By Tessa Pulyer Posted on

Sunday Post 59 | Happy New Year

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ 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

This past week was a pretty big week for us. It’s a southern US tradition to remove Christmas decorations before January 1st, and it is one that we have embraced. I believe it is supposed to be bad luck if you leave them up after December. It’s also a tradition to eat black eyed peas and collards on New Year’s Day to bring prosperity in the new year but yuck! So, we undid Christmas this week but did not feast on collards or black eyed peas.

My anniversary was the 29th and my husband and I enjoyed a lovely day together ending with a very leisurely meal at the Melting Pot. Ever since I had to give up gluten, the Melting Pot has been one of my favorites as they do an excellent job with gluten free options. And since they have very private 2 person booths, it just fits that anniversary mood. We got married when I was just halfway through college (my husband had just graduated), so we have been married a good long while now.

Lastly, for New Year’s Eve, we decided to trepidatiously take the dire warnings of health officials and the media with a grain of antibacterial salt and ventured out again, this time for dinner and movie with our daughters. Our county has been masked for all but three months this summer and there weren’t any crowds, so I felt very safe being out and about.

What did you do to celebrate a new year?

from NetGalley

They’re perfect for each other They just don’t know it yet Becca and Charlie have known each other for years – ever since they met at university. And for every one of those years, they’ve bickered, argued, offended, mocked and generally rubbed each other up the wrong way. Until now. Until Ally’s bucket list. The death of their loved one should mean Becca and Charlie can go their separate ways and not look back. But completing the list is something neither Charlie nor Becca can walk away from. And sometimes, those who bring out the worst in you, also bring out the very best… Over the course of ten years, Becca and Charlie’s paths collide as they deal with grief, love and life after Ally. Not since Emma and Dex in One Day and Will and Lou in Me Before You will you root for a couple as much. ‘In between tears and smiles as I read, I also had proper heart flutters… The sign of seriously good story telling’ Jules Wake
She told you her secret. Now she’s dead and it’s your fault… As the local doctor, Kate O’Leary has the respect of her community, after all she’s helped generations of those in need. But then a teenage patient is murdered. And her blood is found in Kate’s house. Her neighbours turn against her and rumours start to spread. Alone and under arrest, Kate turns to the one person who can help. But she knows that even an official verdict can mean nothing if those looking for revenge find you guilty. Kate knows she’s not a killer. But if it’s not her, then who? And finding the truth might be the only way to stay alive… The Woman at No.13 is a gripping and twisty psychological crime thriller perfect for fans of Claire Douglas and Gillian McAllister.

from Amazon

A woman’s homecoming is met with death threats, a treacherous killer, and a legendary monster in this supernatural thriller series opener. Behind a legend lies the truth . . . As a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn, in a tragic bridge collapse. Fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real . . . Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware of darker currents haunting the town. It isn’t long before Eve’s arrival unravels an old secret—one that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of a deadly killer . . . “Masterful, bone-chilling fiction…one intense thriller. A Thousand Yesteryears will keep you guessing, gasping and turning the pages for more.” —Kevin O’Brien,New York Times–bestselling author
An exhilarating novel about fast friends and fashionable revenge by Liz Talley, the USA Today bestselling author of Adulting. Antique-store owner Cricket Crosby’s life is turned upside down when she discovers that the rumors of her husband’s affair aren’t just leisurely southern gossip. Her plan: hire an investigator; find an attorney; enlist the help of her new assistant, Ruby; and make her husband pay. Ruby knows how quickly everything changes. After a dicey past, she’s determined to forge a new future by working for Cricket and reinventing herself as a designer, deconstructing vintage haute couture. If anybody can help mend a few tears in Cricket’s life, she can. But turns out Cricket’s life isn’t just a little torn. It’s wrinkled, stained, and falling apart at the seams. With Ruby and her ragtag relatives—a soused PI and a hunky tow truck driver—Cricket is sleuthing her way to the truth, no matter how dangerous it gets. Sure, Cricket’s life isn’t what she imagined. But she’s embracing change and figuring out what she really wants. And that’s kind of fabulous.

