First Reads of the Year | Weekly Bookish Vlog | January 2025

[@cindyhaiken5644]

At the end of an incredibly long week, this vlog was just about perfect. The way you captured the weather and the light was stunning, that sped up bit of your filming going through all your books, the shopping in the sales, the reading, the cats, the films, the husband….all of it. I am miserable about what happened to you so early in a new year and hope you heal from it soon. The internet is definitely ready for you in a dressing gown. The red belt is everything!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you Cindy. I won’t lie I am slightly obsessed with the dressing gown and for once thanked the algorithm for advertising it to me on instagram so much I couldn’t resist. It’s joy in dressing gown form. The sunrises here have been STUNNING this last week or so. Long may they continue. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@socaltoobie8984]

What a fabulous vlog! Love the scenery, cats, shopping, and the FOOD! 🤤 And interspersed throughout, the books. Looking forward to the next one!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you so much. I’m so pleased people are enjoying this so much. Fingers crossed the vlog love continues. The next one is just a week mainly at home so not so much travel but hopefully still fun.

[@isabelsoria9468]

I'm only 2 min in the video but I have to say it now: I looooooved the beginning of this video. Please give us more of that 😊. Also, I'm a new subscriber and loving your content. Keep it up!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks so much for your lovely comment and for subscribing and commenting too. I’ll see what I can do with those sorts of intros for videos in the future 😉

[@deborahr2913]

Very enjoyable to watch. I think Earl is a born scene stealer.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. All four of them are. Though some are a little more camera shy than others. lol.

[@janebowell3985]

Yes ! What a beautiful intro🎉🎉The photography and the music❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you. Hope you enjoyed the rest too.

[@Rebentischin]

Okay, that Dressing gown is fab! The internet was ready!! 😁

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I thought ‘it’s 2025 Simon, embrace the dressing gown moments’ lol.

[@janethansen9612]

Dusk is my favourite Robbie Arnott. I also felt it had a wild west kind of vibe which parts of Australia would have had back in its gold rush days. Love the vlog, the snow, the cats, the food and of course you and Chris.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed the vlog. Dusk is just brilliant isn’t it. It’s a definitely given Flames competition as my favourite Arnott. I must read more westerns. In fact I have an Australian book set in its gold rush days! Bingo.

[@thefriendssister]

thanks for taking us along on your adventures Simon 🫶🏻 i adore your hot pink bathroom! 🩷 sending lots of love & hoping the rest of your january is filled with nothing but good books, lovely times with family & friends & infinite kitty snuggles in your cozy new dressing gown 🤍

[@SavidgeReads]

Biscuit in particular is OBSESSED with this dressing gown. It’s hilarious. Possibly too keen. So pleased you enjoyed the vlog!

[@enidlacob1157]

I loved this Just made me feel very happy. Thanks for that tour around your life

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww that’s a lovely thing to hear. Bringing happiness gives me all the fuzzies.

[@natalielealand9]

When you said 2014 and 11 years ago, I thought that’s really bad maths. And then I did it myself. Aghast.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha, that just really made me laugh. The maths were mathing and it was kind of scary.

[@dellawoolaway-leinden]

I’m a silent subscriber usually but I felt I needed to comment on this vlog. I love the ‘b roll’ especially when your cats are featured (I’m a huge cat lover) and your husband always makes me smile; he is gorgeous by the way! Please more cats and husband and of course more you and books.

[@SavidgeReads]

I looooooooooove it when people who don't usually comment comment. So a huge thank you! I will try and make sure you get even more of that b-roll, the next vlog is a week at home so you will definitely be getting more cats, lol.

[@nca3519]

Love the beginning of this video. Beautiful ✨

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!

[@daniellekertzman3852]

Loved your vlog! ❤ Would like to see more of these vlogs. Nice combination of parts of your life and books.

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it. Fingers crossed you’ll be getting them weekly from now.

