My 2023 Year in Books

Another year has passed and I have read more books! Here is my year in review from Goodreads, if you'd like to take a peek. 

Goodreads My Year in Books for 2023

I'm pretty sure it's only of interest to me, but I like to share anyway. You never know when a reader will stop by. And just so you know, I mostly read science fiction or things nearly sci-fi. This year did find me reading a ton of fantasy, but not high fantasy, so I rather enjoyed it! I also reread all the Murderbot books again, even though I just read most of them last December. They are just that good! Also the newest book in the series came out in November, so I wanted to be fresh.

It was a Brandon Sanderson and Martha Wells year for sure, with a bit of Ann Leckie tossed in. Next up on the to-read list are books by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Nnedi Okorafor, NK Jemisin, and a co-authored book by Amil El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. I've also got a new CJ Cherryh to read and a Connie Willis! So much good stuff, and I never catch up!

2024 New Year's Maze

The New Year is just around the corner! Download this maze for your kids to help them celebrate! Just click on the picture to snag your free copy from Google Drive.

This maze is also part of a new set I have posted on my TPT store. You can snag the maze plus 2 other New Year's puzzles for just $1.50. 

Hope your New Year is awesome!

Holiday Countdown Day 25

And we have arrived at the big day! It's December 25th! Are you having a nice meal with your family? Did Santa fill the stockings with fun trinkets?

This very last puzzle in the Holiday Countdown is shaped like a Christmas stocking. You can click on the image above to download a copy.

I hope you and yours have enjoyed these Holiday Countdown Word Searches! 

May you have a peaceful holiday filled with love . . . and maybe cookies!

Holiday Countdown Day 24

It's Christmas Eve! Are all the little ones at your house looking forward to a visit from Santa tonight? Got the milk and cookies ready?

Today's puzzle is in the shape of a snowflake (or as close as I could manage!) You can download this puzzle by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 23

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And today's puzzle is in the shape of Santa's head wearing a hat. (He's had a beard trim in this depiction)

Just click on the picture above to download this free puzzle.

Holiday Countdown Day 22

It's day 22 of the Holiday Countdown! Today's puzzle is shaped like a big red bow! 

Just click on the picture above to download your free copy.

Holiday Countdown Day 21

It's day 21 of the Holiday Countdown! Today's word search is shaped like another present! This one is a gift box with a bow.

You can download a copy of this puzzle for your favorite youngsters by clicking the picture above!

Holiday Countdown Day 20

Just 5 more days until Christmas! Wow! Are the kids on winter break yet? 

Today's puzzle is an ornament shaped like a bell. Just click the picture above to download a free copy from Google Drive!

Holiday Countdown Day 19

And we are at day 19. Today's puzzle is in the shape of a knit hat with a pom pom on top! I think it looks a little like a 3 layer cake, but I could be hungry...

Anyhow, just click the picture above to download your copy of the delicious, I mean, warm word search!

Holiday Countdown Day 18

It's day 18 of the Holiday Countdown. Today's puzzle is in the shape of a home. Can you imagine that the fireplace is going and smoke is coming out of the chimney? There are warm cookies and hot cocoa and comfy chairs to relax in. Ahhhh...

Download your copy of today's puzzle by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 17

And day 17 has arrived! This word search is shaped like a gingerbread man cookie. Delicious!

Some of the hidden words at the ends of the puzzles come from songs or stories about Christmas. Have your kids recognized any of them? Yesterday's phrase was from the Christmas song "Jingle Bells"!

You can download this puzzle from Google Drive by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 16

It is day 16 of the Holiday Countdown! Today's puzzle is shaped like a wreath. You may notice that some of the letters are inside little grey circles. These are supposed to be berries for the wreath! As an added bonus, the circled letters spell out another word....can your students figure it out? (It's actually pretty easy!)

Download this puzzle by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 15

Oh my goodness! Only 10 more days until Christmas! Are you ready? Tree up? Presents wrapped? Well, this word search is ready for your kids! Today's puzzle is shaped like a tall gift with a bow on top. What could be inside?