On New Year’s Eve we went to dinner and a movie with our daughters. We had Mexican food (at Qdobas) then went to see Spiderman: No Way Home in an RPX theater. I was worried about crowds but I guess many people heeded the dire warnings to stay home (unlike us, which was a rare act of rebelliousness on our part) so we didn’t have to contend with any crowds at all.

Then last night, we watched the Harry Potter 20th anniversary reunion on HBO Max. I tried to binge watch all of the Harry Potter movies yesterday, but when I added up the total hours, it would have taken almost 24 hours, so I just watched the first three before playing the reunion.

Here are my Goodreads’ stats for 2021 in screenshots:

  • Monday, January 3: Book Review of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long (YA SciFy/Fantasy)
  • Tuesday, January 4: Book Review of In Every Generation by Kendare Blake (YA Paranormal Fantasy)
  • Wednesday, January 5: WWW Wednesday
  • Wednesday, January 5: Blog Tour Book Review of We Watch You by NS Ford
  • Thursday, January 6: Book Review of My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle (Thriller)
  • Friday, January 7: Book Blogger Hop

How was your week – bookish or otherwise?

46 Replies to “Sunday Post 59 | Happy New Year”

  1. CJR The Brit says:

    Wow I didn’t know about that and taking down Xmas decs. Here we follow epiphany so we take down on 6th January. Have a great week ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      Another way UK and US are difference. The differences always surprise me. I don’t know of anywhere in the US that follows epiphany. But there may be some areas. 🤷🏻‍♀️

      Like

      1. CJR The Brit says:

        It seems different everywhere! I saw something today that some people aren’t taking down decs until Feb to follow the Russian Christmas (I might do that, not that I’m lazy or anything!!!) 😂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Juli @ A Universe in Words says:

    Congratulations on your anniversary, you guys truly have been together a long while! I’m also a fan of not leaving Christmas decorations up too long, but in 2020, when COVID first hit, my dad had his tree up for almost the entire year because it brought cheer even while he had to stay inside, which kind of made sense to me xD ‘The Woman at No. 13’ looks amazing! I’m still saving the HP Anniversary for after my deadlines, I think it’ll probably make me emotional! I hope you have a lovely week 🙂
    Juli @ A Universe in Words

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      I think anything that brings happiness, especially during these very trying times is a good thing and should be encouraged ❤️

      Like

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      Lol. I grew up in the Northeast US and we didn’t have that tradition, so you’re good, I’m sure. Happy New Year! ❤️

      Like

  7. Carla says:

    It sounds like you had a wonderful week Tessa. At home we normally take down our inside decorations on New Year’s Day and the outside in mid January, if we get a nice day weather wise. I took everything down before I left to come south. I don’t eat black eyed peas and collard greens either. I watched various New Year’s Eve shows on TV and watched fireworks on my balcony to celebrate. I really want to rewatch all the Harry Potter movies, but haven’t started yet. I finally took the plunge and am watching Outlander. Have a great upcoming week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      Oooo…I loved the Outlander books and think the series looks wonderful too. Enjoy!!!! Hope your 2022 is excellent ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Mareli Thalwitzer says:

    Hi there Tessa! Happy New Year! I also took my Christmas tree down on the 29th, but I actually normally leave it up till right before school starts in January. Been a different year 2021 that one.

    I haven’t even started looking for new books and know I need to check what is still outstanding from last year. But then I look at all your new books and I really feel like new ones..!!

    Happy Anniversary to you! Glad you had fun and some fun for new years as well.

    Have a good year and I wish you many awesome reads for 2022.

    Elza Reads

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      New ones are so bright and shiny. Happy New Year to you and yours. Here’s to a wonderful 2022!

