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@readwithsabs

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I enjoy reading books, talking books and buying books.
Just finished: The Scandalous Ladies Football Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ C/Reading 📚: The Benefactors

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BEDSIDE BOOKS 📚

Happy Sunday, Bookstagram! And what a wet and windy one it is!

Do you keep a stack of books beside your bed? I’ve done for as long as I can remember. They’re usually the ones I’m planning to read imminently, but the odd neglected faithful also sneaks in there, just to remind me that it’s been languishing on my TBR for far too long.

My hope is that if I’m constantly seeing them, I’ll stop reaching for my newest purchases instead… it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?

My current #bedsidebooks are all very similar in theme! For the last few years, my October reads have had a distinctly witchy vibe. I really enjoy magical realism in books, and I find those paranormal, witchy vibes so comforting and perfect for this time of year!

All of these books are still on my TBR, except Big Bad Wolf, which I finished this afternoon. I’m not sure which one will be my next read, but I’m particularly intrigued by the Joss Wood duology!

I’m not sure how many of these I’ll get through between now and the end of the month, but I have a week off work, and my plan is to lose myself in books and enjoy a few coffee dates. ☕📖 Honestly, what could be better?

Have you read any of these? And can you recommend any other witchy reads that I should squeeze into October? I’m always happy to add a few more books to the TBR! 😉📚

#Bookstagram #BedsideBooks #WitchyReads #OctoberReads MagicalRealism TBRPile BookishVibes

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SEPTEMBER WRAP UP

September, you have been a LOT!!

The return to a new school year has been incredibly challenging, and honestly, this has possibly been the hardest one I've ever had. By the time the evenings roll around, I'm so exhausted that even reading a few pages feels like too much before I'm fast asleep. 😴

So, instead of my usual 8 books a month, I've managed just 4 but I'm reminding myself that reading 4 books during a really tough month is still something to celebrate.

My September reads were:

The Summer We Lied ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So, I Met This Guy...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Every Bookshop Needs A Cat ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love Unlocked ⭐️⭐️⭐️

All of my reviews for these books can be found on my grid.

Towards the end of the month, I could feel myself slipping into a reading slump. I had so many wonderful books on my September TBR, but I knew I just wasn't going to get to them all.
@alexandrapotter is an absolute #AutoBuyAuthor for me, so I picked up So, I Met This Guy...to try and stave off the slump, and I'm SO glad I did! Sometimes, reaching for a trusted favourite is exactly what you need.
Work is still incredibly demanding, and I don't anticipate that pressure letting up much over the coming months. But I am going to try to find a better work/life balance, make a little more time for myself, and remember that reading should be a joy, not another thing on my to-do list.

🎃 Now, onto October!

October is one of my absolute favourite reading months. Give me all the witchy reads, autumnal settings, cosy nights, dark mysteries and atmospheric stories!

I'm hoping for a little more reading time, a little less exhaustion, and plenty of books that make me want to stay up just one more chapter.

Here's to a new month, a fresh TBR, and hopefully a few more books!

How was your September reading? Did you have a quieter reading month than usual, or did you manage to make a big dent in your TBR?
M xx
#SeptemberWrapUp #Bookstagram

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#HereForTheFunNotTheNumbers

It's Sunday funday 😀 and time for a book challenge with the #oldskoolchallengeclub

This week I've chosen the #AnimalCrackers challenge to create a stack of books with animals in the titles.
Challenge was set by @chapter1.page1

I started in a PANIC as I couldn't see that I had any suitable books. I then realised I was looking with man-eyes 😂.
Shifting my perspective, I found this lovely lot.

How many of these have you read?

