ThistleBee
@thistlebeereads.bsky.social
Reader, wellness, plant-based food, anti-fascist.
Setting up a small business so not operating yet. Let's talk books in the meantime. Retreat • Refresh • Regrow
Setting up a small business so not operating yet. Let's talk books in the meantime. Retreat • Refresh • Regrow
Someone mentioned on #booksky that they really enjoyed reading Christina Lauren's Something Wilder. So I added it to my TBR list. Didn't realise it's an out & out romance. Not my genre, but, it was a very easy read and everyone needs an adventure in the canyons of Utah once in a while 📚💙
October 31, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Someone mentioned on #booksky that they really enjoyed reading Christina Lauren's Something Wilder. So I added it to my TBR list. Didn't realise it's an out & out romance. Not my genre, but, it was a very easy read and everyone needs an adventure in the canyons of Utah once in a while 📚💙
Just finished Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Yes, I've seen the (old) film and knew the plot, but this book really affected me for some reason. Part of me wanted to shout at Mrs de Winter and part of me knows I would also have been jealous of the 'perfect' lady. 📚💙
October 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Just finished Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Yes, I've seen the (old) film and knew the plot, but this book really affected me for some reason. Part of me wanted to shout at Mrs de Winter and part of me knows I would also have been jealous of the 'perfect' lady. 📚💙
Good old gun-toting yet intelligent, hot, young female American agency operators saving the day against the Russians. For all that, it was quite a jolly jape and it was very readable. A good example of how our lives are run by computers and how we now wage war on each other via tech. 📚💙
October 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Good old gun-toting yet intelligent, hot, young female American agency operators saving the day against the Russians. For all that, it was quite a jolly jape and it was very readable. A good example of how our lives are run by computers and how we now wage war on each other via tech. 📚💙
Finally finished listening to @margaretatwood.bsky.social 's #TheHandmaidsTale. I had to do it in instalments. This is one of the most prophetic books I've ever read. I just hope we can prevent it from playing out.
October 20, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Finally finished listening to @margaretatwood.bsky.social 's #TheHandmaidsTale. I had to do it in instalments. This is one of the most prophetic books I've ever read. I just hope we can prevent it from playing out.
Needed another easy read. Moving next week so all books are packed now. Had to buy this out and about earlier in the week. Used to live in North Wales where this series is set so it's nice to have an idea of the locations.
I have some birthday pressies books waiting for me at my new home 📚💙
I have some birthday pressies books waiting for me at my new home 📚💙
October 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Needed another easy read. Moving next week so all books are packed now. Had to buy this out and about earlier in the week. Used to live in North Wales where this series is set so it's nice to have an idea of the locations.
I have some birthday pressies books waiting for me at my new home 📚💙
I have some birthday pressies books waiting for me at my new home 📚💙
Just finished Patricia Cornwell's Postmortem. It's not my 1st read through, as I'm not reading anything too taxing at the moment so sticking with what I know. It is claimed to redefine the genre by telling the story through the eyes of the ME rather than the cops. It's okay, but it didn't grip me 📚💙
October 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Just finished Patricia Cornwell's Postmortem. It's not my 1st read through, as I'm not reading anything too taxing at the moment so sticking with what I know. It is claimed to redefine the genre by telling the story through the eyes of the ME rather than the cops. It's okay, but it didn't grip me 📚💙
Treated myself to a late night session to finish Sourcery by Terry Pratchett the other night. Like a mini retreat, for my birthday.
Today was supposed to be the test run of my real retreat but had to postpone due to life getting in the way. Unemployed now so can focus on the business. 📚💙
Today was supposed to be the test run of my real retreat but had to postpone due to life getting in the way. Unemployed now so can focus on the business. 📚💙
October 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Treated myself to a late night session to finish Sourcery by Terry Pratchett the other night. Like a mini retreat, for my birthday.
Today was supposed to be the test run of my real retreat but had to postpone due to life getting in the way. Unemployed now so can focus on the business. 📚💙
Today was supposed to be the test run of my real retreat but had to postpone due to life getting in the way. Unemployed now so can focus on the business. 📚💙
Reading #Pratchett is always a pleasure, but this time reading #Mort has been even more so. It allowed my brain to stop digressing and worrying and interrupting me with unwanted thoughts (mostly). Alas, I have finished. On to #Sourcery next. 📚💙
September 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reading #Pratchett is always a pleasure, but this time reading #Mort has been even more so. It allowed my brain to stop digressing and worrying and interrupting me with unwanted thoughts (mostly). Alas, I have finished. On to #Sourcery next. 📚💙
I finished Silesian Station. In fact, I zoomed through it. But, it made me feel like I'm never going to have the imagination, or daring, to do something worthwhile when the time comes. But I'd like to think I'd try.
