Blog
Books I love, places that inspire me, and the stories behind my stories.
How Reading Made Me a Writer
I’ve always been a bookworm, but I really believe if I hadn’t been I would never have become a writer. A post to celebrate National Year of Reading.
My Five-Star Reads of 2025
Looking back at the books I read over the last year and sharing the ones I loved the most.
My December Reads 2025
The books I read during December 2025. What a wonderful selection to finish my year’s reading. Nostalgia, humour, Christmas, and good old-fashioned murder!
My November Reads 2025
Here are all the books I read in November, including Golden Age crime classics, cosy fantasy, contemporary festive romances, a gothic short story classic, and the return of an old favourite.
My October Reads 2025
The books I read and loved during October 2025, featuring Benedict Brown, Agatha Christie, Ruth Jones and James Corden, Abbie Hicks, Phil Rickman, and Christine Pullein-Thompson.
My September Reads 2025
The books I read during September 2025, featuring Sarah Hope, Agatha Christie, Jessica Redland, Dan Brown, LM Montgomery, and Lucy Jane Wood.
My August Reads
A mixed bag of books this month - everything from romance to contemporary fantasy to a children’s mystery. Plus, my first venture into gangland thrillers.
My July Reads
The books I read and loved in July 2025 - featuring Veronica Henry, Agatha Christie, Val Wood, Sue Townsend and K.T. Dady
My June Reads
The books I read and enjoyed in June, featuring Agatha Christie, Winifred Holtby, Jan Crowther, Daisy James and Jessie Cahalin.
My May Reads
The books I read and loved in May 2025, featuring Kate Foster, Agatha Christie, Jessica Redland and Milly Johnson.
My April Reads
A mixed bunch for April, including a trip to Rutshire with Jilly Cooper, a double helping of murder via Agatha Christie, and a visit to a magical village with Holly Martin!
My March Reads
Six books read in March, with three four-star, two four-and-a-half-star, and one five-star read!
My February Reads
The books I read in February - all four, four and a half, or five star reads!
My January Reads
After cutting down on my evening television viewing, I managed to fit in eleven books in January. Here’s what I read!
My Top Five Reads of 2024 and My 2025 Book Bingo!
My top five reads of 2024 and the reading challenge I’ve set myself for 2025.
The Irresistible Pull of Magic and Mystery
Why I can’t resist the pull of books about magic and mystery.
Enchanting! Some of My Favourite Magical Books
A sample of some of my favourite books about magic and the supernatural.
Five Fabulous Books about Witchcraft by Alys West
Author Alys West on her favourite books about witchcraft
In Praise of Libraries
Where would we be without libraries? If we’re not careful, there’s a real danger we’ll find out…