My first reading retreat We did it! But I haven't really had a chance to process it yet. Feedback has been great and I have spent the weekend with an amazing group of readers. Now I have to decide if I want to turn this into a viable business. More updates to follow once I've reflected 📚💙

I don't like to give bad reviews, as I know I can't write for toffee, but I just can't get on with Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. Well, I needed a breather after reading the Tawny Man trilogy, and that was it. Not sure yet what I'm going to read next. To the TBR pile...📚💙

Been a bit incommunicado recently because I've been obsessively reading the Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb. I've loved it...BUT...spoilers ahead

It's #nationalreadingday in the USA. Maybe if our 'friends' at ICE sat down and read a book or 2 they'd stop shooting prople and the 🌎 would be a nicer place to live. So, this is where I'm at this Friday. 📚 Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb 🎧 The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald How about you? 📚🌎

I run a #bookclub and someone has asked for some romantacy. If I was to read a standalone book, which one should I start with? 📚💙

Happy Friday night everyone 📚💙

Finished 2 books yesterday. 1/2 The List by Yomi Adegoke explores the ethical dilemma of trial by social media of alleged abusers & what you would do if someone you loved's name was on that list. Would you believe them innocent even if you knew guilty people were on that list? 📚💙

#BookClub today and our discussion of #Child44 started with chiding our host on his choice of Xmas reading, and ended up discussing global politics and the monarchy. I love where these discussions take us. 1/2 💙📚

There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. I didn't know anything about this book when I randomly bought it, but I like water. Set on the Thames & the Tigris, 3 stories across time intertwine. I didn't know it would be so emotional. Opened my eyes to more genocide. Why are people so evil? 💙📚

Child 44 was a difficult read. Based on a true investigation in Cold War Russia, but dramatised. Learnt a lot that I should probably have already known. Glad I read Winter Gifts as a cleanser after. Magic & monsters in the US. Wish I'd read it in 1 sitting, would have been perfect for a W/E read. 💙📚

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris was a BSky rec for a 'cosy murder'. But, I am a prude and don't like people dating more than 1 person (unless they're open about it and poly). It feels like cheating to me. My problem, not the books. Apart from that, it was enjoyable. I would read another one. 📚💙

There's some stories that you just know are going to be difficult to read. This is one of them. Not sure I'd carry on if it wasn't for the fact that it's a book club book. I'm only a few chapters in 😭 Secret police in Moscow in 1953 investigating a child's murder Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 📚💙

Read The Mill House by Yukito Ayatsuji for my book club on Tuesday. This is the 2nd book I've ready by this author and a second locked room murder mystery. Some of the plot twists I guessed, which was disappointing. A light read, but easily solved if you're a Christie fan. 📚💙

I've just left my book at my mother-in-law's - 3 hours away - with about one chapter to go 🙈😭. Looks like I'll be down the library tomorrow and hoping they have it in stock...📚💙

Boosting 📚💙

Someone mentioned on #booksky that they really enjoyed reading Christina Lauren's Something Wilder. So I added it to my TBR list. Didn't realise it's an out & out romance. Not my genre, but, it was a very easy read and everyone needs an adventure in the canyons of Utah once in a while 📚💙

I loved this book when I read it at our @astrobiologyou.bsky.social book club. It was a difficult read, but I think I would find it harder to read just a few short years later.

Love all the books that I've read by @thetowerofstars.bsky.social. He's definitely one of my fave authors. If you happen to be in London on 11th November, go and see him

#halloween for #introverts #booksky 📚 💙

Just finished Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Yes, I've seen the (old) film and knew the plot, but this book really affected me for some reason. Part of me wanted to shout at Mrs de Winter and part of me knows I would also have been jealous of the 'perfect' lady. 📚💙

Good old gun-toting yet intelligent, hot, young female American agency operators saving the day against the Russians. For all that, it was quite a jolly jape and it was very readable. A good example of how our lives are run by computers and how we now wage war on each other via tech. 📚💙

Finally finished listening to @margaretatwood.bsky.social 's #TheHandmaidsTale. I had to do it in instalments. This is one of the most prophetic books I've ever read. I just hope we can prevent it from playing out.

Needed another easy read. Moving next week so all books are packed now. Had to buy this out and about earlier in the week. Used to live in North Wales where this series is set so it's nice to have an idea of the locations. I have some birthday pressies books waiting for me at my new home 📚💙

Just finished Patricia Cornwell's Postmortem. It's not my 1st read through, as I'm not reading anything too taxing at the moment so sticking with what I know. It is claimed to redefine the genre by telling the story through the eyes of the ME rather than the cops. It's okay, but it didn't grip me 📚💙

Treated myself to a late night session to finish Sourcery by Terry Pratchett the other night. Like a mini retreat, for my birthday. Today was supposed to be the test run of my real retreat but had to postpone due to life getting in the way. Unemployed now so can focus on the business. 📚💙

It's #blackhistorymonth in the UK and I was wondering if anyone could recommend some black authors I can add to my TBR list? 📚💙

Reading #Pratchett is always a pleasure, but this time reading #Mort has been even more so. It allowed my brain to stop digressing and worrying and interrupting me with unwanted thoughts (mostly). Alas, I have finished. On to #Sourcery next. 📚💙

I finished Silesian Station. In fact, I zoomed through it. But, it made me feel like I'm never going to have the imagination, or daring, to do something worthwhile when the time comes. But I'd like to think I'd try. It's an adventure story with a bit of a history lesson. I'd read them all. 📚💙

Yesterday I asked M& G what their fave smells were. M said she doesn't really notice smells (😢) & G said that I have a weird sense of smell, but he does like the smell of freshly baked bread. So, I put it to you, what smells make you happy? I like the smell of fake berries in my beauty products.

