📚✨BOOK REVIEW ✨📚The Secrets of Blythswood Square - Sara Sheridan @sarasheridanwriter Back into my ❤️land of historical fiction. I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and loved how easy this book was to get into and how hard it was to put down. Set in 19th century Glasgow, the story follows two women from very different backgrounds. Charlotte an ill equipped grieving daughter who now has to navigate a rather scandalous obstacle in her path and Ellory the gifted photographer making her way in a field dominated by me. In a society that adheres to social norms for women’s roles, these women negotiate their own paths to independence. This is historical fiction at its best with storytelling that is atmospherically vibrant and compelling characters. #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan
Been saving this one for the spring 🪻🌻 Back in my Welsh homeland now and stopping off for a coffee at @espressoyourself_queenst before going back to work tomorrow ☕💚 #booksandcoffee #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #historicalfiction
The secrets of Blythswood Square Sara Sheridan (31) This was great! Couldn’t put it down. I liked the Fair Botanists but found some minor parts of it irritating, which wasn’t the case with this one at all - I don’t know if it’s better or if I just got used to the style, but it’s just a good, well researched novel with likeable characters and lots of interesting b history bits which fit well with the story and don’t feel overly educational even though I WAS learning. Mostly set in Glasgow in 1846, with some Edinburgh as well. A lot of things happen in a bit too short a space of time to be realistic, but I guess that’s fiction. A really enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #novel #bookstagram #book #reading
Who else loves historical fiction? Last month our HF book of the month was The Secrets of Blythswood Square and this month our HF book boxes feature The Devil to Pay by Katie Daysh! You can still get your hands on both boxes with signed copies, author letters and surprise bookish goodies from our website :) #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #booklovers #readerslife #readerforlife #bibliophile #newbooks #currentlyreading #beautifulbooks #bookclubsofinstagram #readmorebooks #books #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookcollectors #bookcommunity #ukbookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookclub #ukbookshop #historicalfiction #history #blythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #thefairbotanists #pirates #piratelife #thedeviltopay
📚💕 This week's reading includes the new historical novel by @sarasheridanwriter , 'The Secrets of Blythswood Square' - published by @hodderbooks - which is a fascinating & involving read. It's also beautifully written. #sarasheridan #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #hodderandstoughton
Gorgeous cover and it’s a great book too 📚 #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare by #sarasheridan 📚 . . #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #books #bookish #bookstagram #book #bookshelf #bibliophile #bookaholic #booklover #bookaddict #bookclub #bookcover #goodreads #tbr #currentlyreading #nextread #librarybooks #audible #shelfie #scotland #audiobook #alwaysreading #square #secrets #readmorebooks
NEW TODAY! We cannot tell you how excited we are to be publishing this fantastic, in-depth interview with one of Scotland's most exciting writers - the very lovely @sarasheridanwriter @hodderstoughton When we re-launched the Glasgow Review of Books, we wanted the title to strive towards doing several things - amplifying under-represented voices, telling Glasgow's stories, challenging some assumptions about 'Scottish literature' should be about - *this interview* (and Sara's work in general) has it all . . . So, without further ado, sit yourselves comfortably and have a quick taste - "If you are Queer, if you are a woman - you feel quite often that woman never achieved anything and lived in the shadows, yet we have amazing foremothers, but few people talk about them. I think if you understand where you come from, it gives you a lot of confidence, it allows you to go forward in a totally different way. And for readers, that's what I'd like to do. That's my mission." There's more (SO much more) in the full interview on our site. Hit the link in our bio ☝or paste - https://wp.me/p3nrhP-7eO - into your browser to read Sara's thoughts on representing the Victorian queer experience, the female gaze and kickass early mediaeval Scottish women. It's a lovely, lively engrossing piece and well worth your time. @strathclydecw @booksfromscotland @scotswhayhae @uofgwriting @scottishbooktrust @ayewriteglasgow #sarasheridan #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #interview #historicalfiction #booksofinstagram📚 #glasgow #scottishfiction
Our March Historical Fiction Book Box! Featuring a wonderful signed copy of The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan, authir letter, supersize luxury bath fizzer and bookmark all delivered to your door. Limited time only! #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #booklovers #readerslife #readerforlife #bibliophile #newbooks #currentlyreading #bookishfeatures #lovereading #lovebooks #beautifulbooks #bookclubsofinstagram #readmorebooks #books #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookcollectors #bookcommunity #ukbookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookclub #ukbookshop #historicalfiction #history #blythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #thefairbotanists
