After landing in Verona, Italy, we hopped on a coach for the hour long journey to Lake Garda.

We were completely blown away! We had never seen somewhere so breathtakingly beautiful!

We spent plenty of time relaxing by the pool, exploring the shores of the Lake and wandering through the picturesque town, browsing the local shops and soaking up the atmosphere. We also went to Venice…

Despite the heat, Venice was fascinating!  Its history, medieval engineering and networks of canals made it unlike anywhere we’ve ever visited.

We took a guided tour around St Mark’s Square, the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. We also went on a gondola and took a boat trip to see the Islands of the Lagoon.

Alas my son fell ill a day later and we had to get him a doctor, strep throat and an ear infection so we had a couple of days in the air conditioned room (which actually was quite nice!!)

I’ll leave you with these cuties we met by the lake!

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

The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

Will you be getting any of these?

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 I Want to Read by New to Me Authors

Kresley Cole
Mai Corland
Stacia Stark
Dani Francis
Akwaeke Emezi
LK Steven
Antonio Hodgson
LR Lam
Nisha J Tuli
Sara Hashem

What are yours?

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!

Back from Italy and back to reality….a mountain of washing and back to work!

We are having our 3rd heatwave and it is so horrible with no ac! Yesterday I was sat in my lounge and my glass fire exploded. Luckily I wasn’t hit but there was glass everywhere. I think it was because of the heat but who knows because it wasn’t even plugged in!

I didn’t read a word on holiday but this week I got stuck in to an arc…and it was so good!

I’m hoping that this is the end of my book slump. I’m also taking drastic action and uninstalling Tik Tok so I don’t doomscroll all the time!

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🎧 Ravenous by Kresley Cole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

See my review soon!

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Feature – Stacking the Shelves – June
Tag – Mid-Year Book Freak Out

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Feature – August Book Releases
Holiday – Italy

What have you read lately?

I haven’t done this tag for a few years so that coupled with the fact that it’s the middle of the year, I thought I’d do the Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag. It was created by Chami and Ely Jayne.

I’ve read 30 books so far this year so have a few to choose from!

BEST BOOK I’VE READ SO FAR

Empire of the Dawn

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BEST SEQUEL I’VE READ SO FAR

Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley

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NEW RELEASE I HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

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MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Captive Traitor King by Brigid Kemmerer

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BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Bonds of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

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BIGGEST SURPRISE

Your Knife My Heart by KM Moronova

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FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR

Tessonja Odette (The Lies That Summon the Night)

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NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

Chasin (One Small Echo – Jane Washington)

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BOOK THAT MADE ME HAPPY

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

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What have been yours?

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Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! And audiobooks. Don’t forget audiobooks!

In other words, if you can read it or if it can be read to you – no matter how you got it – it belongs in Stacking the Shelves.

The Stacking the Shelves meme was originally hosted at Team Tynga’s Reviews. It is currently hosted by Reading Reality.

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I’m actually quite impressed (of myself!) Only 3 books! Who am I?!

Books I Bought

Daggermouth by HM Wolfe
Rune Breaker by Mila Finch 

Advanced Reader Copies

Fields of Asphodel by Callie Rowland

I’d better get reading!

 

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 Titles That Include the Word ‘And’

The Knave and the Moon
The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk
Brigands and Breadknives
Broken Souls and Bones
The Gentleman and His Vowsmith
Thorns and Fire
A Steep and Savage Path
Dagger and the Flame
House of Roots and Ruin
Compass and Blade

What word did you choose?

I always keep track of my books read in the year but, for 2026, I decided to keep track of my monthly reading stats as they help me understand my reading habits and to try and help me stay motivated.

Absolute rubbish!

I can’t even blame my holiday for the small amount of reading because I went on the 27th!

I know what it is….its the incessant doomscrolling on Tik Tok. So….I have a plan! I’m going to try and find my password for TT and then I’m going to uninstall it so I don’t look at it to see if that helps.

Anyway….

A measly 3 books read
1393 pages
All romantasy
My first 2 star of the year 😫

Lets see what I can do in July!


How many books did you read in June?

I’m in England and we don’t have Independence Day here but wanted to wish all my American friends a happy day.

I hear you celebrate with fireworks, food, and family and I can’t think of anything better!

Have a great day!