Bogormen

Title: The Beginner's Guide to Loneliness
Author: Laura Brambrey
Genre: Chick-lit
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 406
Date read: December, 2021

Tori Williamson is alone. After a tragic event left her isolated from her loved ones, she’s been struggling to find her way back to, well – herself. That’s why she set up her blog, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, as a way of – anonymously – connecting with the outside world and reaching others who just need a little help sometimes.

When she’s offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, Tori is anxious about opening herself up to new surroundings. But after her three closest friends – who she talks to online but has never actually met – convince her it’ll do her some good, she reluctantly agrees and heads off for three weeks in the wild (well, a farm in Wales).

From the moment she arrives, Tori is sceptical and quickly finds herself drawn to fellow sceptic Than, the retreat’s dark and mysterious latecomer. But as the beauty of The Farm slowly comes to light she realizes that opening herself up might not be the worst thing. And sharing a yurt with fellow retreater Bay definitely isn’t. Will the retreat be able to fix Tori? Or will she finally learn that being lonely doesn’t mean she’s broken . . .


Talk about finding the right book at the right time. I picked up this book yesterday (knowing nothing about it, but just liking the back blurb), started it 10 minutes after purchasing it, and had finished it 24 hours later.

It was just... sweet. Not exceptional enough for me to give it 5 stars, but just very, very sweet, and I loved every moment of it. The characters were so well written and seemed real to me. Tori, Doreen and Rowan especially. I love seeing people grow and come into their own, and that growth was handled beautifully here. It almost made me want to go visit the Farm myself ;-)

I also liked the acknowledgement that online friendships can be every bit as real as "real life" ones.

Title: The Christmas Sisters
Author: Sarah Morgan
Genre: Chick-lit, Christmas
Rating: 3.5/5
# pages: 382
Date read: December, 2021

All Suzanne McBride wants for Christmas is her three daughters happy and at home. But when sisters Posy, Hannah and Beth return to their family home in the Scottish Highlands, old tensions and buried secrets start bubbling to the surface.

Suzanne is determined to create the perfect family Christmas, but the McBrides must all face the past and address some home truths before they can celebrate together...


Cozy story about three very different sisters coming home for Christmas. No great surprises or twists in the plot, but I didn't expect that either - it's a chick-lit Christmas story! There was perhaps a bit too much drama for me to actually call it a feel-good book, as there were plenty of times where I wanted to take one sister and use her to hit the other.

But of course it all worked out in the end - it's a Christmas story, it had to! - and for all the drama, I loved that none of it was long term, and that beneath it all, the genuine affection between the family members was clear to see. Oh, and I ADORED Melly and Ruby - as an auntie myself, I thought the description of them was spot on!

Title: Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe
Author: Craig Groeschel
Genre: Christian non-fiction
Rating: 3/5
# pages: 168
Date read: December 2021

Prayer moves the heart of God--but some prayers move Him more than others. He wants more for us than a tepid faith and half-hearted routines at the dinner table. He's called you to a life of courage, not comfort.

This book will show you how to pray the prayers that search your soul, break your habits, and send you to pursue the calling God has for you. But be warned: if you're fine with settling for what's easy, or you're OK with staying on the sidelines, this book isn't for you. You'll be challenged. You'll be tested. You'll be moved to take a long, hard look at your heart.

But you'll be inspired, too.

You'll be inspired to pray boldly. To pray powerfully. To pray with fire. You'll see how you can trade ineffective prayers and lukewarm faith for raw, daring prayers that will push you to new levels of passion and fulfillment. You'll discover the secret to overcome fears of loss, rejection, failure, and the unknown and welcome the blessings God has for you on the other side.

You'll gain the courage it takes to pray dangerous prayers.


My Bible-app (previously YouGov) had a reading plan based on this book. I was very taken with it, and decided to buy the book it was based on. But as so often happens, all the best things of the book were in the reading plan as well, so the book didn't really have anything new to add.

