The Cotswold Book Nook

08/08/2026

I've started a new book blog. 📝

Where you will find mention of book shops, authors, literary festivals, bookish events and days out etc. 🌞

I've visited/attended these separately to my Reading Group outings and events.

It's in its infancy, but I hope you return from time to time to see what bookish things I've been up to. 📖

Link here ⬇️

https://www.thecotswoldbooknookreadinggroups.co.uk/bookish-blog 📚



🌐📚🖊️📖📝

05/08/2026

Absolutely thrilled to have listened to one of my favourite authors of all time in Leominster this evening.

🖊️ Author: Barbara Erskine

📚 Book: Valley of the Ravens

📍Venue: Grange Court, Leominster

🙂 I've read all of her books and tonight I bought a copy of her new one, which Barbara kindly personally signed for me.



Rossiter Books

05/08/2026

As always, I enjoyed hosting our book club today (Reading Group One) and our theme of 'Time Travel'. 🕰️

My book choice was 'Woman in Blue' by author Douglas Bruton. 📚

A fiction novella based upon the historical artist Johannes Vermeer and his real life painting 'Woman in Blue'.

The portrait subject is Angelieke who sits for the artist during the 17th century. They have a liaison during the portrait sittings although he is married with a pregnant wife.

There is also the present day perspective of the male visitor (also married and a writer) who admires the painting upon almost a daily basis. Plus we have the viewpoint of the painting/portrait herself during these visits.

Interesting twist at the end which I didn't predict!

This book beautifully interweaves the 17th century with the present day. Themes of contemplation, love, memory, marriage and relationships, art.

Not my usual type of read at all ~ but I rather enjoyed it. 👍

Thank you to Jules & her team Coffee House 43 ☕️

05/08/2026

This morning, Wednesday 5th August, Reading Group One met at Coffee House 43 in Hucclecote. ☕️📚

Theme: Time Travel (chosen by Madeleine). 📚

I enjoyed hearing the reviews of the books selected for this theme. 🙂

Books Read: 📚⬇️

• In Death Series by J. D. Robb
• Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
•The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
• Woman in Blue by Douglas Bruton
• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
• Outlander by Diane Gabaldon
• Nice to see it, to see it nice by Brian Viner

A grateful thank you, as always, to Jules and her team at Coffee House 43 💕

Next Meeting:
🗓️ Weds 2nd September
🕰️ 9:30am to 11:30am
📍Coffee House 43, Hucclecote
📚Theme: A book made into a film or tv programme

My Group One book club is currently fully subscribed. Please contact me if you'd like to join my waiting list via this link: https://www.thecotswoldbooknookreadinggroups.co.uk/contact

03/08/2026

I thoroughly enjoyed hosting book club today. What a lovely group. 🌞

My book choice was 'Secrets of the Tides' by author Hannah Richell. 📚

Theme: Family Relationships.

Book reviews to follow later.....

Thank you to Leanne & Julie at Cafe Elm. 💕



📚☕️🧁

30/07/2026

I had the pleasure of spending some time in The Cleeve Bookshop yesterday afternoon. 📚

Friendly staff sell signed books, arty gift cards, pretty wrapping paper and the shop has a lovely children's selection of books.

There is a short stay free carpark close by, a coffee shop and a gift shop. ☕️

The Cleeve Bookshop
Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire 📚

29/07/2026

🗓️ Reading Group Dates & Venues 2026:-

☕️ Group One: Hucclecote - Coffee House 43

9.30am for a prompt 9:45am start

Weds 5th Aug
Weds 2nd Sept
Weds 7th Oct
Weds 4th Nov
Weds 2nd Dec

📚 Group Two: Longlevens - Cafe Elm

9:45am for a prompt 10:00am start.

Mon 3rd Aug (10am for 10:15am start)
Mon 14th Sept
Mon 12th Oct
Mon 9th Nov
Mon 7th Dec

☕️ Group Three: Longlevens - Cafe Elm

10am for a prompt 10:15am start

Mon 17th Aug
Mon 28th Sept (Sue to Host on my behalf)
Mon 26th Oct
Mon 23rd Nov
Mon 21st Dec

📚 You need to be a member to attend any of these groups. Please contact me here: https://www.thecotswoldbooknookreadinggroups.co.uk/contact

21/07/2026

📚 On Monday 20th July, The Cotswold Book Nook Reading Group Three met at Cafe Elm in Longlevens.

🙂 We welcomed Jan, Paige, Kate & Bev to the Group.

🔨🪏 Our theme was: Crime.

⬇️ Our Reviews:

Book: The Killer in the Choir
Author: Simon Brett
Genre: Crime/Cosy Mystery
Category: Fiction
Read By: Christine
Rating: 8/10 👍 Enjoyable, interesting, couldn't put down!

Book: Strange Sally Diamond
Author: Liz Nugent
Genre: Crime/Psychological Thriller
Category: Fiction
Read By: Jo
Rating: 9/10 👍 Excellent. Dark.

Book: Murder on the Orient Express
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Crime/Mystery
Category: Fiction
Read By: Jane
Rating: 7/10 👍 Repetitive! Skipped to end.

Book: The Kind Worth Killing
Author: Peter Swanson
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Domestic Noir
Category: Fiction
Read By: Kate
Rating: 8/10 👍 Twists and a Cliffhanger!

Book: Mad Mabel
Author: Sally Hepworth
Genre: Domestic Thriller/Mystery/Women's Fiction
Category: Fiction
Read By: Jan
Rating: 9/10 👍 Dark story told with humour. Couldn't put down!

Book: The Ghost Writer
Author: Julie Clark
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery/Suspense
Category: Fiction
Read By: Paige
Rating: 5/10. Whodunnit but guessed what happened.

Book: A Plot to Die For
Author: Ardal O'Hanlon
Genre: Cosy Mystery/Humour
Category: Fiction
Read By: Bev
Rating: 8/10 👍 Fast paced writing!

Book: Judas Horse
Author: Lynda La Plante
Genre: Crime/Murder Mystery
Category: Fiction
Read By: Lorraine
Rating: 10/10 👍👍 Enjoyed the fact the book was based around London, Cotswolds, Oxfordshire

Book: Her Deadly Friend
Author: Rachel Sargeant
Genre: Psychological Crime/Suspense
Category: Fiction
Read By: Jane (Host)
Rating: 👍 Not finished reading yet

📚 Other books mentioned: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray 9/10, Madam Will You Talk by Mary Stewart 5/10, The Trophy Child by Paula Daly 10/10.

🖊️ Theme for our next meeting is Family Saga (chosen by Jan).

🎉 Raffle Winner: Jane.

📆 Mon 17th August
🕰️ 10am to 12noon
📍 Cafe Elm, Longlevens
🎁 Raffle will be £1 per strip
➡️ Booking link has been sent out in the members WhatsApp Group

🗓️ Future Group Dates Cafe Elm:-
(10am for a prompt 10:15am start)
Mon 28th Sept.
Mon 26th Oct.
Mon 23rd Nov.
(Mon 21st Dec).

🫶🏻 Many Thanks to Cafe Elm for hosting us (Leanne & Julie).

21/07/2026

20/07/2026

✨ FULLY BOOKED ✨