News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
- home
›- Portobello Book Blog by Joanne
›- Books & Literature
Portobello Book Blog by Joanne - Books & Literature
13 | Follower
Top Ten Tuesday 8th July 2025: Books I’d Like to Re-read | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Books I’d Like to Re-read This week's topic, books I'd like to re-read, was suggested by Becky @ Becky’s Book Blog. She's asked us to come up with a list of ten books we'd like to re-read. Now, I rarely re-read a book. There are so many shiny new books being published all…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Luna Westish #author of Meet Me at the Ruins – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to be joined by an author whose book features a student who comes to study in Edinburgh for a semester. As you'll find out, the author herself also studied in Scotland so has drawn on her own experience - but only a bit! Over to Luna Westish to tell us more. Tell me…
Summer’s One Must Read Book 2025 [Book Reviews] #Collaboration #MustReadBook #SummerReading #BookX #booksky #BookBlogger #booklist #readingrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be taking part in Carol's "Summer’s One Must Read Book 2025" collaboration again this year. Thanks Carol for having me along! Do check out Carol's post to find a wide range of reading recommendations from bloggers from various parts of the world. A worldwide summer reading multi-blogger extravaganza.....Find your next great summer…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Eliza J Scott #author of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay | @rararesources @ElizaJScott1 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to welcome Eliza J Scott back to the blog. Eliza has been a guest before, talking about Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage, the second in her Micklewick Bay series. Today she's telling us about Cupcakes and Kisses in Mickewick Bay which is the fifth book in the series. Over to Eliza to tell us…
#6Degrees of Separation for July 2025: From Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser to An Italian Island Summer by @SueMoorcroft 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
This month we are starting with Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser. I haven't read it but the book blurb says: "It's 1986, and 'beautiful, radical ideas' are in the air. A young woman arrives in Melbourne to research the novels of Virginia Woolf. In bohemian St Kilda, she meets artists, activists, students -…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Paul Dunkerley #author of Deepseek: Nothing In The Dark – Portobello Book Blog
I'm joined today by Australian indie author Paul Dunkerley. He's here to tell us about his book Deepseek: Nothing In the Dark which is available now in paperback and digital editions. Over to Paul to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest book It's the First in the Deepseek series. It began…
Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood | #bookreview #respectromfic | @TeamBATC 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I adored Laura Wood's last novel Under My Spell which I said in my review 'could just be a perfect rom-com', so Let's Make a Scene had a lot to live up to. And it most certainly did! Jack and Cynthie were young stars in a period drama film that became a cult classic but…
What I Ate In One Year by Stanley Tucci | #foodie #memoir #nonfiction #bookreview | @figtreepenguin 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
I am a big fan of Stanley Tucci and, having loved his memoir Taste, I asked for What I Ate in One Year from my family for Christmas. Yes, it has taken me a while to get round to reading it! In the meantime, I've also bought his cookbook and have enjoyed cooking some dishes…
WWW Wednesday 2nd July 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? My goodness, July already! And it has definitely been feeling like summer in recent days. I was away over the weekend and it was so warm! Since I was away, I haven't had much time to listen to much more of my audiobook but I'm really gripped by Worst. Idea.…
Top Ten Tuesday 1st July 2025: Ten audiobooks I recommend | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #amlistening #audiobooks #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Freebie/Throwback - audiobook recommendations This week's topic gives us free rein to either come up with our own topic or to look back at previous topics and choose one of those. I found an 'audio freebie' topic from back in March 2019 which is before I started taking part. So I'm sharing…
Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering | #romcom #bookreview | @JaneLovering @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I am a big fan of Jane Lovering's romantic fiction. She never fails to make me smile and often has a cracking first line to catch your interest and draw you in. In this case it's 'There was a pig in the kitchen with its trotters on the table and its snout in the fruit…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Caroline Orman #author of The Other Side of Fear – Portobello Book Blog
I'm joined today by an author who has drawn upon her own experiences of an abusive marriage to write her book. Caroline Orman's The Other Side of Fear is available in paperback and digital editions. You'll find a buying link further down this page. Over to Caroline to tell us more. Tell me THREE things…
The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag | #MagicalCambridge #BookReview | @AllisonAndBusby @MennavanPraag 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag is part of the author's Magical Cambridge series. Publishers Allison and Busby recently re-released the books with gorgeous new covers. You can read about all of them in a recent blogpost here: Magical Cambridge. I was lucky enough to be sent three of the books…
