RatherBeReading
@ratherbereading.bsky.social
Katharine: Celt. Charity worker.
Ink drinker & word wrangler of dark fiction
Book Reviewer: Historical Novel Society
https://open.substack.com/pub/mywritingshenanigans
Short story published Bloody St Albans 22
Top 100: Cheshire Novel Prize 23
Mum to a
Ink drinker & word wrangler of dark fiction
Book Reviewer: Historical Novel Society
https://open.substack.com/pub/mywritingshenanigans
Short story published Bloody St Albans 22
Top 100: Cheshire Novel Prize 23
Mum to a
F wesstreeting and this damaging hateful narrative
December 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
F wesstreeting and this damaging hateful narrative
Stunning winter’s day for a long walk & a creative boost
November 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Stunning winter’s day for a long walk & a creative boost
Reposted by RatherBeReading
Polite public announcement:
I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing.
Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs.
Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now.
🙏
I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing.
Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs.
Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now.
🙏
November 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Polite public announcement:
I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing.
Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs.
Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now.
🙏
I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing.
Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs.
Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now.
🙏
One day I WILL travel to India. It has always held a special place in my heart, yet a country I only understand via the literature I’ve read.
In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice
#booksky #amreading
#GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social
In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice
#booksky #amreading
#GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
One day I WILL travel to India. It has always held a special place in my heart, yet a country I only understand via the literature I’ve read.
In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice
#booksky #amreading
#GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social
In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice
#booksky #amreading
#GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social
72 hours until I can get back here. The mountain of work and life-stuff that needs to happen between now and then seems insurmountable but Connemara, I’m coming for you 💚
August 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
72 hours until I can get back here. The mountain of work and life-stuff that needs to happen between now and then seems insurmountable but Connemara, I’m coming for you 💚
Another working week done and once again I’m coiled like a spring. Going to sack off my usual Friday chores and get in a sneaky nap to see if it will reset my nervous system somewhat ahead of a busy weekend.
a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .
ALT: a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .
media.tenor.com
August 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Another working week done and once again I’m coiled like a spring. Going to sack off my usual Friday chores and get in a sneaky nap to see if it will reset my nervous system somewhat ahead of a busy weekend.
Reposted by RatherBeReading
🏳️🌈📚 Not gonna lie, our books? They damn slap.
Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage.
If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing?
#SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky
Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage.
If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing?
#SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky
August 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
🏳️🌈📚 Not gonna lie, our books? They damn slap.
Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage.
If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing?
#SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky
Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage.
If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing?
#SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky
#SlantingTowardsTheSea by @lidijahilje.bsky.social I’m only two chapters in and this is giving me ALL the feels!
#amreading
#amreading
August 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
#SlantingTowardsTheSea by @lidijahilje.bsky.social I’m only two chapters in and this is giving me ALL the feels!
#amreading
#amreading
Reposted by RatherBeReading
Happy 100th @natlibscot.bsky.social
Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world.
Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world.
Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Val McDermid and Damian Barr urge Scottish councils to halt library closures
Authors say plan to shut more than 20 public libraries could have devastating effect on Scotland’s cultural future
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Happy 100th @natlibscot.bsky.social
Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world.
Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world.
Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Living my best life today: I’ve descaled the kettle AND the coffee machine 🤣
August 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Living my best life today: I’ve descaled the kettle AND the coffee machine 🤣
The best 3 days solo writing retreat. I’ve come back, not necessarily refreshed (as I was writing like a demon day & night), but with renewed clarity and focus. Very grateful to have had this opportunity in the beautiful Surrey Hills.
#writingcommunity #retreatyourself
#writingcommunity #retreatyourself
August 4, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The best 3 days solo writing retreat. I’ve come back, not necessarily refreshed (as I was writing like a demon day & night), but with renewed clarity and focus. Very grateful to have had this opportunity in the beautiful Surrey Hills.
