My #achristieswapisannounced package from @jenniferw88 arrived today and it was certainly worth the wait!! Oh goodness! Thank you so so much Jenny. My most favourite AC novel in the editions I‘m collecting and the gorgeous HB greenshore folly and tote bag from my wish list! You‘ve made my Monday. Thank you! You were right, the card is hilarious! I‘ll have to frame it 🖤😹

#achristieswapisannounced opening day is FINALLY HERE!! I‘m so excited to see what everyone has got! Unfortunately my package hasn‘t arrived yet so I‘ll be enjoying Christie goodness through you all for today. Hope you all have enjoyed this Swap!

I‘ve finished reading Shadow of the Tomb Raider and it was everything I wanted it to be. What a truly enjoyable experience. My full review will be live on my blog on the 7th October during Literary Halloween 🎃 If you‘ve been thinking about this one then I suggest you buy it. It‘s a treat! They really should make more Tomb Raider novels. Thank you so much Philippa and @titan_books for the copy. #tombraider #laracroft #newreleases #booklover

Today‘s amazon delivery surpasses all level of amazing. I am blessed to have the mother I have. I brought the Classical world slipcase for Qd! Such a bargain, I was expecting one book, not a slipcase RRP‘ed at (d0. The mug and Tyldesley are gifts from my mother. ?? Blessed.

@julesG my #witchpleaseswap package also arrived. Now to hide it until October 31st! Yours is going out next week! @monalyisha #ancientegypt #egyptology #classicalstudies

Good morning lovelies! I‘m embracing the cosy this morning with coffee, carrot cake and this delightful new release from @titan_books 🐞

I grew up watching my dad play Tomb Raider games and still now like to watch when my dad is playing the new games. Beside Evelyn O‘Conner from The Mummy films, Lara Croft has majorly inspired my love for the ancient world and all the secrets it holds. So, naturally I had to get a copy.

Success! I‘ve finished my read of A Room with a View by E. M. Forster. I think overall for me it‘s a 3-3.5 star. I enjoyed it, but it seemed a little slow to start, I was over halfway through the book before it became apparent it was a love story, and this resulted in the romance seeming rushed and ungraceful to me. I was pleased with the ending but had hoped for something more. I will though, enjoying reading more of Forsters works. 🐞

House work is done, bookshelves are rearranged, altar is tidied.... I‘ve ran out of things to do. So picking up Forster to finish and then going back into Joann Fletcher because I got sidetracked and never finished it before. 🐞

I‘ve had some lovely news that my first choice uni for an Egyptology MA are planning a course to start in time for my graduating my BA classics so I‘m holding out that they get it up on time! 🙏🖤 #Currentlyreading

Things were not mixing well with myself and the Alienist. It seems a wonderfully good read but I am not feeling like a thriller right now so it‘s gone back into the TBR and I‘ve picked up some E. M. Forster instead. I was recommended this particular Forster many moons ago by Liz @wildbonbons and have still yet to read it so I think it‘s time. 🐞#currentlyreading

After desperately searching for The Alienist by Caleb Carr for half the year, The Works came to the rescue by selling a rerelease edition with a tv collaboration cover for the new series. I want to watch the series but was determined to read the book first, I was lost for a book to read next and my daughter chose this for me so let‘s begin 🐞
#thealienist #classics #thriller #modernclassics #historicalfiction

Hey guys! This October I‘m hosting a literary Halloween party via bookstagram and my blog, I‘m hoping to spread the festivities here too so please check out my blog post about this lovely month-long event if you‘re interested in joining me! If you want my photo challenge sharing here too, comment below and let me know. https://mysticreadsbookblogblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/introducing/ #halloween #spookyreads #literaryhalloween

@jenniferw88 Your #achristieswapisannounced package is swhizzing it‘s way to you now. Hope you love everything! 🖤🙏

Yay! Opening day is finally here and omg Rachel! You spoiled me. I adore everything! Can‘t believe we got each other the same direwolf! Unfortunately mine got broken a little in the post but my dad assured me he can fix it. 🙊🖤 Thank you Jenny for hosting! @jenniferw88 @ScorpioBookDreams #aswapoficeandfire

Current Reads 🌹🐞

I‘m delving into my Halloween TBR a little bit early and reading a spooky Buffy style retelling of Alice in Wonderland called A Blade so Black. This book is released October 9th by @titan_books and I‘m super excited to dive in! I love Alice in Wonderland and retellings of it are my kryptonite. 🐞 #aliceinwonderland #retellings #pompeii #classics #classicsstudent #classicalstudies #rome #spqr #newreleases

