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Celia Rees

@celiarees.bsky.social

238 followers 96 following 51 posts

Author Historical Fiction YA & Adult. Witch Child, Pirates! Miss Graham's War aka Miss Graham's Cold War Cook Book. www.celiarees.com www.reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"A mind near broken, repaired through the curative hard task of art and creativity." Guest Graeme Fife chooses STILL by Paul Sanders: part photography tutorial, part memoir about Sanders' mental breakdown and recovery through mindful photography. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/09/gues...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Graeme Fife: STILL - a mindful practice for photographers, by Paul Sanders

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Octavia E Butler was one of the first Black woman writers of sci-fi. Guest Sarah Lefanu celebrates the reissue by Headline of KINDRED, Butler's "dazzling, disturbing" tale of time-travel and slavery. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/09/gues... @headlinebooks.bsky.social #scifi #slavery #greatreads

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Guest review by Sarah LeFanu: KINDRED by Octavia E Butler

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Guest Jon Appleton reflects on the excellence of women writers in Australia in the 1980s & celebrates the reissue of THE WELL by Elizabeth Jolley: 'wickedly funny, harrowing, mischievous, moving.' reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/09/gues... #ViragoModernClassics #ElizabethJolley #Australianwriters

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Jon Appleton: THE WELL by Elizabeth Jolley

Book reviews by writers or independent booksellers, with occasional special features. We choose our own recommendations: fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, poetry, nature writing. We hope you'll enjoy our selections and keep coming back for more. Follow us on Facebook, X (Writersreview1) and Bluesky (@writersreview.bsky.social). Our new venture, Writers Review Publishing, launched in April - see website link in sidebar and Q&As with the authors.

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Powerful interview on @WritersReview. John Ironmonger talks about him new book, The Angel of St Piran and shares his thoughts with @LindaNewbery on animal communication, the obscenity of trophy hunting and the threat of climate change to life on earth. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/08/spec...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Special feature Q&A: John Ironmonger on THE ANGEL OF ST PIRAN

Book reviews by writers or independent booksellers, with occasional special features. We choose our own recommendations: fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, poetry, nature writing. We hope you'll enjoy our selections and keep coming back for more. Follow us on Facebook, X (Writersreview1) and Bluesky (@writersreview.bsky.social). Our new venture, Writers Review Publishing, launched in April - see website link in sidebar and Q&As with the authors.

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Welcome to new guest Peter Crawley, whose choice is a wartime memoir of resistance and courage that demands to be read. "...the awakening of spirit, the blossoming of defiance and the hardening of determination not to be beaten by the ranks of evil." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/08/gues...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Peter Crawley: THE JOURNAL OF HÉLÈNE BERR: a Young Jewish Woman's Life in Occupied Paris, translated from French by David Bellos

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Regular contributor @cindyjefferies.bsky.social revisits Margaret Drabble, finding her reading experience very different after so long an interval. "What a lot I had missed..." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/08/gues... #MargaretDrabble @canongate.co.uk #greatreads #rereading #favouritesrevisited

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Cindy Jefferies: THE NEEDLE'S EYE by Margaret Drabble

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A timely reminder to re-visit great fiction. He made good omelettes, too!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

New contributor Jude Hayland praises Arnold Bennett's THE OLD WIVES' TALE: "a masterpiece that has long been overlooked as Bennett appears to have slipped out of bookish fashion" yet "as relevant now as when the novel was published in 1908." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/08/gues...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Jude Hayland: THE OLD WIVES' TALE by Arnold Bennett

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Happy Birthday to us!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

It's our 10th birthday, and we're delighted to welcome Patrick Gale as our special guest, sharing his favourite walk, film, ideal day & more. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/07/10th... #authors #authorinterview #PatrickGale #favouriteauthors

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

10th Birthday Special Feature: PATRICK GALE tells us what's on his radar

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Guest Alice Jolly has won the Walter Scott prize for historical fiction with The Matchbox Girl - here she chooses 4 novels set in/after the Nazi regime in Germany and asks 'What would you have done?' reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/07/gues... @alicejolly.bsky.social #Nazism #SecondWorldWar

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest feature by Alice Jolly: WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? - a round-up