It's an adventure story with a bit of a history lesson. I'd read them all.
📚💙
It's an adventure story with a bit of a history lesson. I'd read them all.
📚💙
September 25, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I finished Silesian Station. In fact, I zoomed through it. But, it made me feel like I'm never going to have the imagination, or daring, to do something worthwhile when the time comes. But I'd like to think I'd try.
It's an adventure story with a bit of a history lesson. I'd read them all.
📚💙
It's an adventure story with a bit of a history lesson. I'd read them all.
📚💙
Yesterday I asked M& G what their fave smells were. M said she doesn't really notice smells (😢) & G said that I have a weird sense of smell, but he does like the smell of freshly baked bread.
So, I put it to you, what smells make you happy?
I like the smell of fake berries in my beauty products.
So, I put it to you, what smells make you happy?
I like the smell of fake berries in my beauty products.
September 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Yesterday I asked M& G what their fave smells were. M said she doesn't really notice smells (😢) & G said that I have a weird sense of smell, but he does like the smell of freshly baked bread.
So, I put it to you, what smells make you happy?
I like the smell of fake berries in my beauty products.
So, I put it to you, what smells make you happy?
I like the smell of fake berries in my beauty products.
3/3 None of this is True by Lisa Jewell. This was actually more disturbing than I thought it would be, but gripping. A story of a woman who wanted to have her truth told by a podcaster. A story of abuse, lies, and manipulation. Read as if it were a documentary. I listened to this one on car journeys
September 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM
3/3 None of this is True by Lisa Jewell. This was actually more disturbing than I thought it would be, but gripping. A story of a woman who wanted to have her truth told by a podcaster. A story of abuse, lies, and manipulation. Read as if it were a documentary. I listened to this one on car journeys
2/3 Taken at the Flood by #AgathaChristie. My OH is buying the series for me for birthdays etc. I have a list of all the books and short stories in order. Of course I've read it already, but my brain is a sieve. It means I enjoy them again & again. No spoilers, but that last scene, WTF?!
September 19, 2025 at 8:57 AM
2/3 Taken at the Flood by #AgathaChristie. My OH is buying the series for me for birthdays etc. I have a list of all the books and short stories in order. Of course I've read it already, but my brain is a sieve. It means I enjoy them again & again. No spoilers, but that last scene, WTF?!
1/3 Finished a few things recently.
Relentless was a fun read in the absence of a TV to distract me and in a not-too-heavy kind of way. Just what I was looking for in a read last week. 📚💙
Relentless was a fun read in the absence of a TV to distract me and in a not-too-heavy kind of way. Just what I was looking for in a read last week. 📚💙
September 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
1/3 Finished a few things recently.
Relentless was a fun read in the absence of a TV to distract me and in a not-too-heavy kind of way. Just what I was looking for in a read last week. 📚💙
Relentless was a fun read in the absence of a TV to distract me and in a not-too-heavy kind of way. Just what I was looking for in a read last week. 📚💙
I've read chapter 1 of David Downing's Silesian Station. A spy thriller set in early Nazi Germany. I feel a bit sick. Seeing history repeat itself and not knowing what to do to make a positive difference is so stressful. It's embarrassing to be British at the moment. 📚💙
September 18, 2025 at 7:36 AM
I've read chapter 1 of David Downing's Silesian Station. A spy thriller set in early Nazi Germany. I feel a bit sick. Seeing history repeat itself and not knowing what to do to make a positive difference is so stressful. It's embarrassing to be British at the moment. 📚💙
I've finished this book. I'm ready for my next read now. 📚💙
September 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I've finished this book. I'm ready for my next read now. 📚💙
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky has accompanied me on a few long car journeys between the house I'm in and the house my family is living in. Sad it's finished as it really was a good listen. A story of First Contact and bloody humanity. 📚💙
1 month till we're reunited.
1 month till we're reunited.
September 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky has accompanied me on a few long car journeys between the house I'm in and the house my family is living in. Sad it's finished as it really was a good listen. A story of First Contact and bloody humanity. 📚💙
1 month till we're reunited.
1 month till we're reunited.