The Eyes of The DRAGON by Stephen King
Five Little PIGS by Agatha Christie
Black SWAN Green by David Mitchell
The BIRDS and other stories by Daphne du Maurier
The Thorn BIRDS by Colleen McCullough
HOGfather by Terry Pratchett
CARRION Comfort by Dan Simmons
Cloud CUCKOO Land by Anthony Doerr
The PORPOISE by Mark Haddon
One Flew Over The CUCKOO'S Nest by Ken Kelsey
BIRDsong by Sebastian Faulks
The Elegance of The HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbery
Black Heart of The RAVEN by @staceydightonauthor
The HAWK and the RAVEN by Stacey Dighton
March of The LEMMINGS by Stewart Lee
Pale Face & The RAVEN by Stacey Dighton
The House of WOLF by Tony Robinson
Of MICE and Men by John Steinbeck
RABBITS by Terry Miles
SPARROW by James Haynes
Dead but Dreaming of Electric SHEEP by Paul Tremblay

📚🐺🐷🐉🐇🐁🐩🐦🐬

I'll tag a few of you. No pressure. It's all for fun.

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Mental Health Mondays with a side of 🔥 and 💖 and 🌶

Gahhh... Ryan has done it to me AGAIN!!!
One of my favourite (and most hated) things about being so enamoured with a book, is waking up the next day and forgetting you've finished it. Going to reach for it because it's so immersive ans you need to know what's happening, only to remember you completed the mission. For me, this is the sign of amazingly captivating storytelling.

Ryan does a BEAUTIFUL job of portraying the human experience in a way that I honestly find unmatched in this genre!
The way bi-polar is explored and experienced in this story was so delicate and respectful and insightful.
Verify AND Monk have their own traumas to deal with and I adore how emotionally mature all Ryan's characters are (and how motherfucking sexy her MCs are 😩)
This entire series being a story about people finding someone's story and don't their best to give it a voice is stellar and addictive.

I also love that we got a totally different angle of the exact same story with totally different people and it actually worked!

Now... let's get to the real review...
😈💦🥵🪀🔊😈😈💦💦💦💦🥵🥵🥵🪀🪀🔊🔊🔊💦🪀🥵🥵💦😈😈💦💦🔊🥵🥵🔊😩😩😩😩😩😈😩🥵😈😈😩😩😈🔊😈💦🪀😈🔊😩😩🔊😩🔊💦💦😈🪀😈😩🔊😩🔊😈😈🔊🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

And I loved every minute of it 🤣
Kennedy Ryan is my girl FOR REAL.

For as long as she writes, I'll never say I'm not a romance reader again.
Dare I say, I loved this even more than book 1!!!?!

Thanks to everyone who recommended this series, it's been everything you said it would be!

#score
#kennedyryan
#blackstories
#blacklove

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TEACHER STACK

Apparently, I have a thing for books with teacher in the title. 😂📚
It’s not intentional, but somehow I keep adding them to my shelves. I think I must be subconsciously drawn to anything that feels connected to the job.

I’ve been teaching for 20 years now, and for the last 12 I’ve well and truly found my happy place in the Early Years. It’s a hard job a lot of the time, but I genuinely couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

I’ve been meaning to take this photo since term started on the 7th, but it’s been such a busy start to the school year that we’re already well into Week 2! How is that even possible?!

All of these are still on my TBR, apart from The Learning Curve, which I read nearly 20 years ago and still think about regularly. I’m very intrigued to see what I make of the others when I eventually get to them…

Now I’m curious, do you find yourself subconsciously drawn to books connected to your job, hobbies or interests? Or are work-related books firmly in the absolutely not category once you’ve finished work?

#Bookstagram #TeacherStack #BookishTeacher #TeachersOfInstagram

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📚 #onewordtitlestack

I was tagged by @oldbookishwoman in the One Word Title Stack Challenge. Ramping up the excitement by setting myself a five minute time limit I found this baker's dozen 😀

This challenge was initiated by the #oldskoolchallengeclub organised by @hook.me.a.book @chapter1.page1 and @jac_in_a_book
They're going to create weekly challenges, bringing back that old bookstagram vibe 💯

My stack of titles are
Hiroshima
Clear
Stasiland
Jerusalem
Orlando
Hamnet
Dubliners
Hogfather
Jingo
Carrie
Brotherhood
Buckeye
Blankets

I've read all of these. Have you read any?