[@taneesewilson8844]

Wow Simon! This vlog was wonderful in every way. The intro was like watching a movie with intrigue as to what’s coming next!😁 Loved everything about it. I’m waiting on book mail for An Ordinary Wonder by Baki Papillon to join in on January’s SP and always appreciate your book recommendations. Also, modelling your new robe at the end was awesome! Looks fabulous and very cosy! Have a great weekend😊💓

[@SavidgeReads]

I have An Ordinary Wonder on my shelves. I forgot that has twins in it and I’ve meant to read it for ages. Sooooo many twins in books, who knew. Hope you enjoy it, it’s meant to be brilliant. Hope you have a lovely weekend too!

[@debrahills8148]

The editing! The dressing gown! The sped-up part where you looked like you were playing the book piles like drums! Bravo! (And I really want to read Dusk).

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I hadn’t thought about the drums element, you’re so right. Hahaha.

[@denisegwili8326]

You may need to add an 18 certificate to this vlog…the dressing gown scene! 🔥😂 I love it and the bathroom!! This was a fabulous vlog, really enjoyed all your wee snippets and thoughts on subjects other than books 😮 and seeing more of your beautiful home. Obviously we’re all here for the books tho! Eliza Clarke is very close to the top of my tbr and I’ve just added Little Egypt to it, hadn’t heard of it. Tho I am married to an Egyptian and sometimes feel a bit naff reading things involving it, no matter how loosely 😂 On the subject of your horrible start to the year…🎵the only way is up!🎵💕

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. My videos are already marked as not being for younger audiences. Though you didn’t even see my legs. Hahaha. I’m quite coy really. Glad you enjoyed the video. I don’t think there’s much Egypt in Little Egypt, it’s just about people who really love it. Egyptologists maybe?

[@benreadsgood]

Loved this! Definitely keen to read Dusk, and been super intrigued by Old Soul. The timelapse looked like music video! And what a jump scare seeing my own face 😂😂😂

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Apologies for the jump scare. lol. Dusk is soooo good. Thankfully will be coming out here. I’ll be talking more about Old Soul very soon.

[@lynniepie52]

We in the colonies would refer to that stunning cozy as a robe🤪 More fox sightings would be lovely and I tried to find Dusk but no where to be found here yet😙 Take care.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve not seen the foxes since Christmas but if I do I’ll definitely get some foxy footage. I love them. Dusk is only currently out in Australia (where I got it imported from) at the moment but will be out in UK and USA in August!

[@clairebillington3593]

Reciprocity on the dock road in Wallasey does second hand and recycled paint. Used them for years and never had any issues.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh thanks for the tip. I shall look into it.

[@leeh4343]

Thanks for sharing the first part of your January with us 💕 that dressing gown is amazeballs!!! 😁

[@SavidgeReads]

Fingers crossed I’ll be sharing the whole year. Just got to get better at editing as I go!

[@leeh4343]

@ 🤞looking forward to it! 😊

[@paulglenysthorpe8746]

Great Vlog Simon!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you sooooo much.

[@EllenFelicity]

The dressing gown is fab! Also, I'd watch your videos anyway but the cat clickbait is very welcome ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m going to save the cat featuring thumbnails until I really need them 😉

[@NJBBooks]

Lovely video, hope you are okay, so sorry that happened to you after seeing your friend, know that you are loved darling, much love to you and your family and your cats, dressing gown is fabulous, keep doing what you do xx

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you, that’s a very kind and lovely comment. Much appreciated.

[@lisadell1777]

Happy New Year, Simon !!!!!! Hope it’s as lovely as you🩷

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you. Happy New Year to you too!

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I wasn’t ready for Simon in a bath robe. The excitement was too much. I may need to have a lie-down in a darkened room with a cold compress.🤣The cats are going to love the belt on that robe.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahahaha. Biscuit has been making many many biscuits on that floofy robe. He loves it.

