top of page


March Reading Wrap-up
March was a month of variety in my reading life, one that took me from tightly wound psychological suspense to quietly devastating literary fiction, with a detour into imaginative fantasy along the way. I found myself drawn to stories centred on secrets, whether whispered through threatening letters, buried in the past, or hidden within relationships, and the consequences of those truths surfacing. Indie Stand Out Read Silent Victim Caroline Mitchell Told through multiple per
brightwritenow
Apr 52 min read
Â
Â
Â


February Reading Wrap-Up đ
February was a busy month, which meant I didnât quite manage to get through everything on my ever-growing TBR. That said, I still had some fantastic reads across a mix of thrillers, fantasy, literary fiction, and YA. From unsettling literary explorations to addictive popcorn thrillers, here are some of the highlights from my February reading. Half His Age  â Jennette McCurdy Jennette McCurdyâs novel demonstrates considerable literary ambition, offering an unsettling, first-pe
brightwritenow
Mar 105 min read
Â
Â
Â


I Dare You
A Short Story by Lucy Brighton âI dare you to knock on the witchâs door,â I say. âAnd say what?â âRun away or sheâll turn you into a frog or summat.â âI think weâŚI donât know, Lolly.â Rachelâs fourteen months older than me, almost eight, but youâd think she was younger. Sheâs yellow. Thatâs what Mum calls someone who is chicken. Her lip trembles and I know she doesnât want to cry in front of me or Iâll call her Tiny Tears. Guilt gnaws in my belly, flooding my body and mak
brightwritenow
Feb 276 min read
Â
Â
Â


Reflecting on January Reading: A Monthly Wrap-Up of Books, Highlights, and Book Mail
January often feels like a fresh page, a chance to set new goals and embrace new experiences. Here are my 2026 reading resolutions. If youâre looking for book recommendations or inspiration to start your own reading journey, this post will offer a detailed glimpse into a month well spent with books. Publisher Mail Cape Fever  by Nadia Davids is a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant novel set in South Africa in the 1920s, within a British colonial society defined by ri
brightwritenow
Feb 63 min read
Â
Â
Â


A Journey Through November Reads
Book Club Book A Tale for the Time Being Ruth Ozeki A Tale for the Time Being is a novel of striking ambition. It blends themes of time, identity, and cross-cultural connection. Ozekiâs premiseâNaoâs diary washing ashore in Canadaâdraws Ruth into the mystery of the girlâs life. This inventive concept is initially enchanting. Naoâs voice is sharp, insightful, and often profoundly moving. Her reflections on bullying, displacement, and Zen philosophy form the novelâs emotional
brightwritenow
Dec 2, 20252 min read
Â
Â
Â


October Reading Wrap-Up đđ
October always feels like the perfect month to curl up with a dark, twisty book, and this year didnât disappoint. Highlight My standout read for this month was Small Boat . Inspired by the 2021 Channel disaster, in which 27 migrants drowned, Small Boat is a stark, unsettling novella. It examines responsibility, complicity, and the failures of empathy. Told through the perspective of a French radio operator accused of negligence, the story unfolds as a relentless stream of th
brightwritenow
Oct 26, 20254 min read
Â
Â
Â


September Reading Wrap-up
đ September Reading Wrap-Up: A Journey Through Dark Thrills and Unexpected Love Stories đ September has been a month filled with dark thrills, unexpected love stories, and thought-provoking non-fiction. My reading pile took me on quite the ride. From unsettling psychological suspense and chilling cult mysteries to tender magical realism and sharp cultural critique, some books gripped me with their atmosphere. Others left me questioning believability, while a few were simpl
brightwritenow
Sep 29, 20252 min read
Â
Â
Â


August Reading Wrap Up
August was another brilliant reading month for me. Here are the highlights! Kindle Unlimited Highlight Tiny Daggers Caroline Corcoran...
brightwritenow
Aug 30, 20253 min read
Â
Â
Â


July Reading Highlights: Thrilling Adventures Await
Kindle Unlimited Highlights Jess Loureyâs The Taken Ones is a chilling, well-paced thriller that blends psychological depth with a gripping cold case mystery. Set in small-town Minnesota, the story follows detective Van Reed and forensic psychologist Harry Steinbeck as they unravel a decades-old disappearance tied to a present-day murder. Loureyâs writing is gritty and immersive, with strong character developmentâparticularly in the nuanced relationship between Van and Harry
brightwritenow
Aug 4, 20253 min read
Â
Â
Â


June Reading Wrap-up
June was a fantastic reading monthâI powered through 15 books, and it was a whirlwind of thrillers, emotional gut-punches, and a few...
brightwritenow
Jun 25, 20253 min read
Â
Â
Â


May Reading Wrap Up
Introduction I've read fourteen books in the month of May and I have been spoiled! Where better to go when the world has gone mad than...
brightwritenow
May 27, 20254 min read
Â
Â
Â


April reading wrap-up
Hereâs a quick look back at the books that kept me company in April
brightwritenow
Apr 23, 20255 min read
Â
Â
Â


March reading wrap-up
March has been an excellent month for reading!
brightwritenow
Mar 29, 20252 min read
Â
Â
Â


Crafting Compelling Flash Fiction: Top Tips and Advice
Flash fiction has quickly become a favourite among writers. This concise form of storytelling is not just about brevity. Itâs about...
brightwritenow
Feb 13, 20254 min read
Â
Â
Â


January reading roundup
As January comes to a close, itâs the perfect time to look back on the books that have enriched my reading this month. From thrilling...
brightwritenow
Jan 25, 20255 min read
Â
Â
Â


Fairy Tale by Stephen King - Review
This book is different from Kingâs usual stuff and not at all what I expected going in. Itâs still got his signature pacing and...
brightwritenow
Sep 24, 20243 min read
Â
Â
Â


January reading roundup
What a start to 2024 it has been reading wise. I have a varied and delightful array of books to share with you. I've included my star ratings and a few of my January reading highlights. The year started with the January BCW Book club pick: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell is a novel that weaves together multiple interconnected narratives spanning decades and genres. At its core, the story follows the life of Holly Sykes, whose ordinary e
brightwritenow
Jan 29, 20242 min read
Â
Â
Â


All booked up
Christmas is done and I am now the lucky owner of MANY more books! This year my husband did bookadvent for me. He's a keeper, right? ...
brightwritenow
Dec 26, 20231 min read
Â
Â
Â
bottom of page




