Welcome to The Weekend Post #185! 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.
My Week:
It’s been an exceptionally rainy week here in Vancouver. We had an atmospheric river move through, and some areas of Metro Vancouver experienced substantial flooding. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines an atmospheric river as a “relatively long, narrow region in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky – that transport most of the water vapour outside of the tropics.” We used to call these events the Pineapple Express because they originate near Hawaii. I always wonder—if they’re coming from Hawaii, why can’t they bring a little sunshine and warmth with them?
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sophie Kinsella (Madeleine Wickham) on Thursday after her courageous battle with brain cancer. Her books were a joyful gateway back into reading for me decades ago, and I’ve always admired her rare gift for blending humor with heartfelt emotion. Sophie’s work brought laughter, warmth, and insight to so many readers — the literary world, and all of us who loved her stories, will not be the same without her.
I’ve been trying to wrap up my Christmas shopping this week and hopefully will have it finished by the end of the weekend. Earlier in the week, I went out with my mom, sister, and niece for our annual Christmas shopping and lunch day. We had such a great time, but I still didn’t manage to get everything crossed off my list.
I’ve also started using light therapy each morning. With the rainy season and these short, grey days, I definitely need the extra boost. Does anyone else use light therapy in the winter?
Recent Additions To My Bookshelf:
From Publishers, Netgalley, & Libro.fm: None that I have accepted.
From The Library:
After a messy breakup and an untimely eviction, Fred Hallow-Hart reluctantly returns to Pine Bluff, where she’s swept back into her family’s quirky Christmas Cracker business and the small-town life she’s never quite fit into. As she throws herself into work, Fred unexpectedly reconnects with her childhood best friend Ryan and also feels a surprising spark with Warren, a charming journalist visiting for the Christmas Market. Caught between new possibilities and old wounds, Fred must confront the truths she’s long avoided before her choices derail the holidays for the people she loves most—and decide whether she’s finally ready to embrace real love and fight for it.
From Audible:
Jenna, longtime resident and owner of the town’s general store, is content with her quiet life—until Jack Wexler, a disgruntled ex–New York investment banker adjusting to small-town living, storms into her shop demanding smoked salmon. Their rocky first encounter sets off sparks neither expected, but when they’re thrown together to organize Starr’s Fall’s Winter Wonderland parade, the frosty tension begins to thaw. As twinkling lights and holiday magic fill the air, Jenna and Jack must decide whether their unlikely attraction is just seasonal—or the start of something lasting.
In this big-hearted holiday rom-com, scientist Caleb is thrilled to purchase his dream brownstone—complete with an apartment upstairs and a cozy, mystery-themed bookshop downstairs—only to discover the shop still running and its owner mysteriously missing. Overwhelmed by the seasonal chaos and totally unprepared to run a bookstore, he turns to his bookish friend and cover designer, Sophie, whose quirky charm he’s secretly adored for years. As the two team up to keep the shop afloat during the festive New York City winter, Caleb and Sophie find that the magic of the season—and the close quarters of the unexpectedly inherited bookshop—might finally give them the perfect chance to turn friendship into a long-awaited happily ever after.
What I’m Watching:
I’m looking forward to watching the finales of several shows in the upcoming week including The Voice, Finding Mr. Christmas and Baked With Love.
On The Blog This Week:
A Reflective and Magical Adventure: Review of The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick
Can’t Wait Wednesday #168: The Odds of You by Kate Dramis
Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale Review – A Heartfelt Holiday Romance
Who Wears It Better In December 2025?
This Post: The Weekend Post #185
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
The 2026 Great Canadian Reading Challenge
My Must-Read Christmas Books for 2025
Book Review: Snowflakes Over Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt
Can’t Wait Wednesday #169
Book Review: Cozy For The Holidays by Liz Maverick
Book to Screen Adaptations for December 2025
The Weekend Post #186
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #185. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
My heart broke t the news of Sophie Kinsella’s death. I’d put off listening to What Does It Feel Like?, thinking by waiting it wouldn’t be true. So, I listened to it, finally, and am in awe of how she lived her life.
Thanks for explaining these weather terms. I like Pineapple Express😏
Happy reading, Jodie💜
thathappyreader
I prefer the Pineapple Express too Jonetta.
Trish
I was very saddened by Sophie Kinsella’s passing. I remember laughing uncontrollably at some of her books.