I finished the Fingersmith. I zoomed through it. I didn't really know what to expect but it came highly recommended. Needed a bit of a breather afterwards. On to something lighter next 📚💙
September 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I finished the Fingersmith. I zoomed through it. I didn't really know what to expect but it came highly recommended. Needed a bit of a breather afterwards. On to something lighter next 📚💙
I'm running a #ThistleBeeKind campaign (similar to random acts of kindness) over on my Facebook page (yes, I know, I dislike FB too) and I keep forgetting to post them here. Here's this weeks. That's week 10! 📚💙
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
September 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I'm running a #ThistleBeeKind campaign (similar to random acts of kindness) over on my Facebook page (yes, I know, I dislike FB too) and I keep forgetting to post them here. Here's this weeks. That's week 10! 📚💙
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Second book of the holiday finished. This is a re-read, but my memory is so shocking I forgot most of what happened. Set in an alt reality where the Nazis invade Britain and how a group of women cope after their husbands up & leave to join the resistance, and then get occupied by a Naxi patrol. 📚💙
August 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Second book of the holiday finished. This is a re-read, but my memory is so shocking I forgot most of what happened. Set in an alt reality where the Nazis invade Britain and how a group of women cope after their husbands up & leave to join the resistance, and then get occupied by a Naxi patrol. 📚💙
Can't go to Bath and not think of Pride and Prejudice. I read this at school, and enjoyed it until the last chapter or so. But I was so disappointed at the speed of the ending it ruined the book for me. I've never read it again. What do you think of P&P? Or Jane Austen for that matter? 📚💙
August 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Can't go to Bath and not think of Pride and Prejudice. I read this at school, and enjoyed it until the last chapter or so. But I was so disappointed at the speed of the ending it ruined the book for me. I've never read it again. What do you think of P&P? Or Jane Austen for that matter? 📚💙
Finished reading Little by Edward Carey last night. Was a really interesting read with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. The (fictionalised) story of Madam Tussauds including her life during the French Revolution. Not a book I'd read again & again, but still good. 📚💙
August 19, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Finished reading Little by Edward Carey last night. Was a really interesting read with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. The (fictionalised) story of Madam Tussauds including her life during the French Revolution. Not a book I'd read again & again, but still good. 📚💙
In a bit of a reading slump ATM, but I have listened to Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. A story about a tennis family and family life in general. Easy listening and I was rooting for all the characters. On to a bit of sci fi next, Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky. What are you listening to? 📚💙
August 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM
In a bit of a reading slump ATM, but I have listened to Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. A story about a tennis family and family life in general. Easy listening and I was rooting for all the characters. On to a bit of sci fi next, Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky. What are you listening to? 📚💙
My recent read is almost politically appropriate as Trump decides to move all homeless people to 'camps'. Whilst Rendell tries to humanise the homeless, albeit by murdering a few and pointing out that no one seems to care, Trump seeks out to hide them from polite society...a bit like Hitler did. 📚💙
July 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
My recent read is almost politically appropriate as Trump decides to move all homeless people to 'camps'. Whilst Rendell tries to humanise the homeless, albeit by murdering a few and pointing out that no one seems to care, Trump seeks out to hide them from polite society...a bit like Hitler did. 📚💙
Having trouble finding time for you?
Boil the kettle, open that bottle of wine, find your favourite book, or that unfinished crafting project.
Join us for an hour's dedicated peace and quiet.
20:00- quick chat to say hi
20:05- mic's on mute. Camera can be on or off.
20:55- 5 minutes debrief.
📚💙
Boil the kettle, open that bottle of wine, find your favourite book, or that unfinished crafting project.
Join us for an hour's dedicated peace and quiet.
20:00- quick chat to say hi
20:05- mic's on mute. Camera can be on or off.
20:55- 5 minutes debrief.
📚💙
July 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Having trouble finding time for you?
Boil the kettle, open that bottle of wine, find your favourite book, or that unfinished crafting project.
Join us for an hour's dedicated peace and quiet.
20:00- quick chat to say hi
20:05- mic's on mute. Camera can be on or off.
20:55- 5 minutes debrief.
📚💙
Boil the kettle, open that bottle of wine, find your favourite book, or that unfinished crafting project.
Join us for an hour's dedicated peace and quiet.
20:00- quick chat to say hi
20:05- mic's on mute. Camera can be on or off.
20:55- 5 minutes debrief.
📚💙
Read Community Witch by @ashthestampede.bsky.social today. Learnt a lot from this book. And, despite being very boringly cishet and not a fan of romance, I found a lot to relate to in each of the main characters. Would love to live in a world with a community witch. I definitely enjoyed this one 📚💙
July 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Read Community Witch by @ashthestampede.bsky.social today. Learnt a lot from this book. And, despite being very boringly cishet and not a fan of romance, I found a lot to relate to in each of the main characters. Would love to live in a world with a community witch. I definitely enjoyed this one 📚💙