#writingcommunity #retreatyourself
#writingcommunity #retreatyourself
Nooooo 🥺
😢 Fond memories of reading the Ahlberg's books to my children
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Allan Ahlberg, beloved children's author, dies aged 87
Working first with his wife Jane, and later with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, he wrote more than 150 books
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Nooooo 🥺
2 more days of work then I’m off on my solo writing mini break 🙌
a painting of a house next to a river with a bridge over it
ALT: a painting of a house next to a river with a bridge over it
media.tenor.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:41 PM
2 more days of work then I’m off on my solo writing mini break 🙌
Uk dwellers: can anyone help me get a copy within the UK? Waterstones showing as unavailable, even online is delivery August-October? What gives? Desperate to get my paws on a copy 🙏 #WallyLamb #BookSky #BookLovers
recent read. what a sucker punch at the end. kept it for a re-read some time later. #TheRiverIsWaiting #WallyLamb
#Fiction #LiteraryFiction #Contemporary #Mystery #Oprah
#BookClub #AdultFiction #Family #Novel #Prison #CriminalJustice #DrugAbuse #Addiction #12Step #Art #CommercialArt #booksky 💙📚
#Fiction #LiteraryFiction #Contemporary #Mystery #Oprah
#BookClub #AdultFiction #Family #Novel #Prison #CriminalJustice #DrugAbuse #Addiction #12Step #Art #CommercialArt #booksky 💙📚
July 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Uk dwellers: can anyone help me get a copy within the UK? Waterstones showing as unavailable, even online is delivery August-October? What gives? Desperate to get my paws on a copy 🙏 #WallyLamb #BookSky #BookLovers
Participated in a wonderful sensory walk this afternoon as part of our work ‘away day’. Thought I was good at connecting with nature but this was next level. Managed to do some journalling mid walk too #alwayscarryanotebook
a pixel art of a path in a forest
ALT: a pixel art of a path in a forest
media.tenor.com
July 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Participated in a wonderful sensory walk this afternoon as part of our work ‘away day’. Thought I was good at connecting with nature but this was next level. Managed to do some journalling mid walk too #alwayscarryanotebook
July 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Booked myself a cheeky 2 night solo writing retreat for next month. I’m going to try and leave my chronic levels of procrastination and perfectionism at the door and get this novel ready for submission.
a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up
ALT: a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up
media.tenor.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Booked myself a cheeky 2 night solo writing retreat for next month. I’m going to try and leave my chronic levels of procrastination and perfectionism at the door and get this novel ready for submission.
First day of no school-run-shenanigans means a quiet coffee in my garden with serotonin-boosting sunlight on my eyelids before I start my working week. Don’t forget to carve out some “you time” time today, no matter how small ❤️🩹 #itsthesmallthings
July 21, 2025 at 7:38 AM
First day of no school-run-shenanigans means a quiet coffee in my garden with serotonin-boosting sunlight on my eyelids before I start my working week. Don’t forget to carve out some “you time” time today, no matter how small ❤️🩹 #itsthesmallthings
Reposted by RatherBeReading
Can't believe I am saying this, but I'm getting booked up for September! Do get in touch if you're thinking of getting some honest, helpful, affordable feedback on your manuscript after the summer to make sure I have you on my list!
www.elspells.com
www.elspells.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Can't believe I am saying this, but I'm getting booked up for September! Do get in touch if you're thinking of getting some honest, helpful, affordable feedback on your manuscript after the summer to make sure I have you on my list!
www.elspells.com
www.elspells.com
Reposted by RatherBeReading
In the interest of connecting more with the roots of the book community...
Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next
Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!!
💞💞💞
#BookSky
Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next
Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!!
💞💞💞
#BookSky
July 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In the interest of connecting more with the roots of the book community...
Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next
Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!!
💞💞💞
#BookSky
Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next
Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!!
💞💞💞
#BookSky
#Writers #Creatives can anyone recommend a journal/notebook with high gsm please that has alternate lined and blank pages? Or am I asking for the moon? #writingcommunity #journalling
a woman is writing in a journal and the word journal is visible behind her
ALT: a woman is writing in a journal and the word journal is visible behind her
media.tenor.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
#Writers #Creatives can anyone recommend a journal/notebook with high gsm please that has alternate lined and blank pages? Or am I asking for the moon? #writingcommunity #journalling
Happiest of publication days to @laurasrobinson.bsky.social and this absolutely stunning book #TheArtOfALie. It was wonderful to hear Laura talk about her inspiration behind the book & some of the research she undertook. Here she is last night at her event at #WareLibrary. Out now! 🎉💚🍍
July 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Happiest of publication days to @laurasrobinson.bsky.social and this absolutely stunning book #TheArtOfALie. It was wonderful to hear Laura talk about her inspiration behind the book & some of the research she undertook. Here she is last night at her event at #WareLibrary. Out now! 🎉💚🍍
Reposted by RatherBeReading
Good morning. We are open. 📖☕️
July 1, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Good morning. We are open. 📖☕️