Tag: Kingdom of Ash

Sunday Summary – 27th September 2026

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Happy Sunday friends! Thankfully, this Sunday Summary has more reading progress to report than in the last couple of weeks. It wouldn’t have been difficult to have clocked in less reading, put it that way…

Before we get into the books I have picked up and have contributed to this Sunday Summary update, let’s take a look at the blog posts I’ve shared. In order to give myself more reading time, I have only shared one post this week. That was my blog tour review for Invisible by Heleyne Hammersley. If you have yet to take a look at that review, he is a handy link for you to go and check it out. 

Books Read

Invisible

Naturally, with a blog tour review due earlier this week, finishing Invisible was my reading priority at the start of the week. Thankfully, reading progress remained much the same as I reported in last week’s Sunday Summary update. I got on really well with the book! 

In fact, it turned out to be just the type of read I needed. An engaging crime storyline with an easy to read narrative style, this book has done wonders to help with the reading slump I’ve experienced elsewhere in the month. 

Obviously, I don’t want to detract from encouraging you to go and read that review for yourself. So, no spoilers. Go check it out. Not only that, but you also have an opportunity to win a copy of the book for yourself. Check out that review here, and don’t forget to log yourself an entry for the giveaway. More details about that are also in that post.

The Witch

Over the last couple of Sunday Summary update posts, I’ve shared difficulties with reading The Witch. If you have read my monthly TBR post, you will know that I’ve set out to start reading towards the Booker Prize longlist books this year.

I confess, although The Witch only a short narrative, I’m not really getting on with it. Not much seems to be happening, and the 60-odd percent progress I’ve made has been a bit of a slog. Because the book is so short, I’ve previously been determined to get to the end, whatever it takes.

However, after reading a little bit more this week, I have changed my tune. There is absolutely no point struggling through this book when I don’t have to. I have tried, but I have a very little motivation to pick up this read and it’s now having a negative effect on the rest of my month. So, I’m going to cut my losses and DNF this one.

Debt Reckoning 

Unlike The Witch, I have made significant progress with a blog tour read coming up for review at the beginning of next month. Yesterday, I started the audiobook copy I have of Debt Reckoning. And, I’m really getting on with it! It has been an easy listen whilst generally pottering around the house, but also whilst enjoying craft projects.

If you are unfamiliar, this book is a political thriller novel which has been an interesting read in context of my job. In an approachable way, it looks at the consequences of American debt and the impact of geopolitical tensions and other such scenarios that could result in the American economy getting into trouble. It’s somewhat informative, but it’s done in a way that the fiction element to the book isn’t overshadowed and it gives the book credibility. 

As of this Sunday Summary, I’ve already listened to over half of this audio – I’m at 62%. My review for Debt Reckoning is coming on the 6th of October. I’ve got plenty of time to finish it, and I can’t wait to tell you more. 

Kingdom of Ash 

I haven’t made a whole lot of progress with Kingdom of Ash this week. However, a big part of that has been down to the fact that I prioritised listening to Debt Reckoning yesterday.

One aspect of good news I can share compared to last week Sunday Summary is that I have got myself back into listening to audiobooks in the week again. I mentioned I’ve been a little slack on that front. Whilst not exactly groundbreaking, I have listened to an hour and a half of audio in the week this week. It’s a start, and long may it continue! 

As I said, I’ve ended up prioritising another audiobook this week. That’s purely down to the fact that audio has a deadline. If not for that, I would have continued with Kingdom of Ash, and I would have wanted to continue with it. I’m enjoying the storyline and where things are going. Honestly, I have no idea what is going to happen next in the story. Even still, I’m keen to continue with this one. I am fairly sure it’s going to take me longer than my end of the month target given I have over 15 hours of audio left. Then again, I may just surprise myself? Let’s not get too giddy. I’ll update you next week. 

Books Discovered

I’ve behaved myself this week, staying away from bookshops and generally gleaning opinions of the Internet that make me add books to my reading list. Truthfully, I’ve been replaying Dragon Quest 😂 I haven’t added anything, and I have ticked the book off my list this week. 

