My Week in Books – 18th January 2026

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On the blog last week

Monday – I shared my sign-up post for the When Are You Reading? Challenge 2026 and also published my review of historical novel The Huntingfield Paintress by Pamela Jones.

Tuesday – This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was Most Anticipated Books Publishing in the First Half of 2026.

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 The Eights by Joanna Miller.

Friday – I shared my review of A Granite Silence by Nina Allan.

Saturday – I took part in the Six on Saturday meme, sharing six things from my garden this week.

New on my shelves

Front cover of Sweep the Cobwebs Off the Sky by Mary O'Donnell

Sweep the Cobwebs Off the Sky by Mary O’Donnell (eARC, époque press)

As spring evenings lengthen over Kilnavarn House, two sisters, looking after their infirm mother, navigate the fragile territory between past and present.

Memories of a troubled upbringing resurface and the house holds onto the women, as it always has, refusing to let them go until long suppressed truths are spoken.

Sweep the Cobwebs Off the Sky is a tender exploration of ageing, memory, place, and the desire for reconciliation.

Sanctuary by Tom Gaisford (Bath Publishing)

Alex Donovan is a young refugee lawyer in crisis. Helping desperate clients reach safety is what gives his job meaning. But he now finds himself demoted, signed off sick for stress, and facing redeployment to the firm’s subterranean billing department.

Then there is Amy, the woman he adores. The irresistible junior barrister seems to be drifting away from him. With little to lose and all to prove, Alex dreams up a madcap plan to restore his honour and secure Amy’s affection.

The Draw of the Sea by Wyl Menmuir (Aurum)

The ocean fires our imagination, provides joy, solace and play but also wields immense destructive power. The Draw of the Sea explores communities whose lives revolve around the coasts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In the specifics of their livelihoods and their rich histories and traditions, Wyl Menmuir captures the universal human connection to the sea.

Into this seductive tapestry, Wyl weaves the story of how the sea has beckoned, consoled and restored him. Funny and uplifting, personal and profound, The Draw of the Sea will delight anyone familiar with the intimate and inescapable pull of the sea.

What I’m currently reading

I’m reading Benbecula and The Pretender from my TBR pile and listening to the audiobook of Mary Anne, the first book on my new Classics Club list.

Look out for…

  • Book Review: Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor
  • Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • Book Review: Ravenglass by Carolyn Kirby
  • Book Review: Tin Man by Sarah Winman

Six on Saturday – My Gardening Week

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

Once again the weather has not been ideal for gardening, the soil being either too wet or too cold. However today (Friday) the sun came out and I was able to take a few pictures.

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘John Flanagan’

One – One of the new shrubs I planted in the revamped front garden back in the autumn was Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘John Flanagan’. It’s not something I’ve grown before but the label tells me it should provide year round foliage and have scented flowers. Sounds good to me and it seems to be doing well so far.

Luma apiculata ‘Glanleam Gold’

Two – Another new addition to the front garden is Luma apiculata ‘Glanleam Gold’. Again it’s not something I’ve grown before but it promises aromatic foliage (although at the moment you’d have to crouch down to detect it), white flowers and colourful, non-edible fruits.

Escallonia ‘Apple Blossom’

Three – Nearby I’ve planted Escallonia ‘Apple Blossom’ which I’ve grown successfully elsewhere in the garden. You may have detected a pattern here – well-behaved evergreen shrubs with either flowers or berries to provide year round interest.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Four – Continuing the theme is Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ which one of my neighbours tells me I’ve planted in the wrong place because it will grow too big. She’s probably right but I’d always intended to prune it to keep it small. I have another more compact variety in one of the raised beds.

The mystery grass

Five – A grass of unknown variety as it was missing its label picked up in the sale section of my local garden centre. It seems to have withstood the recent cold weather which is promising.

Six – A Christmas gift from my husband, a copy of Frances Tophill’s latest book about wild flowers. I’m pretty rubbish at identifying them at the moment so hoping this will help. Even if it doesn’t it has beautiful illustrations.

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.