32. Merry Christmas - Licks and Wags
The Case of the Pseudo Christmas
Hello, friend! Hope you’ve had a great week!
Yesterday my family celebrated “Pseudo Christmas”, which is our special early festive celebration before everyone scatters to different corners of the globe to chase down Santa in their own ways.
Such a special time to appreciate each other, eat some tasty food and share some presents. Even the family pets get involved, and you’d better believe that your Christmas card will have the appropriate amount of ‘licks and wags’ on the greeting card.
How does your family celebrate Christmas? Are you a “one at a time” present family - or a “free-for-all open as you please” gang? We’re one at a time, please.
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We post twice a week on Fishbird Central. This week’s catch included:
Cosy Pie Mysteries: Take a Bite!
This In this post we take a look at 11 cosy pie mysteries that will have you second guessing that festive slice! Whether it’s a cherry crumble that doubles as a clue, or a pigeon pie hiding secrets, these stories contain all the charm of small-town sleuthing with a deliciously baked twist.
Check out the latest post here - Cosy Pie Mysteries: Take a Bite!
Christmas Eve Reading: The Night Before Christmas!
It's time for some cosy Christmas Eve reading! ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring—except for an amateur sleuth solving a holiday homicide. If the idea of curling up with hot chocolate in one hand and a murder mystery in the other sounds like your ideal Christmas Eve, we’ve got 11 books just for you!
Check out the latest post here - Christmas Eve Reading: The Night Before Christmas!
Pseudo Christmas Book Haul
The family elves made our bookish hearts happy this year, with some new stories to add to our TBR shelves.
If you’d like to read along with us as we enjoy these titles in 2025, the links below are Amazon affiliate links - which means if you click on the link and buy the book, I get a few $$ as a Christmas bonus at no extra cost to you! Win Win Win!
“The Three-Body Problem” by Cixin Liu - Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilisation on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.
“The Full Moon Coffee Shop” by Mai Mochizuki - Under a glittering full moon, a Kyoto coffee shop with no fixed location or fixed hours appears only where and when it's needed. It is run by talking cats serving the finest teas and coffees, delicious desserts and age-old astrological wisdom. The Full Moon Coffee Shop attracts customers who have lost their way in their life, from a down-on-her-luck screenwriter to a failed video game developer. In the middle of the night, the feline guides will set them back on their fated paths.
“Show Your Work” by Justin Kleon - This book is about why generosity trumps genius. It’s about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it’s self-discovery―let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers 10 transformative rules for being open, generous, brave and productive.
“Good Girl, Bad Girl” by Michael Robotham - Six years ago, Evie Cormac was discovered, filthy and half-starved, hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a shocking crime. Now approaching adulthood, Evie is damaged, self-destructive and has never revealed her true identity. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, a man haunted by his own past, is investigating the death of champion figure-skater Jodie Sheehan. When Cyrus is called upon to assess Evie, she threatens to disrupt the case and destroy his ordered life. Because Evie has a unique and dangerous gift - she knows when someone is lying. And nobody is telling the truth.
“What The River Knows” by Isabel Ibanez - In the glittering society of 19th-century Buenos Aires, Inez Olivera has everything, except the one thing she really wants: her parents, who frequently leave her behind on their globetrotting adventures. Then she receives a terrible letter: her parents have passed away in mysterious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets sails for their last port-of-call, Cairo, bringing only her sketch pads and an ancient ring that her father sent to her for safekeeping. But upon her arrival in Egypt, the ring flares with ancient magic, and Inez is thrust into a treacherous game that could threaten her life - and into the path of her new guardian's infuriatingly handsome assistant, who seems determined to thwart her at every turn.
“Januaries” by Olivie Blake - A collection of short stories: A spirit tethered to a magical bridge rapidly approaches burnout - and craves her freedom. Elsewhere, Congress enacts a complex auditing system designed to un-waste your youth. We also follow a banished fairy, as she answers a Craigslist ad. And we meet a Victorian orphan, who gains literacy for her occult situationship. In another time and place, a multiverse assassin contemplates the one who got away.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: “A Christmas Ghost Story” by Kim Newman - The perfect gift for those who love the dark fantastic imaginations of Neil Gaiman and T. Kingfisher, this is a nightmarish tale of a haunted Christmas set deep in the British countryside not too long ago. Cosy traditions are made twisted and terrifying as a mother and son grapple with their painful past!
Currently Watching: “Queer Eye - Season 9” on Netflix. Every single season has me in tears haha. It’s just so lovely to see random people get the love and attention they didn’t know they needed. Definitely recommend this show.
Currently Wondering: If it would be possible to eat only things shaped like a Christmas Tree between now and the end of the year.
Wishes for the Week
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, friend!
For those already celebrating the festive season with their loved ones - enjoy the family time, and wear the hat from the Christmas cracker even if it looks weird. Regardless if your family is near or far, I hope you all find happiness in the small moments this year.
Hang a sausage roll from your ceiling to lure the reindeer in. Amongst other things.
Stay cool, punks x
‘Give everyone a book this year. Everyone. EVERYONE!’ - Paddington Bear (probably)