#hobbitweek — Favourite theme or subplot. To me this will always be adventure. 🐞

Tolkien has always been about that facing your fears, taking a leap of faith and going on the adventure to your destiny. I felt this immensely when reading the Hobbit for the first time when I was a mere child of eight. I still feel it now whenever I reread the Hobbit. It‘s almost inspiring, and I find that all of Tolkien‘s books have this. #tolkienite #tolkien

I‘m going to read this long awaited wonder. I mean, I waited MONTHS for this book to finally be released and arrive on my doorstep and have since not had chance to read it so. Yeah. Let‘s go! 🐞👌🏻 #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #dinosaur #spinoffs #theevolutionofclaire

So, it‘s #hobbitweek and In The Hobbit I‘ve always been a touch impressed by Thorin‘s Map (invisible moon runes and all!) and Kili‘s rune Stone. Yes, yes, they‘re not I suppose magical artefacts in the way this is meant but they show clearly to me both the magic of intention (Kili‘s stone) and the magic of words/runes and the moon (Thorin‘s map), and really they‘re very real kinds of magic. 🐞

#jrrtolkien #tolkien #tolkienite

Thank you @titan_books for this beyond beautiful book for review. Just look at those black sprayed edges. 🐞

Strange Ink by Gary Kemble is a perfect read for the spooky season and comes out 9th October ready for your Halloween TBR. I‘m really excited to delve into this one. #halloweenreads #horror #fantasyhorror #newreleases #spookyreads #thriller #strangeink

My current reads — The Iliad by Homer Trans. By Anthony Verity. Pompeii by Mary Beard. 🐞

Annnndddd, say hello to my autumn theme. It‘s all set and ready to go. I‘m in awe of it and I am so ready for all the autumn goodness! *looking at you spiced lattes at Costa* 🐞

What are you reading right now? #greek #rome #spqr #ancientrome #ancientgreece

“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.” 🐞

I‘m so so so excited to see everyone‘s packages showing up for #achristieswapisannounced 🙊🖤 I‘m so excited about this swap! Hurry up September 30th! 😹
If you have any problems please don‘t hesitate to contact me and I‘ll do all I can resolve the issue.

💋🖤

On a side note, sorry I‘ve been so MIA on Litsy, it‘s been so busy these last few weeks with uni preparation and getting my daughter settled in her new nursery.

“αὐτίκα δʼ ἐξ ὀχέων σὺν τεύχεσιν ἆλτο χαμᾶζε.
τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδὴς
ἐν προμάχοισι φανέντα, κατεπλήγη φίλον ἦτορ,
ἂψ δʼ ἑτάρων εἰς ἔθνος ἐχάζετο κῆρʼ ἀλεείνων.
ὡς δʼ ὅτε τίς τε δράκοντα ἰδὼν παλίνορσος ἀπέστη
οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς, ὑπό τε τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα,
ἂψ δʼ ἀνεχώρησεν, ὦχρός τέ μιν εἷλε παρειάς,
ὣς αὖτις καθʼ ὅμιλον ἔδυ Τρώων ἀγερώχων
δείσας Ἀτρέος υἱὸν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής.” 🐞

#classics #classicist #bibliophile

So, my little one is out for the day with my sister and nephew so my afternoon is going to be all about getting through more of my Iliad reread and looking through my uni materials for this first block! It‘s getting closer and I cannot wait. 🐞

Can it be October yet? #a229 #exploringtheclassicalworld #greekliterature #ancientgreece #classics #classicist #classicsstudent #classicalstudies

A little bit last minute because one of the items got delayed and only arrived yesterday! 🤦🏼‍♀️🙊 But @ScorpioBookDreams Your #aswapoficeandfire package is whizzing on its way to you right now. @jenniferw88

In other news, my last #achristieswapisannounced item is due Monday so I will posting that off Monday or Tuesday to you Jennifer 👌🏻🖤

Good morning 🐞

First coffee and a bit of Homer to start the day right. Today is going to be a full day of studying bridging materials in preparation for uni starting back. I started yesterday but my daughter is at nursery all day today so I‘m dedicating the day to such pursuits. 🐞

#greekliterature #homer #greekepic #ancientgreek #classics #classicist #classicsstudent #classicalstudies

Thank you SO MUCH RACHEAL! @ScorpioBookDreams 😘🖤

I had to open the box because I didn‘t know what it was but I‘ve safely stored this to die for prizes away for now! Safe until opening day. All except for the beautiful pink package you added for my little princess, I let her have that after nursery for being brave and we read the book before bed. She LOVES it. Thank you.
Your package is shipping out Friday! #aswapoficeandfire @jenniferw88

“Does such a thing as 'the fatal flaw,' that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn't. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.” 🐞