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I'm sure her many writer friends and fans will be saddened to hear of the death of Mary Hooper. Today, on @WritersReview, I share my memories of her and my appreciation of her talents and fine contribution to YA literature. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/07/reme...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Remembering MARY HOOPER, 1945 - 2026, a tribute by Celia Rees

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/07/reme...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Remembering MARY HOOPER, 1945 - 2026, a tribute by Celia Rees

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Congratulations to @sheenawriter.bsky.social - MISS MCVEY TAKES CHARGE is longlisted for the CAP Awards for indie books. That's great news - and a first for Writers Review Publishing. Good luck with the next stages, Sheena!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Welcome back, writer & editor Jon Appleton, who reflects on his admiration for #AnnPatchett and enjoys her latest novel, Whistler. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/06/gues... @parnassusbooks.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social #greatreads #AmericanFiction

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest feature by Jon Appleton: 'This is the Time We Have' - my decade with Ann Patchett

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Lovely post by Nick Manns, on seeing landscape & settlements with fresh eyes after reading Hoskins' classic. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/06/gues... @littletollerbooks.bsky.social

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Nick Manns: THE MAKING OF THE ENGLISH LANDSCAPE by W G Hoskins

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Lovely review! Made me want to read the book and listen!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Regular contributor Cindy Jefferies enjoys this musical memoir by Carolins Sanderson: 'a wonderful journey full of fascinating asides.' . reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/05/gues... @boundlessbookshops.bsky.social #music #classicalmusic

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Cindy Jefferies: LISTEN WITH FATHER - HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE CLASSICAL MUSIC by Caroline Sanderson

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Woo, hoo!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Happy birthday, Writers Review Publishing! We launched our first 3 titles last April - now there are 5, with more on the way. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/04/writ... #writersreviewpublishing

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

WRITERS REVIEW PUBLISHING marks its first birthday

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Great post today and controversial- PC or non PC - let us know what you think...

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Guest Ann Jungman considers 'political correctness' from her experiences as teacher, publisher & author. Is it helpful, or a hindrance? reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/03/gues... #childrensbooks #childrensfiction #politicalcorrectness

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest feature by Ann Jungman - 'political correctness': help or hindrance?

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Today's post has brought this treat! We're looking forward to reviewing it soon. Thank you @tinderpress.bsky.social and Patrick Gale! #LoveLane

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Welcome to Wren James, who talks about writing as activism and how their own writing led to the formation of the Climate Fiction Writers League. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/03/spec... #clifi #climateawareness #climatefiction

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Special feature: GREEN RISING and the Climate Fiction Writers League, by Wren James

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Another excellent review from @cindyjefferies.bsky.social Real reviews by real writers @writersreview.bsky.social!

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Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

And handsome they look, too!

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Woohoo!

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

An important reminder that #RSPB was founded by women in response to the horrific trade in birds' feathers and skins to supply the Edwardian hat trade. Read more in this review by @lindanewbery.bsky.social

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Why isn't Etta Lemon better known for being one of four women who founded the #RSPB? Tessa Boase's engaging biography is an illuminating sweep of social history that gives Etta the acclaim she deserves. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/02/etta... @lindanewbery.bsky.social #birds #conservation

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ETTA LEMON: The Woman who Saved the Birds by Tessa Boase, reviewed by Linda Newbery

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

This sounds fascinating! GOD'S SECRETARIES (great title) - the writing of the #KingJamesBible by the amazingly prolific #AdamNicolson, praised by Graeme Fife: 'deft portraits of characters, strengths, quirks and all'. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/01/gues... @harperperennial.bsky.social

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Graeme Fife: GOD'S SECRETARIES - the Making of the King James Bible, by Adam Nicolson

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Great review. Well spotted Adele Geras!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Congratulations to the category winners in the Nero Book Awards - Benjamin Wood, Claire Lynch, Jamila Gavin and Sarah Perry! Sarah's Non-Fiction winner is reviewed here by Adele Geras: Overall winner announced 4th March. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/11/deat... #NeroBookAwards

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

DEATH OF AN ORDINARY MAN by Sarah Perry, reviewed by Adèle Geras

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

First guest of the year! Lawyer-turned-author David Breakell, talks about the motivation and inspiration behind his first historical novel. "It took a long time to unlearn the way a lawyer drafts a document…" reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/01/spec... #thriller #Genoa #DowerHouseBooks

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

SPECIAL FEATURE Q&A: David Breakell talks to John Case about THE ALCHEMIST OF GENOA

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

A bumper batch of great reads here!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Here's the final and even bigger batch of Book of the Year choices by our reviewers - all authors or independent booksellers. Excellent and wide-ranging choices here! Thanks to ALL our contributors, all authors or independent booksellers. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/12/book...