Fantastic event at Dunblane Library last night with prolific author Sara Sheridan on tour with her latest novel, The Secrets of Blythswood Square, set in 1846 Glasgow and inspired by the early days of photography. Sara, whose previous work The Fair Botanists won Waterstones Scottish book of the year in 2022), talked about her passion for historical research, in particular for those objects and articles of clothing that reveal so much about ordinary women's lives. She also gave some interesting insight into the differences between the historical and cultural development of Glasgow and Edinburgh. And what a gorgeous cover! #SaveOurLibrariesStirling #LoveOurLibrariesStirling #sarasheridan #waterstonesstirling
Fantastic event at Dunblane Library last night with prolific author Sara Sheridan on tour with her latest novel, The Secrets of Blythswood Square, set in 1846 Glasgow and inspired by the early days of photography. Sara, whose previous work The Fair Botanists won Waterstones Scottish book of the year in 2022), talked about her passion for historical research, in particular for those objects and articles of clothing that reveal so much about ordinary women's lives. She also gave some interesting insight into the differences between the historical and cultural development of Glasgow and Edinburgh. And what a gorgeous cover! #SaveOurLibrariesStirling #LoveOurLibrariesStirling #sarasheridan #waterstonesstirling
The lovely Sara Sheridan and her adorable wee dog also dropped by today to sign our copies of her books, they’re selling fast, so get them while you can! #sarasheridan #sarasheridanauthor #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #fairbotanists #signedbook @sarasheridanwriter
It was world book day yesterday. The theme for World Book Day 2024 is "Read Your Way". I enjoyed reading the following books last year: 1. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah A brilliant book on love and survival set in harsh Alaskan weather conditions in 1970s 2. Inspired by Marty Cagan Great book on Product Management. It took me a long time to finish it but it's got some good tips 3. The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan A beautiful tale of female botanists set in 1820s about the famous aloe plant at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh 4. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Story of an ingenious chemist, single mum in the 1950s who ends up doing a tv cooking show 5. Really good, actually by Monica Heisey A woman navigating through an unexpected messy divorce and eventually coming to a point where life is really good, actually. 6. It ends with us by Colleen Hoover This book starts as such a romantic story but then ends really messy :( Film based on this book will be out in June 7. Good vibes, good life by Vex King Best book I read last year ! A very positive encouraging book. Everyone should read it.
The Book Fairies are celebrating not only their 7th birthday but also… International Women’s Day! This copy of Celtic Cross by Sara Sheridan has been hidden by an Edinburgh book fairy today. Let us know if you found it on a bench beside the Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens. About the book: About to get married, Mirabelle and her fiancé retired Superintendent Alan McGregor are torn about where they will settle but when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes up to buy a secluded house on the banks of the Firth of Forth, they submit to getting permission from the local landlord. But that permission comes at a price and when a nun dies in mysterious circumstances at the Little Sisters of Gethsemane Convent nearby they are drafted to uncover what happened. #ibelieveinbookfairies #BookFairyBirthday #TheBookFairiesTurn7 #IWD #IWD2024 #ibelieveinbookfairies💚 #edinburghbookfairies #bookfairiesedinburgh #bookfairiesscotland #scottishbookfairies #edinburgh #prelovedbooks #prelovedbook #secondhandbook #secondhandbooks #celticcross #sarasheridan #rossfountain #edinburghcastle
💚 MY TOP 5 - HISTORICAL FICTION 🗺️ The Fair Botanists 🧑🏼🌾🌿🏛️ Sara Sheridan My Bookish Thoughts 💬 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+ 📚 The blurb "Could one rare plant hold the key to a thousand riches?" The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan is set in the summer of 1822 Edinburgh and follows the building of the new Botanic Gardens and transfer of the plants to the city's development of a 'new town'. We follow the story of the unlikely friendship of newly widowed Elizabeth and courtesan Belle and their mutual love of plants. Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city. 💕 My history with this book I read this beauty 2 years ago immediately on coming home from a most gorgeous stay in Edinburgh city for a few nights with my husband and son to celebrate my 50th birthday, unsound a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens. With the gardens and Edinburgh streets fresh in my mind I found it a captivating and intoxicating fusion of fact and fiction. A fascinating read, I just wish I could discover it all over again 🧑🏼🌾📚 📚 I can't wait to read Sara's new book The Secrets of Blythswood Square set in Glasgow 1846. 💭 What's your favorite aspect of historical fiction novels? Is it the immersive settings, the rich character development, or the way they blend fact with fiction? #Bookstagram #HistoricalFiction #BookRecommendation #ReadingRecommendation #BotanicalFiction #Edinburgh #BookLovers #Bookworm #Bookish #BookObsessed #AmReading #BookReview #MustRead #GoodReads #ReadingCommunity #BookNerd #BookAddict #Bibliophile #BookishLife #BookPhotography #InstaBooks #SaraSheridan
