My Week in Books – 31st May 2026

Tuesday – This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was My Favourite Books By My Favourite Authors.

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.

Thursday – I published my review of Carrion Crow by Heather Parry.

Saturday – I joined other gardeners for #SixonSaturday, sharing six things happening in my garden this week. I also published my review of Once the Deed Is Done by Rachel Seiffert, shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2026.

Not a sausage…

I’m reading Dwell, published in paperback on 11th June by Northodox Press and, from my NetGalley shelf, Prey which will be published on 2nd July by Head of Zeus. I’m also listening to the audiobook of Call Me Ishmaelle, my book club’s pick for June.


  • Book Review: Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell
  • Book Review: Once the Deed Is Done by Rachel Seiffert
  • Book Review: Prey by Graham Hurley
  • Book Review: Dwell by Rue Baldry

#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in my garden this week

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

Still no rain to speak of here in Berkshire although we’re forecast to get some on Monday. I hope so because our water butts are all empty and we’ve had to resort to using the hose, watering only those plants that absolutely need it. They all need it really. Anyway, enough grumbling, here are my six:

One – Clematis growing up the supports for our cordon pears. I think it’s ‘Étoile Violette’ but the label is hidden beneath a large clump of purple sage growing at its foot, providing the shade its roots like.

Two – A penstemon of unknown variety, a gift from a neighbour who does not do labels.

Three – The purple flowers of campanula persicifolia.

Four – A lovely deep pink shrub rose of unknown variety (it came with the house).

Five – What I think is a nice combination of Salvia nemorosa and – at the moment – a diminutive Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’.

Six – Another combination, this time of foliage. Alchemilla mollis, bronze-leaved heuchera, hardy geranium and bergenia all getting along together.

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.