[@eviewilliams1010]

Simon - long time viewer ( hoover you up, with pen poised ) not a comment dropper, but your intro was perfection, visual poetry. Love your consumer intentions for 2025 and fun to plot n plan your libary aesthetic, here for it! I get that you don’t want to add negative fuel to your vile encounter, but there are some absolute c***s ( sorry/not/sorry) lurking out there that can leave both a physical/ emotional bruise. Hope your tender heart is not too hurt. Thanks for all the wonderful reliable recommedations, about to dive into Dusk between catching babies here in Nz. ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

I have definitely made a decision that I don’t want to add any negative fuel to the negative fire, it doesn’t help me or anyone else getting cross about it (or enraged as that just makes your negative energy as bad as theirs) hence why I mentioned it but very quickly moved on. It’s not something I want, or want any of you to dwell on. I am also wary of drama magnets, sometimes people love to flock to sad stuff on the internet, I would rather it was the nice stuff. Speaking of which, I hope you enjoy Dusk. It’s brilliant. Ps. Thank you for commenting I love it when a lurker says hello.

[@ssiobhankelly]

The cinematography of this vlog has done something to me. Anyway, hope you're well Simon. Hope my book got to you safe, take care.

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope it was a good something that the cinematography (that feels delightfully grand) did to you hahaha. You're book got here just before New Year but will be delightfully mentioned in my next haul, thank you so much!

[@ssiobhankelly]

@ oh of course! It was fab. So glad it got to you safely :)

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

Nothing better than a Simon vlog! I was so glad to see it, brewed a cup of tea and curled up on my (boring white) couch to watch. Wonderfully edited, what a beautiful life you have. My life is as boring as my couch, so it was so nice to live vicariously. One of my favorite things about your channel is the wide variety of books you choose (just like your mix of Oscar-worthy movies plus Real Housewives. 😆) Seeing your reviews always convinces me to move outside my comfort zone. So excited to hear more about the Arnott and the Eliza Clark collection, they’re both such fascinating authors.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. Glad you like the mix of my cultural tastes, from award winners to reality tv. No one’s lives are boring. You wait for the next vlog where I’m just at home for a week, it’s not the most exciting but hopefully fun 🤣

[@cherylynlarking191]

Robbie Arnott came to Albany for book club in November. Its set in Tasmania with his own imaginative interpretation added.

[@SavidgeReads]

I guessed it was Tasmania set/inspired from his previous books. How lovely he came to your book club. He’s such a lovely man, I had the pleasure of interviewing him a few years ago and he was a joy.

[@jennymcevoy8961]

Loved this video ❤ ADORE your cats ❤❤ hope you are ok 🤗🤗

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it.

[@sookythehousecat]

(Pleasantly) shocked to learn you typically record on a phone. Your blogs always look so good.

[@SavidgeReads]

Not just typically! Always. Lol.

[@sookythehousecat]

@ I’m shook!

[@robinmuir3489]

Keen to hear what you think about ‘Dusk’. I’m a fan of Robbie Arnott’s writing, and lucky enough to hear him speak at our local library(!!!) - organised by our brilliant local Matilda Bookshop late last year. So very good

[@SavidgeReads]

I gave my verdict on Dusk in the video. Hahahaha. Hope you enjoy the event at the library. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him and he’s loooooovely.

[@robinmuir3489]

⁠@@SavidgeReads I haven’t seen it all yet! Ooh, now I’ve heard your thoughts. Yes, a brilliant end. Flames was my first too, also resonant with me as set in/ near(?) Melaleuca, very remote south-west Tasmania, part of Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area, where I’d only recently visited (only way in is by air or to walk for a week, by sea is too wild) and is such strange, evocative landscape, perfect as a setting for that book.

[@SavidgeReads]

@@robinmuir3489 oh hahaha.

[@lynnesmith2936]

Is that a huuuge Everton mint?!😮🛁❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. A massive humbug yes. Though was more cinnamon than mint TBH.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Loved this vlog Simon. I’m sorry about the incident we are not supposed to mention. ( Want to karate kick something on your behalf). My book for the twins prompt is The House of Broken Bricks I’ve been doing a lot of comfort/ feel good reading this month. Hugs to Chris for being chauffeur on adventures in shopping. ☘️👋🍀📚📕☕️📖

[@SavidgeReads]

I don't drive so always have to rope folk in to get me here there and everywhere, who do I think I am?!?!? Thank you for your thoughts on the unmentionable incident, am feeling better slowly but surely. Delighted you are joining in with the prompts.

