What I Read in January

In September 2019, Mr H and I started our own book blog; those posts are now merged with this blog, and in December 2019, I posted my very first quarterly reading round-up. I have continued to post quarterly summaries until now, when I have decided to switch to monthly posts.
Here is what I read in January 2026.
 

Winter's Song by Angela Harding 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I'm happy to have started the year with a high rating. The last of this series, and I think it was my favourite. When so much focus is usually on people disliking Winter or describing it in miserable terms, it's refreshing and generally enjoyable to read of others' love for the season, as well as to see that love in art form. I dropped a star only as I would have liked a little more from the text, the same as with its predecessors. 

Winter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermid 🌟🌟🌟
After reading 'Spring' by Michael Morpurgo from this seasonal quartet, I was so excited for this book, but it left me a little disappointed. It lacked the enthusiasm for true Winter, instead focusing mainly on random childhood memories from late Autumn and the more popular secular holidays, which overshadow the final months of the calendar year. In place,s it felt an incoherent jumble of points disconnected from any story of the Winter season. 

Sherlock Holmes and the Three Winter Terrors by James Lovegrove 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audiobook]
Considering this was Sherlock without the Conan Doyle, I was pleasantly surprised! A trio of short stories interconnected by one thing, it kept me guessing until almost the very end. The writing felt reminiscent of the Sherlock style, fitting in well with the original stories while also being an easy listen, keeping me coming back to find out 'who dunnit'.

Nature Tales for Winter Nights by Nancy Campbell 🌟🌟
I don't know where to start with this one...and looking back, I think those two stars are rounded up. This was a big nope for me, and after reading some reviews online, it would seem I'm not alone. I found this so tedious - a real slog to get through, but I was determined not to give up. A very fragmented collection of stories lacking context, direction, or much relation to the theme, some stories with no connection to Winter, minus a passing mention to the date. I was hoping for whimsical, magical and/or cosy tales but was left with boring, sad and even disturbing excerpts. 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A truly lovely book, not only about the actual season of Winter but also winter in the aspect of a long period of difficult living. I enjoyed the cadence and layout of this book as well as the overall premise, something I already agree with and practise in my own life. 

The Gifts of Winter: How to Uncover Seasonal Joy, Health and Happiness by Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[Audio]
My favourite book of the month! So much so, I had to buy a physical copy. Full of practical advice and activities to complete, I wanted to see the layout and be able to use the set questions, etc., without having to pause and note down while listening. As you've probably gathered, I'm already a Winter lover and don't need to be convinced of the joys and gifts the season brings, but I still got a lot out of it. I always love it when the author narrates their own audiobooks, too.

Last year, I also had a stack of books that were laid out as daily, weekly or even monthly 'chapters'. This year, the stack is taller. I started six of those books in January and will rate and review them at the end of the year.

Year-Long Reads
Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year by Jane McMorland Hunter
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga, Yinka Olusoga
Wonderland: A Year of Britain's Wildlife, Day by Day by Brett Westwood, Stephen Moss
Words for Life: To Boost Every Day of the Year by Susie Dent
Telling the Seasons: Stories, Celebrations and Folklore around the Year by Martin Maudsley
Urban Nature Every Day: Discover the Natural World on Your Doorstep Jane McMorland Hunter, Sally Hughes

January Stats
January Pages - 689
Year-Long Reads Pages - 216
Total Pages - 905
Audio Listening Time - 17h 43m 
Average Rating - 3.8

January 2026 Overview

For 2026, I wanted to move away from my typical 'Life Lately' monthly round-up posts. I started them in that style in May of 2020, and as I want less and less of my private life to be online, it makes sense to stray away from sharing personal details on my blog. That being the case, these posts will be much shorter than usual, but hopefully, throughout the year, I can think of more ways to share without it being too invasive. 
Here is 

Blogs Posts I Published 
The Skies of 2025
Life Lately - December
12 Days Wild // Part 1
What I Read Last Quarter // October - December
12 Days Wild // Part 2
The Birds of 2025 - December
My Year in Books 2025
Snow in January? Groundbreaking!

Reccomendations
To Read - The Gifts of Winter: How to uncover seasonal joy, health and happiness by Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald
To Watch - Fantasia (1940)
To Do - Let yourself feel the cold.

Favourite Photo from Each Week

Week 1 

Week 2 

Week 3

Week 4

Daily Photo Blog Posts

Adventures of The Hallows: 2026 Project 365 // Week 1

Adventures of The Hallows: 2026 Project 365 // Week 2

Adventures of The Hallows: 2026 Project 365 // Week 3

Entertainment
Games played - 1
Jigsaws completed - 1
Books read - 6 
Movies watched - 5
Left the house - 5 times

Quote of the Month
"We are striving to forge our union with purpose,
To compose a country committed
To all cultures, colors, characters,
And conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes, not
To what stands between us,
But what stands before us. "
- Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb.

Monthly Nature Video
(coming soon)

Big Garden Birdwatch 2026

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is an annual survey held on the same weekend each year to count the number of birds across the UK. This year marked its 47th year and my 13th year taking part.
It is interesting how this citizen science affects our local population...as in the days approaching, the gardens are abundant with flits here and there, whistles and twips, and splashes in the birdbaths. However, as soon as the weekend itself arrives, not even crickets! That's an exaggeration; birds do still come, but usually in much smaller numbers than usual. 
This year, the weather was extremely gloomy and dull too! Though the heavy rains held off on my third and final attempt on Sunday, it wasn't the best photo-taking conditions. I know that doesn't matter at all, but it is an excuse.
Below are the photos taken during our Big Garden Birdwatch 2026.

See posts from previous years here:
Big Garden Birdwatch 2025
Big Garden Birdwatch 2024
Big Garden Birdwatch 2023
Big Garden Birdwatch 2022

2026 Big Garden Birdwatch Results
Blackbird - 1

Blue Tit - 6
Dunnock - 1
Goldfinch - 2
Great Tit - 4
House Sparrow - 4
Jackdaw - 2
Pigeon (Rock Dove) - 30
Robin - 1
Starling - 2
Wood Pigeon - 1

Total -  54
 

(You only count the birds that land in your garden and only note the most of a species seen at once. For example, throughout the hour, there may be multiple sightings of a blackbird; if there is only ever one visiting at a time, you must submit '1'.)

If you can, I encourage you to feed your local birds. Please also put out fresh, clean water for them at all times of the year, but especially in the hot summers and super cold winters when natural sources may be dried up or frozen over.

For more information on the RSPB, Big Garden Birdwatch and the protection of birds, click here.

Snow in January? Groundbreaking!

 

These photos were taken on the 3rd of January, when I woke up and opened the curtains to a sumptuous snow scene. Over the years, I've grown to love and appreciate the white blanket more and more, and whenever Mother Nature graces us with such a day, I make the most of it! You'll see from these photos that a lot of the daylight hours were spent out in the gardens or looking out onto it from the windows, taking in the beautiful sights. 
Enjoy!