THE BEGINNING. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[@vintagesue]

Agree with your thoughts on reading. I take my time reading a book because I want to thoroughly immerse myself in the book. I often take notes and research things that are mentioned along the way. I think the experience of reading is made more pleasurable and meaningful that way, rather than rushing through a book. The diary/memoir I’m currently reading is set in 2000, which made me remember what I was doing back then…hard to believe it was 25 years ago!! Tea leaves and Reads sounds like such a lovely bookshop and what a wonderful stack of books you got! Sad about the little chics but such good news about the feisty little black one! Hope you manage to save more. Heatwave here today too…but a change on the way tomorrow with hopefully rain. Hope you get some relief too. Have a good week and Happy New Year Cheryl & Mark 📚

[@AustralianBookTravels-ii8iy]

Good Morning Sue! I agree! Enjoy the novel instead of rushing through it. That is what reading is all about. I do as you do - I research my novel/definitions/places etc along the way. A few novels I have read over the last few years have truly lent themselves to this style of reading, particularly Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop (I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir of Alba Donati's), which had me researching the Italian language. It was so much fun and such an interesting story of Alba's. Tea Leaves and Reads is a FANTASTIC bookshop. I really do suggest signing up to their newsletter. It is so informative and an attractive online piece (and fun too) and it is free to subscribe to. Black chick and two more recently saved, are enjoying our company, it appears. We have all three in a little box in the house with regular hot water bottle updates, honeyed water and chick feed. We weigh them daily and they appear to be gaining weight well - always a good sign! Black chick is feisy so is most likely a rooster (we think) or just a bossy hen (not improbable). We will keep you all updated. Cool change came overnight on Sunday night and has become cooler since. Such a wonderful relief although frustrating as things have to continually change around the house......blinds up, blinds down, windows open, windows closed, fans off, fans on. Anyway, time to head to work (editing the next travel video) Happy reading and safe travels Cheryl and the motley crew (ABT)

[@milecreekrise]

Happy New Year, Looking forward to another year of your travels and book recommendations. I can take months to read a book, my issue is sitting down long enough to get a chance to read. I am however 1/2 way through my second book (in last few months). With so many recommendations from you I know there will be a plethora of choice for the next book, Thankfully the cool change came through today with a good drop of rain. Good news is that the Grampians fire is now listed as 'contained', thanks, I am sure to the rain that came through this morning. It has been tragic to watch the fires unfold with the loss of houses, stock, fencing and particularly the wildlife. Those of us in the west have had an anxious few weeks watching the devastation evolve and keeping track of ember direction. Looking forward to a positive year and travelling vicariously through towns during your travels ❤

[@AustralianBookTravels-ii8iy]

Happy New Year Jill! So long as we enjoy reading Jill, it does not matter how many books we read in a week, month or year. I am just so concerned with how others on social media appear to make it quite stressful for some, making it a competition or insinuating people are not 'readers' if they have not read as many books as they have. So I will be reiterating my idea of reading for enjoyment, every now and then. We received rain here too! But more importantly, the Grampians fire is now considered under control. What a relief, but the trauma and devastation it has caused, is heart-breaking. I cannot watch the news articles on it. All I needed to know was that the fire is under control. Any more information than that truly breaks my heart. Yes! There will be more travels, more books, more shenanigans.....so hold on tight!! It should be a good year. In the meantime, happy reading and safe travels (and do stay alert and safe with any possible flare-ups from the fires) Take care Cheryl and Clan (ABT)

[@janinesutton6173]

🎉Happy 2025 Cheryl and Co....looking forward to a new year of book travels and reads. Funny to see my sun pot and antherium on your sidetable..😀

[@AustralianBookTravels-ii8iy]

Hello Janine and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you also! Fancy having the same pot and plant! I do like my sun pot. It gives off such happy vibes, I think. I am guessing you feel the same? There are a number of plans afoot, for this year Janine. Let's hope they all work out....Fingers crossed! Whatever happens, we are happy to be sharing the time and adventures with all the channel's subscribers and viewers. Spreading the cheer and good times!! Happy reading, safe travels and I shall 'see' you next video Cheryl (ABT) and Co!!

[@dawn8843]

Have you been to book heaven. Campbells creek. Near Castlemaine Nine rooms full to the brim of books 47 Main road. Campbells creek.

[@anne_and_elvis8596]

Loved the book haul!!! Yay for Tealeaves and Reads 📚 🇬🇧. Nothing more exciting than receiving a parcel of books,such a shame it's so awfully expensive to post 🫤 Yes,it's the same with the rates here, it goes up per kilo. So happy the little black chick is thriving 🐣 And how ironic that you are stressing to buy locally or independent and yet your video was interrupted three times by an advert from exactly the huge company you won't buy from 🙈 Happy 2025,happy reading and stay cool 😍

[@AustralianBookTravels-ii8iy]

Good Morning Anne! I was thrilled to bits with my book harvest/haul. So excited, I cannot wait to read them all. The post is expensive, but is better if you buy many/in bulk, which is a fabulous excuse to buy more books....saving on post. YAY! Black chick is thriving AND two more little rascals have been saved from the wayward Mother Hen! So three chicks in the house (in a box) now, being loved and looked after until they are old enough to return to the coop. This could be an interesting few months! I will keep you updated. Ohhhh REALLY? The very online company allowed to advertise on this channel? Unfortunately, I have no say over who or what is advertised. However, the channel is vetted the other way, so that my channel does not upset advertisers!! I will remain staunch and strong on independent bookshops forever more though, no matter who advertises their wares on this channel! The temperatures have significantly dropped this last 36 hours. We are trying to keep warm now!! No wonder people become ill! Take care, happy reading, safe travels and until next video, keep warm. Cheryl and the Crew (ABT)