Something a little different this New Year’s Eve, both for the blog, and for me. Fireworks and toasts didn’t seem to work last year. 2025 wasn’t the best year for many of us. So, this year, it’s books and light. That seems appropriate for the books we discuss, and the light we yearn for in our lives, in the winter season, in the political world. May we all find warmth, good health, and the blessings of friendship and the books we share.
I can’t wish you anything more important than good health in 2026. We’re all a year older than the last time we discussed the new year. Some of us faced health problems ourselves or health issues with family or friends. We need to continue to take care of ourselves. I hope we’re all here a year from now to celebrate the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.
I hope we all have towering piles of good books to read in 2026. I’ve had years when nothing seemed to spark my interest, sometimes for a few months. I’m anticipating some good reading in the new year. I have Connie Berry’s December book, A Grave Deception to start the year with. Jeffrey Siger kicks off a new series in February with A Study in Secrets. Towards the end of March, Andrew Welsh-Huggins will follow up The Mailman with The Delivery. So, I already know that a few favorite authors will have new books for me to read. Then, there will be undoubtedly be books by J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts, Jenn McKinlay and other authors I love.
And, I hope you have moments of joy with family and friends. For a change, I’m actually leaving the house on New Year’s Eve, going to my sister and brother-in-law’s to watch the Ohio State football game, and I’ll stay overnight so I won’t be on the roads late on a night when I hate to be out. Win or lose, I’m sure we’ll have fun cheering and yelling at the TV. The New Year will bring plenty of dinners at Linda and Kevin’s. I have plays to attend with family, including a couple favorites, “Come From Away” and “1776”, along with new discoveries. I think I’ll meet up later in the year in Chicago with a friend I haven’t seen in years. There will be a few days of bookstores and talk with a close friend. And, if life treats my family well, we’ll celebrate my Mom’s 90th birthday in June.
And, on Thursdays, I’ll meet up with all of you here at Lesa’s Book Critiques. Good health, good books, and joy. I hope we’ll end 2025 anticipating all of the best in 2026. I love you all, and love meeting up with you here, sharing our friendship and love of books. Thank you for being here with me.
(See you tomorrow for What Are You Reading. Can’t wait to see how you’re starting 2026!)
Happy New Year Everyone!
Happy New Year, Glen!
What a thoughtful, heartfelt New Year’s Eve message Lesa. (I love the cozy, peaceful illustration too) I know I have much to be grateful for, and hope to do a better job of remembering that in 2026. Here’s to family, friends, and books.
Happy New Year everyone! 🎉
You’re not the only one who needs to remember that, Lindy. Sending you New Year’s hugs!
It’s 8am here in Scotland and I’m looking out at a sky streaked with blue and pink. The birds are singing, and I feel blessed to be living in such a beautiful (if cold – currently 3C ) place.
Your message is so on point, Lesa. I myself have so much to be grateful for, but it’s easy for me to forget that in the daily rush.
New Year’s Eve is a good time for stillness and reflection;
‘Now the new year reviving old desires/the thoughtful soul to solitude retires’
Family, friends (including all of you in our little, but so much valued, community), home, books, music, art, theatre and nature; they are what matter to me. And of course health is so important.
In 2026 we are looking forward to welcoming our first grandchild – it doesn’t seem a day since we were welcoming our own firstborn! As I get older I try to see each day as a precious commodity not to be wasted. I’m far too good at hurtling from one thing to the next without appreciating either.
Very best wishes to everyone!
Good morning, Rosemary! I’m not as good at appreciating sunrises as you are. My mother does. Most mornings, she and a friend walk the pier at sunrise in our hometown. I did appreciate it when we were in Ireland, the sunrise with the mist was beautiful.
But, like you, I’m going to try better to appreciate every day. We have so much to be grateful for. Congratulations on the upcoming grandchild! You may have to slow down a little to spend time with that new family member. Enjoy every minute!
I love your New Year’s Eve comments about what you enjoy. Happy New Year’s, Rosemary. Sending hugs!
Happy New Year, Lesa. enjoy your family time,and your books.
Thank you, Mary Ann! Enjoy your weather (I’m jealous), and your books. Happy New Year!
Happy Hogmanay, Rosemary.
Thanks Jeff – and the same to you and Jackie. I hope you get away to Florida easily – we have snow forecast for at least a week from tomorrow.
Sounds like you already have some great things planned. Happy New Year to you and everyone here. I was thinking about it this morning (being old, as we are), and we’ve pretty much all the traditional NYE things at one point or another: we went to stand in Times Square and watch the ball drop (before we were married), we’ve been to the theater, to the movies, even to a concert (a great one, Jimmy Buffett and Huey Lewis at Barclays Center). We’ve been to a NYE party and held two of our own (when we were first married). We’ve been to California and Arizona visiting family. We’ve been to restaurants for NYE dinner and (as we’re doing today) for lunch. But these days, we’re happy to go out early and come home to watch TWO FOR THE ROAD and WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… and be asleep long before midnight. (I said we were old.)
New Years Eve has a special meaning, because that was the day we moved from being friends to something more, way back in the Dark Ages (OK, it was December 31, 1966, SIXTY YEARS next year!) . Let’s hope for a way better year and good health for all. (That Tatiana Schlossberg story is a real tragedy.)
Again, Happy New Year!
SIXTY YEARS! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Oh MANY congratulations Jeff!
We haven’t had nearly so many NYE experiences, but like you I am only too happy to stay home, watch TV and go to bed well before the Bells. We have just finished series one of BLUE LIGHTS (a re-watch for me as David needed to catch up) but maybe we will find something all little more festive tonight. The new series of THE NIGHT MANAGER begins tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that.