[@Ali-AvidReader]

Great vlog, look after yourself Simon.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Glgj26]

Loved this so much, desperate to pinch Shes Always Hungry from my wife, as I got her it for Christmas 😂

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. I love a gift for someone else that can be shared 🤣

[@EvieM1]

Great vlog.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you very much!

[@susprime7018]

"Sick of me," NEVER. Looked like a licorice bath bomb, except licorice does not smell good to me, I'm sure it was a different fragrance. Both The Rain Heron and Flames were good on your recommendation, so I'm sure Dusk will be eventually. Chris has a great dimpled smile, makes me smile. I love Moleskin unlined for quick sketching when traveling, which I seldom do now, now I'll be wearing a boot from toe surgery this morning. I'll let people think it was from skiing, but it was dumber than that and just involved walking.😂 That's a sterling recommendation on the ending of Dusk.

[@SavidgeReads]

Dusk is sooooo good. It was a humbug bathbomb. Quite cinnamon and mint.

[@susprime7018]

@SavidgeReads Oh lovely, much better than licorice. I'm three quarters through Clear, and it's a great read, too, as is Pachinko. Lots to keep me entertained and from walking around singing, "yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum."

[@carolewatson2113]

I know you don’t want to talk about it but 🤗

[@kristinebenoitdebykhovetz6160]

Oh what a wonderful video! I really enjoyed how you put it all together. A bit of this a bit of that and a bit on books ☺️👍🏻 lovely editing. Really enjoyed it. Thank you 🙏🏻 I am a bit obsessed with Nosferatu as well. Absolutely loved that film. Now I crave some really good vampire novels. Are we in for a bit of count Orlok revival this year in books and film? Has Eggers set a bit of trend here I wonder? I really hope so. 🤞🏻

[@SavidgeReads]

I still keep thinking about Nosferatu too. I’m quite worried that I really fancied him, I was drawn to him I guess, which was the point, so it did its job. I may have a vampire recommendation coming soon. 😉 So pleased you enjoyed the video. They won’t always be that long. Hahaha.

[@kristinebenoitdebykhovetz6160]

@ Honestly, fancying Nosferatu just means you’ve got a taste for the classics-who can resist a guy with that level of… shadowy mystique? Can’t wait for your vampire recommendation. 🙌🏻

[@emmaeIIe]

I enjoyed your video. What's the music at the very beginning? I love it, it's so beautiful. I joined your storygraph challenge. Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

It was from Epidemic Sounds. It’s either called Between Moments and/or Crossing Clouds. Not sure who it’s by. Sorry can’t be more helpful. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Robin-c9p]

I'd read The Years next for Ernaux, then Happening. A Girl's Story is also interesting, and you can add A Woman's Story to A Man's Place to tell the stories of both her parents. But The Years is her masterpiece, I think. I hope that 2025 continues incident-free from here on, and that The Dusk was a good omen for your reading this year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Fingers crossed Dusk is an amazing start to a brilliant year of reading. I might work my way up to The Years with her work. I feel like as she mentioned A Man’s Place maybe that’s a sign.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

If both “Dish Daddy” and “Giant Crumpets” make t-shirts, I have friends who would suit them.😁

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I read Annie Ernaux’s “The Use of Photography” co-written with her former lover, Marc Marie. We’re shown 14 photographs of their clothing strewn about on the floor as a prelude to their lovemaking sessions. Rather than writing about the sex act itself, they discuss the intimate things such as Annie’s chemotherapy treatments, art, literature, love and loss, etc.

[@SavidgeReads]

Blimey. That sounds like an interesting piece. Not sure that’s my next Erneaux, one I will look out for though. Thanks for the rec.

[@smittenforfiction]

sorry for the thing ♥ Have you read Monstrilio? Not vampires, but SO GOOD.

[@SavidgeReads]

I have not read it yet BUT it is on my shelves.

[@TheColeturalExperience]

🩷🩷🩷 yaaaaay

[@SavidgeReads]

😉 📚