What great timing that World Book Day fell on this month's Ardgowan Hospice book club monthly meet up!📚 Our book club which takes place at our very own charity bookshop in Gourock, is still fairly new after starting in January but is already at the member limit of 15😱 Although please feel free to join in from home! Our next read is The Fair Botanists by @sarasheridanwriter . Let us know what you think 💜
New historical fiction subscriptions begin with The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan, the author of The Fair Botanists! Step with us to Glasgow, 1846. Glasgow is a city on the cusp of great social change, but behind the curtains, neighbours are watching, and rumours of improper behaviour spread like wildfire on the respectable Blythswood Square. You wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square... Current subscribers can sit back and relax, these will be heading your way soon, everyone else come and join us to secure your signed copy, author letter and bookish treats to add to the fun. #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #booklovers #readerslife #readerforlife #bibliophile #newbooks #currentlyreading #bookishfeatures #lovereading #lovebooks #beautifulbooks #bookclubsofinstagram #readmorebooks #books #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookcollectors #bookcommunity #ukbookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookclub #ukbookshop #historicalfiction #history #blythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #thefairbotanists #worldbookday
📘 McLellan Book Festival 2024: Full Programme 📕 - Sally Magnusson: Saturday 31st August, 4pm - Alex Gray: Saturday 31st August, 7pm - Sara Sheridan: Sunday 1st September, 4pm - Alistair Moffat: Sunday 1st September, 7pm These events will all take place at Brodick Hall. Tickets and booking info to follow. More info available on our website via the link in our bio. #arran #isleofarran #arrantheartsisland #bookfestival #mclellanbookfestival #scottishliterature #scottishwriting #scottishwriters #sallymagnusson #alexgray #sarasheridan #alistairmoffat
#justread The Fair Bontanists | @sarasheridanwriter Book 3 in my February Book Challenge Prompt: From your January TBR You had me at: 🏰 Historical Fiction 🌼 Flowers on the Cover 🏔️ Highlander vibes Swipe to see the prompts for this month’s book challenge ➡️ 💚 Candy Heart Magnetic bookmarks by @nerdteacreations
21/02/2024 Tender. Resonant. Enfolding. 🌳📖🍧 "The People's City" (2022) with an Introduction by Irvine Welsh Anne Hamilton, "The Finally Tree" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nadine Asha Jassat, "In Loving Memory" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♥️ Alexander McCall Smith, "In Sandy Bell's" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ian Rankin, "Broukit Bairn" ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sara Sheridan, "On Portobello Prom" ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 #bookstagram #tbrlist #edinburgh #literature #edinburghbookshop #thepeoplescity #scotland #shortstorycollection #shortstories #onecitytrust #book #reading #royalmile #canongate #newfav #bookworm #readinggoals #ianrankin #annehamilton #nadineaishajassat #sarasheridan #irvinewelsh #alexandermccallsmith #blackwells #edinburghfringe #thepeoplesstorymuseum #canongatekirkyard #edinburghmuseum
Nice mooch around the shops yesterday while Justin was getting a haircut. Naturally book shopping had to feature. Stopped off at @dial_lane_books 🥰 picked up a couple of new hardbacks. I've had my eye on the theory of everything for a while now so finally went for it. Can't wait to read both of these. #bookclub #read #reading #shoplocal #independantbookshop #Ipswich #diallanebooks #sarasheridan
Very much enjoyed seeing #sarasheridan at @toppingsstas tonight. Lovely, welcoming, warming and entertaining evening, such a good tonic against this weather! Can't wait to get stuck in to #thesecretsofblythwoodsquare! #bookevent #authorevent #onholiday #promise #sarasheridan #toppingsandcompanybooksellers @sarasheridanwriter
Thank you so much to the wonderful @sarasheridanwriter for popping in today to sign copies of her new book 'The Secrets of Blythwood Square'. Sara's previous novel 'The Fair Botanists' was deservedly our Scottish Book of the Year, and this one might be even better. . . . . . . . . . #waterstones #waterstonesstandrews #newbook #sarasheridan #beautifulbooks #fiction #newfiction
You wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square...⠀ A story of secrets, friendship and intrigue, set against the backdrop of subversive mid-19th century Glasgow⠀ ⠀ Download and enjoy The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan, read by Cathleen McCarron on uLibrary now!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #uLibrary #uLibraryListens #SaraSheridan #Bookstagram #Audio #Audiobook #Bookstagram #Books #LibraryBooks #Readers #HistoricalFiction #Fiction #Literature #Fiction #LiteraryFiction⠀
Entertaining evening last night in @waterstonesgla for the launch of @sarasheridanwriter new book “The Secrets of Blythswood Square”. Great discussion between @bryanb1965 and Sara. #sarasheridan #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #bryanburnett #waterstonessauchiehallstreet