Captivating Character of the month: June 2025 – George from The Light a Candle Society by Ruth Hogan | #LinkParty #memorablecharacter 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
It was an easy choice for me this month. I absolutely adored George from Ruth Hogan's The Light a Candle Society. He was such a compassionate and caring character. I liked that when he saw something that upset him, he was moved to do something small to make a difference. And that something small led…
The Light a Candle Society by Ruth Hogan | #bookreview | @ruthmariehogan @AtlanticBooks @CorvusBooks 📚💙 – Portobello Book Blog
It's publication day for The Light a Candle Society by Ruth Hogan and I'm delighted to share my review of this wonderful book. While tending his late wife's grave, George is moved and troubled to see a funeral taking place with no-one in attendance. On further investigation, he discovers that it was what is called…
WWW Wednesday 25th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I've just started reading Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering ahead of my blog tour spot next week. I always enjoy her books so have been really looking forward to this one. I'm dipping in and out of non-fiction book Life Lessons from Historical Women by Eleanor Morton and…
#TopTenTuesday 24th June 2025: The Quintessential Summer Book Tag | #BookTag #BookX #BookSky #BookBlogger #TuesdayBookBlog 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Top 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…
Right Place, Right Time by Ali McNamara | #bookreview | @BloomsburyBooks – Portobello Book Blog
Although I usually enjoy the books I read to be firmly grounded in reality, there's something about Ali McNamara's books which I can't seem to resist. Perhaps she has cast a spell on me! Eve owns an antiques shop in Clockmaker Court in Cambridge and loves finding out the stories behind everything she sells. Clockmaker…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Dianne Haley #author of A Dose of Fear – Portobello Book Blog
I'm very pleased to welcome author Dianne Haley to the blog today. Dianne's earlier novels were WW2 historical fiction but she has now written a contemporary thriller set in the pharmaceutical industry. A Dose of Fear was published earlier this month. Over to Dianne to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
Fifteen Days in Paris by Jon Davey | #bookreview #nonfiction #memoir #photography #Paris 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be reviewing a book by local photographer Jon Davey today. I'm grateful to Jon for bravely giving me a copy to read. It's always a little concerning reviewing a book by someone you know. What if you don't like it? Could be awkward: luckily that isn't the case here! Fifteen Days in…
First Line Friday 20th June 2025: The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag | #FirstLineFriday | @AllisonAndBusby @MennavanPraag – Portobello Book Blog
As I write this, I am literally about to start The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag. So I will be discovering the first line as I open the book to share it with you! It's part of the author's Magical Cambridge series and publishers Allison and Busby have recently re-released the…
Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine | #romcom #romanticfiction #bookreview #BookBoyfriend | @lecv @TeamBATC 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Book Boyfriend is about twin sisters who couldn't be more different if they tried! Clara is scattered brained and flamboyant, always looking for her next adventure whereas Jemma is quieter, and content with her friends and books. Jemma had always felt overshadowed by Clara's exuberance as a child and they didn't really get on. I…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Sheena Kalayil #author of The Others | @fly_press 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to welcome another author to the blog today. Sheena Kalayil is chatting about her fourth novel, The Others, which is published today by Fly on the Wall Press. Congratulations Sheena - tell us more about the book. Tell me THREE things about your latest book THE OTHERS is set in a small city…
WWW Wednesday 18th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm reading Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine ahead of my spot on the blogtour this Friday. I'm still reading What I Ate in a Year by Stanley Tucci, and in case you are eagerly following the progress of my slow read, I'm now 33% of the way through Middlemarch. What…
A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas | #bookreview #Lovelovestories #respectromfic #feelgoodfiction | @jo_thomas01 @TransworldBooks @PenguinUKBooks 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Whenever I open a Jo Thomas book I know I am going to be transported to somewhere wonderful, read about mouth-watering food and follow her characters on the road to romance. When we meet Thea and her family though, romance couldn't be further from her mind. Her husband Marco had died suddenly a couple of…
Top Ten Tuesday 17th June 2025: Spring 2025 to-Read List check-in | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Spring 2025 to-Read List check-in This week's topic should really be ten books on my Summer reading list. However, I've recently published my #20BooksOfSummer list (you can see that here) so rather than repeat myself, I thought I'd have a look back at my Spring reading list and see how I got…
Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie | #bookreview 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
It seems ironic to be reviewing a book that is about the consequences of reviewing! As an Edinburgh resident, I enjoy the Fringe Festival and all the exciting things that happen in August but I also hate the way the city is so busy, public transport gets delayed and it's so difficult to get anywhere…
