Being Bookish

Have you ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf, wanting to read but just… not feeling it? I’ve been there too, in fact, I am there right now...hence no specific book to talk about (sadly). This week I'm opening up and going into my own personal experience of the dreaded reading slump. I am not sure what triggers them, but there are multiple options on the very long list! I am also going...

In today’s episode, I’m talking about the darkly comedic That’ll Teach Her by Maz Evans, a murder mystery set in a primary school. The story kicks off with the sudden death of the headmistress, Claudia Stitchwell, with the official reason given being an allergic reaction to nuts in a chocolate cake... But some of the parents aren’t buying it, so they turn to their school WhatsApp group to start...

The Stolen Child is a brand new release from author Carmel Harrington. An emotional thriller, it looks at every parent's worst nightmare. We talk about the inspiration behind the writing of the book, the shocking views some people seem to have of step-parents, and also the relationships in the book that make it oh-so relatable and realistic for some people. It's every parent's worst nightmare....

Quicksilver by Callie Hart was the quiet BookTok hit of 2024. Initially released by the author via independent publisher, it was won, in a 10-way bid by Hodder & Stoughton for their Fantasy imprint, Hodderscape, and was released on the 3rd December 2024. As with all fantasy novels, there are as many detractors as there are those praising it. So what did I think of this latest addition to the...

Six Poppies is released on the 30th of January and is the heartbreaking tale of Sarah and Carl who meet at Camp Bastian in Afghanistan. She's a nurse, he's a soldier and what they experience while there haunts everyone involved. Upon returning to England they try to get on with their lives. Sarah's fiancee Danny served with Carl and he's been irrevocably changed by what he saw. When circumstance...

In the first episode of a brand new season AND a brand new year, I bring you the first of two interviews with an author. This week I am talking with author Elba Luz about her debut novel with Simon and Schuster, Build a Girlfriend. Everything from the book's stunning cover, to the story within is an enjoyable ride and I heartily recommend you get yourself a copy if you love coming-of-age and...

In this, the final episode of 2024 I am taking a look at all the episodes from this year and picking out not only the favourite books I reviewed but also the episodes I truly enjoyed above all others. It's tough picking a favourite when you've created them all, but sometimes a single piece of work shines brighter than the others, and that's what I tried to look for. Did you enjoy any of my...

In this penultimate episode of Season 5 and 2024, I thought I would go all out and talk about a book that surprised me. As part of my 24 reads for 2024 I kept on skipping over it as it appeared to be rather intimidating. However, once I sank into the world Lawrence created I was presented with a lot of thoughts. So, did this 2023 novel live up to the hype I was bombarded with last year? Was it...

This week we head back to the fantasy realm for the first in Jennifer L Armentrout's Blood and Ash series, From Blood and Ash. The story of Poppy Balfour and Hawke Flynn - no, it's not a grown-up spin-off of Tangled (though you could be forgiven for thinking so with those names). Poppy, is bound to her close-knit but secretive community by her role as the Maiden, a sacred figure who is forbidden...

You've seen the TV show, now listen to me talk about the book that is about a character mentioned for no more than 10 seconds as it burns on a sheet of paper in Declan O'Hara's fire! This week I am talking about Polo, the third book in the Rutshire Chronicles by Jilly Cooper, and probably the one which introduces my favourite characters of the entire series. I know, I know, I keep on saying how...