We're wishing the happiest of publication days today to bookshop favourite #SaraSheridan, and her new novel 'The Secrets of Blythswood Square'. We love Sara's passion for Scottish history and the untold stories of its female heroines, so here are a few thoughts on her latest: The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan Hodder Books @hodderbooks Sara Sheridan has once again produced a wonderful historical novel of nineteenth-century Scotland (this time evoking the industry and dynamism of Glasgow and interrogating the ethics thereof) with two fantastic central characters and so much to think about. Charlotte Nicholl finds herself alone in the world after the death of her father and so it falls to her to remake her life independently, all the while having to contend with newly discovered secrets about her family and her recently deceased parent in particular. Emerging from a different world altogether from the splendour of Glasgow’s mansion houses comes photographer’s assistant Ellory Mann, arriving in the city to set up her own studio in order to break away from the conservative formality of her previous employer’s work and create something entirely new. This is a brilliantly constructed examination of female emancipation in both a societal and professional sense and makes excellent observations on the male and female ‘gaze’ in art, and will, without doubt, have you cheering for both Charlotte and Ellory to triumph against all the odds. #publicationday #newfiction #newliteraryfiction #Scottishhistory #womanshistory #herstory #Glasgow #womenphotgraphers #historyofphotography
📚Book Review: The Secrets Of Blythswood Square By Sara Sheridan I was a huge fan of The Fair Botanist, Sara’s first novel, so I was very excited to read more from her. The Secrets Of Blythswood Square is another absorbing, fascinating historical read which I really enjoyed. Firstly I absolutely loved the setting of 19th Century Glasgow, with the author’s vivid descriptions often making me feel like I was actually there experiencing it myself alongside the characters. It was definitely a time of great social expectations where people were meant to act a certain way and anyone different was treated with suspicion. It was interesting to see who was considered an outsider though and I found it very frustrating to see how they were treated. I absolutely loved the two female main characters Ellory and Charlotte. They were such strong, determined women and I loved seeing them assert themselves to go against the norm. It was very interesting to learn about early photography through Ellory’s work and I enjoyed finding out more about the process, especially how long it took to take a picture. The different views on how to set people up for a photograph was also fascinating and I enjoyed exploring the different ideas that the early photographers had. I thought the book had a lovely pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. Even in the slightly slower moments I just enjoyed hanging out withe Charlotte and Ellory, watching their wonderful friendship develop. There were a few revelations that kept me guessing, especially a few towards the end that made it hard to put the book down. I loved the ending that and enjoyed seeing how things end up for all of the characters. Huge thanks to Alainna from Hodder and Stoughton for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. #bookreview #blogtour #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #scottishfiction #historicalfiction #earlyphotography #prettybooks #prettycover #bookblogger #bookseller #bookinstagram #bookinstagrammer #readingcommunity #ilovereading #ilovebooks #readingisfun #bookpost #newbook #bookpic
📚 Reading Update: Last, Now, Next Good morning everyone I thought I'd do a little reading update today: ❤️Last: The Philosophy Of Love by Rebecca Ryan & Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook I'm on a bit of a roll with five Star reads and absolutely loved both of these books. I finished both in a couple of days as I just couldn't put them down. I reviewed The Philosophy Of Love last weekend and you can read my review on my profile. I'll be posting my review of Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge later today. I highly recommend both these fabulous books! 🧡Now: The Secrets Of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan & One Love by Matt Cain I'm currently reading, and enjoying, these two books. I actually went to uni in 2002 so I remember that period well and I'm loving all the culture references in One Love. I was a huge fan of Sara Sheridan 's last book and I'm loving The Secrets Of Blythswood Square so far, especially the descriptions of early photography which is fascinating to learn about. I'm also listening to The Fury by Alex Michaelides on audiobook which is intriguing so far. An isolated island that locals say is cursed, a group of old friends with lots of secrets and jealousy - what's not to love! 💛Next: The List Of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey & Meet Me At The Surface by Jodie Matthews I'm then hoping to read these two fabulous looking books. I've been hearing lots of great things about both of them so I'm looking forward to finally reading them. Huge thanks to the tagged publishers for sending me the proof copies it's really appreciated! What are you currently reading? #readingupdate #currentlyreading #tbr #readingnext #lastnownext #newbooks #bookpost #bookpic #bookblogger #bookseller #bookinstagram #bookinstagrammer #readingrecs #ilovereading #readingisfun #bookish #ThePhilosophyoflove #rebeccaryan #maudehortonsgloriousrevenge #lizziepook #onelove #mattcain #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #thefury #alexmichaelides #thelistofsuspiciousthings #jenniegodfrey #meetmeatthesurface #jodiematthews