Menna van Praag’s Magical Cambridge series | @AllisonandBusby @MennavanPraag 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I was delighted recently to receive three books in Menna van Praag's Magical Cambridge series. Publisher Allison and Busby are reissuing five of the novels with pretty new covers. Three are already available: The House at the End of Hope Street, The Witches of Cambridge and The Lost Art of Letter Writing. Two more will…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Sheila Averbuch #author of Pitch Your Book | @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to welcome Sheila Averbuch to the blog today. Sheila has previously written a middle grade thriller about the dangers of social media called Friend Me but this book, Pitch Your Book, is for all you would-be writers out there. It was published on 3rd June and is available as an ebook, audiobook and…
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner | #bookreview | @HQStories | 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I've always enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's books so I was delighted to receive a copy of her latest novel, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits. It's described as being perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. Well, I didn't actually like Daisy Jones and the Six but I loved this book! I can see why…
25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie | #bookreview | @lovebookstours.bsky.social @emblabooks @bonnierbooks_UK – Portobello Book Blog
I've been eagerly anticipating reading this book and it didn't disappoint. I loved Natalie Fergie's debut novel The Sewing Machine, which told the story of the owners of an old Singer sewing machine over more than a 100 years. 25 Library Terrace looks at the people who lived in that particular house in Edinburgh again…
Over The Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft | #bookreview and #giveaway | @SueMoorcroft @rararesources @AvonBooksUK – Portobello Book Blog
Over the Sea to Skye is the concluding book in Sue Moorcroft's Skye Sisters trilogy. So far we have met two of the sisters and all three have been adopted. You can certainly read this as a standalone but you would miss out on Ezzie and Thea's stories and that would be a shame. This…
WWW Wednesday 11th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? Yes, Mr Tucci finally made the cut and I've started reading What I Ate in One Year! I'm almost finished listening to Lindsey Kelk's One in a Million and I've just started reading Ali McNamara's Right Place, Right Time which is due for publication on 19th June. What have I…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Margaret Amatt #author of Last First Kiss at the Village Church | @rararesources @AmattAuthor – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be joined by author Margaret Amatt. Margaret has been a guest on the blog on a few occasions and today she's answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about her latest novel, Last First Kiss at the Village Church. Over to Margaret to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Mo Fanning #author of Rainbows and Lollipops | @HannahHargrave8 @mofanning.co.uk – Portobello Book Blog
Today it's the turn of author Mo Fanning to answer my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about his latest book, Rainbows and Lollipops which is due for release this Thursday, 12th June. You'll find full details about the book and a buying link further down the page. Over to Mo. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
A Secret Escape by Sarah Morgan | #bookreview | @SarahMorgan_ @HQStories – Portobello Book Blog
If there are two words that sum up Sarah Morgan's latest book, A Secret Escape, they are friendship and family. Milly and Nicole had been friends since childhood and even when Nicole became a hugely successful film star, they still had that strong bond until Milly's marriage broke up and Nicole inexplicably just wasn't there…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Catherine Yaffe, #author of The Shadow Killer plus #giveaway | @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Today I'm joined by author Catherine Yaffe who is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about her novel The Shadow Killer. It's the latest in her DI 'Ziggy' Thornes series and it sounds very dark! Over to Catherine to tell us more and don't miss your chance to enter a very generous giveaway. Details further down…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Deborah Klee #author of The Evacuee’s Secret | @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Rachel's Random Resources has certainly been keeping me busy featuring her authors over the past few days and my third post of the day features The Evacuee's Secret by Deborah Klee. It's been described as a gripping dual timeline story of love, loss and betrayal: over to Deborah to tell us more. Tell me THREE…
#6Degrees of Separation for June 2025: from All Fours by Miranda July to The Lost Lover by Karen Swan – Portobello Book Blog
We're starting this month with All Fours by Miranda July. I haven't read it although I see it's been nominated for many prizes. It's about an artist who embarks on a road trip across the US without her husband and son and, from what I can tell from reviews, has something of a sexual awakening!…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Francesca Capaldi #author of Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel | @rararesources @FCapaldiBurgess – Portobello Book Blog
It's a busy day on the blog today and this is the second of three posts! I'm delighted to welcome Francesca Capaldi back to the blog. She was here before chatting about her book All Change at the Beach Hotel and today she's talking about the latest in the series, Stormy Skies at the Beach…