I could quote this book for the rest of my life and still find some new striking line with each reread. I can‘t be the only one who feels this way, surely?
#thesecrethistory #donnatartt

Continuing my journey through The Hedge Witch‘s Way by Rae Beth now I‘ve gotten down a few review copies. I‘ve almost finished this book now so I‘m trying to decide what to read next. I believe Practical Magic may be a fun choice as I‘ve never yet read the book despite adoring the film. Decisions decisions. #currentlyreading #hedgewitches #hedgewitch #witchybooks #booklover #bookblogger #bookstamums #bookish

I have gleaned so much inspiration and wisdom from this book. It‘s beautiful and it has sang to my soul. This is a book I‘m going to be rereading often. If you‘ve been thinking about this one, get it and treasure it. #herbmagick #currentlyreading #hedgewitches #herbiary #theherbiary #bookstamums #booklover #bookish

Good morning beautiful souls 🖤✨

Last night I finished Sherlock Holmes vs. Cthulhu and started reading and exploring The Herbiary. It‘s so so beautiful and whimsical. It‘s really more like an immersive guide to the botanical oracle cards that come with it than a book of herb lore and magic but it‘s still wonderful. I can‘t wait to get into the cards. #currentlyreading #herbmagick #hedgewitch #herbiary #oraclecards

I‘m on a roll it seems with amazing books and getting through them in an evening. Why can‘t all my read be like this!? Anyway, my review is now live for this literary cocktail and I couldn‘t recommend it enough. Find my review here: https://mysticreadsbookblogblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/01/sherlock-holmes-vs-cthu... #cthulhu #sherlock #scififantasy #newrelease #scifi #loisgresh

My evening in books 🖤✨

It‘s the little things that make my evening. Warm blankets, cosy PJs, scented candles, copious amounts of coffee, good books, going-to-bed birdsong outside the window. It‘s like a bedtime ritual for me to just enjoy these few small things for an hour or two before I go to sleep. Without them I feel lost. 🖤✨

QOTD: What is your bedtime ritual? #currentlyreading #witchybooks #lovecraftian #scififantasy

Now we have our #witchpleaseswap matches (and I have already brought three items for my match! — yes! I‘m going to be exceeding the minimum 😹😹) I thought I‘d take a leaf out of Laurie‘s @miralunasbooknook book and post a photo of my witchcraft books. Excluded is the Illustrated Herbiary by Maia Toll which I posted prior to this post. I also own a few witchy fiction books by Alice Hoffman and Louisa Morgan. #witchybooks #witchcraft #witch

#bookmail best mail 🖤✨

I finally got my copy of The Herbiary by Maia Toll. It includes 36 oracle cards and information about 36 botanicals with guidance and rituals. It is soso beautiful. I have of course, brought two copies one for myself and one for my #witchpleaseswap match👊🙏 #herbiary #herbmagick #greenwitch #naturewitch #witchybooks #bookstamums #booklover #bookblog #bookish #bookworm

I know I said this about my last read, BUT.... this book is unputdownable! It‘s one of those books that is going to be really freaking awesome, or so so so terrible. It‘s the former! Hands down. Gresh gets the characters Holmes and Watson to a tee and certainly would make Doyle proud. And the lovecraftian elements are PERFECT. I need book one immediately 😍✨ #literarymashup #currentlyreading #cthulhu #sherlock #lovecraftian#scififantasy

Sooo, I might be super super excited about the #witchpleaseswap by @monalyisha and I may have already ordered two items for my match! 😹😹

Swiftly into my next review copy. Sherlock Holmes vs. Cthulhu by Lois H. Gresh. As an avid lover of Doyle and Lovecraft, this mash-up is promising to be a real treat. Let‘s hope I‘m not disappointed ! 🙊🖤

Thank you to @titan_books for the copy! #currentlyreading #fantasy #crime #sherlock #cthulhu #literarymashup #bookstamums #bookish

Good morning beautiful souls 🖤✨ I finished The Book of Hidden Things last night. Oh My Gods!! This book! There are no words. NO. WORDS. It‘s is sublime. I think this is the first 5 star rating I‘ve given in a long time now.
I‘ve posted a full review on my blog: https://mysticreadsbookblogblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/31/the-book-of-hidden-thin...
TBOHT is available now from all good bookstores 🙏✨

Yay!! I got my match for the #witchpleaseswap by @monalyisha — unfortunately it‘s one of those secret ones so I can‘t say whom it is but I‘m so excited to buy for them and already have so many ideas! 👏👏👏🖤🖤🖤

I‘m finding myself blown away by this book. It‘s way more than I was expecting. I can‘t really put into words how much I‘m enjoying it. It‘s mystery, fantasy,magic, mayhem — absolute chaos in book form. I cannot put it down.