      Like

  9. Louise H says:

    So glad you had a nice anniversary. In the UK 12th night is when traditionally decorations such all have been taken down – though there is always disagreement if it is the 5th or 6th of January! Ours came down today, ready for returning to work.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Mae Clair says:

    Whoa! First of all, I was delightfully surprised while scrolling through your book haul to find A Thousand Yesteryears on the list. Thank you for purchasing and adding to your TBR. I’m grinning ear-to-ear.

    It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday and anniversary. I actually like collard greens, and black eyed peas though I have never had them together. I was also totally unfamiliar with that southern tradition of taking Christmas decorations down in December, but I took mine down on New Year’s Eve. I normally put them up on Black Friday and then down they come on the day the ball drops.

    Hubby and I always celebrate NYE at home with a candlelight lobster tail dinner, then watch the ball drop and have a champagne toast. I have to say though, it’s getting a little harder to stay up the older I get!

    Happy New Years, Tessa!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      Your New Year’s Eve sounds wonderful and I truly love your writing so, of course, I added A Thousand Yesteryears. ❤️🤗❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  12. jessicabookworm says:

    Well done on some great reading stats, Tessa and I am pleased you enjoyed your New Year, anniversary and a family trip to the cinema. I really want to go see Spiderman. I spent New Year’s Eve at my friends house, where we had prosecco, a Chinese takeaway, and played monopoly. I also went to the cinema but to finally see Ghostbusters: Afterlife. 😃 However my decorations are firmly still up as I keep to the old tradition of 12 days of Christmas, which doesn’t end till Epiphany on Thursday. 🎄 Take care and happy reading in the coming week. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      It’s interesting how US and UK traditions differ. All areas in the US aren’t into quickly putting Christmas away, but I’ve never heard of anyone in the US following the 12 days of Christmas. Very interesting ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. jessicabookworm says:

        To be fair a lot of UK people have their decorations down before then – Most people seem to want them down before they go back to work.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. D. Wallace Peach says:

    Happy Anniversary and Happy New Year, Tessa. It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. 171 Books is awesome! Wow. And I liked your haul. Mae’s book A Thousand Yesteryears is the only one I’ve read, and it was great. Happy Reading.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. WendyW says:

    Happy New Year Tessa! I didn’t even do Christmas decorations this year, so I had nothing to take down. Looks like you had an amazing year of reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      We almost didn’t either but we ended up managing the tree and a wreath on the door thanks to my girls. I was busy taking care of my husband and helping him and his mom through a tough time. Which all made for a different kind of holiday.

      Like

  18. stargazer says:

    Happy New Year! It sounds like you had a great week. And congrats with the anniversary. 🙂 How was the HP reunion? There has been so much talk about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      I thought it was a good look back. The actors getting so choked up at times is so touching. And I loved hearing their stories.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Lori says:

    Our stats did end up almost identical! Good year!

    In PA (where I am from), Christmas usually stays up till 12th Night (or what my Grandfather always called “Russian Christmas”). When my husband was alive, he let me keep the tree up till MLK day, and I still complained because I adore Christmas trees. In fact, when I was in Grad school, my brother and I moved to a new apartment one July…and the last thing we put in the UHaul was a fully-decorated Christmas tree. We just carried it into the new apartment and stashed it, fully-decorated, in a closet.

    Ah, youth. 😍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      I’m originally from Delaware where we didn’t really have any traditions. But I say, keep it up as long as it makes you happy ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Julie Anna's Books says:

    Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary to you! We usually leave everything up through the first week of January but this year we just took it all down on New Years!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      I enjoy it ❤️. And the private booths are not only romantic but also feel so safe from the virus, which in this crazy world is such a plus.

      Like

  22. Teri Polen says:

    Happy Anniversary, Tessa! Hope you enjoyed Spiderman as much as I did – I was thrilled with it. I also watched HP over the weekend – such fun to see that cast reunite. You’re going to love Mae’s Point Pleasant series. Look forward to reading your review. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lady Tessa says:

      We loved Spiderman. There are so many things that I could say that I loved and every one would be a spoiler. And, it was nice seeing the cast of Harry Potter reunite. Their emotions were so moving.

      Liked by 1 person

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