Tag: reading
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Best Literary Fictions of 2025
Literary fiction is one of my favourite genres and I’ve really enjoyed looking back over what I’ve been enjoying this year to share with you. My favourite literary fictions always hit me hard and make me feel everything and I love them for it.
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Review: Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
Fleeing from your past will always catch up with you, but never in the way Lucy expected. Boulley’s best work to date and a brilliant return to Sugar Island.
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Review: Sweet Heat – Bolu Babalola
Picking up five years after Honey & Spice, Kiki and Malakai are forced back together in situations they couldn’t have imagined. Babaola proves yet again why she is one of my favourite authors ever, a stunning book.
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Cold Brew Tea and Book Pairings
I bet you’ve been wondering which Bird & Blend cold brew tea would pair perfectly with a book. Because why wouldn’t you? A tasty book needs a tasty pairing.
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Review: Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
A story of racism and colonialism that passes through generations, quite literally. An exquisite piece of writing that everyone needs to read.
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August Book New Releases
I know it can feel overwhelming scrolling through social media or browsing through bookshops with so much choice. Summer is well and truly here and if you’re looking for something juicy to get stuck into then I can help with that.
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Disability Pride Month Recommendations
Disability Pride Month is celebrated throughout July and as ever, it’s important to highlight and celebrate these voices. The landscape is grim right now and we can start by educating ourselves and understanding more, using that knowledge and energy in our allyship.
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Queer Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are rising in popularity and I’m absolutely here for it. The books are pieces of art and I always spend so much time lost in the artwork.
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Favourite Audiobooks
This year I’ve made it my mission to use audiobooks more when I’m on the move. I love the versatility they can bring and make long journeys feel much shorter.
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Review: Good Intentions – Kasim Ali
A novel centred around endearing characters with good intentions but none of the follow through. A brilliantly written piece with important coverage on mental health, well worth a read.
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Review: Reframing Blackness: What’s Black about “History of Art” – Alayo Akinkugbe
A brilliant and important argument defending the narrative for not separating Black Art from the rest of history, but actively including it. Beautifully written and accessible for all readers, art fanatics or not.
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Review: Queer As Folklore – Sacha Coward
From witches to werewolves, mermaids to vampires, so much folklore has queerness knotted in it, Coward looks at how stories have been lost and how they connect to queerness.
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Best Books of 2025 (So Far)
It’s been a whirlwind six months over here. We’ve had bookish events a plenty, holidays with friends, little treats just because.. So let’s look back over the first six months of my reading and talk through my favourite reads so far of the year.
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Best Holiday Reads 2025
If you’ve got a holiday coming up (or maybe just a weekend) then you’re going to want something juicy to get stuck into by the pool (or beach or sofa!). Below are my suggestions for the books you won’t be able to put down this summer, perfect summer holiday reading. These are the books you’ll…
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Review: The Sunbearer Trials – Aiden Thomas
Competing in the Sunbearer Trials is every Golds dream, but when two Jades are chosen to compete as well, the competition heats up. An enjoyable and pacy read with great rep, set against a beautiful backdrop and lore.
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Review: Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis
An eclectic team attempt a deradicalisation of ISIS brides, this is filled with love, humanity and plenty of humour. The hype around this book was absolutely well deserved, everyone needs to read this.
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July Books New Releases
I know it can feel overwhelming scrolling through social media or browsing through bookshops with so much choice. Summer is well and truly here and if you’re looking for something juicy to get stuck into then I can help with that.
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Best UK Independent Bookshops
After holding a very official vote over on my Instagram, I have gathered together the best indie bookshops according to my wonderful followers. They spread far and wide across the country and I will absolutely be finding ways to get to these soon.
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Review: Sunstruck – William Rayfet Hunter
Messy families and relationships are centred in this novel, mixed in with class and race too. A dazzling debut and one that you absolutely need to pick up this summer.
The Bookish Mindset 