Tag: Witch Hunt

Sunday Summary – 17th May 2026

Posted on by

Happy Sunday friends and welcome to another weekly Sunday Summary catch-up! I have some great reading progress to update you with this week. With a looming blog tour post, it was all steam ahead with reading the book for which I needed to review. After that, I’ve enjoyed another couple of finishes… so all in all, it’s been a productive one! 

Before we get into the reading updates section of this Sunday Summary, let’s recap the content I’ve shared this week. Here on the blog, I’ve posted a list of books on my TBR I can read towards completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge. Then, on Thursday morning, my expected blog tour review for The Eagle Will Rise went live! 

Over on YouTube, I caught up with posting my April wrap-up and May TBR. Unfortunately, I didn’t get those out last week. However, I finally worked through a learning curve that comes with changing video editor and got them out before they were so late they were obsolete. 

 

Books Read

The Eagle Will Rise

Reading priority this week went to completing The Eagle Will Rise ahead of my blog tour obligation on Thursday. When I prepared my May TBR, I shared that I hoped finishing this book wouldn’t go down to the wire and I’d be a bit more prepared. Well… I’m sure you can imagine how it actually played out. 

Yes, I read this book in the final two days before the review was due. However, knowing M.J. Porter’s writing style and format of books, I was confident this was achievable. And sure, it was! I even had my review scheduled before the small hours of the night, so that’s a bonus! 

As much as I left things to the last minute, that’s no reflection on the book, but on me. The Eagle Will Rise was an action-packed, brand-new series opener. It was a great read, and another series from M.J. Porter I’m keeping up with. If you love historical fiction and want to find out more, take a look at my full review here. 

 

Crown of Midnight 

I’m pleased to share I finally completed Crown of Midnight today. This book has been long outstanding, given I wanted to finish this in April. 

As with the first book, the ending was really compelling and I’m curious to find out where this series is going. Events are constantly getting broader and the world-building is far more than I could have hoped for. I confess, I went into Throne of Glass not appreciating the scope of the series. Sarah J. Maas is now for romance more than anything, so that’s what I expected. Sure, that’s absolutely in here. However, the vast magical background to the narrative, hinted at character arcs and complex relationships have surprised me. 

I’m looking forward to jumping straight into Heir of Fire and continuing the series! 

 

Witch Hunt 

Over the last seven days, I’ve completed the final 75% of Witch Hunt by B.D. Spargo. Yes, as of this Sunday Summary, I’ve got a third finish to share! 

It’s been a great week, and it’s helped having some very different books and all well-received. Witch Hunt caught my attention for its ties to the Pendle Hill witchcraft history the location has. This book builds upon that history, but it doesn’t overly dominate the narrative if it’s not your cup of tea. 

I really enjoyed how this mystery unfolded. The pacing at the end especially made this compulsively readable, or in my case, I didn’t want to stop listening! And, completing this book this week means I’m AHEAD of providing my review in early June. First time for everything… right?! 

 

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Finally, the last book to update you on in this Sunday Summary is one I’ve picked up towards completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge. 

Unfortunately, the final books on my May TBR are ones I own already and can’t get audiobook versions of from my library. I don’t want to pay twice. Not only that, but the only book I don’t own hasn’t been made into an audiobook. So, I was stymied until I started producing my list for the Spring Challenge. 

Given I couldn’t pick up anything towards my May TBR, I might as well try to read towards completing the challenge. I’m optimistic Somewhere Beyond the Sea will contribute towards the Pride month challenge. If not, well, it’s a sequel that was on my TBR. So, it’s no loss reading this one anyway 😅

 

Books Discovered

 I added a few new books to my TBR as part of my Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge post – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. 

I’d also historically neglected to add Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe to my TBR, despite getting a physical copy of the book as part of a book subscription I enjoyed a couple of years ago. 

 

Coming Up… 

What I’m Reading… 

So, Heir of Fire is my next and only immediate priority. This book is coming up at 600 pages long. It’s getting more sizeable compared to the previous instalments of the series. I’m glad I’m getting on top of this now and not jeopardising running late for the rest of my readalong. 

Naturally, I’ll also continue on with Somewhere Beyond the Sea. It’s a library loan, so I have a couple of weeks to finish this without extending the loan. Given there’s a deadline, it doesn’t make sense to pick up anything else in tandem. 

 

Blog

Early next week, I share my thoughts on a sequel to a series I’m reading that didn’t quite land as well as its predecessors. Wizard and Glass is the fourth book of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on this one to decompress and hopefully get myself in the headspace to continue and read Wolves of the Calla in the near future.  