Progress is progress 🤷‍♀️

Coming Up… 

What I’m Reading… 

With just a few days left before the end of the month, I’m running out of time to complete my September TBR. Nevertheless, I’m going to do my best to prioritise the reads I’ve started. Here’s my reading plan for the next seven days:- 

  • Read The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
  • Read The Language of Liars – this is also pretty short so definitely doable
  • Start either Julia or Yesteryear
  • Continue the audiobook of Debt Reckoning – hopeful to finish by my next Sunday Summary
  • Continue the audiobook of Kingdom of Ash

Blog

My first post of the week is planned to be a Top Ten Tuesday post. This week would have been the turn of the Fall TBR post, had I taken part. However, I had to plan for my blog tour review so chose not to do it. This week, it’s a ‘fall freebie’. So, with this in mind, I’m planning a variation of that TBR post. What’s coming up on my TBR’s in the coming autumnal season? You’ll have to slick around and find out! 

Later in the week, we’ll officially be into October. So, my monthly wrap-up for September will be going live! As things stand, it’s not going to be a particularly long post… let’s hope I can turn that around in the next couple of days! 

Finally, I’m back next Sunday with my usual Sunday Summary update. Fingers crossed for a week much like this one, and I can tick some quick-win reads off the list to redeem my reading month! 

Summary 

Thanks for checking out this Sunday Summary. Thankfully, I had much more to report on this week, which is good news. I still have some work to do to somewhat redeem my September TBR. However, now I’ve DNF’d The Witch, I can only hope things are looking up. 

What is the last book you DNF’d? 

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Sunday Summary – 20th September 2026

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I confess that today’s Sunday Summary is going to be a little lighter on reading than I’d have hoped. Again. The Witch is proving to be a difficult book to psyche myself up to read. Before we get onto that though, let’s take a look at what I have achieved this week. 

I’ve had another week at attempting to post a book review and coming up short. The good news is, I’m much further along with A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes than I got with last week’s attempt for The Flood. It’s also been a busy week at work. We took part in a volunteer day on Wednesday that resulted in me straining my back. Not very clever of me, but I decided shovelling wood chip into wheelbarrows for an hour and a half was a great idea. What could possibly go wrong? I have to say, that meant I wasn’t feeling up to blogging for a couple days around that. Whilst I am broadly much better after that, cutting the grass today reinvigorated the acheiness a bit… 

But, I did get back on track on Friday. My planned Shelf Control post featured a non-fiction book that would suit anthropology fans. Take a look if you haven’t already! 

Books Read

The Witch

My aim was to push through with The Witch this week so I could move on. However, it’s proving a bit difficult for me to psyche myself up to read. In truth, I’ve managed a few pages… but that is regretfully it! 

I will get to it. If nothing else, I won’t let a 144 page book defeat me. Especially when I’ve only got 90 pages left. Completion by the time I’m drafting next week’s Sunday Summary, I promise! 

Kingdom of Ash 

Last week, I didn’t touch audiobooks at all. However, yesterday I made some progress with Kingdom of Ash whilst working on some craft projects. In the grand scheme of things, I haven’t made much of a dent. However, it’s something! 

Admittedly, I haven’t been listening to audiobooks in the week like I used to – a habit to get back to I think. It’ll certainly make progress go a lot faster. 

Invisible

With an upcoming blog tour next week, thankfully I’m having a better time with Invisible by Heleyne Hammersley. Whilst I’m not close to the finish with this book as I set out in last week’s Sunday Summary, I am doing better with this book than I am The Witch. Not that that’s difficult… 

So far, I’m really getting on with the storyline. Early on there are references to the protagonists earlier experiences in the series. I’m, unusually, reading this 6th book of a series as a standalone. I just wouldn’t have had the time to read the prior books. However, so far it’s reading well as a standalone and I’m curious as to how much this will impact the current storyline. 

Thankfully, I have a deadline to help incentivise reading, not that I need it much at the moment. I’m reviewing this book as part of the upcoming blog tour on the 23rd September. With just a few days to go, I’ve got a close deadline encouraging me to read the book. Let’s just hope I don’t leave it last minute like I’ve done previously. I’m determined not to at the very least. 

Books Discovered

No news is good news here this week. I’ve added nothing new, which is good given I’ve not really made any reading progress to tick books off a TBR… 

Coming Up… 

What I’m Reading… 

Here’s my reading plan for tonight and the  next seven days… it’s pretty much the same as last week… :- 

  • Finish Invisible by Heleyne Hammersley (priority!)
  • Finish The Witch by Marie Ndiaye 
  • Read The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
  • Continue the audiobook of Kingdom of Ash – target to get to 50% by the end of next week

Blog

Next week, I don’t have time to be lax on my book reviews! I’m reviewing Invisible on publication day of the book. No ifs, buts or negotiations. Still, I’m up to task. 

