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.