On Friday, I’ll return with a First Lines Friday feature. I’m in the mood for a challenge, and I want to keep up momentum and focus on books to pick up towards completing the Goodreads Spring challenge. So, I’ll feature one of the books I featured in that post in more detail. If you weren’t inspired to pick it up after that post, perhaps the First Lines Friday feature can sway your opinion!

As always, I’ll close off the week with another Sunday Summary update. Will I have as successful a week in terms of reading progress? I can only hope so! Bearing in mind the remaining books on my TBR, mostly get longer, that may be a little optimistic. However, I didn’t set an ambitious TBR with the intention of letting it pass me by without trying to push for it.  

 

YouTube

Over on YouTube, I’ve recorded two videos to share during the week. The first video is a recorded version of my Completing the Goodreads 2026 Spring Reading Challenge post. 

The second video is an early preview of my thoughts on Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama. I’ve been reviewing books I’ve read so far this year on YouTube ahead of those reviews going live here on the blog. So, if you want to catch those reviews before everyone else here, go and follow me there. 

 

Summary 

This Sunday Summary is plenty long enough, so I’ll leave you to the rest of your day. As for me, I’m off for a relaxing shower before bed. And hey, guess what? The weekend is over and the daily grind has rolled around far too quickly 😭 Bring on the late May bank holiday… 

Until then, what are you reading? 

signature

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Threads| YouTube

Sunday Summary – 10th May 2026

Posted on by

I’ve enjoyed a long weekend this weekend, and yet still I’m surprised we’re here with another Sunday Summary update. Whilst last weekend was long due to a national holiday, this weekend is also a long weekend for me as I booked both Friday and tomorrow off. The occasion – my sister got married yesterday! 

Needless to say, a good portion of this weekend was spent for the special day and so I’ve only really done a little bit of reading today. However, with no plans or commitments tomorrow, you bet I’ve got a nice calm day to chill out and catch up on some reading planned! 

So what have I done this week? On the blog here, I posted my May TBR on Monday and a Shelf Control on Friday. I’ve got another long list of books planned – my TBR jar wasn’t the kindest to me this month.

 

Books Read

Crown of Midnight 

In last week’s Sunday Summary update, I left off having made 20% of progress into Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. 

This book is both a priority and that it is a library loan, but also a book I am behind on with my scheduled read along. With this in mind, I’ve made steady progress over the course of this week. As of this Sunday Summary update, I’m a healthier 40% into the book as of drafting this update. 

Now, I’m super conscious of the fact that I need to pick up the pace with reading this month if I’m going to get anywhere near the end of my TBR. After a disappointing reading month in April, I don’t want a repeat performance.

A good chunk of reading progress with Crown of Midnight has been achieved today. I’m hoping to get nearer 60% before the end of the evening, with a goal for a push on this book and maybe completion tomorrow. I’ve always said I’m a girl who likes a deadline. Let’s set myself this as one! 

 

Why We Get Sick 

It almost doesn’t feel like it’s worth mentioning, because in last week’s Sunday Summary I was 90% through Why We Get Sick. I finished the book shortly after posting. 

I enjoyed this factual read, or in my case listen, about insulin resistance, why it happens and what we can do about it. This book has greater emphasis on the biological processes as opposed to lifestyle changes, although there are takeaways in this regard from this book.

Now I understand the science, maybe I will look to read another book about what’s next, if you like, so that I can put this into practice alongside the high-level tips I’ve taken from this book. 

 

Witch Hunt 

When I wrote my May TBR, I shared that I have an audiobook review obligation coming up from the beginning of June. As a result, Witch is on my TBR to make sure I get to it in good time.

In fact, I was so keen to make sure I get to it in time that I started this book straight after Why We Get Sick. I’m much slower when it comes to audiobooks than I am with physical/digital books; at least, that’s how it normally goes. With reading progress of late, I’d say I have been listening to more audio before bed. Also, with some dedicated time to myself tomorrow, there’s no reason why I can’t bosh out a few hours of Witch Hunt. 

As of this weekly Sunday Summary, I’m 25% into this mystery that reads a bit like a police procedural as of right now. I’m looking forward to listening on and sharing my thoughts. The reason I wanted to pick up this book was the narrative ties to witchcraft and in particular, Pendle Hill. That’s still very much the case and I’m keen to dive in more. More to follow on this book in next week’s update!

 

Books Discovered

 My preoccupation with last-minute alterations to my dress and other such things relating to my sister‘s wedding kept me from discovering any new books this week. 

