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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Talia Hibbert Books in Order
Here is everything you need to know about Talia Hibbert’s books.
With more than 15 novels to her name, Talia is a bestselling romance author currently living in Nottinghamshire.
In a similar way to many other romance writers, Talia started out by self publishing their first novella before being picked up by a traditional publisher. They specialise in writing diverse and inclusive romance stories, inspired by their own long term relationship and experience of living with fibromyalgia.
Lucy Score Books in Order
Here is everything you need to know about Lucy Score’s work.
Now a New York Times bestselling author, Lucy Score originally self published her first novella, selling 36 copies before it was picked up by a small publisher.
Several years later, Lucy signed a print publishing deal with Things We Never Got Over, which became hugely popular on TikTok and was the first of her books to hit the New York Times bestseller list.
Is Lucky Claw in Birmingham Worth the Hype?
I visited during a trip to Wolverhampton after seeing the arcade explode in popularity on TikTok.
I’ve loved arcades since I was a small child, when my dad would try to win me soft toys from the crane machines while we were on holiday.
My adult claw machine attempts have so far been less satisfying, and last year I spend £20 on Brighton Pier while attempting to win myself a prize from one of their many machines. Sadly, I left empty handed as the machines would not grip the toys properly, dropping them unceremoniously after every well aimed plunge of the claw.
Loop Earplugs Review - Do They Actually Work?
Here is my honest review of Loop Earplugs
First launched in 2016, founders Maarten and Dimitri wanted to revolutionise the way that we experience sound, inspired by their desire to enjoy concerts without damaging their hearing.
Nearly a decade later, Loop has now sold more than 4 million earplugs around the world for reasons that go beyond attending concerts, with products for different purposes and preferences.
Today they’re particularly popular within the neurodiverse community, as a way to help people who have a sensitivity to noise.
Inside Mayfield Garden Centre’s Refurbishment (2025)
Run by charity Solent Mind, Mayfield Garden Centre is a not-for-profit plant nursery, cafe and community centre based in Mayfield Park. I was invited to celebrate their reopening after an extensive renovation which saw the main greenhouse’s roof and floor completely replaced.
I visited during their official reopening which was attended by the mayor and a local television crew, who filmed the cutting of the ribbon, followed by a tour of their fantastic new space.
Stepping inside the garden centre, the first thing you’ll see is the main greenhouse, which is home to the centre’s shop and cafe, with a wide variety of plants, gifts, gardening accessories and decorative ornaments available to purchase.
Is the Therme Spa in Bucharest Worth a Visit?
Here’s everything you need to know about the largest spa in Europe, the Therme Spa in Bucharest.
I visited the viral Therme Spa in Bucharest as part of my 30th birthday celebrations, and while I technically knew that it was the largest spa in Europe, I still wasn’t prepared for just how enormous it really is.
The spa itself has three zones which you’ll find after changing in the locker room: The Palm, Galaxy, and Elysium. Each of these has different facilities and tickets are sold accordingly.
Blooms Cafe in Emsworth - Review
Tempted by their delicious looking hot chocolates and Instagram worthy decor, I stopped by Blooms Cafe to give their brunch menu a try.
Located just a short walk out of Emsworth town centre, Blooms Cafe is based on the same site as the Emsworth B&B Hotel.
Their new premises, the tea room, is located inside the hotel, while their previous space remains for visitors with four legged friends (dogs are not allowed inside the hotel).
Inside Heffers Bookshop & Cambridge Bookshop Guide
As one of England’s historic university cities, Cambridge has a wide variety of fantastic bookshops to explore.
Heffers is one of those - a vital and well regarded part of the literary scene in Cambridge, having been present in the city for over 100 years.
Formerly owned by the Heffer family, the shop was founded by William Heffer in 1876, initially selling stationary and later adding books. Heffers was eventually sold to Blackwell’s in 1999, but retains its independent charm.
Abby Jimenez Books In Order (2025)
Abby Jimenez writes fantastic contemporary romance novels, publishing her first in 2019 and bringing out a new book each year. I’ve only read a few so far but love what I’ve read and plan to finish reading through her backlist this summer.
Here are each of her books in order, starting with the most recent.
What to Pack for a River Cruise
Here are the essentials that you need to pack for your next river cruise.