I’m deliberately going to take a break on Friday to catch up with my reading a little bit. Let’s hope I can make more of a dent in my reading list as I’ve got a few books to get through before the end of the month. I haven’t completed any so far! 

Finally, let’s hope taking the pressure off content gives me some time to do more reading so I’ll have a super-productive Sunday Summary next week. Well, I can only hope, yes? 

Summary 

Thanks for reading this week’s pretty short Sunday Summary update. Have you had better reading success than me lately? If so, share what you’ve picked up. 

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Sunday Summary – 6th September 2026

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Happy Sunday friends! I hope you’ve had a great week, however you’ve spent it? Today’s Sunday Summary comes at the end of a pretty productive week. I’ve shared quite a few posts this week. The beginning of the month is always busy for me in that I share my prior month’s monthly wrap-up, shortly followed by a brand new TBR. But, that wasn’t all this week. 

The first post I shared this week was my review of The Other Life of Mary English. This blog tour review came out on the 2nd September. If you enjoy historical fiction that explores new places and points of history, this may be something that ticks that box for you. It certainly did for me! That wasn’t the only reason I enjoyed it though. This particular book focuses on two prominent women in history that existed in places and roles that women didn’t traditionally fill in society. So, I suppose you can say the book has a feminist slant. 

A couple of days later, I posted my August wrap-up. Blog tours and reading obligations kept me turning pages this month. However, I didn’t get to much of my own backlist last month. I’m a bit busy in my personal life at the moment, but I still want to make more time for reading and change that. Speaking of which, I address this in my September TBR, which actually is full of 2026 releases to keep things fresh. I have more blog tours due, but also a number of 2026 releases I want to pick up for my own reasons. In September, I’m almost ignoring the backlist for a change of pace, and to see if this helps re-spark my reading bug. 

Outside of blogging, I did something a little different today. A replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Nao Santa Maria, was visiting the island. So, I got tickets and we went aboard to see what life was like onboard. I wouldn’t have liked to be the poor sod sent up to the crow’s nest, put it that way! 

Books Read 

The Other Life of Mary English

As of last week’s Sunday Summary update, I’d made a solid start with The Other Life of Mary English, and had a pretty imminent deadline to finish the book. Thankfully, I was able to finish the book ahead of deadline and publish my review on time. I have left books too late in the last month or so, so I’ve had a word with myself. For my tour obligations in September, I’m reading much further ahead of when I need to. The day before a tour has been a late night recently, and I shouldn’t put that pressure on myself. 

I’ve already alluded to the type of book The Other Life of Mary English is in my intro, so I won’t repeat myself. If you’re curious and want to find out more about it, here’s a link to my review so you can check it out. 

Kingdom of Ash

This week, I’ve made solid progress with starting Kingdom of Ash. 

At 984 pages, his is a reasonably long instalment to the Throne of Glass series. And really, so it should be… it’s the last book! Events are finally going to come together, and I can’t wait to see how it all ends. 

This week, I’ve listened to the first 15% of the book, which equates to around 140 pages. That’s not bad, especially when I’ve done so reasonably passively, and during a weekend where I’ve not touched the audiobook for one of the days. My other half was off work today, and we had other plans. 

I’m getting on with the book so far, and looking forward to listening to more over the course of the month. Given the length of the audiobook, I reckon this will take a good portion of the month. As of this Sunday Summary, I’ve still got 18hrs 30mins to listen. Not an insignificant amount anyway. I’ve got another audiobook to listen to, so I can’t procrastinate on this one too hard. Hopefully, getting to the end of the series is motivation to make that feat a little easier. 

The Witch

In a bid to kickstart my September TBR, I’m starting with the shortest read on my September TBR tonight! 

In that post, I talk about how I have reservations on this book given its rating on Goodreads. However, I’m determined to give it a go as it’s a Booker Prize longlist (I’m reading the lot of them – wish me luck). Given the ratings online, but its inclusion in the prize, I can only assume it’s a little polarising. I’m trying to go in with an open mind. I’m only picking this up after this post goes live tonight, but before I turn in. So, in this Sunday Summary I can’t give you any indication as to which side of the fence I’m on. 

