My Week in Books – 15th February 2026

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On the blog last week

Tuesday – This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was a freebie on the theme of romance/love. My list featured ten Books With Heart in the Title.

Wednesday – As always WWW Wednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next… and to take a peek at what others are reading.

Friday – I published an excerpt from A Billion Sharp Pieces, the debut novel by David Looby.

Saturday – I took part in the #SixonSaturday meme sharing six things happening in my garden this week.

New on my shelves

Where the Shadows End by Louisa Bello (eARC, époque press)

Sam, a 45-year-old Londoner of dual heritage, has lived his life accompanied by voices no one else can hear. Chief among them is the taunting echo of a childhood bully who refuses to let Sam forget the guilt he carries over his mother’s death.

When his elusive, dream-like girlfriend, known only as Boat Woman, disappears without warning, Sam’s fragile world begins to unravel, and he becomes convinced that only his death can protect those he loves.

As the past and present collide in Sam’s fractured mind, he is drawn into a labyrinth of memory and revelation that challenges everything he thought he knew. But the voices that haunt him may yet become his guides, if he can only find the courage to listen.

Luminous, unsettling and tender, Where the Shadows End is a powerful meditation on self-acceptance, the nature of guilt and the need to belong.

What I’m currently reading

I’m reading Time of the Child, one of the books on the shortlist for the Winston Graham Historical Prize 2026, and The Cut Line from my NetGalley shelf.

Look out for…

  • Book Review: The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall

Six on Saturday – My Gardening Week

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Six on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations.

Another week with only limited opportunities to get in the garden although the forecast for today is good, albeit cold. Despite this, is it too soon to say we’re getting the first signs of spring?

One – Topmost buds on Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ just before we’re forecast to have a cold snap.

Two – More buds forming this time on a viburnum.

Three – For me, the only saving grace of this spiky mahonia is the early flowers.

Four – ‘Charlotte’ potatoes happily chitting away.

Five – First appearance of anemone blanda.

Six – A brief appearance by the sun persuaded this clump of crocus to think about opening. Just think about it, mind you.

Do check out the posts of other participants by following the links in the comments section of Jim’s post. If you fancy taking part yourself but don’t know where to start, here’s the participant’s guide.