I’m thrilled that Season 2 of Doc has officially begun! The series follows Dr. Amy Larsen, played by Molly Parker, who, after losing her memory in a car accident, is forced to restart her medical career as an intern. This season, Felicity Huffman joins the cast, and I’m certain she’ll bring even more drama to an already outstanding show. You can find the season 2 trailer Here.
On The Blog This Week:
New Holiday Books to Read in 2025: My Most Anticipated Festive TBR Picks
Exploring Secrets and Scandals – Review of The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
Can’t Wait Wednesday #157: The Weekend Crashers by Jamie Brenner
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone Review: A Charming Time-Travel Love Story
From Page to Screen: Must-See September 2025 Book-to-Film Adaptations
This Post: The Weekend Post #174
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Holiday Backlist Books on My TBR
September 2025 Wrap Up
Can’t Wait Wednesday #158
Book Review: Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
The Weekend Post #175
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #173. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Yvonne @ It's All About Books
I’m so sorry for your loss!
thathappyreader
Thank you Yvonne.
Sarah Collins
Oh Jodie, so sorry to hear about your Dad, sending you love. Hope your Mum is ok too x
thathappyreader
Thank you Sarah.
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
I’m saying prayers for you and your family, Jodie💜 You’ve been on my mind all week.
thathappyreader
Aww. Thank you so much Jonetta.
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I’m glad to hear that your mom is healing and that you are able to help your mom deal with all the work that comes along with your dad’s passing.
I’ve finished with my yearly challenges, so I may take a look at doing the 2025 Christmas Reading Challenge in December.
thathappyreader
Thank you Deb. I hope you can join in the challenge.
Sarah
Glad to hear the service for your Dad went smoothly – and glad that you have been able to spend time with your Mom helping her with the paperwork that tends to descend at such a time. Thinking of you – it’s always difficult when you lose a family member as grief doesn’t ever work in straightforward ways in my experience. Sending hugsx.
thathappyreader
Thank you Sarah.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
We did the same for my stepdad with a small graveside service, and then later on a celebration of life for extended family and friends. Glad your mom is doing better. So hard to have all of that at once. The Jaqueline Snow book looks cute. We had a week with rain and it seemed like fall was here, and then we got back into the 80 degree temps this past week. I want fall! Hope you have a good week.
thathappyreader
You too Lisa.
Bree @ Bibliophilebree
I am sorry for your loss!
thathappyreader
Thanks Bree.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I give you my sincerest condolences. I hope your mother improves quickly. I’m not ready to read holiday books in October but some people love them all the time.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
Most of the books for Christmas publish in September and October and I don’t mind reading them in the fall Anne.
Cindy's Book Corner
Praying for you all this weekend! I am going to check out the Christmas challenge, I hope to read A LOT of Christmas books this year, LOL!
thathappyreader
Thank you Cindy. I’m happy to hear you’re going to check out the challenge!
Angela @ Simply Angela
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort for you and your family.
thathappyreader
Thank you Angela.
Her Digital Coffee
I’m glad that your mom is recovering well, Jodie. The Canva bookmark sounds like a beautiful touch for the service. I hope you and your family have a good week ahead. Always thinking of you!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie. ❤️
Rolé @ Hooked By That Book
I’m so sorry about your father. Sending hugs and best wishes and good luck with all the arrangements and admin. Hope your mom recovers soon, too.
thathappyreader
Thank you Rolé.