You can download this file by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 14

And day 14 is here! Today's free word search has a snowman shape. Remind your kids to look for words with unusual letters. There is one word in this puzzle that contains an 'X'. This letter may jump out at them from the grid and since it is the only one, the word 'TEXT' will have to exist there! (Just a hint for noticing words more easily without intense searching.)

Click on the picture above to download this free puzzle!

Holiday Countdown Day 13

Day 13 of the Holiday Countdown has arrived! This puzzle is in the shape of a Santa hat. Can you see it?

Please click on the picture above to download a free copy of this puzzle. All downloads are through Google Drive. If you have any difficulties with downloading, first check that your network allows downloads from Google Drive. Some schools block this platform. You can always try downloading from home as an alternative!

Holiday Countdown Day 12

And we are at day 12! Today's word search is in the shape of a star, maybe for the top of a Christmas tree. Remind your solvers to check along the edge diagonals for words!

Just click the picture above to download this free puzzle.

Christmas Mazes

Christmas Mazes are now live! You can grab your copy from TPT for just $4. You will get 26 mazes in 18 different maze styles. There is also a range of easy to hard puzzles included. 

I am off for a bit to pick up kids from college and visit family and friends! Hope your holidays are busy and happy!

Holiday Countdown Day 11

Day 11 has arrived! Your Holiday Countdown word search today is another ornament shape! It is vaguely heart shaped for all the love of the holidays (especially cookies and gifts...shhhh don't tell).

Enjoy this word search by clicking the picture above and downloading it from Google Drive.

Holiday Countdown Day 10

Only 15 days left until Christmas! And today's puzzle is shaped like a Christmas present. What secret phrase will your solvers 'unwrap' today?

Just click the picture above to download a free copy of this puzzle from Google Drive.

Holiday Countdown Day 9

It's day 9 of the Holiday Countdown! Today's puzzle is shaped like Santa's sleigh. Are you solvers keeping up with all the puzzles? I hope it is keeping them excited for the upcoming holiday!

Just click the picture above to download your free copy of this puzzle.

Holiday Countdown Day 8

It's day 8 of the Holiday Countdown! Today's word search is shaped like a Christmas tree. Remind your solvers not to circle any words that are not on the Word List!

You can download this puzzle by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 7

Day 7 has arrived! This puzzle is another ornament shaped word search. Don't forget to store all your completed puzzles in a binder. You'll have a fun holiday keepsake at the end!

You can download this free puzzle by clicking on the picture above. Another reminder, each day's download includes the answer key as the second page, so you only need to print the first page of each PDF. The answer key is provided as a reference in case your young solvers get stuck!

Holiday Countdown Day 6

Today is day 6 of the Holiday Countdown! This puzzle is in the shape of a reindeer. Remind solvers that words may stretch diagonally into the reindeer's antlers. This might be tricky to see!

Download your free puzzle by clicking on the picture above.

Holiday Countdown Day 5

Only 20 days left until Christmas Day! Today's free word search is in the shape of some holly leaves with berries. I really tried hard to get this to look like holly! Apologies if it looks crazy!

You can download this puzzle by clicking the picture above.

Spanish Christmas Puzzles and Activities

Pardon me while I barge into the Holiday Countdown stream of posts! But I have a new product available in my store. Spanish Christmas puzzles! These puzzles were designed with a homeschool parent in mind, someone who is teaching multiple levels at the same time. There are usually 15 (this set has 16!) puzzles and activities in each set with a themed vocabulary. This set is all about Christmas! There are also flashcards, a dictionary word list, and a bonus matching game included! It is just jammed packed with fun things for kids from 1st grade through 6th. I'd bet even older kids would enjoy a quick review of Spanish Christmas words with some of the harder puzzles!

You can grab a copy (only $4.00) at my TPT shop by clicking here.

Hope your December is awesome so far!