I’m not complaining, given the length of my reading list already. I knew I had a lot, but refreshing my TBR jar a couple of weeks ago emphasised just how many I have on my list…

 

Coming Up… 

What I’m Reading… 

There should be no surprises that my current reading priorities are to finish my current/ongoing reads. Beyond those, I have a review obligation next week for M.J. Porter’s The Eagle Will Rise. If I can’t get a wriggle on with Crown of Midnight, I may have put this aside temporarily. 

After that, I want to stay on top of this Sarah J. Maas’ readalong and pick up the sequel, Heir of Fire, before I can be late picking this one up. Again.

I’m in a bit of a pickle with what to do next in audio. The remaining books on my May TBR are books I own physical copies of. Well, all except for one book. But of course, I cannot find an audiobook version of this one I need. So, I may end up going off-piste and mood-listening to something else entirely. We’ll see what I can hustle up. Maybe I can get an audio library loan for a book I own to avoid spending double?

 

Blog

On the one hand, it feels early to start looking ahead at books I need to read towards completing the Goodreads Spring 2026 Reading Challenge. Yes, guys, after narrowly missing out on completing the Winter challenge earlier this year, I’m going to try and complete spring instead. 

You know I like a challenge. As of drafting this Sunday Summary, I’ve only got four out of twelve achievements nailed. However, the fifty-odd days left to read towards this challenge will fly by. The sooner I plan ahead, the better the chance I have at completion. Can I do it this time? 

On Thursday, I’m due to share my thoughts on the previously mentioned new series (at least to my blog) by M.J. Porter – The Eagle Will Rise. I’m excited to see where this different storyline spins off from the books and characters I have come to know and love from The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles.

Of course, I’ll catch you up with the latest reading developments in next week’s Sunday Summary 🤗 fingers crossed I have LOTS to tell you about – we’re one-third of the way through May and I’m not one-third of the way through my TBR; let’s see if I can remedy that. 

 

YouTube

Over on YouTube, I’ve still not posted my monthly wrap-up for April or May TBR. It’s been a busy week, sorry guys! I should have time to edit and schedule those tomorrow. Any later, and there’s probably not much point posting them…

 

Summary 

I think that just about gets you up to speed with everything I need to update you on in today’s Sunday Summary. Thanks for reading if you are still with me. 

Let me know if you are taking part in the Goodreads Spring 2026 Reading Challenge and if so, what books are you reading towards qualifying awards. 

signature

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Threads| YouTube

My May 2026 TBR… It’s LONG!

Posted on by

When planning my May 2026 TBR, I knew I wanted a fresh start. After a lacklustre reading month in April (see my April wrap-up if you want the low-down on that…), I’m hoping a clean slate is the key to getting my reading groove back. 

I have some reading obligations as well, so the deadlines will also go a long way to spurring me on. I have two blog tours, as well as kicking myself up the bum to get my Throne of Glass read-alongs back on track.

Beyond that, I’ve let my brand new, refreshed TBR Jar decide the rest! It pulled out some chunky books, and I confess I tossed one back as it tried to give me a 1,100 pager after already tossing me a couple of 700 pagers. The genres I’m reading this month span horror, thriller, historical fiction, non-fiction, as well as my favourite, fantasy. One epic fantasy sequel as well I’m excited to get to 🎊

Enough teasing, I’ll get stuck in with my obligations first, then I’ll highlight my TBR Jar picks.

 

Carryovers from April/Reading Obligations 

Why We Get Sick

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

At the end of April, I started listening to the audiobook Why We Get Sick by Benjamin Bikman. I started this book as I have an interest in the subject, in particular the biological level of detail insulin resistance has on cells. 

I didn’t have a book like this on my TBR. Rather, it’s a topic I have wanted to learn about personally. Leaning into a complete change and effectively scrapping my TBR, I hoped picking up a book totally unrelated to my April TBR would give me the fresh start I needed. 

As of the end of April, it was working! In fact, this book features on my May 2026 TBR as I finished the book in May – yes – it’s already done 👍 It’s the best of starts I could hope for when it comes t my May TBR – long may it continue… 

 

Crown of Midnight

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

Crown of Midnight is a carryover from my April TBR and my current read as of this May 2026 TBR. 

My read-along for Sarah J Maas hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts. The fault is entirely mine – I’m not prioritising it enough. That changes this month. Not only am I immediately prioritising down of Midnight to catch up on my being behind, but I will be following up with the sequel immediately. 

I’ll also plan ahead to set myself goals so that I DO actually read-along over the course of the month, as opposed to just playing catch up at the end which is what’s happened three times now. I’m going to go and do that on Storygraph and Fable after this post goes live. I’ll havens excuse then, right?! 

 

Heir of Fire

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

As above, once Crown of Midnight is finished I’m jumping into the first part of Heir of Fire right away. Compared to the earlier books in the series, Heir of Fire is longer. Compare 400-and-something pages for those first two books to nearly 600 in Heir of Fire. 