Loads of new books are arriving in store over the next few days, all very exciting for you and your bookshelves!!! One that l’m most pleased to bring to your attention is “The Secrets of Blythswood Square” by the supremely talented Sara Sheridan. “From the author of former Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year “The Fair Botanists” comes another evocative historical novel of female empowerment, as two women are drawn together by a somewhat inconvenient collection of art.” Let yourselves be drawn back to the Glasgow of 1846, where scandalous secrets are being kept behind the respectable doors of Blythswood Square. 🏴📚😍🏴📚😍 #sarasheridan #hodderandstoughton #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #waterstones #newfictionhardbacks #readmorebooks
One of my future February reads, #thefairbotanists by #sarasheridan. I’m really looking forward to reading this 💚 . It’s been an indoor planting day today. So far I have cabbage, basil, nasturtiums and sweet peas warming up on the radiators, I also made some banana peel plant food and have cress and chia seeds for sprouting on the kitchen windowsill 🍌🌸🌱 . That’s enough for today 😊 #januaryplanting . . . . . . . . . . #bookstagram #bookstagramscotland #bookstagrammer #gardening #indoorgardening #seeds #chia #sprouts #gettingreadyforspring
AD/PR PRODUCT 📚 BOOK MAIL Well this dingy weather was brightened up by this lovely lot of book mail I have received recently. Thank you to all the publishers for sending these my way. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. You wait ages for The One, then 203 come along all at once. This sounds like a brilliantly original premise. Out April. What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman. A palm reader is swept into a bizarre missing child case in this modern Southern Gothic horror. Ooh intriguing! Out tomorrow The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan. You wouldn't suspect it but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square. I pass Blythswood Square in Glasgow all the time so am looking forward to this one. Out February. The School Run by Ali Lowe. How far will the women go to protect their reputations and their families. I loved The Running Club by this author. I'm taking part in the blog tour in February in time for publication. Quentin by Tarantino A graphic novel by the man himself charting his directorial career. I will need to act quick to read this one before my eldest son nabs it. Out February Which of these piques your interest? #booklove #bookmail #thehusbands #hollygramazio #romcom #whatkindofmother #claymcleodchapman #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #glasgow #theschoolrun #alilowe #quentintarantino #graphicnovel #booksbooksbooks #bookstack #morebookslesslagorithm #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #uptoolatereading
📚 Reading Update: Last, Now, Next Good morning everyone I hope you had a great weekend. I'm back with another reading update for you today. ❤️Last: The Philosophy Of Love by Rebecca Ryan I'm a huge fan of this author and absolutely loved this book, giving it 5 stars. It was such a fun, relatable and just hilarious read that I was sad to finish as I didn't want to leave the fabulous characters behind. You can read my full review on my profile. 🧡Now: Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook & One Love by Matt Cain I've been looking forward to reading these two books so I'm excited to finally read them. I'm a couple of chapters into both and I'm enjoying them so far. I'm also listening to The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose which I'm absolutely loving so far. The narrator is brilliant and I love the different voices she does for the different characters. 💛Next: The Fury by Alex Michaelides & The Secrets Of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan I'm then hoping to read two more books that I'm very excited to read. I've been a huge fan of both these author's previous books so I'm very intrigued to read these! I've got a day off today and I'm going to the Spa which I'm very excited about. It was a Christmas present from my mum and husband so I'm looking forward to a relaxing day. I'm going with my mum and I've already checked it's ok for me to bring my book 🤣 What are you currently reading? #readingupdate #currentlyreading #newbooks #tbr #audiobooks #ThePhilosophyoflove #rebeccaryan #maudehortonsgloriousrevenge #lizziepook #onelove #mattcain #themysteryguest #nitaprose #thefury #alexmichaelides #thesecretsofblythswoodsquare #sarasheridan #bookpic #bookpost #bookrecs #bookinstagrammer #bookinstagram #bookseller #bookish #readingcommunity #ilovereading #readingisfun #readingnext
Graced by Dundee Royalty! We had Lorraine Kelly pop by the bookshop yesterday to remind you all to come to her event in two weeks time. We'll be discussing Lorraine's debut fiction book 'The Island Swimmer'. It's going to be an excellent afternoon! But, before then, we also have some brilliant fiction events to whet your appetite. They are: 📣Louise Welsh on 'To the Dogs' 📅31st of January, 7:30pm 📍The Bookshop 📣Sara Sheridan on 'The Secrets of Blythswood Square' 📅9th February, 7:30pm 📍The Bookshop Hope to see you at a couple, or even all three!
