Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Fall-Themed Freebie

I’ve chosen ‘cozy reads’

These are my fave cozy reads…..

There’s a theme here!!
The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

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These are books on my tbr with Autumny covers!

The Bookbinder by Helen Scheuerer
Fields of Asphodel by Callie Rowland
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli

What are your fave Autumn covers?

I was thinking about what new post ideas I could do and thought of 5 Star Friday – basically, I’ll showcase a book I rated 5 stars so hopefully, people will see it and give it a whirl!

A massive 5 stars!

Feather So Black by Lyra Selene

Set in a world of perilous magic and moonlit forests, this seductive romantic fantasy tells the story of a defiant changeling, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family.

In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen’s daughter and retreated behind the locked gates of Tír na nÓg.

Most despise Fia’s fae blood. But the queen raises her as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the real princess Eala is bound to Tír na nÓg, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night.

When a hidden gate to the realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the queen to retrieve the princess and break her curse. But she doesn’t go with her is prince Rogan, Fia’s dearest childhood friend—and Eala’s betrothed.

As they journey through the forests of the Folk, where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince…and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has.

Soon, Fia begins to question the truth of her mission. But time is running out to break her sister’s curse. And unraveling the secrets of the past might destroy everything she has come to love.

I’m doing a swap for most of September as I didn’t like any of the Top Ten Tuesday topics…..so here is Top 5 Tuesday!

You can find details here on Meeghan Reads page.

Topic: Books that Surprised Me

In a good way! (apart from book 2 of Blood of Hercules was a miss for me!)

What did you choose?

Autumn is one of my faves, next to Winter. Hoodies, boots, changing leaves, cooler weather. Its got it all!

I saw this on Portobello Book Blog and thought I’d give it a go as it looked fun!
Joanne got it from The Sassy Book Geek

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Apple Picking

A book on your TBR that looks so delicious you can’t wait to take a bite out of it.

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Corn Maze

A book that’s so much fun to get lost in.

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Haunted Houses

A book that scared you silly.

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Pumpkin Patch

The latest book you picked up (purchased)

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Scenic Drives

A book that is lyrically beautiful.

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Hiking

A book that was a highly enjoyable romp.

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Drinking Apple Cider

A sweet book to curl up under the covers with.

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Jumping In A Leaf Pile

A book that reminds you of your childhood.

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I’ve still got my copy from when I was little! I won’t tell you how old it is!!!!

I was thinking about what new post ideas I could do and thought of 5 Star Friday – basically, I’ll showcase a book I rated 5 stars so hopefully, people will see it and give it a whirl!

And here’s my first! A massive 5 stars!

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

Here are some new books releasing in October 2026 that I’m most excited for…and yes, I have preordered them all!!!

Victorious by VE Schwab
This Shattered Tempest by Thea Guanzon
On the Cursed Day of Christmas by Caroline Peckham
ACOTAR 6 by Sarah J Maas

Will you be getting any of these?

I’m doing a swap for most of September as I didn’t like any of the Top Ten Tuesday topics…..so here is Top 5 Tuesday!

You can find details here on Meeghan Reads page.

Topic: Animal Companions

Animal companions do really make a story…and here’s some good ones!

Nevernight – Mr Kindly
Skyward – Doomslug
Fourth Wing – Tairn
Emily Wilde’s –  Shadow and Orga the murder cat
So This is Ever After – a murder crow

Who would you choose?

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hope you’ve had a good week!

I thought I would just pop on to say how rubbish I’ve been!

~ Not been here looking at posts and commenting
~ Only had scheduled posts
~ Not read a word
~ Not listened to a word (audiobooks of course!)
~ Not taken any pics for Booksta
~ Because of above, not posted on Booksta
~ Not looked at posts or commented on Booksta

Life is crazy, work is crazy and its put me in a proper funk!

I go on holiday on Friday, 25 of us in a massive lodge by the beach, so I know that no reading will be done there!

I so want to get back to ‘me’ and I will. Soon. Probably! Just bear with me!

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Stacking the Shelves – August

Books I Bought
Witch in the Dead of Night by Charlotte Buckley (Fairyloot)
Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig

Advanced Reader Copies
Murmuration by TJ Klune
Night Tide by Lexi Ryan

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What have you read lately?

I was thinking about what new post ideas I could do and thought of 5 Star Friday – basically, I’ll showcase a book I rated 5 stars so hopefully, people will see it and give it a whirl!

This was an arc I read in July 2023 – a huge 5 stars (and book 2, Dead Happy was also 5 stars!!!)

Happyhead by Josh Silver

We are in an epidemic. An epidemic of unhappiness. 

Friends, here is the good news: HappyHead has the answer.

 When Seb is offered a place on a radical retreat designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness, he is determined to change how people see him and make his parents proud. But as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Finn, Seb starts to question the true nature of the challenges they must undergo. The deeper into the programme the boys get, the more disturbing the assessments become, until it’s clear there may be no escape.