Reading and storygraph mid year review

So lets have a mid year wrap up shall we? What's the overall look? OK almost 10k more pages which averages 186 per day but less audiobook listening I think this reflects me sitting up more plus just being a bit stronger

Moods? Some slight jockeying for position here but apart from that its pretty similar 

Some slight differences in slow and medium pace but again not a huge difference 

Again not a huge difference in page number i like a short book!

Audiobook length? Pretty similar pattern there 

Ditto fiction vs non fiction!

A few changes in genres. More children's in 2026 and historical takes over from crime in second spot 

Ahh now some changes in tags, although this doesn't seem to represent all my tags? I was still reading KU for 2 months of 2025, in 2026 I finished my trial in the preceding December so no KU in 2026 so far. Plus I added inbthe little Sheila tag and rereading one.

Not much changebin format 

Ah now you can see where my challenges affect the stats. All the top authors for 2025 and 2026 are from my reading challenges

Star ratings are really interesting. I think the KU trial really affects my star rating. Im afraid more liable to take a punt on something that might not be my thing. But in 2026 when im pulling only from my own supply of books im less likely to pull out a dud.

Well that was great fun!

Fettling mid year review

So! We are now half way through the year and it's time to see what progress I've made on my fettling list!

First of all id like to pick my favourite project and I think it has to be this dragonfly. 

Ticked off in 1st half of 2026

Temperature embroideries 2023

Temperature embroideries 2024

Cherry blossom sashiko

Redo construction of 2021 and 2022 temperature embroideries 

Large mandala 

Medium mandala 

Small mandala 

Redo bunny pixie basket

Pressing mat from ironing bag

Pages read 2025

Floral Alphabet sampler

Dragonfly embroidery

Not bad at all!! Some of these are quite large projects. Considering I ticked off three things in the first half of 2025 I'm pretty chuffed with this list.

I haven't added too much to the fettling list, really only any new stitch alongs which come along. I might add I a few more Seasonal things from the waiting list as the year moves along. I'll be keen to see how many things I have had waiting for a while Ticked off by the end of the year. I'm really pleased that most of the things ticked off have been waiting for a while to be done.

I hadnt thought of adding reading to my fettling list. I tend to keep that separate i have done a midbyear round up of that here.

I'll add this stat about my reading here for brevity 😊

Ok 156 books so far 🤣 many of these are very short stories I think my average daily read is 186 Pages which is fine I think, I see my listening has gone down a bit, I think this reflects that im sitting up most of the day now which is good.

Stitching my way to happiness

 This was the January 2025 subscription box from Historical Sampler, I love Emma Congdon so snapped it up

Needle minder from Wimperis embroidery 

I had to tip out a lot of the purple because I was several stitches out

Back on track!

I absolutely adore this one it will hang in sewing room 

June look back

New lights for the garden! Hot air balloons 😊 one of the selkies got some and I just loved them they look so pretty in the garden

Rocky! Mark got a walk with him

Also saw the donkeys on a bike ride

Awwww Jennifer Beavan. Bless her, she was an early boss when I worked at Aberdeen University, one of a kind, I learned a lot from her

The slosh 🤣🤣🤣🤣 came up in therapy and reminded me of this!

Kirsten taught me to slosh 🥰

My meter square looking braw

Ditto hanging baskets

Beautiful Jacky, more lovely presents ♥️

Mam sent me peony bulbs from her garden we will plant later on so hopefully they will grow next year 🤞

June ended with a great session with my therapist. I will get there