Celebrating Robbie Burns and appreciating all the Scottish writers who have given me so much pleasure. #scottishwriters #writersmuseumedinburgh #burnsday In the the past year alone.... #susanedmonstoneferrier #sgmaclean #josephinetey #ianrankin #sarasheridan #valmcdermid #lornamoonhollywood #lenpennie #chrisbrookmyre #ambroseparry #denisemina #stuartmacbride Open to suggestions of non #tartannoir contemporary Scottish fiction too.
Book Review: The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan The Fair Botanists is an absolute treat of a read. Historical fiction set in Edinburgh in 1822, it was Waterstones Scottish book of the year for 2022. The story follows Elizabeth and Belle, two women linked by a chance meeting and an interest in the new Botanical Garden that is being created. Elizabeth is recently widowed and moves to Edinburgh to care for her Aunt Clementina and to put her past in London truly behind her. Belle is also an outsider with a growing interest in perfume creation. Both women have their secrets snd this makes for an intriguing story. Edinburgh is a character in itself in this book and I loved reading about it and the different characters perspectives on a changing city. With a pending visit from King George in the background, the city and its citizens experience a flurry of activity. Sara Sheridan captures time and place beautifully making this book an absolute pleasure to read. I also loved that the story was populated with a large cast of supporting (often working class) characters that felt like they had their own voices and lives and weren’t just maid, footman, gardner. As you can probably tell I loved this one and am now eagerly anticipating Sara’s next book which is out in February. #fairbotanists #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #scotland #edinburgh #bookreview #scottishbook #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #reader #readersofinstagram #24countriesin2024 #booklover #historicalfiction #readersofinstagram
Bookworms! First lines of a new book. It may grab you, hook you in straight away and make you want to read more, but do you think it’s that important, as a reader? #readers #writers #bookworms #novels #englishliterature #literature #wordswordswords #language #firstlines #janeausten #jrrtolkein #sarasheridan #lucindariley #prideandprejudice #thehobbit #thefairbotanists #thesevensisters #worldofbooks #readerssociety #booklist #madaboutbooks #writing #creativewriting
“An aunt is a safe haven for a child. Someone who will keep your secrets and is always on your side.” ❤️ #sarasheridan #auntiegoals #niecesandnephews #birthdayparty
Pasión por leer y expandir fronteras. Este grupo de novelas invitan al descubrimiento, a conocer otras culturas y costumbres, nos conectan con otras realidades y seguro despertarán el interés por saber más. Anímate a explorar. Estado: Leídos - Buenos El Club de los Viernes $12.900 Un amor prohibido ☆Vendido☆ Confesiones de un Burgués $13.900 La Perla China ☆Vendido☆ Sorgo Rojo $17.900 Flores en la tormenta ☆Vendido☆ #katejacobs #sarasheridan #sandormarai #ancheemin #moyan #laurakinsale #amoleerlibros #amoleer❤ #quéleer #quierovertecrecer
Price+shipping #srijanpalsingh #sarasheridan #rogerpenrose #bookreader #bookstagrammers #book #bookcover #booksofinstagram #booksindia #bookstore #booklover #booksbooksbooks #booklovers #booknerd #prelovedbooks #biblophile #instabook #booksbooksbook #bookrecommendations #bookishlove #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookskey #bookgeek #bookcommunity #mysorebookreader
Books I want to read in 2024 - Part 2 . About the only benefit of not being able to read for almost a year is the size of my #tbr pile, I’m spoilt for choice for 2024! . #idaho by #emilyruskovich was passed onto me by a friend who loved it. Recommendations are my favourite, they can reveal a lot about the lender 😉🤞 . #theasylum by #karencoles is another one that’s been passed on and I know I’m going to love it because @beltie_p and I share very similar reading tastes and she’s never let me down yet (hahahaa, no pressure Pauline!) . #thefairbotanists by #sarasheridan is gorgeous so it has to be good 🤣🤞 . #thebooksellerofinverness by #sgmaclean - books and Scotland - I’m gonna love it 😊🏴 . …and don’t look too closely at my ‘resting over winter’ plants 🙈 #theyrenotdyingtheyrejustsleeping 🤣 . . . . . . . . . . #book #books #bookstagram #bookstagramscotland #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookworm #tbr #tbrpost #read #reads #reader #readersofinstagram #recommendedreading #recommendedbooks #
