Being Bookish

Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but we're almost halfway through 2026, so it's time for a bit of an update, and I am doing it differently this year! In this wrap-up, I am focusing a lot on expectation versus reality in my personal reading experience. I'm going to share my thoughts on the standout books I cannot stop thinking about, the ones that didn't quite hit the spot, and the upcoming releases I am looking forward to later this year. 2026 has brought a brilliant mix of genres, including my very first venture into LitRPG with Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl. I share my thoughts on diving into this massive series, the exciting news of a television adaptation, and how his darker, highly political standalone novel, Operation Bounce House, received a mixed reception from readers on Goodreads and Storygraph. Of course, a completely honest wrap-up means talking about the disappointments too. I open up about my recent DNFs, like Claire North's Slow Gods, why I am trying to be kinder to myself when a book isn't working, and what happens when an individual read simply becomes one of the worst books I've finished all year. On a brighter note, my mission to discover new authors has so far been something of a success (at least I think so), with seventeen new writers added to my list. I discuss the emotional highs of a beautiful contemporary romance read on my birthday—Jill Mansell's Just One Look at You—and contrast it with a highly anticipated Beth O'Leary release that unfortunately turned into a major seafaring plot disappointment. I also explore whether "sequel syndrome" has struck some of the fantasy and romantasy series I loved last year, including Lauren Palphreyman's The Night Prince. Finally, I look ahead to the final six months of 2026. I take a look at some of my most anticipated upcoming releases, from Madeline Miller's short mythological tale Mestra and Carissa Broadbent's dark vampire romantasy The Lion and the Deathless Dark, to Victoria Aveyard's adult debut Tempest. Featured episodes Silver Elite Dungeon Crawler Carl Warrior Princess Assassin This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Blood of Hercules Dire Bound The Wolf King

In my last book review of 2025, I'm taking a look at one of the newer Romantasy releases of the year, The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman. It's an exciting blend of highland romance and dangerous fantasy. Dangerous court politics, rival kingdoms, and a princess caught in the middle of it all. A story full of intrigue, heat, and all the popular fantasy tropes that keep people reading! As always, I am going to share my personal thoughts on the book; the world, the characters, the themes, and what I thought about the story overall. I will, as ever, be keeping it completely spoiler-free because why buy the cow when you get the milk for free? If you enjoy fantasy romance with high stakes, morally complicated characters, and a sense that anything could go wrong at any moment, this episode is for you. My second, shorter review is for A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke, a more reflective read that offered a very different experience and made for an interesting contrast. So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s talk books.

This week, I am joined by regular visitor Lorraine, and we tend to do, we're talking horror. This time it's the tension and fear induced by Stephen King’s 1980 novella The Mist, a claustrophobic tale of survival, fear, and the monsters both outside and within. When a strange storm rolls into a small Maine town and an otherworldly mist swallows everything in sight, a supermarket becomes ground zero for a group of trapped townsfolk struggling to make sense of the horrors lurking just beyond the glass. Lorraine and I dig into the tension, the razor-sharp social dynamics, and the way King turns an everyday setting into a pressure cooker of paranoia. We’ll talk creature design, human collapse under stress, and why this particular novella still feels unnervingly relevant decades later. If you’re into atmospheric dread, moral grey areas, and speculative horror that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page, this one’s for you. So brew a cuppa, get cosy, and let’s step into the mist together. Episode Links The Body Misery the book Misery the film

This week I’m diving into If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon, a sweeping tale of betrayal, reinvention, and 1980s glamour. It follows Tracy Whitney, a young woman whose perfect life unravels after a devastating betrayal, forcing her to rebuild herself from the ground up. From a prison cell to glittering European cities, she transforms into a woman of wit, charm, and courage, making a new life for herself on the outside. As always, these are just my personal thoughts. I’ll be chatting about the storytelling, pacing, and how Sheldon captures both the excess and the empowerment as we follow Tracy’s journey. If you love stories of resilience, revenge served with style, and a dash of romance, this might be one to add to your TBR. And stay tuned to the end of the episode for a quick review of Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, the third in her Assistant to the Villain series, and a playful, fantasy-tinged romance that adds a lighter twist to the week’s reading. So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s talk books. Episode Links Flowers in the Attic Mel Easy Connections Raye's Instagram

What do you do as a reader when things change in your life that you have no control over? You pick yourself up, of course, and head to the bookshelf for something to read to get you through it. At least that's the plan. So, when my life took a bit of a meh turn this week, I did exactly that, but what books did I pick up? The episode is a little shorter, but still, books are at the core, so join me with a cup of tea and hear my thoughts as I go through the books that get me through.

This week I’m diving into the brand new romantasy Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer, a sweeping fantasy full of danger, betrayal, and uneasy alliances. The story starts off as the tale of two people marrying for political gain, to merge their two kingdoms, both of which are in danger. Slowly, the story develops: a perilous journey, assassination attempts, political intrigue, palace secrets. Trust becomes as valuable as survival. It’s an adventure laced with romance, loyalty, and the constant threat of blades in the dark. In this episode, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on how the story unfolds, from the complex palace relationships, the anger and frustration, the jealousy and the tension of life on the road as talks of peace break down and accusations are made. As always, I remain spoiler-free and always honest. I'll be talking about the characters, the fantasy, the romance and the tropes, and all without straying from the family-friendly path or revealing any huge spoilers. And if that weren’t enough, I’ll also be giving a shorter review of Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong, a romantic comedy full of witty banter, false identities, and the delightful chaos of love turning up where you least expect it. So, if you’re after a mix of fantasy adventure and light-hearted romance, make yourself a cuppa, get comfortable, and let’s talk books. Featured Episodes Shield of Sparrows Fourth Wing Iron Flame The Games Gods Play Intro music by Darren Curtis