Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.
RatherBeReading
@ratherbereading.bsky.social
Katharine: Celt. Charity worker. Ink drinker & word wrangler of dark fiction Book Reviewer: Historical Novel Society https://open.substack.com/pub/mywritingshenanigans Short story published Bloody St Albans 22 Top 100: Cheshire Novel Prize 23 Mum to a
I feel like the wheels are coming off and I’m unravelling. This is a tough time of year for neurodivergent families. Throw in some perimenopausal existential angst and it’s a perfect storm. I am retreating with books blankets and tea 💆🏻♀️
F wesstreeting and this damaging hateful narrative
Stunning winter’s day for a long walk & a creative boost
Polite public announcement: I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing. Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs. Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now. 🙏
20 more mins of this and my husband is already beyond grumpy! We’re going to need stronger drink 🥃🫣 #IREvRSA
One day I WILL travel to India. It has always held a special place in my heart, yet a country I only understand via the literature I’ve read. In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice #booksky #amreading #GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social
72 hours until I can get back here. The mountain of work and life-stuff that needs to happen between now and then seems insurmountable but Connemara, I’m coming for you 💚
Another working week done and once again I’m coiled like a spring. Going to sack off my usual Friday chores and get in a sneaky nap to see if it will reset my nervous system somewhat ahead of a busy weekend.
a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .
ALT: a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .
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🏳️🌈📚 Not gonna lie, our books? They damn slap. Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage. If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing? #SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky
#SlantingTowardsTheSea by @lidijahilje.bsky.social I’m only two chapters in and this is giving me ALL the feels! #amreading
Happy 100th @natlibscot.bsky.social Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world. Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Val McDermid and Damian Barr urge Scottish councils to halt library closures
Authors say plan to shut more than 20 public libraries could have devastating effect on Scotland’s cultural future
theguardian.com
Living my best life today: I’ve descaled the kettle AND the coffee machine 🤣
The best 3 days solo writing retreat. I’ve come back, not necessarily refreshed (as I was writing like a demon day & night), but with renewed clarity and focus. Very grateful to have had this opportunity in the beautiful Surrey Hills. #writingcommunity #retreatyourself
2 more days of work then I’m off on my solo writing mini break 🙌
a painting of a house next to a river with a bridge over it
ALT: a painting of a house next to a river with a bridge over it
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Uk dwellers: can anyone help me get a copy within the UK? Waterstones showing as unavailable, even online is delivery August-October? What gives? Desperate to get my paws on a copy 🙏 #WallyLamb #BookSky #BookLovers
Topher Colin@xtophercb.bsky.social · last yr.recent read. what a sucker punch at the end. kept it for a re-read some time later. #TheRiverIsWaiting #WallyLamb #Fiction #LiteraryFiction #Contemporary #Mystery #Oprah #BookClub #AdultFiction #Family #Novel #Prison #CriminalJustice #DrugAbuse #Addiction #12Step #Art #CommercialArt #booksky 💙📚
Participated in a wonderful sensory walk this afternoon as part of our work ‘away day’. Thought I was good at connecting with nature but this was next level. Managed to do some journalling mid walk too #alwayscarryanotebook
a pixel art of a path in a forest
ALT: a pixel art of a path in a forest
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Booked myself a cheeky 2 night solo writing retreat for next month. I’m going to try and leave my chronic levels of procrastination and perfectionism at the door and get this novel ready for submission.
a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up
ALT: a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up
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First day of no school-run-shenanigans means a quiet coffee in my garden with serotonin-boosting sunlight on my eyelids before I start my working week. Don’t forget to carve out some “you time” time today, no matter how small ❤️🩹 #itsthesmallthings
Can't believe I am saying this, but I'm getting booked up for September! Do get in touch if you're thinking of getting some honest, helpful, affordable feedback on your manuscript after the summer to make sure I have you on my list! www.elspells.com
In the interest of connecting more with the roots of the book community... Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!! 💞💞💞 #BookSky
#Writers #Creatives can anyone recommend a journal/notebook with high gsm please that has alternate lined and blank pages? Or am I asking for the moon? #writingcommunity #journalling
a woman is writing in a journal and the word journal is visible behind her
ALT: a woman is writing in a journal and the word journal is visible behind her
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Happiest of publication days to @laurasrobinson.bsky.social and this absolutely stunning book #TheArtOfALie. It was wonderful to hear Laura talk about her inspiration behind the book & some of the research she undertook. Here she is last night at her event at #WareLibrary. Out now! 🎉💚🍍
Thrilled that THE ART OF A LIE is in @goodhousekeeping.bsky.social '20 hottest books of the summer' feature. And in some very lovely company! 🍍🍦💚
Thrilled to be taking #TheBlackbirdsofStGiles to @NairnFest in September! Join me and @Marciathewriter when we discuss our ‘outsider history’ novel with the brilliant @seanlusk1 on Friday Sept 5th 🐦⬛💚🐦⬛
