Cathy J

Cathy J

@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Gardener 🌱 | Avid reader | Winston Graham Historical Prize 2026 Judge | John Buchan fan | Book blogger always ready for the next chapter... 💙📚 https://whatcathyreadnext.co.uk/

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Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#TopTenTuesday Things You Wouldn't Want To Encounter On Halloween #TuesdayBookBlog #books #bookreviews #Halloween #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#TopTenTuesday Things You Wouldn’t Want To Encounter On Halloween #TuesdayBookBlogTop Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I've just read, I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 28th October 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Week in Books - Books read, reviewed & acquired this week #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Week in Books – 25th October 2026On the blog last week Tuesday - I went rogue for this week's Top Ten Tuesday with Book Titles Featuring Royalty. Wednesday – As always #WWWWednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I've just read, what I'm currently reading and what I plan to read next... and to take a peek at what others are reading. Thursday…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#SixOnSaturday - Six things happening in a my garden this week #gardens #gardening #nature #flowers

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in a my garden this week #gardens #gardeningSix on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations. It turns out we chose a good week for our holiday in Cornwall given the arrival of Storm Austen yesterday. I hope those of you in the areas most affected are safe and there's not been too much damage.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Reading Scotland Month 2026 Preview #ReadingScotland26 @portybelle.bsky.social #books #readingchallenges #Scotland #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukReading Scotland Month 2026 Preview #ReadingScotland26 @portybelleReading Scotland Month is a new event devised and hosted by Joanne at Portobello Book Blog. The idea is to read, promote and celebrate books set in Scotland, books written by Scottish authors or books by authors living in Scotland. Joanne has chosen November for the event because St. Andrew’s Day falls at the end of the month. There are numerous ways to take part not just reading Scottish books but talking about books you've read previously or sharing recommendations.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My review of the thrilling & action-packed The Wolf's Oath by Tim Hodkinson #TheWolfsOath #books #bookreviews #historicalfiction #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – The Wolf’s Oath by Tim Hodkinson @HoZ_BooksAbout the Book 938 AD. Einar leads the Wolf Coats back to the northern realms to honour a comrade’s last request. When they encounter a fearsome band of mercenaries the Wolf Coats are vehemently opposed to joining forces... until a violent skirmish makes both sides realise they will be stronger together. Einar and his crew must prove themselves to their new allies by investigating strange tales of bloodshed in the far north.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I've just read, I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 21st October 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…

Cathy J reposted

Jen Lucas (Jen Med’s Book Reviews)
@jenlucas.bsky.social

Today I am sharing my thoughts on A Lesson In Violence, Jordan Harper's debut novel which has sat on my shelf for far too long. @jordan_harper_yo @simonschusteruk @jordanharper.bsky.social #bookthreads #books #bookstagram #booksky #bookreview #alessoninviolence

jenmedsbookreviews.comA Lesson In Violence by Jordan HarperI have been waiting a long time to read this book, my fault of course, but I have finally caught up and found out where it all began. My review today is of A Lesson In Violence by Jordan Harper, his debut novel which was also filmed and released as She Rides Shotgun. Here's what it's all about: Source: Owned Copy
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#TopTenTuesday Books By Royal Command #TuesdayBookBlog #books #bookreviews #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#TopTenTuesday Books By Royal Command #TuesdayBookBlogTop Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Week in Books - Books read, reviewed & acquired this week #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky 💙📚

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Week in Books – 18th October 2026On the blog last week Tuesday - This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colours. Wednesday – As always #WWWWednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I've just read, what I'm currently reading and what I plan to read next... and to take a peek at what others are reading. Thursday - I published my review of…

Cathy J reposted

Joanne - Portobello Book Blog
@portybelle.bsky.social

The Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous | #bookreview | @rararesources.bsky.social @K_J_Porteous I'm delighted to be taking part in the blogtour and sharing my review of The Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous. Thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation to take part in the tour. The Twenty…

portobellobookblog.comThe Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous | #bookreview | @rararesources.bsky.social @K_J_PorteousI'm delighted to be taking part in the blogtour and sharing my review of The Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous. Thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation to take part in the tour. The Twenty Dates was published earlier this month and is available now in paperback and digital editions. Although I'm a very similar age to the main female character Claire, I'm not quite an empty nester yet.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#SixOnSaturday - Six things happening in other gardens this week #gardens #gardening #nature #flowers #Cornwall

