Martha
@mlb5.bsky.social
Teacher of English | KS4 Lead | Examiner | Parent
#38 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kala by Colin Walsh
Recommend to everyone, bloody loved this. Especially elite as an audiobook listen. Joint favourite read of the year
Kala by Colin Walsh
Recommend to everyone, bloody loved this. Especially elite as an audiobook listen. Joint favourite read of the year
October 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
#38 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kala by Colin Walsh
Recommend to everyone, bloody loved this. Especially elite as an audiobook listen. Joint favourite read of the year
Kala by Colin Walsh
Recommend to everyone, bloody loved this. Especially elite as an audiobook listen. Joint favourite read of the year
#37 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. An interesting multi-perspective novel, rooted in history and a new novel for me to teach to year 9.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. An interesting multi-perspective novel, rooted in history and a new novel for me to teach to year 9.
October 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
#37 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. An interesting multi-perspective novel, rooted in history and a new novel for me to teach to year 9.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. An interesting multi-perspective novel, rooted in history and a new novel for me to teach to year 9.
#36 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. My first ever read of this fascinating, beautiful, dark story.
October 9, 2025 at 9:05 PM
#36 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. My first ever read of this fascinating, beautiful, dark story.
#35 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. In a strange way kind of linked to my previous read, really enjoyed this!
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. In a strange way kind of linked to my previous read, really enjoyed this!
September 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#35 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. In a strange way kind of linked to my previous read, really enjoyed this!
The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. In a strange way kind of linked to my previous read, really enjoyed this!
#34 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Really enjoyed this mixed time line!
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Really enjoyed this mixed time line!
September 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#34 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Really enjoyed this mixed time line!
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Really enjoyed this mixed time line!
#33 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. “A long, sad story.”
‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. “A long, sad story.”
August 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
#33 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. “A long, sad story.”
‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ by Thomas Hardy. “A long, sad story.”
#32 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. My first TJR novel, and enjoyed it!
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. My first TJR novel, and enjoyed it!
August 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
#32 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. My first TJR novel, and enjoyed it!
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. My first TJR novel, and enjoyed it!
#31 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘You are here’ by David Nicholls. Loved this heartwarming story of nature and love!
‘You are here’ by David Nicholls. Loved this heartwarming story of nature and love!
August 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
#31 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘You are here’ by David Nicholls. Loved this heartwarming story of nature and love!
‘You are here’ by David Nicholls. Loved this heartwarming story of nature and love!
#30 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘My name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout. An enjoyable story and an interesting character, would recommend for a short yet powerful read
‘My name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout. An enjoyable story and an interesting character, would recommend for a short yet powerful read
June 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
#30 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘My name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout. An enjoyable story and an interesting character, would recommend for a short yet powerful read
‘My name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout. An enjoyable story and an interesting character, would recommend for a short yet powerful read
#29 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins. An interesting story idea and structure but I thought some plot points seemed to work out a bit too easily
‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins. An interesting story idea and structure but I thought some plot points seemed to work out a bit too easily
June 15, 2025 at 7:53 AM
#29 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins. An interesting story idea and structure but I thought some plot points seemed to work out a bit too easily
‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins. An interesting story idea and structure but I thought some plot points seemed to work out a bit too easily
Book 28 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ by Jacqueline Harmon. This is a short, amazing yet somewhat frustrating novella. Would recommend
June 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Book 28 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ by Jacqueline Harmon. This is a short, amazing yet somewhat frustrating novella. Would recommend
Book 27 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ my first ever Kristin Hannah novel and perhaps my favourite book this year. The delicate story of love, loss and the power of nature as the characters start their life in Alaska.
June 1, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Book 27 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ my first ever Kristin Hannah novel and perhaps my favourite book this year. The delicate story of love, loss and the power of nature as the characters start their life in Alaska.
#26 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Animal Farm by George Orwell
Re-read before marking season starts next week. Listened to the audio which voiced Squealor in a very Trump sounding accent, and, for some reason, Napoleon was Australian.
Re-read before marking season starts next week. Listened to the audio which voiced Squealor in a very Trump sounding accent, and, for some reason, Napoleon was Australian.
May 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
#26 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Animal Farm by George Orwell
Re-read before marking season starts next week. Listened to the audio which voiced Squealor in a very Trump sounding accent, and, for some reason, Napoleon was Australian.
Re-read before marking season starts next week. Listened to the audio which voiced Squealor in a very Trump sounding accent, and, for some reason, Napoleon was Australian.
Book 25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. I’m not sure how I crossed paths with this book. Not my usual thing at all. Set in the Indian Wars in America and some points super bloody and grotesque but the last 5 chapters or so swung it for me. A great Irish writer ☘️
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. I’m not sure how I crossed paths with this book. Not my usual thing at all. Set in the Indian Wars in America and some points super bloody and grotesque but the last 5 chapters or so swung it for me. A great Irish writer ☘️
May 26, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Book 25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. I’m not sure how I crossed paths with this book. Not my usual thing at all. Set in the Indian Wars in America and some points super bloody and grotesque but the last 5 chapters or so swung it for me. A great Irish writer ☘️
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. I’m not sure how I crossed paths with this book. Not my usual thing at all. Set in the Indian Wars in America and some points super bloody and grotesque but the last 5 chapters or so swung it for me. A great Irish writer ☘️
Book 24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Running the Room by Tom Bennet. An oldie but a goodie as a work CPD read!
May 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Book 24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Running the Room by Tom Bennet. An oldie but a goodie as a work CPD read!
