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Zynab Al Bahrani

@chapter.thirty.five

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Raising autistic children
Honest motherhood reflections
Autism specialist & speech assistant
Motherhood • Lifestyle • Books • Fashion
📍 Berkshire

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by @chapter.thirty.five

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27

2 years ago

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

I read this book back in April. It's taken me this long to sit down and write my thoughts about this book. How to you write about a story that broke you?

This is the breath taking sequel to Shield of Sparrows, a book I randomly picked up from a table at a Waterstones store knowing absolutely nothing about it or the author.

I'm so glad I took that leap last year, because I knew from the moment I started reading that book I had tripped and fallen into such a unique world. I was so excited to pick up the second book Rites of Starling.

This is an emotionally heavy, plot-driven sequel to Shield of Sparrows that leans much harder into high fantasy than traditional romance. It picks up from the story of the last book, as Ransom works on tracking down Odessa and Evie after the brutal Crux attack.

It focuses on a dual perspective, split between Odessa and a new POV character, Caspia, who is mysterious and it's unknown who, where of when her POV takes place. The story expands the world and the backstories that we unravel weave together seamlessly in a jaw dropping story.

The ending to this book....even writing this now is so emotional. I think about this a few times a month since reading it. by @chapter.thirty.five

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2 days ago

Some thoughts about how our unique experiences as parents and carers impact the way we see disability by @chapter.thirty.five

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2 days ago

To the Mother of a Neurodivergent Child

People call her strong but strength wasn't a choice but it became a matter of survival

She shows up for her child every day but rarely does she have someone who shows up for her

She has buried pain so deeply that she forgets what it's like to be happy when she looks at her reflection

She doesn't talk about it but there's a whole war going on inside her that no one ever sees

She walks through the world with a smile as if she isn't bleeding underneath

Breaking down is a luxury she was never given so she cries alone in the rooms of her heart that no one enters

She carries the grief and heartbreak the world never saw as if it never shattered her by @chapter.thirty.five

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3 days ago

Autumn Diaries #1 sharing snippets of this season with a new series on my page. A little throwback to the start of September and catching up with my book club friends at Osterley Park. We were discussing our recent read The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig which we absolutely loved 🤍

@nationaltrust @osterleynt by @chapter.thirty.five

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3 days ago

Hobbledown Heath Pumpkin Festival is BACK 🎃

The best pumpkin patch festival in London is now open and we were invited to visit today as part of their opening weekend.

The spectacular Autumn event is packed with Pumpkins, games, fairground rides, seasonal food and more!

You can expect a huge variety of pumpkins to pick from. With family games, jumping pillows, sensory bubble shows, live entertainment, toast marshmallows, fairground rides and lots of lovely photo opportunites and displays.

You can pick from tickets for their pumpkin patch or combine them with their Hobbledown Heath playground. There's so much to explore and create lots of wonderful seasonal memories.

We've come to this pumpkin festival every year and it's always very well organised, really safe and there's lots of sensory feedback and fun for my autistic boys.

📅 Dates: 25th Sept – 1st Nov 2026
🎟️ Tickets from: £7 - under 1s AND carers go FREE
🚗 Parking next to the Pumpkin Patch available for disability holders or you can park at the main site.

Please be aware that the Pumpkin Patch is a short ten minute walk through the woodland area across from the Hobbledown Heath main site.

[PR Invite] by @chapter.thirty.five

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4 days ago

Friday thoughts 🤍 by @chapter.thirty.five

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5 days ago

Outfits I've Recently Worn:

Book club catch up with the girls 🍂

Admin day working from a cafe

A nothing day just resting at home

Running errands with a bit of colour

Coffee date with a friend ☕

Working from home day

Meetings and catching up with online clients

Visiting clients at school settings

Casual day with a few appointments

Rainy day walks with the family by @chapter.thirty.five

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6 days ago

The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

And 5* for the complete duology. I'm a huge fan of Rachel Gillig and every gothic book she has written. In fact it was after I read the Shepherd King duology that I realised I was fascinated with gothic fantasy.

I read the Knight and the Moth last year when I received an ARC copy of it and absolutely fell in love with unique world Gillig creates.

This beautiful story about a group of Diviners, a Knight in the backdrop of a eerie dark cathedral was everything you want for this season and pure escapism. She also created without doubt the most memorable character in the form of the gargoyle Bartholomew, who was endearing, wise and hilarious with everything he said.

I absolutely loved how she weaved a beautiful and intricate story of love, friendship and loyalty in this duology, creating a beautiful vision with her storytelling. Rachel Gillig does atmospheric gothic books brilliantly.

My only polite critique of the second book, is that I wish it had more of the gothic dark atmosphere the first one was oozing with rather than the whimsy. This could also be a great thicker standalone merging the two books together brilliantly. by @chapter.thirty.five

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5 days ago

With respect, if you haven't had to sit in an appointment and list all the things your autistic child cannot do whilst your heart is breaking into a million pieces...then we haven't experienced the same motherhood journey by @chapter.thirty.five

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6 days ago

This when the best season begins 🍂 by @chapter.thirty.five

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11 days ago

Daybreak by Autumn Woods

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

I read Nightshade last year and absolutely loved it so was super excited for Daybreak to come out. Set in the Scottish Highlands in a castle turned university, with the perfect eerie dark atmospheric story, this makes for the perfect autumn read.

The first book was exciting, funny with a great set of characters. I loved the backstory of the FMC and everything she had to go through to avenge her parents murder.

The second book was a little underwhelming though. I found Alex's chapters more interesting as it felt like he was a more fleshed out character, going through a lot of character growth and yearning. Whilst the FMC came off a bit bland and moany.

The storyline in the second book wasn't that memorable either. It felt like the book should have just been a bit longer and remained a standalone.

Whilst this is classed as a dark academia, I wouldn't say it's as heavy as others in this genre. For me it simply wasn't like other masterpieces out there that are unforgettable like The Secret History. This reads more like an entry level dark academia. And I don't mean that in an offensive way. Its a fun read and the author creates a great atmospheric and dark setting. by @chapter.thirty.five

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6 days ago