Book 24 of 2023 is this fabulous historical novel from @thefairbotanists, in which Elizabeth - a widow living with her late husband's elderly aunt - and Belle - a courtesan who is the illegitimate child of gentry - are brought together in 1800s Edinburgh by way of a rare plant flowering in the Botanical Garden. As well as being full of romance and intrigue, it features cameos from Alexander Brunton, Sir Walter Scott and George VI, and sympathetically portrays two women fighting for their independence. Also features Scots in parts of the dialogue. #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #fiction #fictionnovel #historicalfiction #amreading #2023reads #scottishliterature
Great event tonight with author @thefairbotanists as part of @pentlandsbookfestival 📚📚 . . . #booksofinstagram #bookfestival #instabooks #instareads #igreads #igbooks #thefairbotanists #pentlandsbookfestival #sarasheridan #booklover #goodreads #BookWeekScotland
The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan, 4.5⭐️ Had no clue what to expect but was a great book! I loved that it was set in 1800s Edinburgh, really well written and great characters. Life was certainly different back then! Theme is around the Botanical Garden and characters and plots kind of spin out from there. I would highly recommend💚🌳🍃 . . . . . #sarasheridan #readingtime #read #readingisfun #reading #readingcommunity #readings #readmorebooks #readmore #readingaddict #readersofinstagram #thefairbotanists #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #novel #fiction #historical #book #bookphotography #booklover #booklove #booknerd #booklove #booklife #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookrecommendations #recommended #review #bookreview @thefairbotanists
It's Book Week Scotland and we're celebrating by hiding books set in Scotland, written by Scottish authors, written in Scots and published by Scottish publishers. Did you find a copy of The Fair Botanist by Sara Sheridan today? About the book: It's the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is abuzz with rumours of King George IV's impending visit. In botanical circles, however, a different kind of excitement has gripped the city. In the newly-installed Botanic Garden, the Agave Americana plant looks set to flower - an event which only occurs once in several decades. When newly widowed Elizabeth arrives in Edinburgh to live with her late husband's aunt Clementina, she's determined to put her unhappy past in London behind her. As she settles into her new home, she becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden which border the grand house and offers her services as an artist to record the rare plant's impending bloom. In this pursuit, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative, dark art of perfume creation. Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city. And when they are revealed, they can carry the greatest of consequences . . #ibelieveinbookfairies #BookFairyWeekScotland #BookWeekScotland #Thefairbotanist #sarasheridan #edinburghbookfairies
A big thank you to @cjcooke_author , @anneeekhout and @thefairbotanists for joining us on a very stormy Thursday evening to discuss their evocatively chilling and richly atmospheric novels. A Haunting in the Arctic - C. J. Cooke Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for over a century. Something that craves revenge… 1901. On board the Ormen, a whaling ship battling through the unforgiving North Sea, Nicky Duthie awakes. Attacked and dragged there against her will, it’s just her and the crew – and they’re all owed something only she can give them. 1973. Decades later, when the ship is found still drifting across the ocean, it’s deserted. Just one body is left on board, his face and feet mutilated, his cabin locked from the inside. Everyone else has vanished. Now, as urban explorer Dominique travels into the near-permanent darkness of the northernmost tip of Iceland, to the final resting place of the Ormen’s wreck, she’s determined to uncover the ship’s secrets. But she’s not alone. Something is here with her. And it’s seeking revenge… Mary, or, The Birth of Frankenstein - Anne Eekhout 1816. Mary, eighteen years old, is staying in a villa on Lake Geneva with her lover Percy Shelley. She is tormented by his infidelities; haunted by the loss of her baby daughter. Then one evening with friends, as storms rage outside and laudanum stirs their imaginations, Lord Byron challenges everyone to write a ghost story, and something fierce and wild awakens in Mary. Memories surface of the long, strange summer she once spent with a family in Scotland, where she found herself falling in love with the enigmatic Isabella Baxter. She learned tales of mythical beasts, witches and spirits. And she encountered real monsters – both in the rocky wilds, and far, far closer to home… Illuminating the past like a flash of lightning, this brilliant reimagining of the birth of Frankenstein takes us into a feverish world of waking dreams-where grief mingles with desire, and the veil between beauty and horror grows thin. The shop ghosts enjoyed the event too as they were mostly very quiet and well behaved.
