In My Mailbox #739

Happy New Year :D I hope you have all had such a wonderful Christmas. <3 I had a great time. Ate a bit too much good food, though. Oops. Oh, well. It is just once a year, haha :) Have gotten all my Christmas decorations taken down, which is a little depressing. I'm missing my Christmas tree. But everything looks easier too, haha. Though not done tidying up yet, ugh. But getting there. Packing everything away ruined my knees. Ack. And my back just got worse. Have had pain in my back for weeks now. Getting tired of it. Hmph. Been pretty exhausted this week. Hoping to feel better soon. Got some stunning mail. <3 No pop mart items, aw. Buuut getting tooons of them next week. Oops. Oh, well :D So very excited, haha. <3 I'm happy about the new year. Went outside today and took my first twelve photos for instagram :) Ack. Not really looking forward to going out in the cold until at least April. Sigh. And it was goddamn freezing today. Between -15c and -20c. And cold wind as well. Brrr. But I managed to take my photos, ha. And I am very happy with them :) Hoping to take twelve more in the next days. So cold, though. Sigh. But good for ice, ha. So that is a plus. But yeah. Been cold for days now. And it is so so so cold. Brrrr. I hope it gets better soon. I'm not reading anything new just yet, but in the next couple of weeks. <3 Well, a re-read then, but it counts :D And ohh. Final episode of Stranger Things. I may have seen it three times; first alone, then with nephew, then with mom. All in the same day. Ahh. But it was such a great finale. <3 And I loved it so. I do wish the ending had been a little different. But it was good too. I love this series so much :) Anyway. This week I'm waiting on Young World :D And I shared my Best Books of 2025 post. <3 Hope you're all well :)

Empire of the Damned. Special edition. Of course I had to own another copy, oops. Reading one day :)
Fairyloot Adult December. Dawn of the Firebird. Looking gorgeous. Hoping to read this one someday :)
Fairyloot YA December. Coldwire. This one looks pretty awesome too. Hope to read it one day, haha. <3
Nintendo Switch + Amiibo. Tamagotchi looks like a cute game :D And the Peach amiibo is just too cute.
Funko Pop. Missing so many orders. But this new one they sent right away. Uuugh. I am currently very much hating on funko europe. Sigh. They absolutely suck. They never reply to emails. And I have sent many. Waiting on several orders. Waiting on refunds. Never happening. I'm not happy at all. Oh, well. At least I got this newest order with no problem. My new Will and Max :D Got two of Max. <3 My precious. And I love Atlantis. And Queen Charlotte. Love. And flocked Patch. And creepy old Pennywise. Love all.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Best Books of 2025

Happy final day of 2025 :D It's almost a new year again. This past year have not been easy. And I read way too little. Only managed a total of 20 books, which is an all time low for me. Only five new books to add to my best of list this year, the other four are re-reads. Ack. But I'm going to read more next year for sure. Fingers crossed. It has just been pretty hard this year. Missing grandpa very much. I removed my tonsils this spring, which was exhausting as well. The new medicine I started last year did not help much at all. So now I have started another new one. And so far it is not helping either. Sigh. Been sick a lot this year. So very exhausted. But I am doing my best. I did read some incredible books, even so. And I really hope that I will feel like reading more this coming year. I still love reading the very most. It is just so hard to start. Oops. This have been a good year too, though. So in love with the new Nintendo Switch 2. But I'm not playing as much as I should either. How rude. Time is just going by way too fast. I shall be better at getting things done next year. Fingers crossed, please :) What were your best books of this year? <3

Best Books of 2012. Best Books of 2013. Best Books of 2014. Best Books of 2015. Best Books of 2016. Best Books of 2017. Best Re-Reads of 2015. Best Re-Reads of 2017. Best Four Stars of 2018.
Best Books of 2018. Best Four Stars of 2019. Best Books of 2019. Best Four Stars of 2020.
Best Books of 2020. Best Books of 2021. Best Books of 2022. Best Books of 2023. 
Best Books of 2024. Goodreads 2025 Year in Books.  

1. The House Saphir. Loved this one the very most. Such a magical and romantic story. Dark but lovely.
2. The House of Quiet. This book surprised me. It was everything that I wanted. So dark but oh so good.
3. Among Ghosts. A thrilling and exciting story. Yet also very sad. But with the very best main character.

4. Coven. Very much loved being back in this world. These three witches are just the most fun. Loved it.
5. We Could Be Magic. Such a fun and cute story. I fully adored the romance. And the park was so cute.
6. The Scorpio Races. Fifteenth read. Still the very best book there is. I never tire of reading this beauty.

7. Silver in the Bone. This book just ruins my heart every time I read it. And I love it the very, very most.
8. The Mirror of Beasts. The very best romance. The most heartbreaking but amazing ending. So good.
9. A Study in Drowning. Such a stunning story that I loved reading again. It has such a lovely romance.

HAPPY NEW YEAR :D 

Waiting on Wednesday #741

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

YOUNG WORLD BY SOMAN CHAINANI 

Goodreads Description:

What would happen if the US elected a 17 year old as President? Find out in this sizzling, genre-busting YA political thriller from bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil .

When 17 year old Benton Young uploads a video daring the world to elect him as US President, the video goes viral. Young people have lost all faith in their leaders, and Benton’s video ignites a national revolution . . . resulting in Benton as President.

Inspired, young people from across the globe take to the streets, and soon eight of the world's most powerful nations are led by teenagers. Their to set a bold new course for the future. But, on the eve of their first global summit, one of the leaders is murdered in cold blood . . . and Benton is the only suspect.

Now Benton must untangle a deadly web of secrets, betrayal and power plays to prove his innocence. The world’s future – and his own – is on the line . . .

