A monthly peek into the books I’m reading, the ones I’ve loved, and the next on my reading pile. A cosy corner for sharing stories, thoughts, and a few bookish ideas you might enjoy too.
If you missed last month’s, you can read it here.
As I sat staring at the books on our bookcases (we found 3 beautiful secondhand bookcases online, but could definitely do with another 5 at least!), it made me smile at just how eclectic our book collection is!
I don’t really have a particular genre that I love the most… I love nature writing, fiction, non-fiction, business books, cheesy romance (the cheesier the better), graphic novels, history, wellness, gardening and so many more!
I love escaping to different worlds, going on magical journeys, travelling back in time, discovering inspiration, learning all about beautiful blooms and the medicinal properties of herbs, and going on a seasonal adventure.
Do you have a favourite genre? Or do you like a bit of everything too?
Here’s what I’ve been reading, what’s next on the pile, and a favourite pick from the bookshelf…
One I’ve read
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, is such an amazing, cosy, heartwarming book that gave me all the feels! It was emotional, but filled with such lovely and encouraging messages throughout.
“No matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them.”
Through the pages we meet 4 people who, for very different reasons, wish to visit the past. Although first, they must wait for the mysterious woman (who’s actually a ghost) to put her book down and get up to go to the toilet, which she does once a day, and vacate the only chair that can take someone back to past. You must also make sure to drink the coffee before it gets cold!
I really enjoyed this book a lot - I’ve already added the next 3 books in the series to my wishlist! It was a lovely easy read and was very hard to put down.
One I’m reading
I really like historical fiction a lot, although it’s been a quite a while since I’ve read one, so it’s such a joy to begin reading The Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines.
With the country on the brink of war, Jessie dreams of a life filled with the theatre, but after the tragic death of her father, Jessie, an aspiring singer, and her family have no choice other than to go live with Aunt Iris. Jessie wants to escape and pursue her dreams, so she can create a better life for her family.
I’m enjoying this book so much, and I especially love that it’s set in Lincolnshire (being a Lincs girl myself!), and I also really love how Tracy so beautifully weaves themes of courage, family, friendship, community, and following your dreams throughout the story.
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One that’s next
Rough Patch by Kathy Slack is a book that I added instantly to my wishlist (I keep a little corner over on my Instagram Collections where I save all the books I’ve recently discovered and hope to add to my reading pile). The cover immediately grabbed my attention, “How a year in the garden brought me back to life.” I was so pleased to then stumble across it in Waterstones. I’ve also been following Kathy here on Substack and have really been enjoying her posts, which made me even more excited to finally pick this one up.
“When Kathy was forced to quit her high-flying career in London, she was a wreck - burnt out, anxious, consumed by depression. But she found solace in an unlikely place - the veg patch. She put her hands in the soil and found a way to grow, to sow some small seeds of hope.”
I’m very much looking forward to reading this book!
One from the bookshelf
We throughly enjoyed Sarah Gristwood’s talk on the many notable women who kept diaries throughout their life, last year here in Lichfield, which was part of the Lichfield Literature Festival. So of course we waited in line straight after to purchase a copy of Sarah’s book, Secret Voices, which she also very kindly signed for us.
This is a beautiful book that I love dipping in and out of regularly. For every day of the year, Sarah has gathered extracts from women’s diaries spanning 400 years, from Louisa May Alcott, Anne Frank, Virginia Woolf, Beatrix Potter, Lady Bird Johnson, L. M. Montgomery, Queen Victoria, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë, Emma Thompson, and so many others. It’s charming, fascinating, captivating and often deeply moving. It’s such a lovely and important glimpse into the lives, thoughts and everyday moments of women across the centuries.
“It’s an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I - nor for that matter anyone else - will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.” - Anne Frank, 1942.
Have you read any of these books? Perhaps one or two have now made it onto your reading pile? I’d love to know what you’re currently reading?
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Just in case you missed it…
Slow & Simple Notes | How wildlife has become such an important part of my slow living journey
Finding slowness, joy and wonder through the wildlife in our tiny garden garden.
Simple Joys & Inspirations | May 2026
Garden blooms, seasonal discoveries, music, riverside moments and a sleepy pigeon.
Seasonal Moments in Nature | May 2026
A spring walk through bluebells, blossoms, and a little bit of magic.
If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.
Until next time…
Intrigued by Secret Voices, love books like that
Oh! Secret Voices sounds delicious. Thank you.