The characters are unlovable yet wonderful, the intrigue has me hooked. 🖤✨🙊 #currentlyreading #fantasy #mystery #darkliterature #bookstamums #bookblogger #bookish #bibliophile

Late night thoughts... 🖤✨

So, I‘m 100 pages into The Book of Hidden Things and I can actually see the “Donna Tartt” ness that I was told about. It‘s not a patch on Tartt‘s writing but the plot and atmosphere has great The Secret History vibes and has kept me reading late into the night. I‘m eager to read more and see where this goes. For now, sleep, because I feel like a badgers arse. 🤦🏼‍♀️✨#currentlyreading #booklover #bibliophile #bookblog

I am physically and mentally unable to process life today. I‘m going to crawl into a bowl of Nobby‘s mums distressed pudding and watch Jane Eyre with Michael Fassbender. Call me when a new moon rises. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ #Discworld #terrypratchett #sirterrypratchett #gnuterrypratchett #speakhisname

It‘s been a long time coming but I‘m finally getting around to my backlogged review copies. Starting it off right with Francesco Dimitri‘s The Book of Hidden Things which is marketed as the lovechild of Donna Tartt and Neil Gaiman. You had me at Donna Tartt, of course! Huge thank you to @titan_books for sending me this beautiful looking book. #bookstamums #booklover #bookaddict #bookworm #bobliophile #bookish #bookblog

Really enjoyed reading in the garden all day today whilst the babies played outside. Minus one or two bumps it‘s been a great day. I‘m over halfway through The Oedipus Cycle and yes, it‘s just as amazing as I recalled it being. Can‘t wait to get to Antigone.

If you‘ve read Sophocles, which is your favourite play? #classicsstudent #ancientgreek #sophocles #bookstamums #classics #classicist #classicalstudies

I‘ve decided to reread some Sophocles. I haven‘t read Antigone (my favourite Greek play!) since the summer before last so I think I‘m well due a reread. 🙊

I go for new glasses next Tuesday and I‘m excited! I have my eye on adorable Kylie ones with tiny round frames in gold like cute little grandma glasses. The moon is in Aries and it‘s a time to be daring so I‘m trying something new! 🙊🖤✨ #greekplay #ancientgreek #classicist

Finished A Hat Full Of Sky and now I‘m debating my next read.

I‘m getting excited the closer it gets to going back to uni too! I‘m hoping my textbooks will arrive soon so I can see what I‘ll be covering this year. I‘m also excited about covering Homer again this year (I already know this because it‘s a set book!) 🙊 Am I the only one who can‘t wait to get back to Studies? #classics #classicist #classicsstudent #classicalstudies #ancientgreek

SORCERYANDSWORDS IS NOW SOPHOCLESSWEETHEART!

Attention littens! Update, my handle is now Sophoclessweetheart instead of sorceryandswords. Hello! 👋

Could you please make note of this in the #JBUK list please Kate @River_Voice and also could it be noted by Jennifer @jenniferw88 and Alyisha @monalyisha for the #witchpleaseswap and #aswapoficeandfire Litsy swaps please ?? Thank you thank you xoxo

Here‘s what‘s fun! Finding a super surprising and wonderfully unknown Pratchett book! I literally came across this by chance and have never seen or heard of it before but I‘m super happy to have found it. Anyone seen or heard of this one before? 😹🖤 #Pratchett #terrypratchett #sirterrypratchett #gnuterrypratchett #speakhisname #bookstamums

Thank you Jessica @jhod 🖤🙊✨ I will send you something as thanks ASAP! I haven‘t already got this book, thank you! I‘ve recently started reading Hardy and love him so I look forward to reading these! Also yes, I do use IG too and post 90% of my Litsy posts there too. And finally, yes again 😹😹 When I say classics I mean Greek and Latin in 70% of cases. 😹🖤 #JBUK

This evening I‘m hoping to finish A Hat Full Of Sky and maybe The Hedge Witch‘s Way too. I feel like I‘ve been reading these two books forever and I‘m loving them so I don‘t want to end up in a slump. It‘s time to get serious and knuckle down with them. 👊

I‘ve got my eye on a few books I might like to start next but I‘m still narrowing it down. #gnuterrypratchett #sirterrypratchett #speakhisname #terrypratchett #currentlyreading #bookstamums

The little one is poorly so mama gets to read whilst she snuggles up with me and watches Little Princess. I hate when she has an upset that I can‘t help right away. She‘s got a tummy upset and all the home remedies in the world aren‘t helping, nor is calpol. Poor babe. Rob Anybody has a PLN but I don‘t think that will help either. For now coffee and cuddles.

What are you reading right now? #gnuterrypratchett #sirterrypratchett #terrypratchett