I did not know about Tatiana Schlossberg; I have just looked her up. As you say, how very, very tragic. My friend, whose husband died very suddenly in January a few years ago now, says that she has learned to live for today and enjoy life as much as possible; she’s so right.
I hope you had a wonderful lunch today!
Happy New Year, Jeff, to you and Jackie. Cancelled my plans for going to my sister’s tonight. Expecting more snow. That means more idiots out there, but that means cleaning off my car in the morning, and who knows what on the roads in the morning. Other than missing the time with family, I’m just as happy to stay home and watch my Duke on basketball, followed by the Ohio State football game.
Your post reminds me of an article I read by Regina Brett earlier today. It was about the “Last time for Everything “, and that we usually don’t recognize it at the time, but it becomes a memory. The last time you hug someone, the last time you see a performer in concert, the last time you drive when you give up your keys. It was a somewhat sad post for the end of the year, but makes me think about appreciating each day.
Happy New Year’s eve and Happy 2026 Lesa and Friends – as that is how I’ve come to think of everyone on this blog. I wish that I had some wise words to impart, but the best that I can come up with is, treasure the moments that you are with your family and friends. All the rest is just icing on the cake!
That is a wonderful reminder to take time to appreciate what we have. I find myself so caught up in the events in the world, that I often fail to appreciate the daily joys..daily phone calls with my kids, holding hands with my almost teen age granddaughter, my grandson building his first block tower, and being able to do so with my wonderful husband, my high school sweetheart. I hope to keep these thoughts more in the forefront than my worries.
I hope that the upcoming year will bring good health and joy to all of you. I am very thankful for you, Lesa, and for the family you have brought together with your blog. Happy New Year, all!
Oh, Jennifer. I just mentioned the last time for everything – the last time to hold your granddaughter’s hand,…We need to appreciate those moments. You’re so right.
I agree, Mary. This is a spot where friends come together to talk about books, but also to support each other. And, you’re right. I went too many years away, and I’m really appreciating my family now.
Happy New Year everyone!
Happy New Year, Sandy!
Happy New Year’s, everyone! While 2025 wasn’t the worst year, it’s one I’m happy to say good bye to.
The school levy passed in November so I have a job for the next two years and for that I’m very thankful. I had no desire to go job hunting at my age and not sure anyone would hire me anyway.
For 2026, my goals are to post more on Thursdays and work on downsizing my craft room. I’m finding as I get older, I probably won’t live long enough to do all the projects I have. Being off the last two weeks I’ve managed to make great strides on getting rid of stuff and hope to keep the momentum going.
Here’s to a fabulous new year!
Bev, I feel like that about the many hundreds of books I own but have still to read, but I am terrible about culling them. I don’t have any problem with getting rid of clothes or linens, but books are hard!
One of my friends is still hanging on to her late mother’s furniture in the hope that her adult children will want it. They very clearly won’t (they are both in their 30s.) I told her about the book I had seen ‘Nobody wants your s*it: the art of decluttering before you die’ and we did have a laugh about it – but it’s so true. I guess one of my children will just donate all of my books to Oxfam – and that will be OK. But well done you on making a start on your craft room. Stuff does almost start to become a psychological burden sometimes, doesn’t it? Better to get things you’re never going to do/read out of the house – otherwise they can make you feel so guilty!
Happy New Year, Bev! I’m so glad you have a job for the next two years! It’s hard when you’re dependent on a vote, I’m sure.
I love your resolutions! I see Rosemary addressed the issue with books. I seem to buy more rather than weeding them out. I admire my mother. She’s been trying to get rid of things, and continues to tell us to take things. I came back with an entire box of family history documents. I hope I live long enough to pass them on to a niece.
What a wonderful message, Lesa. Thank you. I have about a dozen books on my NetGalley “shelf” that I am looking forward to, in addition to four from the library, plus a lot of musicals to see between now and midyear. And being with my whole immediate family of six is always rewarding and fun.
Happy New Year to you and all of my friends at Lesa’s Book Critiques!
Happy New Year, Margie. That’s one of the things that makes me feel good, knowing you’re at home with your family, and you’ve made a whole new life with friends. I never forgot my Mom’s comments when my husband died. “Your life will not be the same, but you can make it good.” I think you’ve made a good life for yourself.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Happy New Year, Carol. I hope you have a break from some of your health issues in 2026.
Happy New Year and THANK YOU for all you do, Lesa!
Happy New Year, Trisha! Thank you for being here with us.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Thank you, Lesa, for gathering us all together, and for your lovely words
Happy New Year, Kaye. Sending hugs and love to you, Donald, and Annabelle. Thank you for being part of my life.
Happy New Year to all at Lesa’s. I don’t often get the chance to comment, but I never miss reading the blog and love to hear all of your updates. May the New Year bring you all great books, happiness and whatever you most wish for!
Happy New Year, Eileen. Even if you don’t comment often, you’re part of the family. Thank you for joining us. I enjoy catching up with all our friends here. I hope 2026 treats you kindly.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Lesa! I have loved talking books with you for so many years and I hope it can continue in 2026 and beyond. Big hugs sent to you and wishing you good health, good reading and peaceful days! Take care, dear friend!
Happy New Year to you and your family, Kay. I hope your husband gets some golfing time, and you get some Poisoned Pen time in 2026! I hope we continue our streak of talking books in the new year. Sending you hugs!
Sounds like great plans for 2026…hoping we get together too..and are blessed to celebrate your mom ‘s birthday. Here’s to new delights, family andd friends and great reads in 2026.
I agree, Carol Jeanne! I hope it all works out for our family. That’s a wonderful wish! Sending love and hugs!