Rachael Scotson
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rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Rachael Scotson
@rachaelscotson.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.1K following 930 posts
Writer — MAWYP @BathSpaUni. @bathnovelaward.co.uk and The Bedford Competition longlistee. Book reviewer, librocubicularist, wobbly pot thrower and owner of “officially” the prettiest dog.
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rachaelscotson.bsky.social
This week I’m reading Alice with a Why by Anna James and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.

I’m listening to The Maid by Nita Prose and The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo.
Two books on a desk. Alice with a Why Return to Wonderland by Anna James. And The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. The audiobook cover of The Maid by Nita Prose. The audiobook cover of The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
November 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
🥳

Thanks so much for your help.
“Congratulations! You’ve completed the Hidden Books Game from National Book Tokens” The picture is a black woman with a dragon tattoo, wearing white pyjamas, reading in a cosy lounge. A dog next to her, a cat in the basket, a Christmas tree and bookshelves.
November 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Good morning, BBB. Gosh how these weeks do fly. How did you get on with Legends and Lattes?

This week I’m reading Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones and Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton.

I’ll be listening to James by Percival Everett and Big Swiss by Jen Beagin.
The book Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones. Cover are is a girl and boy with a dapper man with a cane and top hat in front of a castle. The book Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. Cover art is a green background with a silhouette of a crow and a bloodhound, and the skyline of Seattle. The audiobook James by Percival Everett. Cover art is an orange background with a Black man with a nap sack wading up a river. The audiobook Big Swiss by Jen Beagin. Cover art is a yellow and turquoise background with the profiles of two dog snouts close together. One snout is black with a red nose. The other snout is white with a brown patch, a black nose and a red tongue poking out, almost touching the black snout.
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Does anyone know what kinds of mushrooms these are? Are they poisonous?
A cluster of mushrooms, some with grey, flattish caps with frilly edges, some with brown, domed caps.
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Read The Eighteenth Emergency by Betsy Byars, after Andy Stanton recommended it in one of his videos. It’s a short children’s story that’s also suitable for tall children and adults of any height. A modern classic with a familiar theme and an unusual resolution and moral. Loved it!
The book, The Eighteenth Emergency by Betsy Byars. Cover illustration, by Quentin Blake, is a glum looking boy wearing jeans and a red jacket, sitting on the bottom stair. Beside him is a scruffy brown sausage dog.
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Listened to this novella on my walk today. It was captivating in its own strange way, but I’m glad it was short. Didn’t want to be in the company of the protagonist for any longer than I was.
The audiobook cover of Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. Cover are is sky blue background with white writing and a plastic fish filled with soya sauce in the middle.
November 6, 2025 at 6:11 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Good morning & happy Monday!

This week, I’m reading the latest YA novel by Alexia Casale, one of my MA tutors.

I’m listening to Lies Sleeping and False Value, books 7&8 in @benaaronovitch.bsky.social’s Rivers of London series.

I’m also listening to @matthaig.bsky.social’s YA novel Echo Boy.
The book, Not That Kind of Hero by Alexia Casale. Cover art is a teen girl with blonde hair sitting backwards on a stool looking towards a teen boy sitting in an armchair and offering her a flower. The audiobook cover of Ben Aaronovitch’s Lies Sleeping. Cover art is a stylised map of London with the Thames a river of blood running through it. The audiobook cover of Ben Aaronovitch’s False Value. Cover art is part of a map of London drawn in neon Green over a black background. The audiobook cover of Matt Haig’s Echo Boy. Cover art is the face of a teen boy with flawless skin and piercing blue eyes, all with a pale blue hue.
November 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
This timeless middle grade story by Michael Morpurgo about friendship, bravery, love and hope is delightful, and beautifully illustrated by Benji Davies. It would make a most excellent bedtime story read over a few nights.
The book, The Puffin Keeper, by Michael Morpurgo. Illustrated by Benji Davies. Cover art is a lighthouse surrounded by images of the keeper with his torch, in his boat, letting go a puffin, and a boy.
October 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
I enjoyed the unusual and thoughtful illustrated novel by Isobel Harrop. Perfect for teens navigating life, emotions and relationships.
The book, The Isobel Journal, by Isobel Harrop. Illustration is a teen girl wearing a stripy top and short skirt above red buildings against a blue sky.
October 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Physics for Cats by @tomgauld.bsky.social is hilarious and very clever. It would make an excellent Christmas present 🎁
The book Physics for Cats (Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld). Cover is purple with a Escher type impossible 3D shape with black cats walking and sitting on it in different planes.
October 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
An odd mix for me this week. In the run up to Halloween, I’m reading a selection of spooky stories.