You’ll just have to check out next week’s Sunday Summary instalment to find out what the verdict is 🤗

Books Discovered

Can you believe, today, I went into a bookshop and came out empty-handed. I wasn’t dragged out, or under any duress. I know, unbelievable. Honestly, they just didn’t have what I wanted, and I refused to be tempted. Maybe keeping my unread books in boxes under my nose at home is helping remind me that I don’t need more right now 😅

Nevertheless, I have no complaints… 

Coming Up… 

What I’m Reading… 

Here’s my reading plan over the next seven days:- 

  • Read The Witch by Marie Ndiaye 
  • Read The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
  • Start (and hopefully finish) Invisible by Heleyne Hammersley
  • Continue the audiobook of Kingdom of Ash

Blog

This week is a blank slate in terms of content. I have no review obligations this week, nor any other pre-arranged or regular content. So, what on earth do I write about? Well, here’s the plan I’ve come up with. 

I’ve got a backlist of overdue reviews, so it makes sense to tackle the next one on the list. What is that for, you ask? It’s a book called The Flood by Rachel Bennett. My first memories of that book are about the gardening I was doing whilst listening to this particular book. Usually, I take time off later in the year to use up annual leave. At this particular time, I decided it was a great opportunity to catch up with final gardening jobs like cutting the hedges since the restrictions have lifted due to birds nesting and all that. Well, let’s just say the rain had a good go at living up to the title! It was miserable… 

On a more pleasant note, I return later in the week with a First Lines Friday feature. And you know what, I’m going to try and make it fun! How? I have no idea! That’s one to be decided nearer the time. But, my intention is to do something a bit more lighthearted rather than serious. I’ll figure out how I manage that one in a few days. 

Finally, you’ll hear from me again the same time next week with all my promised updates in my next Sunday Summary. Find out what my takes are on Booker Prize longlist books The Witch and The Wax Child. Hopefully, I’ll have more progress on Kingdom of Ash to share. That and more to talk about next week. Hopefully I’ll see you then ☺️

Summary 

That’s everything from me in this Sunday Summary update. What have you started your September TBR with? Are you picking up any autumnal, seasonal reads yet, or are you hanging on to summer vibes as long as possible? 

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Monthly TBR – September 2026

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My monthly TBR for September features more 2026 releases than usual. I don’t know, I think I’m just in the mood for it right now! Between some upcoming blog tour obligations, as well as four other reads I’m picking up that were published in earlier this year as well, this is definitely a reading list to look out for if you enjoy reading newly published books. It’s interesting, because most of the time I read backlist books. However, a change is as good as a rest, they say.

I’m still up to my usual tricks of signing up for blog tours. That hasn’t changed. What is a little bit different? Is that I’m picking up 2026 releases I’ve highlighted as books I want to read this year over on YouTube, as well as starting to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist.

Readalongs / Reading Obligations

Kingdom of Ash

Goodreads

We finally made it! When I started my Throne of Glass readalong earlier this year, I didn’t really think I was going to get to the end. To be honest, my expectations were to get so far, and for the series to fall short of expectations or not grip me in a way that keeps me reading. Whilst I understand this series is lighter on romance than other Sarah J. Maas books, this is still present in the narrative. There have been a couple of occasions where I have not gelled with that, but I’ve been able to read on and it hasn’t impacted my enjoyment of the storyline overall. 

Finally, we are going to see how this series concludes! I’ve already listened to the first 15% of the audiobook this week. How events will come together at the end I do not know. There are lots of parts in play, and a lot of characters that could influence the storyline in a number of ways. I’m just going to have to discover the ending for myself. Hopefully, I can make good pace with this listen as I’ve got over 18hrs 30mins left to listen to. 

Invisible

I’ve got one blog tour review due later this month, and thankfully I have the copy of this read so I can pick this up imminently. That is Invisible by Heleyne Hammerlsey. 

I don’t typically pick up books that are some way into a series unless I’ve read from the beginning. Invisible is a bit of an exception in that it is the sixth book of a series, but can be read as a standalone. That is what I’m going to be doing. Invisible is a pretty traditional crime genre and plot involving the discovery of a swimmers body. 

However, there was far more to that story. The backstory I don’t necessarily have that The DI in charge of the case is back from work after an incident that endangered her own life. Hopefully some detail is alluded to in this novel so I understand her backstory, because this is clearly going to play a part in the narrative. I’ll let you know how that pans out and whether you can pick this up as a standalone yourselves when I review the book on publication day, 23rd September! 

Debt Reckoning

Goodreads

I’ve signed up to an audiobook blog tour for Debt Reckoning, and I should get my download code in the near future. So, whilst I can’t physically start this book as of drafting this monthly TBR, I do expect to pick this up after listening to Kingdom of Ash. 

