The Forget Me Not Chronicles - Christopher Hall

 

Some stories tiptoe into your heart rather than march in, and The Forget Me Not Chronicles by Christopher Hall is one of them.

This charming little novel follows Maggie, a woman whose world is slowly unravelling at the edges, and Tom, her son, who narrates the journey with equal parts exasperation, affection, and wry humour. What could have been a heavy story becomes something unexpectedly uplifting, because Tom never lets us forget the joy threaded through even the most bewildering moments.

Maggie’s dementia is portrayed with a gentle honesty—her confusion, her flashes of mischief, her stubborn streak that refuses to fade. Tom’s voice brings the book to life: he’s candid about the heartbreak, but he’s also the first to laugh when Maggie outsmarts him or insists the neighbour’s cat is plotting a coup. Their relationship feels real, messy, and deeply human.

What makes the book shine is how it celebrates the small victories: a shared joke, a remembered song, a moment of clarity that feels like a gift. It’s touching without being sentimental, funny without being flippant, and ultimately a reminder that love doesn’t vanish just because memories do.

A tender, hopeful read that lingers long after the last page.

Turning the Page: A New Year, A New Chapter for The Hippo

 

There’s something about the first days of a new year that feels like cracking open a brand‑new notebook—the crisp pages, the quiet promise, the sense that anything can unfold from here. After a little time away, I’m easing myself back into this space with the same feeling: refreshed, curious, and ready to write again.

Last year was a whirlwind in all the ways life tends to be, and my reading life followed suit—let’s call it “plot‑twisty.” Messy stacks, half‑finished thoughts, and plenty of books I meant to talk about but never quite did. But that’s the beauty of a new chapter: you don’t have to rewrite the past; you just start where you are.

So here’s the plan for the year ahead:

 More Regular Posts

Not “influencer consistent,” but “human consistent.” I’m aiming for a steady rhythm — enough to feel alive, not enough to feel like homework.

 

 

 Book Reviews (The Honest, Chatty Kind)

I’ll be diving back into reviews, from the books that surprised me to the ones that left me conflicted. I want this space to feel like a conversation between friends who can’t help but recommend “just one more” read.

 Bookish Extras

Alongside reviews, I’ll sprinkle in reading wrap‑ups, TBR explorations, favourite quotes, and the occasional ramble about bookish life—because sometimes the stories around the books are just as fun as the books themselves.

 A Gentle Reset

This year isn’t about reading more or faster; it’s about reading with intention and joy. I’m giving myself permission to follow my curiosity, abandon books that aren’t working, and celebrate the ones that sweep me away.

If you’re here—whether you’ve been reading along for years or just stumbled in—thank you. I’m excited to share this new chapter with you, one page at a time.

 

And if you’ve wandered all the way down here, congratulations — you’ve unlocked the secret bonus level of this post. It’s cosy, slightly chaotic, and comes with zero judgment about your TBR situation (mainly because mine is worse).

Now I want to hear from you.

Tell me what you’re reading, what you’ve gleefully abandoned, which book has emotionally karate‑chopped you lately, or just pop in with a simple “hi, I’m alive!” so I know I’m not whispering into the digital void like a Victorian ghost.

Drop a comment, share a thought, confess your bookish crimes — whatever feels right.
Let’s make this little corner chatty, warm, and delightfully unhinged in the best book‑lover way.

 

 

The Dark Side of Book Reviewing: What No One Talks About

 

Book reviewing sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
Free books.
Thoughtful analysis.
A cosy corner of the internet where readers unite.

But beneath the aesthetic feeds and five-star ratings lies a quieter truth—one that many bloggers whisper about in private group chats and late-night journal entries.

Let’s talk about the dark side.

 

 

The Pressure to Perform

You’re not just reading.
You’re reading to review.
To be insightful.
To be timely.
To be relevant.

Suddenly, every book becomes a task.
Every opinion feels like a performance.
And every post is weighed against engagement metrics.

You whisper, “Do I even like reading anymore?”

 

The ARC Avalanche

You request one book.
You get five.
You feel grateful.
Then guilty.
Then overwhelmed.

You’re drowning in deadlines.
You’re reading books you didn’t choose.
You’re reviewing stories you didn’t connect with.

And you whisper, “I miss reading for joy.”

 

 

The Fear of Being Honest

You didn’t love the book.
But the author is kind.
The publisher is watching.
Your followers are hyped.

You write a review that’s diplomatic, vague, and emotionally distant.
You delete the draft that said, “This book broke me—in a bad way.”

You whisper, “Am I allowed to be honest?”

 

The Burnout Spiral

You’re tired.
You’re behind.
You’re staring at a blinking cursor and a pile of unread books.
You feel like a fraud.
You wonder if quitting would feel like freedom.

You whisper, “I don’t know who I am without this blog.”

 

 The Truth

Book reviewing is beautiful.
But it’s also exhausting.
It’s emotional labour.
It’s unpaid creativity.
It’s vulnerability wrapped in literary critique.

And sometimes, it hurts.

So if you’re feeling the weight—know this:
You’re not alone.
You’re not failing.
You’re feeling.
And that’s what makes your blog powerful.

 

 

The Light

Take breaks.
Read for joy.
Review with honesty.
Let your blog be a reflection of your heart—not a machine.

Because the dark side of book reviewing isn’t a failure.
It’s a reminder:
You’re human.
You’re passionate.
And you’re allowed to rest.

 

 Do you have any other points or advice that you'd add to the list? Let me know in the comments.