The Christmas lunch and shopping sounds like a nice tradition.
thathappyreader
It was Trish!
Vicki
The news of Sophie Kinsella’s death was a shock to so many of us who have read her books. Very sad!
thathappyreader
I can’t remember another author whose death has hit me this hard Vicki.
Joy's Book Blog
I’ll Be Home for Christmas sounds fun, and the cover is cute!
thathappyreader
It is Joy!
Anne@HeadFullofBooks
I read Sophie Kinsella’s novella about her experience with brain cancer and I was buoyed to know it was possible to live after such a terrible diagnosis. Then a friend was found to have the same cancer and he is finishing up treatment right now. I was hopeful he’d survive like Sophie, now I am sad about her and worried about my friend. So sad.
thathappyreader
I read that book too Anne. I’m sorry to hear about your friend.
Cindy's Book Corner
Raising my hand, I use light therapy in the winter. I started in November. It is VERY snowy here today, windy, and cold. I am hoping we don’t get all they predicted because I have to go to work tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to drive on messy roads. I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
It’s stormy here too Cindy! I hope you have a safe week ahead.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Does light therapy work for you? I’ve thought about trying it. I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
It seems to help AJ!
Bree @ Bibliophilebree
Hope you have a good week!
thathappyreader
Thanks Bree.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I was shocked at the news about Sophie Kinsella as well. She was one of my first chick-lit authors that I read. I heard from someone else about that atmospheric river thing you guys are dealing with! I like the name Pineapple Express. I also got that last audio book, but am deciding if I’ll switch to that for the last read of my holiday challenge, or just save it for next year. Hope you have a good week!
thathappyreader
You too Lisa.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I am curious about light therapy. I try to sleep until it’s light and got to bed once it gets dark. Of course, then I’d be going to bed before dinner! I’m glad you had a nice family day with shopping. We tend to get things when we need them so we don’t have much to get for holidays.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
We do the same Anne. I’d be sleeping from 4 PM to past 8 AM – I wonder what my Apple Watch sleep score would be then!
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
Light therapy sounds like a good idea. I might share this idea with my family in Chicago.
Sophie Kinsella was too young to pass away. That’s very sad, I think.
thathappyreader
Indeed it is very sad Deb.
JoAnn @ Gulfside Musing
What a coincidence – I just learned about Jenny Bayliss earlier today when another reading friend mention her as a favorite holiday romance author! All her books have a long waitlist now, but I’m going to try and remember her for next year.
thathappyreader
Great idea JoAnn!
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
I had not heard about Sophie Kinsella. How sad, I have loved all her books and will miss not having new ones to read. I did read What Does it Feel Like? and had prayed she would be able to beat it, but knew it was not going to be a happy ending. Yes, I do light therapy, Jodie. For me it is traveling south, this year to Cancun, where it is sunny and hot. Good luck getting your shopping all finished. I’m done mine, but now have to wrap everything. Have a great week.
thathappyreader
Thanks Carla. You too.
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
It was sad to hear of Sophie Kinsella’s death.
It’s summer here right now so there is plenty of light but I have a friend who has found using a light therapy lamp during winter to be helpful,
Enjoy your holiday romances!
Wishing you a wonderful week.
thathappyreader
Thanks Shelleyrae. I cannot respond to your comment as I get a This Connection is not Private warning.
Sarah
I was also shocked to hear of Sophie Kinsella’s death – such a loss as she was clearly a warm and vibrant person. I did try using a light box several years ago after a series of particularly gloomy winters, but in the end I had to stop. The bright light kept giving me headaches. But it really suits a lot of people and we’ve also been having a lot of rain, recently which has caused flooding in parts of the country. I hope the coming week is a brighter one.
thathappyreader
Thanks Sarah.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
Wow I had never heard of that phenomenon before!
It seems like you have a great line up of shows and books! Enjoy!
thathappyreader
Thanks Erin.
Her Digital Coffee
Light therapy makes a huge difference! It’s been so helpful for snowy days. I hope you have a wonderful week Jodie!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie! You too.
Rolé @ Hooked By That Book
It is always a bit shocking to hear of an author that I’ve read that has passed away. I always imagine them to be eternal, or something. Hope you have a great week.
thathappyreader
I know exactly what you mean. In some ways they are as their books live on.