I can’t catch up with that too late. I need to keep on top of this one… 

Watch this space and hold me accountable friends!

 

The Eagle Will Rise

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

The first of my blog tour obligations this month is The Eagle will Rise by M.J. Porter. I signed up to this tour as I’m a big fan of the author’s Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. We also have some character overlap in this book, although the circumstances are very different in this new series. 

I’m excited to see where this takes us. I know what to expect in terms of writing style from M.J. Porter, and I’m keen to explore a new plot in a similar setting to that already established in Eagle of Mercia. 

Will I enjoy this one as much as I hope? Only time will tell, but I am optimistic! 

 

Witch Hunt

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

My second commitment is an audiobook tour. I don’t do these often, but I’m excited to get stuck in! 

When it comes to listening to audiobooks, I’m typically slower than reading conventionally. So, with that in mind, I’m going to jump in the gap finishing When We Get Sick has created and start Witch Hunt now. My review obligation isn’t until early June. However, in order to listen to this book in sufficient time, I’ve popped it onto this May 2026 TBR. 

What piqued my interest for this book? Its association with witchcraft and being set around Pendle Hull of course. It’s a take on the narrative I haven’t explored for a while. It’s also modern mystery/police procedural type book which is a change on what I’ve read and listened to lately. I’m keen to give this a try and let you know what I thought soon. 

 

May 2026 TBR picks

Moving on, I then pulled four books out of my refreshed TBR Jar. I had filtered out around 30-40 books I had read or removed from my TBR, but then added the latest books that were not in the jar. The net effect was more to pull from the jar, but all up-to-date at least. The paper I used was different this time, so I can visually see old vs new entries. I aimed for two of each; that way I can target some older books, but also deliberately mix in some newer ones to keep things fresh. 

Here’s what I pulled! 

 

Don’t Fix Women: The Practical Path to Gender Equality at Work

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

The first book that came out of the jar was kind. It was one of the newer additions to the jar. At 266 pages, it fits well with the overall size of my TBR. Pity the next three books I pulled didn’t agree with the sentiment… 

Don’t Fix Women is about fixing imbalances in the current workforce. Will this book have the most practical applications for me? Well, aside from being a women, I don’t have much in the way of power at my company. I’m not HR. However, I’ll advocate as much as I can and if I find practical advice here I think we could adopt, I’ll absolutely speak up. 

It should make for an interesting read nonetheless. I do enjoy some feminist reading now and then! 

 

The Great Hunt

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

The next book I pulled from the jar was also a new book to the jar. I started a read of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series with The Eye of the World in late 2024. It’s about time I got the sequel anyway, and the jar made that call for me. 

The Great Hunt comes in at just over 700 pages. It’s not a short read, but it does lean into one of my favourite genres of all time – epic fantasy. I’m looking forward to jumping back to the life and fate of Rand al’Thor. If I had left it too mcc longer, I’d be trying to recall what happened in the first book and I would struggle to pick this up again. As much as this is a long read, I think it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise that it came out now. 

 

Sleeping Beauties

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

After pulling two ‘new’ reads, I then targeted slips that have been in my jar since I first put it together. Sleeping Beauties has been on my TBR since January 2018. I also have a copy on my bookshelves, but I’m not sure if I have owned it as long as that or not. The spine is pretty faded from exposure to the sun, so it’s quite possible! 

Sleeping Beauties also comes in a fraction over 700 pages. Not a short read either, but one I’m excited to try. It’s also a bit feminist in nature, as well as overlapping with horror/thriller and fantasy for the plot line. A unique mix I’m keen to try! 

 

Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon

Goodreads

Amazon Purchase Link

This last book is actually the second draw from the jar. My first pick that came out was The Weird. Not problem, I thought initially, as I had a hunch it was a collection of short stories. That it is, but the whole volume comes in at 1,100 pages. No way was that going to be feasible. So, I’m being honest here and declaring that’s what the jar give me, but I tossed it back in so I could make a second draw. 

That second draw was a far more approachable Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon. At 450 pages, this is still somewhat achievable. This May 2026 TBR already has a sizeable page count, so it’s debatable if I’ll get to this one. However, I’ll use access to audio copies of book where I can, maybe even library loans  for books I don’t have. 

I’m really motivated to pick this up as it’s about one of my favourite TV series (based on books) of all-time – A Game of Thrones! If that’s not incentive to get through the rest of my May 2026 TBR to finish here, then I don’t know what is. 

 

That’s plenty enough to get on with for my May 2026 TBR. What are you reading? 

signature

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Threads| YouTube