Book 23 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Surprised by how much I loved this, possibly one of my favourite books all year
Surprised by how much I loved this, possibly one of my favourite books all year
May 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Book 23 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Surprised by how much I loved this, possibly one of my favourite books all year
Surprised by how much I loved this, possibly one of my favourite books all year
Book 21 ⭐️⭐️ On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
A hugely hyped book which I just couldn’t get in to. It’s written really poetically and I can totally see why it’s been so celebrated but, personally, I found it a bit of a slog…
A hugely hyped book which I just couldn’t get in to. It’s written really poetically and I can totally see why it’s been so celebrated but, personally, I found it a bit of a slog…
April 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Book 21 ⭐️⭐️ On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
A hugely hyped book which I just couldn’t get in to. It’s written really poetically and I can totally see why it’s been so celebrated but, personally, I found it a bit of a slog…
A hugely hyped book which I just couldn’t get in to. It’s written really poetically and I can totally see why it’s been so celebrated but, personally, I found it a bit of a slog…
Book 20 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Boy From The Sea by Garret Carr
A real heartwarming, Irish tale ☘️Donegal, 1973, two brothers, one of which came from the Sea…
A real heartwarming, Irish tale ☘️Donegal, 1973, two brothers, one of which came from the Sea…
April 13, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Book 20 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Boy From The Sea by Garret Carr
A real heartwarming, Irish tale ☘️Donegal, 1973, two brothers, one of which came from the Sea…
A real heartwarming, Irish tale ☘️Donegal, 1973, two brothers, one of which came from the Sea…
Book 19 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Loved this! A hugely hyped book which for me more than lived up to it’s recommendations.
A beautiful story.
Loved this! A hugely hyped book which for me more than lived up to it’s recommendations.
A beautiful story.
April 8, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Book 19 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Loved this! A hugely hyped book which for me more than lived up to it’s recommendations.
A beautiful story.
Loved this! A hugely hyped book which for me more than lived up to it’s recommendations.
A beautiful story.
Book 18 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Marple. Originally chosen as wider reading for work, but turned in to an easy / fun read. 12 different women crime authors take on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and the result is 12 really enjoyable short stories. Already loved Lucy Foley and a few more authors on my TBR now
April 3, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Book 18 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Marple. Originally chosen as wider reading for work, but turned in to an easy / fun read. 12 different women crime authors take on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and the result is 12 really enjoyable short stories. Already loved Lucy Foley and a few more authors on my TBR now
Book 17 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. Reading a story about a global flu pandemic which wiped out 99% of the population was an interesting choice 5 years post lockdown! But an engaging dystopian story nonetheless, with connections between characters pre and post societal collapse.
March 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Book 17 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. Reading a story about a global flu pandemic which wiped out 99% of the population was an interesting choice 5 years post lockdown! But an engaging dystopian story nonetheless, with connections between characters pre and post societal collapse.
Book 16 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 73 Dove Street by Julie Owen Moylan. This was a beautifully written but desperately sad story of three women in the 1950s. It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this but fascinating and tragic in equal measures
March 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Book 16 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 73 Dove Street by Julie Owen Moylan. This was a beautifully written but desperately sad story of three women in the 1950s. It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this but fascinating and tragic in equal measures
Book 15 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer
Not what I was expecting at all but this was a real treat. Definitely recommend listening to the audio. I’d say best enjoyed going in blind, and if anyone has read this and knows of anything similar pls send recs my way!
Not what I was expecting at all but this was a real treat. Definitely recommend listening to the audio. I’d say best enjoyed going in blind, and if anyone has read this and knows of anything similar pls send recs my way!
March 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Book 15 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer
Not what I was expecting at all but this was a real treat. Definitely recommend listening to the audio. I’d say best enjoyed going in blind, and if anyone has read this and knows of anything similar pls send recs my way!
Not what I was expecting at all but this was a real treat. Definitely recommend listening to the audio. I’d say best enjoyed going in blind, and if anyone has read this and knows of anything similar pls send recs my way!
Book no. 14 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Al Capone does my shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. YA novel set on Alcatraz Island, narrated by a teenage boy whose family move to the rock for his father’s job. A heartwarming story of family dynamics and growing up
by Gennifer Choldenko
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. YA novel set on Alcatraz Island, narrated by a teenage boy whose family move to the rock for his father’s job. A heartwarming story of family dynamics and growing up
March 11, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Book no. 14 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Al Capone does my shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. YA novel set on Alcatraz Island, narrated by a teenage boy whose family move to the rock for his father’s job. A heartwarming story of family dynamics and growing up
by Gennifer Choldenko
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. YA novel set on Alcatraz Island, narrated by a teenage boy whose family move to the rock for his father’s job. A heartwarming story of family dynamics and growing up
Book no. 13: Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sweet story with an interesting Sci-fi set up. I found some of the plot a bit underdeveloped and the first 50 papers or so are quite jumpy and hard to follow, but overall a pleasant read with a lovely message
A sweet story with an interesting Sci-fi set up. I found some of the plot a bit underdeveloped and the first 50 papers or so are quite jumpy and hard to follow, but overall a pleasant read with a lovely message
March 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Book no. 13: Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sweet story with an interesting Sci-fi set up. I found some of the plot a bit underdeveloped and the first 50 papers or so are quite jumpy and hard to follow, but overall a pleasant read with a lovely message
A sweet story with an interesting Sci-fi set up. I found some of the plot a bit underdeveloped and the first 50 papers or so are quite jumpy and hard to follow, but overall a pleasant read with a lovely message