1/3 Finished a few things recently. Relentless was a fun read in the absence of a TV to distract me and in a not-too-heavy kind of way. Just what I was looking for in a read last week. 📚💙

I've read chapter 1 of David Downing's Silesian Station. A spy thriller set in early Nazi Germany. I feel a bit sick. Seeing history repeat itself and not knowing what to do to make a positive difference is so stressful. It's embarrassing to be British at the moment. 📚💙

I've finished this book. I'm ready for my next read now. 📚💙

Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky has accompanied me on a few long car journeys between the house I'm in and the house my family is living in. Sad it's finished as it really was a good listen. A story of First Contact and bloody humanity. 📚💙 1 month till we're reunited.

I finished the Fingersmith. I zoomed through it. I didn't really know what to expect but it came highly recommended. Needed a bit of a breather afterwards. On to something lighter next 📚💙

Urgh. I've finished my book but I'm not ready to move on to my next one. But I don't currently have a TV or a sofa, just an arm chair. Also,it's raining. What do I do now?? 📚💙

I'm running a #ThistleBeeKind campaign (similar to random acts of kindness) over on my Facebook page (yes, I know, I dislike FB too) and I keep forgetting to post them here. Here's this weeks. That's week 10! 📚💙 www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

I am not ready for The Thursday Murder Club film. I need at least a decade to enjoy the stories, to swap books with family and friends, and to have this secret that only us book lovers know about. Why does everything have to be televised?? Not happy. 📚💙

Second book of the holiday finished. This is a re-read, but my memory is so shocking I forgot most of what happened. Set in an alt reality where the Nazis invade Britain and how a group of women cope after their husbands up & leave to join the resistance, and then get occupied by a Naxi patrol. 📚💙

Can't go to Bath and not think of Pride and Prejudice. I read this at school, and enjoyed it until the last chapter or so. But I was so disappointed at the speed of the ending it ruined the book for me. I've never read it again. What do you think of P&P? Or Jane Austen for that matter? 📚💙

Finished reading Little by Edward Carey last night. Was a really interesting read with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. The (fictionalised) story of Madam Tussauds including her life during the French Revolution. Not a book I'd read again & again, but still good. 📚💙

In a bit of a reading slump ATM, but I have listened to Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. A story about a tennis family and family life in general. Easy listening and I was rooting for all the characters. On to a bit of sci fi next, Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky. What are you listening to? 📚💙

Phase 1 of Move Back to Wales is complete. The OH is at the house and the 12yo with my folks for her hols. I need to work my notice and then we can be together again. I 'might' have time to work on ThistleBee but the OH has the computer. Let's see what I can do with a camping table and laptop.' 📚💙

If you happen to be up in Stirlingshire in early September, why not spend a bit of time at the Balfron Book Festival. @balfronbooks.bsky.social 📚💙

My recent read is almost politically appropriate as Trump decides to move all homeless people to 'camps'. Whilst Rendell tries to humanise the homeless, albeit by murdering a few and pointing out that no one seems to care, Trump seeks out to hide them from polite society...a bit like Hitler did. 📚💙

Having trouble finding time for you? Boil the kettle, open that bottle of wine, find your favourite book, or that unfinished crafting project. Join us for an hour's dedicated peace and quiet. 20:00- quick chat to say hi 20:05- mic's on mute. Camera can be on or off. 20:55- 5 minutes debrief. 📚💙

Scrolling through #booksky is also a great way to get new book recommendations. I've got a whole list.

Read Community Witch by @ashthestampede.bsky.social today. Learnt a lot from this book. And, despite being very boringly cishet and not a fan of romance, I found a lot to relate to in each of the main characters. Would love to live in a world with a community witch. I definitely enjoyed this one 📚💙

Zoomed through this book. The style was a bit different, very explanatory, but I was rooting for the characters nevertheless. 7/10. Thought provoking. It certainly made an issue I was aware of (separating parents from kids at US borders) more human and relatable. And also made me feel useless 😞 📚💙

Recently, my book THEY CALLED US ENEMY was banned – again – in Tennessee. Book bans are out of control. Huge parts of American history are being restricted. To join me in standing up for the freedom to read, go to pen.org/action. @penamerica.bsky.social @topshelfcomix.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com

Help - social media numpty here. What software do you all use to make your fancy posts?? 📚💙