It was good, but basic. I don't mean that in a negative way, just that for somebody who's been a Christian for 40+ years it didn't offer anything new. Some good reminders, to be sure, but I didn't feel like I learned anything.

I did appreciate the suggestions of scriptures to pray though :-)

Title: An Unlikely Witch
Author: Debora Geary
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 243
Date read: January 2014, March 2015, June 2018, December 2021

A toddler and a snowman... Everyone in Witch Central knows about Jamie Sullivan's precog vision. The one he saw when he first laid eyes on the woman who would one day be his wife.

Now Nat and Jamie have it all. A fiery, adorable daughter, the kind of marriage that lasts to forever and beyond, and deep roots in the love, antics, and magic of Witch Central's leading family.

Those parts of the vision have all come true. All that is missing is one small boy with dancing eyes.

And all the magic in the universe can't seem to make him real.

Loved this just as much as I had expected to, but without giving too much away, I think it would be a very hard read for somebody struggling with infertility.

But to me, it was still a comfort book. Debora Geary writes love so well, and I'm looking very much forward to seeing where she takes this new development in future books. I do wish there had been more focus on the solstice gifts though. As far as I recall we never heard what all of them were... and I think that would have made for some awesome scenes!

I love Trinity, and am glad to see that she's been adopted by Witch Central as well.

I did have one issue with the beginning of the book. I don't think it would qualify as a spoiler, but I'll hide it anyway, just in case.
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Title: A Lost Witch (A Modern Witch #7)
Author: Debora Geary
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5
# pages: 269 pages
Date read: July 2013, 2014, March 2015, November 2019, December 2021

Hannah Kendrick has spent the last twelve years fighting for her sanity. And the doctor who has stood by her side has run out of options.

A small computer tracking spell will find Hannah—but can Witch Central save her?


I think "A Lost Witch" earns the dubious honour of being the Witch Central book that has made me cry the hardest so far - probably just as well that I was alone while reading this, so I didn't worry anybody.

What I enjoy most about these books is that everybody is so genuinely nice and caring - Witch Central opens their hearts and lives to anybody in need, and it makes for such a refreshing change to many of the books I've otherwise been reading.

My heart broke for Hannah, Lauren and Nell in this one, but they have a strong safety net, and I have no doubts they will make it through to the other side in one piece.

Title: Witches Under Way (WitchLight Trilogy #2)
Author: Debora Geary
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5
# pages: 419, Audiobook ~9hrs
Date read: July 2013, July 2014, February 2015, August 2016, July 2018, December 2019, December 2021, March 2024

Lizard and Elsie are under way, but the WitchLight journey isn't an easy one.
- There are bumps and obstacles inside their own hearts.
- There are meddling witches, helpful knitters, and a fearsome duo with water pistols.
- And there is the greatest challenge of all... the one they will pick for each other.


I liked this even more than the first book in the trilogy. The first book was great, but it really mostly served to set the stage for this one. In this Elsie and Lizard got to soar... both figuratively and literally.

I laughed out loud on several occasions and had a lump in my throat more times than I can count - and more often than not the two happened at the same time... made for interesting bus reading, I'll tell you that! But the story isn't over yet, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Oh, and I'm totally in love with Freddie :)

Title: A Celtic Witch (A Modern Witch #6)
Author: Debora Geary
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 247
Date read: May 2013, 2014, March 2015, December 2021

Cassidy Farrell is a world-class Celtic fiddler. And if she has her way, that's exactly who she'll stay.

Except that's not what the rocks have in mind. Or a certain fetching spell. Or the truth working its way free in her own heart.

Can the music, and perhaps a certain grumpy curmudgeon and his baby girl, help Cass find her life's new song?


This one was strangely slow to start compared to some of the others, but once it did, it took off with a vengeance. Not much page-time for the Californian witches in this one, which was a shame, but on the other hand I appreciated all the page time that Marcus got. Such a sweet story :)