Award yourself 10 points for each of these you have read or 5 points if it's on your tbr.
A maximum of 130 points on offer. What's your score?👇🏻

I'll tag a few of you in the challenge. Apologies if you've already been tagged. And no pressure. It's all for fun 😀📚

[ John Hersey / Carys Davies / Anna Funder/ Alan Moore / Virginia Woolf / Maggie O'Farrell / James Joyce / Terry Pratchett / Discworld / Stephen King / Star Wars / Mike Chen / Patrick Ryan / Craig Thompson / Graphic Novel]

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WHAT THIS WEEK 📚 🖥 🎧 💪🏼🧾 🥳 😊

Happy Sunday Bookstagram.

This week I've been...

📚 READING:
This time last week, I was crying my way through the last few pages of The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros 🥺 What a beautiful book. I finished off the month by reading the first two books in the Summer Suspense series by LJ Ross, The Cove and The Creek. I'd been wanting to read something by her for ages, but the thought of starting a 25-book series when my TBR is already overflowing felt a bit reckless. Then I saw this series and couldn't resist. Both books were very quick reads and had a lovely blend of cosy crime and romance.
I started my September reads with The Summer We Lied by Rebecca Hardy, which I enjoyed. Last night, I started Love Unlocked by Cecelia Ahern. I adored her early work but haven't felt the same connection with her last 6 or so books. I'm hoping this one turns the tide.

🖥 🎧 WATCHING/LISTENING:
I've started the new series of Trigger Point and a re-watch of Beyond Paradise. Jamie Miller is playing on a loop as I get jobs done in school and at home.

💪🏼DOING:
I came back from Cornwall after the Bank Holiday and intended to get a head start at work. That plan was scuppered by the builders not being finished and them choosing to use my (already clean and set up) classroom as their workshop and canteen 😠 Cue a very busy two Inset days which left me tired to my bones. I ended the week feeling low and drained. Yesterday, I had a day out with some of my team and it was just what I needed to reset again ahead of tomorrow.

🧾 BUYING:
The 20 books I read in August meant £100 going into my TBR jar. Instead of saving it, I decided to have a Bank Holiday splurge. I picked up some books that I'd been coveting and placed a BIG pre-order order with Waterstones during their Double Points offer.

🥳 LITTLE WINS:
My boss reminded me that I had a bit of money left over in my school budget, so my team and I hit up the garden centre and now we're all ready to train up some new gardeners.

😊 LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Getting back into a daily routine and continuing my quest for a better work/life balance.

How was your week?
M xx

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WHAT THIS WEEK 📚 🖥 🎧 💪🏼🧾 🥳 😊

Happy Sunday Bookstagram.

This week I've been...

📚 READING:
It has been another strong reading week. After finishing Yesteryear, I needed something that I knew wouldn't disappoint so I picked up The Stranger On The Stairs by Ruth Mancini. I loved her first book, The Woman On The Ledge and this was just as good. Then I read Such A Nice Girl by Andrea Mara and you know you're in very safe hands with her domestic thrillers. I've been meaning to read a 'non Christmas' Sarah Morgan book for ages and Brave New Summer was just wonderful. I loved it. A definite 5⭐️ for me! Talking of 5⭐️... I'm currently reading The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros 🥺 I've been putting off reading the final 100 pages because I'm not sure I'm ready to find out what happened to Scarlett and Jameson.

🖥 🎧 WATCHING/LISTENING:
I started listening to Love In Recovery on BBC Sounds. It has a great cast but I just couldn't get into it. I might try again in the future.

💪🏼DOING:
I had a busy first half of the week, dropping off bags to the charity shops and catching up with some friends. I'm in Cornwall now with my parents and my mum and I have had a few days out.

🧾 BUYING:
Well... my August budget wasn't going too badly but then Waterstones offered Double Points whilst I was in the proximity of a large store! Amongst a few others, I picked up The Trouble With Sister Francis and The Summer We Lied. The jury is still out on whether I'll place an order for some pre-orders later on 🤔

🥳 LITTLE WINS:
Finding a bottle of Orangina in the Waterstones cafe. A pure nostalgia hit!

