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Susie Dent @susiedentwords.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

I feel like the wheels are coming off and I’m unravelling. This is a tough time of year for neurodivergent families. Throw in some perimenopausal existential angst and it’s a perfect storm. I am retreating with books blankets and tea 💆🏻‍♀️

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

F wesstreeting and this damaging hateful narrative

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Stunning winter’s day for a long walk & a creative boost

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Rónán Hession @ronanhession.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Polite public announcement: I'm taking an extended break from reviewing books in order to rebalance my workload and focus on my writing. Publisher/PR people: best not to send me proofs. Likewise, blurb requests. I have always tried to be supportive but I need to read for my own writing now. 🙏

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

20 more mins of this and my husband is already beyond grumpy! We’re going to need stronger drink 🥃🫣 #IREvRSA

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

One day I WILL travel to India. It has always held a special place in my heart, yet a country I only understand via the literature I’ve read. In the meantime this new epic (in every sense) will suffice #booksky #amreading #GreatEasternHotel #RuchirJoshi @4thestatebooks.bsky.social

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

72 hours until I can get back here. The mountain of work and life-stuff that needs to happen between now and then seems insurmountable but Connemara, I’m coming for you 💚

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Another working week done and once again I’m coiled like a spring. Going to sack off my usual Friday chores and get in a sneaky nap to see if it will reset my nervous system somewhat ahead of a busy weekend.

media.tenor.com

a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .

ALT: a cat is laying on its back on a wooden floor next to a radiator .

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Bywater Books @bywaterbooks.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

🏳️‍🌈📚 Not gonna lie, our books? They damn slap. Plot twists. Vibes. Chaos. Feels. Wreckage. If you’re not reading us yet, what are you doing? #SapphicSky #LGBTQSky #BookSky

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Damian Barr @damianbarr.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Happy 100th @natlibscot.bsky.social Thank you to all the librarians & cleaners & accountants & coffee-shop folk & all the other staff & volunteers who take care of Scotland’s stories & open our doors to the world. Proud to be a Centenary Champ with Val McDermid. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

theguardian.com

Val McDermid and Damian Barr urge Scottish councils to halt library closures

Authors say plan to shut more than 20 public libraries could have devastating effect on Scotland’s cultural future

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Living my best life today: I’ve descaled the kettle AND the coffee machine 🤣

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

The best 3 days solo writing retreat. I’ve come back, not necessarily refreshed (as I was writing like a demon day & night), but with renewed clarity and focus. Very grateful to have had this opportunity in the beautiful Surrey Hills. #writingcommunity #retreatyourself

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Uk dwellers: can anyone help me get a copy within the UK? Waterstones showing as unavailable, even online is delivery August-October? What gives? Desperate to get my paws on a copy 🙏 #WallyLamb #BookSky #BookLovers

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Participated in a wonderful sensory walk this afternoon as part of our work ‘away day’. Thought I was good at connecting with nature but this was next level. Managed to do some journalling mid walk too #alwayscarryanotebook

media.tenor.com

a pixel art of a path in a forest

ALT: a pixel art of a path in a forest

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Booked myself a cheeky 2 night solo writing retreat for next month. I’m going to try and leave my chronic levels of procrastination and perfectionism at the door and get this novel ready for submission.

media.tenor.com

a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up

ALT: a penguin is sticking its head out of a hole next to a piece of paper that says please wrap it up

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

First day of no school-run-shenanigans means a quiet coffee in my garden with serotonin-boosting sunlight on my eyelids before I start my working week. Don’t forget to carve out some “you time” time today, no matter how small ❤️‍🩹 #itsthesmallthings

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Ellie Hawkes @elspells13.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Can't believe I am saying this, but I'm getting booked up for September! Do get in touch if you're thinking of getting some honest, helpful, affordable feedback on your manuscript after the summer to make sure I have you on my list! www.elspells.com

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Emma (emreadsthebooks) @emreadsthebooks.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

In the interest of connecting more with the roots of the book community... Please share with me what you're reading/what you've loved this year and what you're excited to read next Or ask for a rec? Just chat books with me!!! 💞💞💞 #BookSky

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Happiest of publication days to @laurasrobinson.bsky.social and this absolutely stunning book #TheArtOfALie. It was wonderful to hear Laura talk about her inspiration behind the book & some of the research she undertook. Here she is last night at her event at #WareLibrary. Out now! 🎉💚🍍

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Bert’s Books @bertsbooks.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Good morning. We are open. 📖☕️

I like my fiction the way I like my coffee - strong, slightly bitter, and preferably alone. - Pedro, bookseller

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Laura Shepherd-Robinson @laurasrobinson.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Thrilled that THE ART OF A LIE is in @goodhousekeeping.bsky.social '20 hottest books of the summer' feature. And in some very lovely company! 🍍🍦💚

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Kate Griffin @kateagriffin.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Thrilled to be taking #TheBlackbirdsofStGiles to @NairnFest in September! Join me and @Marciathewriter when we discuss our ‘outsider history’ novel with the brilliant @seanlusk1 on Friday Sept 5th 🐦‍⬛💚🐦‍⬛

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Epsom salts bath, freshly laundered towels and bed linen dried outside, a glass of wine, some dark chocolate and new books. #Sundaynightdoneright

media.tenor.com

a panda bear is sitting on a pink rope .