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

BOOKS OF THE YEAR Part 3: chosen by our contributors

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Our second round up. Some great choices here.

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Here's Part 2 of our Books of the Year roundups - great recommendations here by authors & booksellers. What's your best read of the year? Please tell us in the comments! reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/12/book... #greatreads #BooksoftheYear #readingrecommendations @booky.bsky.social

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

BOOKS OF THE YEAR part 2 - chosen by our contributors

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Very moving!

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Today's post: Adele Geras praises Sarah Perry's memoir about her father-in-law's death. "I was knocked sideways ... have often thought about it since & agree with the rave reviews it's received." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/11/deat... @vintagebooks.bsky.social #SarahPerry #death #bereavement

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

DEATH OF AN ORDINARY MAN by Sarah Perry, reviewed by Adèle Geras

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

This week's guest, regular contributor @cindyjefferies.bsky.social, finds much to enjoy in THE HUMMINGBIRD by Sandro Veronesi. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/09/gues... #translation #literatureintranslation #Italianfiction #greatreads

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

New bookseller guest! Richard Hayden of The Rye Bookshop chooses James Fox's excellent CRAFTLAND: "Craft, it is implied, is for hobbyists at home; instead, this tiny and shrinking minority do work. Hard work ... " reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/09/book... #Rye #bookshops #JamesFox #crafts

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Bookseller feature: Richard Hayden of THE RYE BOOKSHOP chooses CRAFTLAND by James Fox

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Welcome to new guest Sarah LeFanu, who praises Iris Murdoch's Under the Net: "Joy in thinking & observing, in the pleasures of friendship and pursuit of love, all vividly present in her first, utterly delightful novel." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/10/gues... @vintagebooks.bsky.social

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by Sarah LeFanu: UNDER THE NET by Iris Murdoch

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

"Asks deep questions about individual responsibility, whether past wrongs can be righted, how we adapt to climate change & nature loss, & what kind of future we can shape." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/10/albi... @lindanewbery.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social #AnnaHope #greatreads

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

ALBION by Anna Hope, reviewed by Linda Newbery

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Guest author David Breakell finds much to admire in Robert Harris's PRECIPICE, set in 1914. "Finds something new to say ... a seasoned political observer so the context is expertly handled." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/10/gues... #RobertHarris #historicalfiction #FirstWorldWar #greatreads

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

Guest review by David Breakell: PRECIPICE by Robert Harris

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Linda Newbery 📚✍️🌳🐝 🦊🦋📷Ⓥ @lindanewbery.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

If you'd like to read my new novel, THE ONE TRUE THING, it's available in Kindle form for just 99p for a limited period. amzn.to/4oSs7AZ #TheOneTrueThing #WritersReviewPublishing #newbooks #newfiction

The One True Thing

Buy The One True Thing: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Great novel. Thank you for the reminder Dennis Hamley on @writersreview.bsky.social

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Guest Dennis Hamley explains why A S Byatt's POSSESSION is hi 'favourite-ever' novel. "I re-read it once every three years and each time I find even more in it." reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/09/gues... #BookerPrize #ASByatt #greatreads #literarymystery #poetry @vintagebooks.bsky.social

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

'The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.' Regular contributor Graeme Fife comes to THE GO BETWEEN for the first time. 'At the end, I cried.' Who else loves this, and/or the film versions? reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/08/gues... #LPHartley #TheGoBetween #heatwave #1900

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@writersreview 📚 @writersreview.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

"Just like its customers, a bookstore has its own personality..." A new kind of bookshop feature today - guided by Venkatesh Swamy, we visit the thriving Eureka! in #Delhi to sample the rewards & irritations of daily bookshop life. reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2025/09/book... #India #indiebookshop

reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com

BOOKSHOP FEATURE: Inside an Indian Indie bookstore, by Venkatesh Swamy

Celia Rees @celiarees.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Check out our summer reads. We'd love to know what your choices would be!