💚 Green stack! Part two of the #greenstack tag I tried a few weeks ago. I'm super slow @r4ch4elreads but I've got there in the end 🙈 Also shout out to @curlygingerbookworm for the copy of 'the bullet that missed'! #aurorasend #amiekaufmanandjaykristoff #rebecca #daphnedumaurier #thebulletthatmissed #richardosman #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #theglasshouse #evechase
Well that was a super fast and enjoyable read. Some traditional crime stories alongside some much creepier ones. Definitely a good autumn /halloween read. #BloodyScotland #LinAnderson #GordonBrown #ChrisBrookmyre #AnnCleeves #DougJohnstone #StuartMacBride #ValMcDermid #DeniseMina #CraigRobertson #SaraSheridan #ESThomson #LouiseWelsh #CWA #bookstagramUK #bookstagram #bookphotography #booknerd #readersofinstagram #bookaholic #ukbookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookwormsofinstagram #instabooks #singlebookshare #welshbookstagrammers #Crime #Scotland #ShortStories
Come along to Edinburgh's oldest and most haunted bookshop for an evening of spine-shiveringly gothic tales. Join award-winning novelists, @cjcooke_author, A Haunting in the Arctic, and @anneeekhout, Mary or the Birth of Frankenstein, as they discuss their brand new evocatively chilling and richly atmospheric novels, brimming with teasing suspense and eerie surprises with @thefairbotanists. Book your tickets now for Thursday 2nd November at 7pm, we look forward to seeing you there. #Haunting #ahauntinginthearctic #Ghost #GhostStories #Spirits #maryorthebirthoffrankenstein #Mary #frankenstein #Classic #maryshelley #CJCooke #AnneEekhout #SaraSheridan #Edinburgh #Bookshop #Author #Event #bookstagram #Books @pushkin_press @harpercollinsuk
Working through my photo backlog, finally uploading some from the recent first @edwomensficfest , quite pleased with this one of @kimtsherwood & @thefairbotanists #Edinburgh #Edimbourg #photography #books #livres #literaryfestival #author #writer #woman #femme #portrait #morningsideunitedchurch #Bruntsfield #EdinburghWomensFictionFestival #blackandwhitephotography #KimSherwood #SaraSheridan
OLD TOWN LIBRARY Book Recommendation by Old Town Library user. Title - The Fair Botanists Author - Sara Sheridan This is a good, descriptive and historical novel for you even if you are not a botanist. Exotic plants were new and exciting in 19th Century Edinburgh. Very different characters have their intertwining stories unravel so that you become drawn into the life and beliefs of this exciting era of change. (Note-copies are available at Central, Old Town, Even, Highworth, Moredon & Rodbourne Cheney libraries) #oldtownswindon #readingcommunity #SaraSheridan #thefairbotanists #southswindonparishcouncil
This time last week I was getting ready to attend the inaugural session of the #edinburghwomensfictionfest The opening session took a look at the history of women writers with #sarasheridan and #kimtsherwood Other fabulous sessions included a discussion on the joys of #romcombooks , the importance of setting in fiction, and even a fascinating insight into #witcherature A big thank you to the organisers and their amazing guests. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful event in my doorstep 😍 * #edinburghwomensfictionfest #edinburgh #books #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #theedinburghbookshop
Great to be at the opening night of the new #edinburghwomensfictionfestival last night and to hear the inspiring conversation about the history of women writers with #sarasheridan and #kimsherwood
Starting this one tonight on the strength of a few recommendations. The year is 1822, and things are afoot for two botanically inclined ladies. That’s all I know for now!! 💐 #currentread #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan #historicalnovel
It’s 1822 and the King (George IV) is about to visit the city of Edinburgh, however many citizens are far more interested in the fact that the Botanic Gardens are moving all their specimens to a new location and also ‘the century plant’ (Agave Americana) is about the flower. Elizabeth, recently widowed and newly arrived in the city, has some experience as an illustrator of plants at Kew and she is keen to draw this rare flower, while her new-found friend Belle is interested in the flowers for a rather different reason. There are lots of lovely details about life in late Georgian Edinburgh in this well researched story where invented characters mingle with real life figures. Quite charming! #thefairbotanists #sarasheridan
📚Where are the Women? by Sara Sheridan📚 I had planned to read this book slowly and take my time with it… but I just couldn’t put it down. I started off well savouring a chapter a month but it got to the point where I didn’t want to stop at the end of a chapter; I wanted to know more about all of these women and their impact and contributions to our country and I wanted to know it RIGHT NOW! I adored this book and all of the rabbit holes it’s sent me down and further reading I’ve added to my TBR in pursuit of knowledge about women I hadn’t even heard of until I picked this book up. I loved the imaginary memorials and statues and exhibits and really wished that they were real because reading this I felt so strongly like they were and that they should be… Honestly, I just think this should be considered essential reading as a perfect jumping off board to discussions about women in Scotland, their lives (both historically and now) and the impact they’ve made which (not surprisingly) has been significant and important. All the stars from me and probably will be my pick for Book of the Year. It’s a book I know I’ll continue to dip in and out of and I’m so glad I’ve read it! #wherearethewomen #imaginedscotland #sarasheridan #womenshistory #scottishhistory #scottishbookstagrammer #scottishbookstagram #scottishbooks
