Happy New Year! Welcome to The Weekend Post #188! 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 a quiet week for us. The weather has improved, and I’ve been able to get out for several walks, soaking up a bit of much-needed sunshine. The Christmas decorations have been packed away for another year, and we’ve gently ushered in a new one. We spent a quiet New Year’s Eve at home, enjoying a lovely meal and a few bubbles to welcome the year ahead.
Today (Friday), my mom, sister, and I will be visiting the cemetery to remove the wreaths we placed on my dad’s, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ graves for Christmas. With all the wind and rain over the past few weeks, I’m hoping they’ve remained intact. This first Christmas without Dad was especially hard—my grief felt heavier and more present throughout the holidays. I know those of you who have lost a parent, or someone close to you, will understand.
Recent Additions To My Bookshelf:
From Publishers, Netgalley, & Libro.fm:
Nell Masters is convinced someone is watching her—silent phone calls, an anonymous bouquet, and an ever-present sense of being followed—yet she desperately tries to ignore the fear as she hides a dangerous secret from her new partner, Alex, who has secrets of his own. Fourteen years earlier, under the name Elle Nugent, Nell witnessed a student, Bryony Sanders, enter a stranger’s car and later became obsessively determined to expose the man she believed murdered her, a fixation that led her down a perilous path. Now, as her past threatens to collide with her carefully rebuilt life, Nell must confront whether her new identity has been discovered, whether the hunter has become the hunted, or whether an even darker threat is closing in. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC.
When mysterious out-of-towner “Camille Bayliss” is spotted at a Louisiana bar, no one suspects she’s actually Aubrey Price, a woman seeking justice for a tragedy that’s haunted her for a decade. Convinced that Camille’s husband, Ben Bayliss, knows the truth, Aubrey teams up with Camille—who suspects her husband of dark secrets—to swap places for twelve hours and uncover what he’s hiding. But when Ben turns up dead the next morning, both women find themselves desperate to prove their innocence, because only one of them has an alibi—and in a game of deceit and betrayal, stepping into another woman’s life might just be deadly. Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio and Libro.fm for the ALC of this audiobook.
From The Library: None
From Audible: None
What I’m Watching:
I’m looking forward to watching a new show on Fox and CTV called Best Medicine, which is based on the British series Doc Martin. I watched several seasons of Doc Martin and really enjoyed it. In the American adaptation, a gruff Boston surgeon relocates to a quiet seaside town in New England—where he spent his childhood summers—to set up practice as a general practitioner. The problem – he’s developed a rare phobia that makes him flip out at the sight of blood.
On The Blog This Week:
2025 Reading Year in Review: Audiobooks, Book Challenges & Blog Reflections
Most Anticipated Books of 2026: New Releases I Can’t Wait to Read
This Post: The Weekend Post #188
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Book Review: The Odds of You by Kate Dramis
Can’t Wait Wednesday #170
Book Review: Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson
Celebrity Book Club Picks for January 2026
The Weekend Post #189
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #188. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I’m trying to store up all I can of my dad’s words and thoughts. Today is his 99th birthday! What a joy it is to be able to celebrate with him today. I do not take him for granted.
I hope you enjoy your books this week.
thathappyreader
Happy Birthday to your Dad, Deb! Enjoy every moment with him.
Tina
I’m sorry about your father’s passing and I know it’s so hard, that first year and first bit of holidays.
I did not know they did a different version of Doc Martin. Ah, it will always be Martin Clunes in that role for me.
thathappyreader
It will be for me too Tina.
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
I do understand the emotions you felt this first Christmas without your father. I recall being a little surprised when the emotions overwhelmed me. Still praying for your family as you continue your healing, Jodie💜
thathappyreader
Thank you Jonetta. I appreciate your kind words and prayers.
Harvee
Such a dramatic title – When I Kill You – for thriller readers. I’m reading Gillian McAllister suspense novels right now.
Happy new year!
thathappyreader
It is quite a title Harvee! Happy New Year!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
We’ve had really nice weather the last few days and I’ve kept the windows open. I’ve also been going on more walks and just enjoying the fresh air and warm sunshine on my face. I hope 2026 is an amazing year for you! New follower here. 🙂
thathappyreader
Thanks for following Lindsi! It sounds like you’re having lovely weather.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
Right now it’s 68 degrees! I’m about to head out to read at the park while the kids play.
thathappyreader
You must live somewhere without real seasons Lindsi.
Anne@HeadFullofBooks
Blessings on you after surviving your first holiday season without your Dad. Not that grief has a predictable arc but hopefully holidays in the future will bring less pain and grief and more happy memories.
thathappyreader
Thank you for the lovely words Anne. They mean a lot to me.
Joy's Book Blog
That first Christmas season after the loss of a loved one is particularly hard. I’m glad that you can do things with your mom and sister.
thathappyreader
Thank you Joy.
Linda
I am so sorry for your loss. Happy New Year to you from a retired lady living in Montreal.
thathappyreader
Thank you Linda!
Becki
So sorry for the loss of your dad 🙁 Sounds like you found some good reads over the holidays! When I Kill You sounds fascinating! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your 2026!
thathappyreader
Thank you Becki.
Michelle@Because Reading
This is the first Christmas without both my parents. The first is always the hardest. It’s all those wonderful memories that keep them alive.
Have a great week, Jodie! Happy Reading!
thathappyreader
I’m sorry for your loss Michelle.
Idea-ist @ GetLostinLit
When I Kill you sounds like a really good one, I hope you enjoy your books!
thathappyreader
Thank you!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
I’m glad you’ve been enjoying lovely weather and the comfort of family when needed.
It might be interesting to see how Doc Martin translates as a US show
Wishing you a lovely reading week.
thathappyreader
Thank you Shelleyrae.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Christmas week the weather was nicer and I wanted to get out and walk, but just was so busy with all the family stuff I didn’t get a chance. I’ve told my mom her new neighborhood has wonderful sidewalks and walking areas so even if she doesn’t want to, when it gets nice outside I’m going to start walking there! Although I do like the park I used to go to all the time because I knew one lap was one mile and I could keep track of miles that way. Maybe I just need to start keeping track of the time spent instead. I know my mom is still grieving even with this being the second Christmas since we lost my stepdad. Probably some of having moved from the house she was with him for 30 years hit too. I hope you have a good week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Lisa.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
The first Christmas, Birthday, Father’s Day etc. are all going to be tough, Jodie. I know how you feel, and it’s okay to name it. I am so jealous that you got the ALC of Anatomy of an Alibi. I will have to wait for the library to get it. I loved Doc Martin and watched them all. I’m interested to see what the American version is like. Happy New Year to you and yours.
thathappyreader
You should sign up to be a Libro.fm influencer Carla!
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader
Happy New Year! I hope you were able to find some joy in amongst the grief.
I do wonder how Doc Martin will translate into an American TV show.
thathappyreader
Thank you Marg.
Anne - Books of My Heart
A quiet week is a good week. I’m glad you had the quiet and the family time. That plus better weather is comforting. Happy New Year!
thathappyreader
Thanks Anne.
Her Digital Coffee
I’m glad that you enjoyed the break and that you were surrounded by loved ones, Jodie. I hope this year will bring you peace, happiness, and many blessings. I’m looking forward to all of the wonderful reviews you have coming up!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie!
La La in the Library
Happy New Year. Here’s to tons of great reading in 2026. 🎉
thathappyreader
Thank you La La.
Jill
Happy New Year. I’m sorry for the loss of your Dad.
thathappyreader
Thank you Jill.