If you’re reading this blog post then you’re probably about to set off on a river cruise.
You’ve made a great choice - river cruises are a fantastic way to travel, and the small size of the ships means that you’re able to dock right in the centre of the action.
The Best English Language Bookshops to Visit in Paris
A city beloved by bibliophiles, Paris is packed with stunning bookshops, libraries and literary cafes.
For those interested in literary history, you really are spoilt for choice. Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway by dining at Brasserie Lipp, and sip coffee with Oscar Wilde at Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. You can even visit the home of the famous French author Victor Hugo, who penned The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Misérables.
Paris has continued to embrace and champion the written word, and you’ll find dozens of bookshops to visit around the city. There are even a number of booksellers that specialise in English language books, making these shops a must visit for English speakers.
Shakespeare and Company, Paris - Bookshop Review
I explored Paris’ famous English language bookshop and literary meeting place, Shakespeare and Company.
I arrived at the bookshop on one of those cold yet sunny winter mornings as part of an excursion with Viking Cruises. The tour guide had allocated us an hour of free time to spend as we liked, and as most of the tour group pottered off to peruse the nearby Christmas market, I rubbed my hands together with glee, knowing that I was about to visit one of my bucket list bookshops.
Although many people report having to wait in line to enter Shakespeare and Company, I was fortunate and ended up walking straight inside.
Game of Thrones Reading Order
Author of the books which inspired the hit HBO show, George R. R. Martin has been writing professionally since he was 21 years old. Now in his 70s, Martin is well known for penning the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones.
Despite starting the series with the first book, A Game of Thrones, in 1996, the books remain unfinished with many doubting whether the final two novels will ever be released. The latest instalment, A Dance With Dragons, was published in the same year that the television show first broadcast, 2011.
Viking Skaga Ship Tour and Review - Viking River Cruises
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.
How to Train Your Dragon Movies in Order
Here is everything you need to know about The How to Train Your Dragon movies, based on the bestselling books by children’s author Cressida Cowell.
Loosely inspired by the books written by Cressida Cowell, there are currently three animated How to Train Your Dragon movies, with a live action adaptation currently in the works for 2025. There are also five short films and as well as three television series.
The Abbey Bookshop, Paris - Bookshop Review
Located in Paris’ Latin Quarter, The Abbey Bookshop is an independently owned Canadian bookshop specialising in English language books.
I was excited to finally visit this iconic shop during my recent visit to Paris, where I embarked on an exciting press trip with Viking Cruises, which involved sailing down the Seine on a roundtrip from the capital.
How Many Percy Jackson Books Are There?
A popular children’s fantasy series written by Rick Riordan, the first Percy Jackson book was published in 2005.
Heavily inspired by Greek mythology, the original seven book series follows protagonist Percy Jackson as he navigates discovering that he’s the son of the water god Poseidon. These are widely considered to be one of bestselling book series of all time, selling 180 million copies around the world in dozens of languages.
Louise Penny Books in Order With Summaries
A prolific writer of mystery novels, Louise Penny came to writing later in life. A former journalist who worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Association, Penny began her long running Inspector Gamache saga after writing her first book, Still Life, when she was in her 40s.
The series now totals more than 18 titles, written across two decades, all following Inspector Armand Gamache in his fictional village of Three Pines.
List of Kristin Hannah Books in Order
Born in California in 1960, Kristin Hannah is best known for her multimillion copy bestselling novel The Nightingale.
Hannah’s first published book, A Handful of Heaven, was released in 1991. She has continued to write prolifically since then and now has more than 20 novels to her name. Her very first book, however, was written with her mother who has since passed away from cancer. That novel remains unpublished.
21 Jane Eyre Quotes About Love, Life and Independence
One of my all time favourite books, Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Bronte and first published in 1847. While it’s now considered to be a classic work of literature, Jane Eyre received a mixed reception at first, with initial reviewers finding that the novel went against Christian values.
This perception changed as time went on, and as feminist values became more popular. Jane Eyre has since been adapted into a number of films and stage productions around the world, as well as a notable television series in 2006. Today, you’ll even find a manga adaption which was published in 2016 as part of UDON Entertainment’s Manga Classics series.
The book discusses a wide variety of themes that make it a popular choice for students, including love, life and independence.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.