ALT: a panda bear is sitting on a pink rope .

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Such a brilliant way to kick start my weekend with a zoom with @menigestew tonight; chatting all things writing and books. That man is a diamond

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Cannot wait to get my paws on this! So exciting. Congratulations @jenniegauthor.bsky.social 🙌

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Waterstones @waterstones.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

FYI when we say ‘ugh where did summer go/how is it still raining/oh such a shame it’s grey today’ We really mean ‘what a great excuse to cancel plans/reading to the sound of rain is so cosy/can’t wait to get home to my book’ 🤗

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Ellie Hawkes @elspells13.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Once again, Elspells Writing Feedback is going into a new month just about fully booked! Thank you to all my lovely clients 😊🎉 Please do get in touch ASAP if you want to get pencilled in for JULY! www.elspells.com

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Vicky MacKenzie @vickymackenzie.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

My medieval mystics novel, For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain, currently costs just 209 of your shiny pennies on Kindle! (I have had one gin (one!) and got my own title wrong the first time I tried to post this. 😂🥂)

Cover of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain by Victoria MacKenzie with white Gothic-style font for title and yellow floral decoration (fresh hazelnuts!) at sides on navy blue background.

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Launched my Substack today! Interesting to see how it goes… I find Substack a really great medium just now for connecting with people

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

#booksky #books Fiction recommendations please set in Hebridean islands. Not Peter May - I’ve read most of his. Thanks 🙏

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Overcooked myself at work this week, so this afternoon has looked like this 📚🐕

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Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

BOOK NEWS! Susie Dent @susiedent.com has a new book coming out in September. "Words for Life". Offering year's supply of verbal vitamin shots guaranteed to entertain and enlighten! And Susie will be doing SIGNED & DEDICATED copies exclusively for us! Order HERE. tinyurl.com/3b2rtkc4

Front cover of Susie Dent's new book "Words For Life"

The blurb for Susie's new book.

"Did you know that the Scots have over 400 words for snow or what a binfluencer is? What about the medieval invention of Lubberland as a place for lazy teenagers or how Mayday became a request for help? Lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent does. From wabbit to dust bunnies, from the strange history of arse to the best ways to describe moonlight, WORDS FOR LIFE offers a full year's supply of verbal vitamin shots guaranteed to entertain and enlighten, to brighten and boost every single day. From a Mother-in-Law's Dream to a Yuleshard, in Susie Dent's hands these amazing expressions can fix (or at least nail) the problems of modern life, whether it's dealing with unrequited love or an unsatisfactory politician, eating a whole packet of biscuits or forgetting someone's name.

From starting January 1 with your best foot forward (qualtagh) to leaping happily into the unknown (with a drink in your hand) on 31 December, every year is a journey and now you have the perfect guide all the way through. And 365 words you'll want to keep for life."

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Can anyone recommend a good explanatory book/guide/website for getting started on Substack please 🙏

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Anyone know how to remove/disable the AI thing from WhatsApp chats? 😤

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

A couple of hours of me-time. Some edits Some reading A cheeky cocktail 🍹 🙏

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T(errifying) C(ryptid) Parker (she/her) @tcparker.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

A new low, even by Streeting/Telegraph standards Telling kids to "toughen up" in a cultural climate of permacrisis - instead of investing in the failing systems accelerating that crisis - should warrant a swift kick to the (figurative, and possibly also literal) bollocks, not a broadsheet op-ed

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ANMLY @anmlymag.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Call for Work: Autistic Protest Poetry This call for work seeks poetry by autistic writers that is socially-engaged, politically-charged, and geared toward raising our voices together against oppression and erasure. Deadline: July 1st More details: medium.com/anomalyblog/...

medium.com

Call for Work: Autistic Protest Poetry

Autistic people’s rights are being threatened. Our worth is being questioned. And suddenly, we’re facing a bizarre accusation that an…

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Bert’s Books @bertsbooks.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

If you have a printer that works, then time to stop doing whatever it is someone else is making you do. Get yourself a good book to read... maybe sit in a park somewhere. If you haven't got a printer that works, you should have done this hours ago.

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Northodox Press 📖 @northodoxpress.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Books packed and everything prepared for The Mithraeum Connection launch in Norwich tomorrow! A dark and brooding historical crime novel from the brilliant Stephanie Amey, you can order the book here: www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

If you think trying to access mental health care for young people is a nightmare in this country - think again when it comes to the vulnerable elderly 😭

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RatherBeReading @ratherbereading.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Dog walk and petrichor are a much-needed balm

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