Happy Firework Night UK!

Stay safe!

Don’t know about Firework Night?

From Wikipedia: Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London; and months later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure.

There’s even a nursery rhyme for it!

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent

To blow up the King and the Parliament

Three score barrels of powder below

Poor old England to overthrow

By God’s providence he was catch’d

With a dark lantern and burning match

Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring

Holler boys, holler boys

God save the King!

Happy November – have a great month!

“Fear not November’s challenge bold—
We’ve books and friends,
And hearths that never can grow cold:
These make amends!”
— Alexander Louis Fraser, “November”

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop

Happy Halloween!

‘When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween.’

‘When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween.’

— Unknown

What are your plans for Halloween?

Decorating your house? 👻
Halloween party? 🎃
Going trick or treating? 🍬

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: Halloween Freebie!

I didn’t really know what to do so what you’ve got is…….

What’s Your Ghost Name?!

1st letter of your forename
A to I = Raven
J to R = Gloomy
S to Z = Twilight

Birth month
Jan to April = the Dark
May to August = the Whispering
Sept to Dec = the Cruel

1st letter of your surname
A to I = of Gloomy Grove
J to R =  of Chillington
S to Z = of Spirit Swamp

Mine is Raven, the Whispering, of Chillington!

Let me know in the comments what yours is!

👻
🧙‍♀️
🧛‍♂️
🦇
🔮

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: Things That Make Up My Perfect Day

I’m a simple person at heart!!

~ A lie in, nothing like waking up naturally
~ A coffee…..or 2….or 3….
~ Watching Katie Van Slyke on TT and Snapchat
~ A 5 min morning shower!
~ A trip to Costco with my son and my Mum (one of my fave places, but not for my bank account!)
~ Going to Zizzi’s with my son for a gluten free pizza (they are the best!)
~ Going for a walk with my son looking at people’s houses and saying what we like and don’t!
~ Having a long, relaxing bath
~ Reading my book for an hour or so
~ A deep restful sleep

What would your perfect day look like?

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: Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colours

Well this is awkward! I did some Autumn covers a couple of weeks ago….so I’m doing to again but hopefully picking different covers!

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by JLA
Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Heat Wave by TJ Klune
The Hedge Witch by Cari Thomas
Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

What are yours?

September 2026
Theme = Study of Death

For fans of:
🫂 Multi-POV and ensemble casts
🔍 Magical medicine and murder
📺 The Pitt meets The Raven Scholar

💛 Legendary tales from Daevabad Book Vase – artwork by @kroovv
💛 Dalliance with Death Task Journal – inspired by Belladonna with artwork from @lichen_and_limestone
💛 Mourning Blooms Bookshelf Bunting – artwork by @swanbones
💛 Academia e-reader Charms with artwork from @lanylevendula

💛 FEATURED BOOK 💛

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske

✨ An exclusive redesigned cover (art by @c.e.illo, design by @_anniearnold)
✨ Reverse jacket featuring an exclusive trade variant (from the publisher)
✨ Full colour art and foil on the hardback (art by @c.e.illo, design by @_anniearnold)
✨ Digitally printed edges on all three sides (by @ameliarosetattoo | @ameliarose.jpg)
✨ Illustrated endpapers with foil; different front and back (by @ameliarosetattoo | @ameliarose.jpg)
✨ Bonus content
✨ Bound-in author letter with a digital signature

---

BLURB

At the Academie of the Grand Duchy of Sieuxerr, every mage with the healing gift has five years to master their power and to prepare for the infamous Grand Exam – a five-day trial whose results will determine their entire future.

The list of exam rules includes:
• You will perform five practical cases.
• Your exam group is chosen at random.
• You pass together, or fail together.

It does not include:
• On the first day, your exam group will find Ysabel Caudotte – the undisputed genius of your cohort – dead in the exam hall.

From Clement, the grieving best friend hiding a dark secret, to Estienne, the arrogant son of the Head Healer set to inherit Ysabel’s top rank, this particular group all have something to hide . . . and all have a connection to the dead girl.

Five scholars. Five secrets. Five days in which to solve a murder, pass the most important exam of their lives and uncover a secret larger than all of their own combined. One with the potential to change the world.

Are you ready?

Let’s begin.

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: Books that Bring Me Happy Memories

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Fear Me by BB Reid
Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley
Rock Chicks by Kristen Ashley
Cash’s Fight by Jamie Begley
Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
The Three Series by Kristen Ashley
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
Green Creek by TJ Klune
All For the Game by Nora Sakavic

What are yours?