While the heatwave may have technically broken, we’ve still had hot weather after our Friday night thunderstorms. They were so loud, but fortunately caused nothing worse than a bad night’s sleep. Our hot weather is not nearly as bad as other countries have been seeing.

The heat means we have tomatoes starting ripen in the garden and the courgettes and cucumbers are in full flow. So I foresee lots of salads in my future.

I’m keeping up my pace of two reviews a week with A Master of Djinn and Lock Every Door. And a very sexy edition of She Who Became the Sun dropped through my door today. I’m a total sucker for sprayed edges, and now they are stencilled AND ombre. What a treat. Also I have heard good things about the words encased within.

Last week I read This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron, which I was really enjoying for about three-quarters and then the ending really let it down. It’s about a girl who has power over plant growth, is also immune to their poisons, and she inherits a mysterious house. Cue learning about her ancestors, which was all great and fun and sinister, but everything was rushed at the end and so much extra was thrown in that didn’t quite fit the vibes I was getting earlier on in the story.

I also read Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell which was for Popsugar’s “Women’s Prize Winner” prompt, so I resented the book a bit as there were other things I would rather be reading. That wasn’t fair on the book as it is undoubtedly well written, I’m just not sure it’s my kind of book. I’m quite surprised so many people recommended it last year considering it’s a plague book. I will certainly sort through my feelings on it and write a proper review.

Then as a reward for ticking off a difficult prompt I read A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers which is a perfect little book about the meaning of life and the power of a good cup of tea!

New books acquired:

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin (ebook)
The Ivies by Alexa Donne (ebook)