😊 LOOKING FORWARD TO:
We've finally got the rain that most of you have had for a while, so I'm going to read in the conservatory with the best soundtrack ⛈️

How was your week?
M xx

#booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer
#readersofinstagram

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Honestly I don’t know whether it’s peri-menopausal brain fog or the fact I’ve read a couple more books since reading Writers & Lovers but I couldn’t tell you a single thing about it other than I know I enjoyed the story and gave it 4 stars on my Goodreads 🙈 I hand on heart haven’t got the foggiest about a single character or what it was about and the fact I only finished it about 10 days ago does worry my befuzzled brain but it is what it is 🤪

I’ve realised if I don’t write a review straight away (or if I don’t absolutely love it) and let other characters from the next book enter my mind then there’s no chance of remembering so here’s my quick review:
Yeh, pretty sure I enjoyed this one 🤔😂

Anyone else get like this or just me?! 🤪😝

#writersandlovers #lilyking #aoifeloves2read #brainfog

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WHAT THIS WEEK 📚 🖥 🎧 💪🏼🧾 🥳 😊

Happy Sunday Bookstagram.

This week I've been...

📚 READING:
It has been a good reading week, this week. The weather has lent itself to lots of garden reading sessions. I enjoyed The Opposite Of Murder by Sophie Hannah. It was a really pacy whodunnit. Next up was When You Looked Away by S.M Govett, which I absolutely loved. A definite 5⭐️!
On Friday, I finished Getting Away by Kate Saywer. Oh, this book was beautiful. A definite 5⭐️ and a contender for my Top Ten of 2026.
I'm currently reading Yesteryear. I bought it a while ago but avoided it because of the hype surrounding it. It's probably one of the most devisive books I've read in a while. On one hand, I feel like I'm invested and want to find out what on earth is going on, but I can't say that I'm enjoying it.

🖥 🎧 WATCHING/LISTENING:
I really enjoyed Little Diasters on CH5 and I've now started The Wives. I loved the first episode of Ann Droid but I think my dad will enjoy so I've stopped and we'll watch it together next weekend.

💪🏼DOING:
I've been on a decluttering mission. Each day I've tackled a different room. Not a wardrobe, cupboard, drawer or corner has been left untouched. I've now got 10 big bags to go to the charity shops. I'm very confused about why my house doesn't look any different, though!!!

🧾 BUYING:
I got my hands on the sprayed edge edition of The Christmas Tree Farm from The Works. I also used my Blue Light discount on a pair of Adidas x Liberty trainers, which I'm obsessed with.

🥳 LITTLE WINS:
Sorting through my clothes reunited me with some tops that Id forgot owned.

😊 LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Heading to Cornwall for the bank holiday weekend.

How was your week?
M xx

#booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer
#readersofinstagram

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𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 By @virginia.l.evans

This book was gorgeous 😍

Such an interesting read, the whole story is written entirely by letters (and the odd email) and must have taken a huge amount of planning to do, it was so well crafted ♡
I’ll admit it took me a wee while to get into because there are a fair amount of characters/receivers of letters but I then switched to the audio version and I adored it, the many different voice actors did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life, I loved recognising the voice and realising who it was before the end of the letter.
You can hear the emotions, the longing, the regret, the grief, the excitement, the connections through every correspondence and Sybil Van Antwerp now has a place in my heart where I leave room for my most treasured characters (Shuggie, Betty, Mungo, Demon, Lennie & Margot all reside there too 😂).
Highly recommend this one
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Now, who wants to start a pen pal club 😂

#thecorrespondent #fivestarbook #aoifeloves2read

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BOOK LOVERS DAY 2026 📚

Happy Book Lovers Day, Bookstagram!

According to Wikipedia...

“Book Lovers Day is celebrated on August 9 every year. This is an unofficial holiday observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature. People are advised to put away their smartphones and every possible technological distraction and pick up a book to read.”

I mean... do we really need any further persuasion? 😂

It’s also the perfect day to support and celebrate independent bookshops, and on Wednesday I picked up a gorgeous little haul from @bookstoptavistock, which I’ll be sharing in my #whatthisweek post later today.
I’ve celebrated Book Lovers Day by reading in bed this morning, and I’ll be doing the same in the garden this afternoon. And I’ll probably read in bed again this evening too 🤭

My reading has, of course, been accompanied by a cup of tea, because books and tea are always better together! ☕📚

How are you spending your day?

M xx

#BookLoversDay #NationalBookLoversDay #Bookstagram #IndependentBookshop

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