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in a Cornish garden this week #gardens #gardening #CornwallSix on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations. I'm on holiday in Falmouth, Cornwall this week so I've borrowed from the garden of St Michael's Hotel where we're staying for my six. The plants are almost all unfamiliar to me, so you'll have to feast on just the pictures unless you recognise and can identify them.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My review of the ingenious and intricately plotted Head of a Traveller by Nicholas Blake #1949Club #classics #crime #books #bookreviews #booksky 💙📚

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – Head of a Traveller by Nicholas Blake #1949ClubAbout the Book Staying with a friend in Oxfordshire, poet turned amateur detective Nigel Strangeways pays a visit to Robert Seaton, a distinguished British poet whom Nigel greatly admires but whose reputation has been on the decline of late. Seaton proves to be an irascible, temperamental man, and his unconventional household, featuring a resentful daughter and mute dwarf servant, simmers with tension.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Book Review - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans #books #bookreviews #WomensPrize #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – The Correspondent by Virginia EvansAbout the Book Sybil Van Antwerp is seventy-three, slowly losing her sight and always writing letters . . . To her children. Her favourite authors. Her ex-sister-in-law. The journalist poking into her past.Her doctor. Suitors. Kindly neighbours. The infuriating gardening club. All receive Sybil’s witty, wise correspondence, rich with everyday concerns. But there is one letter that she has never sent.

Cathy J reposted

Davida (The Chocolate Lady) Chazan 🍫 💙📚 ✍🏻📖🍨🍞
@dchocolatelady.bsky.social

#booksky 💙📚 #bookstodon The Royal Pains... Literally! My #bookreview for "The Windsor Affair" by @MelanieBen.bsky.social, on my #bookblog now! No matter if you love or hate the Royal Family, this scandal is one you might want to read more about! #histficreadingchallenge #2026NewReleaseChallenge

tcl-bookreviews.comThe Royal Pains… Literally!Book Review for “The Windsor Affair” by Melanie Benjamin. Summary: "Feuding Windsor brothers and their wives—some things, it seems, never change. The Men: Edward David Windsor, heir to the British throne, and Albert, known as Bertie, his younger brother, “the spare.” The Women: Edward’s wife Wallis, an American divorcée, and Bertie's  wife Elizabeth, descended from Scottish nobility. The Feud: a rivalry that will last all their lives, make headlines, and still fuel gossip pages nearly a century later.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Apologies to all the authors who've contacted me recently about reviews or features on my blog and are still waiting for a response. I will get back to you as soon as I can #booksky 💙📚

Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I've just read, I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 14th October 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#TopTenTuesday Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colours #TuesdayBookBlog #books #autumn #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#TopTenTuesday Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colours #TuesdayBookBlogTop Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Week in Books - Books read, reviewed & acquired this week #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Week in Books – 11th October 2026On the blog last week Monday - I published my September Wrap-Up. Tuesday - This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was Happy Memories. As someone who - when not reading - loves nothing more than spending time in the garden, my take on the topic was Happy Memories of the Horticultural Kind. I also shared a guest post…

Cathy J reposted

Little Green Space 🐝
@lgspace.bsky.social

A request! We can't grow this account fast enough. So please follow us if you aren't already, and please share this post to spread the word. Help us do our bit to share positive solutions to the nature & climate emergencies, and bring more nature into people's lives. Thank you 😊🐝

Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#SixOnSaturday - Six things happening in my garden this week #gardens #gardening #nature #flowers

