Book Review of Ariadne by Jennifer Saint: Luscious, Visceral Mythology Retelling

Everyone knows the heroic story of Theseus in the labyrinth, and how Ariadne helped him to defeat the terrifying Minotaur. Yet with this act of bravery, a betrayal of her tyrannous royal father, Ariadne's story is only beginning. The epic tales of ancient poets rarely pause to consider her sacrifice, or what it meant to leave behind her Cretan home and family. Lost in a new kind of labyrinth, Ariadne must quickly learn what it means to be a woman, and a mortal, in a world ruled over by men and gods.

10 Dark & Twisted Romances to Make You Glad You’re Single

Ahh, Valentine's Day - love is in the air. Or, if you're single, maybe you're already simmering with cynicism and disdain. In that case, the most twisted love stories in literature are on hand to help you feel smugly unattached.

10 Stunning Book to Screen Adaptations to Watch Right Now

Adapting a beloved novel into a film or TV series is not a task to be envied. On the one hand, the book has to be condensed into a formula that will capture audiences with ever-shortening attention spans. On the other, loyal fans stand ready to heap their disdain on perceived slights to the original story. To honour those who successfully navigated the fraught terrain between page and screen, I've put together a list of the top 10 best book adaptations to film and television...

Book Review of Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell: Devastating & Emotive Family History

In a modest Stratford house, in the late sixteenth century, a boy is searching for help. His twin sister, Judith, has fallen ill, and he has no idea what to do. His mother will come, carrying kind words, herbal remedies, and fear in her heart. The plague should not be here - the playhouses in London may close, but here in Stratford, far away, they are supposed to be safe. Heedlessly, the sickness has arrived from another world, crept into their home, and waits with insatiable power to shatter a family beyond recognition.

Best of British Bookshops: Lyme Regis, Devon

Whenever I travel around my home country of the UK, I'm always keeping my eyes open for the best independent bookshops to explore. However much I love regularly browsing my local favourites, there is just something special about entering a never-before-visited bookstore and discovering what it has to offer.

Book Review of Troy by Stephen Fry: Witty & Wry Mythology Retelling

It is one of the most famous conflicts of all time, a war that defined three generations and shook the ancient world. The fates and circumstances that would trigger such unprecedented bloodshed were whispered on the wind decades before the first of Agamemnon's ships set sail. In this epic tale, Stephen Fry delves into the lives of gods and mortals, men and women, warriors and priests, as they are thrown into the cataclysm of the Trojan War.

Top 10 Books I Can’t Wait to Read in 2022!

There's nothing quite like a new year for getting me excited about reading. Twelve whole months stretch ahead, ready to be spent devouring new releases and tantalising backlist paperbacks alike. With that in mind, I've put together a list of the top 10 books I'm looking forward to reading in 2022...

My Top 10 Books of 2021!

2021 has been quite the year! I graduated university, set up my own business as a freelance writer, and just generally entered the daunting world of adulthood. Books have been there through it all to provide a reassuring sense of constancy and plenty of opportunities to escape reality. So without further ado, in no particular order (because I am extremely indecisive!) here are my top 10 favourite books of 2021...

Outlawed by Anna North: Badass Feminist Western!

Rating: 4.5 stars Genre: Literary, Historical Fiction Summary: When Ada fails to conceive a child with her new husband, she becomes increasingly desperate. Barren women in her village are often hanged as witches. Fearing that she is cursed, neighbours start refusing to let her attend their births, meaning she can no longer put her expertise as a midwife to use. Frustrated and afraid, Ada runs away to find refuge with a band of outlaws and their charismatic leader known only as the Kid. In this makeshift and marginalised family, women like Ada are finding power beyond the status of their wombs - and taking revenge on the society that has rejected them.

Book Review: Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (Magazine Article)

Are you looking for your next indigiqueer read? I've written a book review of Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead - an intimate and vulnerable novel that became a Lambda award winner in 2019.