If trans people in Britain were some sort of
'overnight phenomenon' then it was a long night, lasting generations. A fad would have disappeared by now; fads have a short half-life in our novelty-obsessed media.

#Transrightsreadathon

This is a slow burn suspense novel about two women who work in a book shop, one of whom is obsessed with true crime and the dangers of the obsession.
It was intriguing, dark, full of awful people and once it got going I couldn‘t stop listening. Didn‘t expect the ending either
Really enjoyed this one

#netgalley

"Yes, I read. I have that absurd habit. I like beautiful poems, moving poetry, and all the beyond of that poetry. I am extraordinarily sensitive to those poor, marvelous words left in our dark night by a few men I never knew."
~Louis Aragon

#WorldPoetryDay

Book number 1 for #TransRightsReadathon
Hoping I can get 3 read this week 🀞🏼

🌼 Ostara blessings 🌼

🎧 Currently listening 🎧

Couldn‘t have put it better myself!

🌺 Absolutely loved this multigenerational magical realism story. Witchy and beautifully written, this is told from multiple perspectives when the matriarch of the family summon her relatives before her death 🌺

I had bought this personal library kit last year to date stamp my books when I read them, it‘s so cute and quirky and would make a lovely gift for any book lover!

Sounds familiar πŸ˜‚

β€˜The only thing that frightens men more than witchcraft is a woman they cannot control. They want us to confess to witchcraft?
We shall not. Do you hear me? We will not confess.'

Set in Scotland at the time of the North Berwick Witch trials this is ultimately a book about female friendship and loyalty and taking back control while the men have all the power
I thought this was wonderful and a real tear jerker at times
#netgalley

Tea in a mug? What a disgrace! ?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "slut" has a number of meanings. From the Middle Ages onwards, it was used to describe "a woman of dirty, slovenly, or untidy habits or appearance". This is a meaning that many older people would use it for even now

'Her husband's to Aleppo gone
Master o the Tiger
But in a sieve I'd thither sail
And like a rat without a tail
I'll do I'II do and I'II do.‘

The three witches from The Scottish Play by William Shakespeare

The International Booker prize 2023 longlist

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/international/2023

Heartbreaking, brutal and raw this should be mandatory reading for everyone
The author includes texts and emails she received from asylum seekers who have been intercepted and arrested fleeing their countries and the treatment they receive from the guards plus the people who are meant to help them
Timely and honest this shines a light on the plight of some of the most vulnerable people who go through hell to make a better life for themselvesπŸ‘‡πŸΌ

'Who are you?' I called out.
But she opened her arms, so her cape of feathers turned into two big wings, and then she disappeared into a copse of silvery birch, the big cat at her heels.

#weeklyforecast

Joan- Almost finished, Very much enjoying
My fourth time, we drowned- Also close to finishing but taking this slowly as it‘s harrowing
Orquidea Divina-Halfway through but struggle with physical books with having arthritis. Absolutely loving this!
No Season-Enjoying this Persephone retelling, might finish this week
Fight Night-Only started yesterday, not sure how I feel about it yet

When the Cailleach awoke, she saw, to her horror, that green grass had broken the ice in the valleys.
Summer birds were everywhere, singing in praise of Bride. The Cailleach took her holly wand and brought it crashing down on the landscape. Ice shot outwards from it in every direction, cloaking the land in winter again.

This follows an unnamed narrator who is having an affair with an unnamed married man who is also having affairs with multiple other women while she herself has a long term boyfriend
A look at toxic relationships, obsession, patriarchy, power, race, class, narcissism and social media which felt very fresh and modern while being short and readable
Quite a frustrating read as all the characters are awful but I think that‘s the point
3 ⭐️

Loved this feminist retelling of Morgan Le Fay which follows her from her early years to becoming a wife. Morgan is a strong independent woman who takes no crap from anyone which of course gets her in trouble
The story drew me in from the start, the writing is beautiful and the author really brings the characters to life
4 ⭐️
#netgalley

πŸ’œ Happy International Women‘s Day πŸ’œ

This got off to a slow start but really picked up the pace about halfway through and I was fully invested. I think it‘s a strong contender for the women‘s prize longlist

How amazing is this puzzle? Little gift for myself a few weeks ago 😁

β€˜If you acted unpatriotic, there would be consequences. If you didn't, then what were you worried about? And if you saw or heard of something unpatriotic, it was your duty to let the authorities know.‘

Pick 3.5 ⭐️

@ozma.of.oz

My favourite genre is GothicπŸ¦‡

"We're guilty of being women and of having no man to speak for us. We're guilty of being intelligent and educated, of speaking out when we see injustice
or cruelty.
We're guilty of looking and sounding different.
But we are not witches and we are not guilty of witchcraft!'

Absolutely loved this, complex and heartbreaking but so compelling, I couldn‘t stop reading!
5 ⭐️

In total, the Neanderthals endured for an astonishing 350,000 years, until we lose sight of them – or, at least their fossils and artefacts – somewhere around 40 ka. So far, so dizzying. But it‘s not just time: Neanderthals also spread across a remarkably vast swathe of space. More Eurasian than European, they lived from north Wales across to the borders of China, and southwards to the fringes of Arabia‘s deserts.

🎧 Tonight‘s listen 🎧

Finishing up this audiobook today. Soooo good!

🌷Welcome March 🌷

Absolutely fascinating from start to finish! Easily one of my favourite nonfiction books of all time. 5 ⭐️

Every time 😀

β€œNo one knows the worst thing they're capable of until they do it.”

What are you reading this weekend?

This historical tale tells of Rachel who has been a slave in Barbados for years. Her children are taken away from her so she runs away and we follow her journey to reunite with them. Heartbreaking but hopeful this is beautiful and powerful with lots of tender moments and a story you won‘t forget
#netgalley

Yes 😍

I thought I was going to love this but from the authors use of disability and disfigurement to animal abuse, fat phobia and outdated terms for trans people this is a huge no from me

β€œI wish I‘d a knowed more people. I would of loved β€˜em all. If I‘d a knowed more, I would a loved more”

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

🎧 Currently listening 🎧

A powerful book exploring the science as to why history has got the notion that women are inferior to men wrong. This was infuriating at times but ultimately interesting with studies and facts to back up the arguments. It was a little repetitive in places but I still found it engaging while showing how much work is still to be done

Interesting πŸ˜ƒ

β€œAt the best of times, spring hurts depressives”

This author has quickly become one of my favourites, I love her writing and this was no exception. This is a reimagining of the Island of Doctor Moreau with feminism vibes. As always the author builds atmosphere and her characterisation is excellent
It‘s a bit of a slow burn but once you get into the story it picks up the pace and is engaging. So good!
4 ⭐️

In our brightly lit modern world, she has lost
some of her purpose. There is something poetic about it: as we lose touch with the moon, she is actually moving away from us. Each year she inches 3.78 cm further into space.

Maddie has a difficult life caring for her dad with no support from any of her family members. When her mum comes back from Ghana she suggests Maddie moves out for a while. This is a period of self growth as she becomes independent and learns about love, loss and all the other things her friends have been experiencing for years. I thought this was really good, it felt fresh and relevant and I really liked the narrator‘s performance.
#netgalley

πŸ˜…πŸ˜…

Perhaps the most amazing thing about life – apart from its very existence – is how quickly it began. It stirred itself into existence a mere 100 million years after the planet itself formed

What are you reading this weekend? I plan to start this, hopefully today. I have so many library books to get through as the holds always seem to come in at once πŸ€¦πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ πŸ˜‚