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in my garden this weekSix on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations. We had a night of useful rain this week which went some way to replenishing water butts and giving the earth a surface soak but probably not much more. One - Blossom on a damson tree... in October?
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Book Review - Creatures of Circumstance by W. Somerset Maugham @ourclassicsclub #ccpin #books #bookreviews #classics #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – Creatures of Circumstance by W. Somerset Maugham @ourclassicsclubAbout the Book Creatures of Circumstance is a collection of fifteen short stories by the British writer W. Somerset Maugham. It was his last collection of stories, all of which had been previously been published in magazines. Format: Hardback (314 pages) Publisher: HeinemannPublication date: January 1947 Genre: Fiction, Short Stories Find Creatures of Circumstance on Goodreads…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 7th October 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

'The Pirate Came Second: Why Boscastle Had to Come First' A Guest Post by Robert Porter, author of The Winter Raven #books #historicalfiction #TheWinterRaven #Boscastle #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukThe Pirate Came Second: Why Boscastle Had to Come First – A Guest Post by Robert Porter, author of The Winter RavenI'm thrilled to welcome author Robert Porter to What Cathy Read Next today to talk about his novel The Winter Raven: The Pirate of Boscastle Bay which was published on 10th September 2026. The Winter Raven is available to purchase as an ebook or in paperback from Amazon. As you'll learn from his guest post, when it comes to creating vivid historical fiction, for Robert it's all about location, location, location.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#TopTenTuesday Happy Memories of the Horticultural Kind #TuesdayBookBlog #books #gardens #gardening #memoir #historicalfiction #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#TopTenTuesday Happy Memories of the Horticultural Kind #TuesdayBookBlogTop Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

That's A Wrap! September 2026 | Last month's reading & blogging plus this month's plans #books #bookreviews #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukThat’s A Wrap! – September 2026Reading update I read eight books in September, two fewer than the previous month. I didn't manage to read all my ARCs publishing in September which had been my objective. I have two left and they are both over 600 pages so that's my excuse. October is a quieter month so I'm hoping to be able to dig into my TBR pile as well.

Cathy J reposted

Joanne - Portobello Book Blog
@portybelle.bsky.social

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman | #crimefiction #bookreview We Chase Shadows is the second in the We Solve Murders series from Richard Osman. The detective agency We Solve Murders comprises ex-policeman Steve, his daughter-in-law Amy and best-selling novelist Rosie. They haven't had many (okay,…

portobellobookblog.comWe Chase Shadows by Richard Osman | #crimefiction #bookreviewWe Chase Shadows is the second in the We Solve Murders series from Richard Osman. The detective agency We Solve Murders comprises ex-policeman Steve, his daughter-in-law Amy and best-selling novelist Rosie. They haven't had many (okay, any) murders to solve since they set the company up six months earlier, which suits Steve just fine as he'd rather be sitting in the pubs with his pals.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Week in Books - Books read, reviewed & acquired this week #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Week in Books – 4th October 2026On the blog last week Monday - I published a guest post by author Paul Linggood about his recently published novel The Boy on the Sofa. Tuesday - This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was a freebie on the theme of Fall/Autumn. My take on the topic was Books Linked to Autumn Events. Wednesday – As always #
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#SixOnSaturday - Six things happening in my garden this week #gardens #gardening #nature #flowers