Dent Reckoning is a political thriller novel, so a little bit different from the type of books I pick up usually. However, I’m intrigued by the synopsis of this particular book. I’ll tell you a lot more about this one at the beginning of October. However, I can tease you with some thoughts here and there as I progress with this book in my regular Sunday Summary updates this month. My last few blog tours have been pulled together a bit last minute. I’m determined to change that… 

One More Hour of Daylight

Goodreads

Another blog tour obligation due at the beginning of October, date to be confirmed, is One More Hour of Daylight. Yes, I’m leaning into my love of World War II historical fiction here and I’m excited to feature a new release in the genre. 

The World War II history books I have read that sound similar to One More Hour of Daylight being based around English pilots landing in enemy territory. One More Hour of Daylight is the difference in that this includes a storyline that is the other way around. The synopsis hints that the book is somewhat about compassionate nature of humankind. 

Anyway, one I can update you on as I start reading. Again, I don’t think I have a copy of this book yet but I expect to receive it shortly. 

2026 Releases/TBR Returners

The Language of Liars

Goodreads

The Language of Liars remains on my list of books I want to pick up. It originally featured on my July TBR, then August, but I’m going to 100% finish it in September. Hold me accountable folks! 

This is a language based spy novel so is a little bit unusual. I can’t wait to try it. The Language of Liars is another 2026 release, and one I talked about in my 2026 highly anticipated releases YouTube video earlier this year if you want to take a look. 

When I originally put this book on the list, I didn’t appreciate how short it was. However, that’s going to work to my advantage. Not only am I a little behind with my 2026 Goodreads reading goal, I enjoyed picking up shorter reads like Dungeons and Dimwits last month, and I’ve gotten stuck in recent months with larger books like The Pillars of the Earth. So, we’re embracing short narratives in September. There’s more to follow… 

Julia 

Goodreads 

Before we get to that though, we have to revisit Julia. Again. 

In my 2026 resolutions post, I set out my intention to read the original 1984 by George Orwell, then immediately follow up with Julia by Sandra Newman. I got a little bit stuck with 1984 as it is a book I have already read previously. I lost a little motivation with that original title, but did get there in the end. Julia is a new take on that same world and storyline. Thankfully, it’s still fresh enough in my mind that I’ll be able to pick this book up and remember what happened in 1984. 

However, I’m determined not to put it off any longer! 

Yesteryear 

Goodreads

Another 2026 release I discovered recently is Yesteryear. By all accounts, it’s a popular read at the moment. I took a look earlier at potentially borrowing this title digitally from my library, only to discover I would be ninth in the queue! Clearly, this title has a bit of buzz about it.

Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the book, but rather saw something about a film or TV adaptation featuring Anne Hathaway. It was that news that sparked my interest in this title. It is the last book I’ve added to my overall TBR, so naturally I would normally treat it as the least priority to pick up. However, I’m in the mood for doing something different and I’m intrigued as to why this book is so popular. So, I’m ignoring my backlist and picking up Yesteryear. It can judge me in silence 😂

And some Booker Prize shortlisted novellas… 

The Wax Child

Goodreads 

Earlier this year, I set out my intention to read the 2026 Booker Prize longlist. That list was around 12 or 13 books long, and at the time, I don’t even think the shortlist had come out. I’m sticking with my intention to read the longlist, because if there was one thing I strive for in my reading, it’s to try different things. 

The Wax Child and the next book I feature have some similar themes. They are also both pretty short, as books go. So, they will lean into my want to dip into different books and have fairly short reads to dip into. 

What’s interesting is that whilst these books have been long listed for a prestigious award, neither book has an exceptional rating on Goodreads. Will my view mirror the judges thoughts, or the wider public? 

The Witch 

Goodreads

My second Booker longlist novel, and final book of this monthly TBR, is The Witch. Now I’m absolutely reading this book, there is no question about that. If nothing else, it is only around 150 pages and so achievable regardless of my feelings about it. What scares me is that this book only has a 2.89 star rating on Goodreads. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that low!

So, 2026 is all about trying new things. Again, it will be interesting to see whether I agree with the general public view or if I like the book! 

Summary 

Yes, I do have a number of titles in this September monthly TBR. However, with three of the nine books on today’s list less than 200 pages, as well as two audiobooks, i’m not asking too much of myself in terms of page count.

I’m looking forward to a reading list of books that have been published this year. That’s not something I ever really set out to do, but this happens to be a happy coincidence. Will I enjoy these new and fairly topical books for a change, or will I wish I had gone back to my backlist. 

There’s only one way to find out… See you on the other side! 

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