Instagram story viewer> @thebookwormclassicist> Posts

Catherine

@thebookwormclassicist

2.2K

followers

2246

following

23, formerly @thebookwormstudent 📚
Sci-fi and fantasy reader/ writer! 📖
(The Styx)
Reading goal - 72/75

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

MEET THE WRITER! 📖

I've done a few meet the bookstagrammer posts, but now that I'm getting towards the end of my second draft, I thought it was time for a meet the writer post too!

I'm currently working on a Greek mythology retelling, which focuses on reimagining the muses and bringing them into their own spotlight. This is my second novel (the first having never seen the light of day 😭)

It's been so much fun to write - definitely difficult at times, but a great way to build on the love for Classics I developed during my degree. Recently, I went to visit the British Museum, and I spent half the trip looking for anything I could find on the muses 😂

I'm hoping to finish this draft by the end of the month, and will be looking for beta readers soon - so watch this space!

#bookstagram #booksta #bookworm #bookshelf #writer #greekmythology #mythologyretellings #classics #darkacademia #scifiandfantasy by @thebookwormclassicist

3

34

2 years ago

3

25

2 years ago

October stack

Spooky season is here!

Books pictured:
🖤 The Obelisk Gate by N K Jemisin
🖤 Celtic Weird by Johnny Mains
🖤 Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness
🖤 The Odyssey by Homer
🖤 Breverton's Phantasmogoria by Terry Breverton
🖤 Elektra by Jennifer Saint
🖤 A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

I struggle a lot of the time with month-themed stacks, but this one was surprisingly easy

#bookstagram #scifi #fantasy #darkacademia #reading by @thebookwormclassicist

3

6

a day ago

Purple and green stack! 🌿

Some much needed colour on a rainy day

I couldn't not show off my latest flowers and book vase (inexpertly painted by me 😂) with a purple and green stack!

I had way more of these than I expected - I didn't used to have many purple books at all, but I feel like the style of book covers is changing, and we're seeing so many more exciting colours these days.

#bookstagram #fantasy #scifi #darkacademia #reading by @thebookwormclassicist

3

10

3 days ago

Still daydreaming about my recent writing retreat!

There's something so lovely about having other people to share your work with, and discuss your ideas - even if that is mostly distracting one another with book recommendations!

I love hearing other writers' processes, and seeing how that reflects in their work.

Thank you to the @bristolwomenfantasywriters for organising.

#bookstagram #reader #fantasy #scifi #darkacademia by @thebookwormclassicist

3

4

5 days ago

Autumn leaves flatlay 🍂

Happy #flatlayfriday!

Since it's officially autumn, now seemed like a fitting time to share this!

I've tagged a few people to give this a go, but as always no pressure 😊

#bookstagram #fantasy #scifi #reading by @thebookwormclassicist

3

15

7 days ago

BOOK REVIEW!

As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers

4.5/5 stars

"I do not think you need to be able to name love or feel its shape in order to possess it. Perhaps love is merely a condition of life."

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Becky Chambers has this unique ability to capture human experiences in all their messiness, and somehow still make them seem beautiful. This book asks questions about morality and law, the interplay between love and disagreement, and finding comfort in times of grief.

I will say that compared to some of her other books, this one didn't quite have the same emotional impact for me, and I think a lot of that was down to the structure. From a literary perspective, I can completely understand why the narrative moves between times, but I felt like I lost sight of the characters' voices in the process, particularly at the beginning. I wanted the chance to see those relationships develop, and there were points where it was almost like the rest of the story was being spoiled for me!

By the end of the book, however, I was settled into this style, and could lose myself in the worldbuilding, and the characters within it. There is definitely a lot to love about this story - its creativity, its setting, and its ability to provoke some interesting reflections.

Books with similar vibes - To Be Taught, if Fortunate by Becky Chambers, The Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

#bookreview #netgalley #scifi #fantasy #darkacademia by @thebookwormclassicist

3

1

9 days ago

Writing retreat 2026

Another phenomenal retreat with @bristolwomenfantasywriters!

I've been struggling to make time for my writing lately - starting a new project while querying another feels quite overwhelming, so I've mostly been focussing on my short stories. Having a weekend surrounded by other fantasy writers really revived my sense of inspiration.

Between some time in the sauna and hot tub, walks out in the woods, bookish cocktails, and enjoying some sweet treats, I managed to get a fair amount done. I'm looking forward to sending out a few short story submissions over the next few weeks, and getting back to some fantasy worldbuilding!

#bookstagram #fantasy #scifi #writing #reader by @thebookwormclassicist

3

15

11 days ago

Forever tempted by the @waterstones notebook options!

I wish I could own all of these books - but I know I'd be too scared to ruin them by writing in them!

I do enjoy writing by hand, especially because it stops me spending too much time staring at a screen.

Bit of a filler post today, as I'm busily writing all this weekend, but I should have plenty more autumnal pics to share soon.

#bookstagram #notebooks #reading #fantasy #scifiandfantasy by @thebookwormclassicist

3

5

13 days ago

Autumnal reading 🍂

Ok yes it isn't technically autumn yet, but with the nights drawing in, you can definitely feel the seasons changing.

I've spent most nights recently bingeing spooky TV shows and scrapbooking, and if that doesn't encapsulate the autumnal evening experience, I don't know what does.

#bookstagram #reader #fantasy #scifi #darkacademia by @thebookwormclassicist

3

6

15 days ago

BOOK REVIEW!

Tales from the Territory by @travis_baldree

4/5 stars

A cosy continuation of a beloved series!

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There's something so immersive about the world Travis Baldree has created. It still feels appropriately fantastical, but the low stakes also make it comforting enough that this collection almost reads like a bedtime story.

Each of the stories works well as a standalone, but you might want to refresh your memory of the previous books first. I definitely had to refamiliarise myself with some characters to fully appreciate the meaning behind each story, and how they fit into the larger narrative.

Definitely a fun read, and reaffirming to me that if I could live in this world, I would!

Books with similar vibes - Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst, Twig's Travelling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy, A Remedy For Fate by M A Kuzniar, and Agnes Auberts's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett.

(And yes I did make that bread. And yes it was gone within 48 hours.)

#bookreview #fantasy #scifi #classics #darkacademia by @thebookwormclassicist

3

9

17 days ago

Taking a leaf out of @annamulreads book and trying something a bit more niche with this rubix cube stack!

(You can see how I've very cleverly shot this so all the different colour squares are visible. It has nothing to do with my inability to solve a rubix cube...)

Then again, it's a rainy sunday afternoon and I have nothing better to do, so maybe I should give it a go!

Seeing out the end of the weekend tonight with a cup of tea, listening to the rain, watching some TV, and starting Tales From the Territory.

#bookstagram #sundayshelfie #fantasy #scifi #darkacademia by @thebookwormclassicist

3

6

19 days ago