As for audiobooks, I’ll be listening to David Nicholls’s You Are Here, and @tirzahprice.bsky.social’s Pride and Premonition.
Three spooky books: Tales of the Damned by Matt Ralphs and Taylor Dolan, Spooky Celebrations Around the World by Matt Ralphs and Veronika Kotyk, and Wierd Fiction an Anthology by various classic authors. The audiobook of David Nicholls’s You Are Here. Blue background with map contour lines and a location arrow pointing to a bench. Audiobook cover of Tirzah Price’s Pride and Premonition. Green background with colourful flowers, foliage and a knife, and regency style silhouettes of a man and a woman.
October 27, 2025 at 9:55 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Good morning. This week I shall be feasting on The Nothing Girl by @www.joditaylorbooks.com and Clariel by @garthnix.bsky.social Delicious!
The book, The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor. Cover art is a horse surrounded by glittering sparkles. The audiobook, Clariel by Garth Nix. Cover art is a city island under a stormy sky. A young woman and a dragon in the foreground.
October 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Good Monday morning BBS. This week I’m reading Songlight by Moira Buffini and Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green.
The book Songlight by Moira Buffini. The audiobook Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green.
October 13, 2025 at 6:17 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Happy Mondays 🪇

This week I am polishing off the novellas in @benaaronovitch.bsky.social’s Rivers of London series.

It’s all things feline on the listening front: Matt Haig’s To be a Cat, and Warriors Into the Wild by Erin Hunter.
Three novellas from Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series: The Furthest Station, The October Man, and Winter’s Gifts. The audiobook cover of Matt Haig’s To be a Cat read by Chris Pavlo. Illustration is five black cats sitting and stretching, and it says, “Be careful what you wish for.” Audiobook cover of Erin Hunter’s Warriors Into the Wild. Cover art is half a ginger cat face with a green eye hiding in the long grass.
October 6, 2025 at 5:27 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Saw this and thought of you @acaseforbooks.bsky.social.

www.fortnumandmason.com/rory-dobner-...
A white milk jug with a black line drawing of Alice (in Wonderland) holding a flamingo.
October 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Good morning!

I’m listening to Death at Morning House written by Maureen Johnson and reading Katherine Rundell’s Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old And Wise.
The audiobook cover of Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson. A green antique chair and wooden table on a green carpet against a green wall with three framed old photographs. Pink writing drips down the wall and onto the chair. Katherine Rundell’s book Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old And Wise leans against a parrot cushion. A dog is curled up, asleep, in front of the book. The book is red with a stylised owl’s face.
September 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Happy Monday, BBS!

Teaching begins on my MAWYP this week, so I’m focusing on kids’ books.

I’ll be reading the Zeina Starborn duology by fellow MA student @hannahdurkan.bsky.social.

I’ll be listening to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey by Gillian Cross, and Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean.
Two books by Hannah Durkan: Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale, and Zeina Starborn and the Emerald King. The audiobook: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey by Gillian Cross. Cover art is two Greek warriors fighting. The audiobook: Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean. Cover art is a child abseiling into a cave full of gulls.
September 22, 2025 at 8:15 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
This week I’m listening to Natasha Brown’s debut novel Assembly, followed by her Booker Prize longlisted second novel, Universality.

I’ll also be listening to Women’s Prize shortlisted Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton.