With globe-spanning action, shocking twists and an electric new brand of storytelling, YOUNG WORLD is a heartstopping thriller that what happens when the future really does belong to the young?
A genre-busting YA thriller of teen leaders, murder, and revolutionTold in a stunning mixed-media style with 150+ explosive neon-orange visualsPerfect for fans of fast-paced, high-stakes thrillers like The Hunger Games, All That’s Left in the World and The Inheritance GamesThemes power, greed, betrayal, activism, revolution, found family, love, friendship, finding your voice
READ THE BOOK! JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

Format: 480 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: May 5, 2026 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Eee. I am so excited for this new book by Soman :D Loved him for so many years now. And while this is not really a genre that I read, I will be reading this one. And I think I will love it too. As Soman writes the best books. It also sounds pretty exciting too. Now just waiting for it to come out. Hope to love it lots. <3
What are you waiting for on this thriller Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #738

Merry Christmas :D I hope you all had the most wonderful time. <3 I did. Such good food, haha. And family time. And presents. Sigh. We had snow before Christmas started. Then it got so warm outside. First time in yeeeears. And it rained on Christmas. And the snow is almost all melted away. Ugh. But today it finally started snowing again. Well, a tiny bit. More in the next few days, hopefully :) Full storm outside, though. Brrr. Anyway. I have had a great Christmas. <3 A bit behind on re-watching Christmas movies. But doing so soon, hopefully :) The days are going by too fast. And I am not doing well at all. Possibly side effects of the new medicine I have been taking for just over a month. Either way, it sucks. My head have been exploding. It was so bad last night. And I always have a small fever. Ugh. But I'm doing my best :) Loved the newest three episodes of Stranger Things. <3 Watched a little alone, with nephew and with mom. Haha. So some parts I saw three times. Oops. Don't mind, though. Loved it so much. Need the final episode. But I don't want it to end. Rude. Anyway. Got some lovely mail this week, eee :D Getting less next week, but still getting something, I think. Loving all that I got, ahhh :D But yeah. Buying break coming up. I have now written too much. I'm in so much pain. My hands hurt so much. So rude. This week I'm waiting on Witchlight :D Hope you are well. <3 What did you get for Christmas? :)

Better in Black. US hardcover. <3 And it's gorgeous. I really need to catch up on these books soon. Oops.
Sunrise on the Reaping. Special edition :D Stunning. I haven't read these newer books, though. One day.
An Archive of Romance. I shall be reading this book next year. Possibly. More Effy and Preston, eee. <3
Keeper of the Lost Cities: Graphic Novel Part 2. Hardcover and paperback :D Both looking gorgeous :)
The Mortal Instruments: Graphic Novel Part 9. Arrived so damaged. Ack. But beautiful. Reading one day.
Pop Mart. Ahh. More mystery boxes :D Love my Lazy Yoga. And the apple figures are too cute. And my new Labubu candy bag. And eee. Second Mokoko :D Jump Into Summer. She is so precious. I love her.
The Lord of the Rings. I just had to get this Gollum figure, haha. He is so creepy and awesome. Love him.
Nintendo Switch 2. This game looks adorable. Yooka-Re-Playlee. Hope to try it soon, and hope to love it.
Stranger Things. Eee! First, I got Max in one of the mystery boxes :D On my second try. So that was a plus. <3 Love her. But, oh, come on. I then had the worst luck. Bought 3 more of the small squishy toys, hoping to finally get Max. Instead I got the very same three that I got the last time. What. How rude. And had hoped for Max in that walkie toy. Instead I got Mike, the most boring one. Ugh. Still, I do like the toy.

Christmas gifts. Eee! Some Christmas presents :D Not all of what I got, though. Also got some cute, ha, cat butt magnets for my fridge. I love them. And a little money and giftcards. <3 We have a small family. But just large enough :) Loving everything that I got. Love my new Toy Story Lotso bear crocs, eee. Even two types, ha :D Both so cute. And some jibbitz too. And two mini chanel bags from my sister, haha, for my Labubus. <3 Until we can afford a real one for me ;) And eee, so in love with my Yzma cat loungefly backpack. She is precious. Got three mystery mini bags. Bad luck on all three of them. Sigh. But these figures are still cute. <3 Just not any of the ones I wanted. And a squishy toy and a wrist cat thingy. And then a whole bunch of plushes, ha :D Which I very much love. Cute plushes are just for me. Got three Jellycats. Love them so. Wanted the bee for ages, finally have him, eee. And my bear. So cute. And two Bukowski plushes; my favorite plush brand :D Huge cat. So cute. And the ragdoll cat is a different brand, but oh so soft and cute. Love everything. <3 I did know about a few of these, haha :) From my wishlist. <3

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #740

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

WITCHLIGHT (The Witchlands #5) BY SUSAN DENNARD 

Goodreads Description:

Paths converge and prophecies unfold as the fate of the Witchlands is decided in this epic, highly-anticipated finale to Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series

Safi and Iseult, the legendary Cahr Awen, must heal the final Origin Well. But first, they'll have to actually reach it―and time is not on their side. With ancient figures rising from the past, with the Raider King’s armies gathering for war, and with the magic at the heart of everything dying too fast, all of the Witchlands is on the brink of collapse.

To succeed, Safi and Iseult will have to call on every favor owed and every ally they've ever made, from Prince Merik Nihar to the Bloodwitch Aeduan and beyond. Yet all who fight for the Cahr Awen will soon discover that Eridysi's Lament is not the prophecy they believed it was―and their journeys are only just beginning.

Format: 464 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: November 4, 2025 by Tor Teen
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

This one came out last month, but I forgot to share about it. Oops. I have yet to read this series. Ack. But I own them all, ha. <3 I just couldn't stop buying them. I will read them all one day. They sound so good.
What are you waiting for on this magical Wednesday?