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in my garden this weekSix on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations. We were promised rain overnight on Tuesday but unfortunately it bypassed us here in Berkshire. On a more positive note my order of spring bulbs and vegetable seeds for next year has arrived. One - Do you think I've ordered enough bulbs?
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#6Degrees of Separation - A book chain from Life of M by Rachel Cusk to The Readers' Room by Antoine Laurain #books #bookreviews #bookmemes #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#6Degrees of Separation – A book chain from Life of M by Rachel Cusk to The Readers’ Room by Antoine LaurainIt’s the first Saturday of the month which means it’s time for 6 Degrees of Separation. Here’s how it works: a book is chosen as a starting point by Kate at Books Are My Favourite and Best and linked to six other books to form a chain. Readers and bloggers are invited to join in by creating their own ‘chain’ leading from the selected book.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My review of historical novel A Monster in the Ash by Susie Gordon published on 15th October by Claret Press #TheMonsterInTheAsh #books #bookreviews #historicalfiction #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – A Monster in the Ash by Susie GordonWelcome to today's stop on the blog tour for A Monster in the Ash by Susie Gordon which will be published on 15th October 2026. My thanks to Kelly at Folk PR for inviting me to take part in the tour and to Claret Press for my review copy. About the Book Sadie Shaposnick spent the war running a black-market racket out of her husband Leon’s East End butcher shop.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My review of the fascinating & colourful The Marchesa by Sarah Dunant out on 7th October from @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social #TheMarchesa #books #bookreviews #historicalfiction #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – The Marchesa by Sarah DunantWelcome to the first day of the blog tour for The Marchesa by Sarah Dunant which will be published in paperback on 7th October 2026. My thanks to Kelly at Folk PR for inviting me to take part in the tour and Weatherglass Books for my review copy. About the Book Inside the opulent world of the Italian Renaissance, Isabella d’Este ruled not just by birth-right, but by wit, will, and an unquenchable thirst for power.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I've just read, I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 30th September 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#TopTenTuesday Books Linked to Autumn Events #TuesdayBookBlog #books #bookreviews #Autumn #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#TopTenTuesday Books Linked to Autumn Events #TuesdayBookBlogTop Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to…
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Finding Kindness in Dark Places: The Unlikely Friendship at the Heart of The Boy on the Sofa: A Guest Post by Paul Linggood #books #TheBoyOnTheSofa @broadwaterbooks.co.uk

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukFinding Kindness in Dark Places: The Unlikely Friendship at the Heart of The Boy on the Sofa: A Guest Post by Paul Linggood @BroadwaterBooksI'm thrilled to welcome Paul Linggood to What Cathy Read Next today to talk about his novel The Boy on the Sofa which was published by Broadwater Books on 25th September 2026. The Boy on the Sofa is available to purchase as an ebook or in paperback from Amazon and other retailers. Although I'm 'officially' closed to review requests, Paul's book sounded so compelling I couldn't help agreeing to add it to my review pile.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Week in Books - Books read, reviewed & acquired this week #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Week in Books – 27th September 2026On the blog last week Tuesday - This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was Books on my Autumn 2026 To-Read List. Wednesday – As always #WWW Wednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I've just read, what I'm currently reading and what I plan to read next... and to take a peek at what others are reading.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#SixOnSaturday - Six things happening in my garden this week #gardens #gardening #nature #flowers #growyourown

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in my garden this weekSix on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations. This week has seen another dry spell so it's watering cans at the ready again. There's no end in sight to the hosepipe ban until, Thames Water inform us, there has been a substantial period of rain.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My Henley Literary Festival 2026 Preview #books #authors #literaryfestivals #HenleyLiteraryFestival #HenleyOnThames

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukMy Henley Literary Festival 2026 Preview @HenleyLitFestThis year's Henley Literary Festival takes place between between Friday 2nd and Sunday 11th October. Authors appearing at this year's Festival include Ben Okri, Susie Dent, Meg Mason, Kate Mosse, Lucy Worsley and Victoria Hislop. There's also a varied programme of children's events. All in the beautiful setting of Henley-on-Thames. I'm going to seven events this year and links from the author names will take you to the event details on the Henley Literary Festival website where you can purchase tickets, including for livestreamed events.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

My review of the intense & intriguing The Housekeeper by Rose Tremain #books #bookreviews #TheHousekeeper #historicalfiction #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.ukBook Review – The Housekeeper by Rose TremainAbout the Book Mrs Danowski – known as Danni – is the housekeeper of a grand mansion on the wild coast of Cornwall. When glamorous young writer Daphne du Maurier visits Manderville Hall to research her new novel, she and Danni are drawn into a clandestine and intoxicating affair. For Danni, it is an all-consuming love; for Daphne a submission to long-suppressed desires.
Cathy J
@whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

#WWWWednesday - Check out the books I've just read, I'm reading now & I'll be reading next #books #bookreviews #amreading #booksky

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk#WWWWednesday – 23rd September 2026Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? Why not join in too? Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping! What I'm…