8th December 2025
Hi my snowflakes,
How are you? I am glad you are really good. I hope you are all wrapping up warm against the icy cold rain we are having.
I can’t believe we are eight days into December! Where has this year gone?
It has been one packed with lots of changes, lots of family time, loads of pages to turn and recipes to try. I still can’t get over the fact that I have properly flown the nest, but I know my family are always there for me when I need them.
When it comes to spreading my wings I couldn’t have done it without them. The support they give me means everything. Also I ABSOLUTELY couldn’t have grown in confidence without my Angels or as you know them, my wonderful Personal Assistants. They blow me away with their commitment and strength. I am and will always be eternally grateful for them.
This month I have even been nominated for an award at work in The Lighthouse. It feels like a real boost that my progress is being noticed. That is something else to be thankful for. I feel like I am catching snowflakes that will never melt.
I am loving being in my flat so much and it’s going to be lovely to be able to make my own Christmas presents. I mean I started in October. I won’t tell you anymore as it’s a surprise for everyone. I will say though it’s been a joy to put together every single one. I can’t wait to spread that joy. I have even got my first Christmas tree. It’s a pre-lit one, it should last a long time! Fingers crossed! As the years go by I want to add to it. Each ornament will mean something.
My tree and me
I love Christmas for chasing blues away. I will share more about the presents next year. Shh! They may contain some baked goods and diamonds, oh! I am so flakey at keeping secrets.
Come and join me by the bookshelf to find out about our next read. Before we turn the page though, I want to share some news. I still have one month worth of chats and reviews, so for a while we will be playing catch up.. I know you won’t mind. There is lots of variety with a bit of cooking stirred in.
One more thing for me to say is that I have joined a new local book club in Dorchester Library and Learning Centre. I really enjoyed going to my first meeting, although we all found the book tricky. Anyway, I will tell you more about Booth when we reach December.
For now though, let me take you back in time to….
Review
Author: R.J. Palacio
Novel: Wonder (Wonder 1)
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Penguin Random House Children’s
Audiobook: Wonder
Audiobook narrators:
Diana Steele
Kate Rudd
And
Nick Podehl
Ways of reading: Audiobook/paperback
Date started: 21st October 2025
Date finished: 1st November 2025
Genre: Disability awareness
First published: 14th February 2012
Original language: English
Number of pages: 315
Book Chooser
Bethan thank you so much for all your help. This is a book and filmwhere you need tissues. Thank you my love for being your kind beautiful self.
Read rating: *****
Would I recommend? Absolutely!
Ease of reading: 5/5
Enjoyment scale: 5/5
This story is so beautiful. It’s one of the best books I’ve read about disability. I know that August Pullman isn’t real but he and his family have taught me so much. In school, sometimes I felt a bit like Auggie, scared I wouldn’t fit in because of my physical barriers. As I grow older, I’m realising that, in Auggie’s words I ‘can’t blend in when [I] was born to stand out’. My Cerebral Palsy is my strength.
Although August lives with many life altering impairments and they are a central theme in Wonder, R.J. Palacio chooses to focus on the power of words and kindness. I had many chat tiles to select for today, one of which was Choose Kind. However, I went for Stand Out because we all have something that makes us unique. Words and his ever growing support network are what help Auggie feel accepted and ordinaryat his new school. Auggie talks about how it must feel for others when they first meet me in today’s extract I have chosen.
‘it’s like people you see sometimes, and you can’t imagine what it’s like to be that person, whether it’s somebody in a wheelchair or somebody who can’t talk. Only I know I’m that person to other people, maybe every single person in that auditorium.
To me though. I’m just me. An ordinary kid.’
If you like a book that will pull you apart with tears one minute and have you laughing the next, then this is the novel for you.
I adored the film with stunning acting from Jacob Tremblay who portrays August with such emotional depth and control. Also, who doesn’t love anything with Julia Roberts in it?
I came away from reading and watching Wonder, having been changed for the better, I hope you have a similar experience. Let me know in the comments.
See you in 2026 for more reads and recipes.
Love Hatts.
Xxx
Hatty’s Reading Corner 
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