Portobello Book Blog

This week’s topic: Book Days!

I’m delighted to be joined by Canadian author Gabriel Tait today, who is chatting about his book The Ranleigh Tapes.

I chose A Far-Flung Life for my book group to read this month, having bought myself a copy earlier this year.

I’m delighted to be taking part in the blogtour and sharing my review of The Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous.

I’m delighted to be joined by Richard Green today, author of The Book Abattoir.

Last week saw the publication of Ian Rankin’s latest novel, The Heights.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Books with covers featuring Autumnal colours This week we are to seek out ten books with covers featuring Autumnal colours.

I’m delighted to be joined by Karen Storey today, author of The Approval of Sheep.

I am very excited to be introducing you to Reading Scotland Month 2026 hosted by yours truly!

This week I am sharing the first line of the book I have chosen for my book group to read.

I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting Flora’s House in all seasons of the year and getting to know the various visitors to the holiday home.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Happy Books!

I’m pleased to be joined by East Lothian based author Charlie Laidlaw today.

We Chase Shadows is the second in the We Solve Murders series from Richard Osman.

Does my last book link back to the starting book at all?

Autumn is my very favourite season – I may have mentioned this before – and Heidi Swain is one of my favourite authors so I eagerly jumped at the chance to read her latest book, Falling For You.

I’m delighted to be joined once more by Sarah Mallory, author of The Widow and the Rake. the Widow and the Rake was published on 29th September and available now in digital format: buying link below.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Autumn Freebie This week’s topic is an Autumn freebie.

I always look forward to reading a book in Doug Johnstone’s Skelfs series.

As you will have gathered from several recent blogposts, Autumn is my favourite season so I was really pleased that the Autumn book in Hodder’s seasonal quartet has been published.

I’m delighted to be joined by Andrea Darby today, author of The Songs That Find Us.

This month I’ve chosen Meg from Kirsty Ferry’s The Snow Witch as my Captivating Character of the month.

I’m delighted to be joined by Fenella J Miller today, author of The Earl’s Bride.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Books on my Autumn 2026 Reading List Ah autumn, my favourite time of year.

It’s no secret that Autumn is my favourite season so I was really pleased that the third book in Hodder’s seasonal quartet has been published and it’s about Autumn!

I am very excited that a new series of the Great British Bake Off is about to start on Tuesday.

I’m not sure if I’ve read a book by Jane Green before but having read this short story, I’d certainly be interested in reading more of her work.

I’m delighted to be joined by Julie Haworth today, author of Murder at Honeysuckle Harbour.

Kate Atkinson is a favourite author of mine and I’ve really enjoyed both her Jackson Brodie series and her standalone novels.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Ten Authors I’ve Met This week’s topic is ten authors I’ve met and this is rather an easy one for me!

I’m delighted to be joined by Julie Houston today, author of The Way We Are Now.

Autumn is my favourite time of the year.

Ooh, I really enjoyed this atmospheric novel from Kirsty Ferry!

I’m delighted to be joined by Chloe Turner today, author of A Calamity of Waters.

Catherine Simpson’s latest memoir is simply outstanding.

What am I currently reading?

This week’s topic: Indie Freebie This week is a freebie topic based around an indie theme.

The Wish Trip List by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig is a moving story following two former friends as they take an epic trip together at the request of another friend who had died.

The fourth Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival will be taking place on Saturday 24th October.

This month we have been asked to begin with the book that our book group is reading.

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken part in First Line Friday for one reason or another!

I’m pleased to say that my original X account @portybelle has been restored – woohoo!

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves was the latest pick for my book group.