I’m reading Brat by Gabriel Smith.
The audiobook cover of Natasha Brown’s Assembly The audiobook cover of Natasha Brown’s Universality. The audiobook cover of Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare. The novel Brat a Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith.
September 15, 2025 at 6:39 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Hard to chose just four, but my son and I loved all of these stories, so I reckon at least one would be a hit with your friend’s son.
The book I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery. Cover art is a dog wearing a red neckerchief against a fiery red sky. The book Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Cover art is a sailing boat in the sea. A boy and a dog are in the water. The book Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. 65th Anniversary Edition. Cover art is a boy silhouetted against a full moon under a tree. The graphic novel The Girl & The Galdurian by Tim Probert. Cover art is a girl and a friendly looking humanoid creature on top of a hill.
September 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Happy Monday, @bigbeardedbookseller.com.

This week I’m reading Katherine Rundell’s first novel The Girl Savage (aka Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms).

I’m also polishing off the rest of the graphic novels in Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series.

And I’ll be listening to Asako Yuzuki’s Butter.
The book: The Girl Savage by Katherine Rundell. The cover art is the silhouette of a girl on a horse trotting through the African countryside at sunset. Six graphic novels from Ben Aaronovitch’s The Rivers of London series: Night Witch, Black Mould, Water Weed, Monday Monday, Deadly Ever After, Stray Cat Blues. The audiobook cover of Asako Yuzuki’s Butter. Bright yellow background, dairy cow, bloody fingerprints.
September 8, 2025 at 6:43 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
This is Ayro. She’s highly spirited!
A pretty little auburn dog sitting on a wall
September 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
This week I’ll be reading the first book in the Skandar series. Aiming to read them all before A.F. Steadman comes to Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

I’ll also be reading Matt Ralphs’s Norse Myths, illustrated by Katie Ponder.

I’ll be listening to Dan Stevens read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
The book Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by AF Steadman. Cover art is a boy riding a fearsome unicorn with lightening coming from his hand against a red sky. Two other unicorns with riders in the background. The book Norse Myths (Meet the Gods, Monsters, and Heroes of the Vikings) written by Matt Ralph’s and illustrated by Katie Ponder. Cover art is a Celtic circle with wizard, wolf, ship, hammer, mask and tree inside. The audiobook cover of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens. A simple black background with green lightning flashes across it.
September 1, 2025 at 10:48 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
I do like it when the next @newscientist.com book club novel is one I already own. It makes me feel a little bit intellectual.
Ursula Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed. Cover art is a man in a space suit under a blimp type spacecraft against a lurid green rocky background.
August 29, 2025 at 10:17 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Happy bank holiday Monday 😎

This week I’m reading E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, for the first time!

I’ll be listening to @garthnix.bsky.social’s Abhorsen. Move over Mogget, the Disreputable Dog has stolen my heart.

And I’ll also be listening to @emiliahart.bsky.social’s The Sirens.
The book Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Cover art is a colour drawing of a girl with a red dress and red ribbon in her blonde hair. She’s hugging a pig and there’s a sheep and goose next to her. The book title is covered in web and a spider drops down to Charlotte. The audiobook cover of Garth Nix’s Abhorsen. Cover art is a young woman with long black hair. She’s wearing a pink tunic and carries bells in a bandolier across her body. The Disreputable Dog is by her side, looking up at her loyally. The audiobook cover of The Sirens by Emilia Hart. Cover art is a black scallop shell with the books title inside, on a bright aqua marine background. The ends of two Mermaids’ tails are just visible in the top left and bottom right corners.
August 25, 2025 at 6:42 AM
rachaelscotson.bsky.social
Oh, l've my eye on Katabasis; it looks and sounds most excellent.

It's all about the teen boy voice for me this week. I’m reading Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole collection, and Nathanael Lessore’s Steady for This. I’m listening to Nathanael Lessore’s King of Nothing.
Two books lie on a white bedspread. The first is the collection Adrian Mole: From Minor to Major and The Wilderness Years by Sue Townsend. The cover art a pale yellow background with a Noddy toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste in a glass. The second book is Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore. The cover art bold and bright graffiti with black line drawings of a boy, a basket ball hoop, trainers and headphones. The audiobook cover of Nathanael Lessore’s King of Nothing. The cover art is a purple, graffitied wall with a boy leaning against it. He’s wearing a green hoody and grey sweatpants.
August 18, 2025 at 7:04 AM