Secret Book Swap | No. 10 - North Berwick March
Books we swapped:
Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree
After years of battle, an orc named Viv retires from adventuring to open a coffee shop in a city that’s never heard of coffee. Warm, cosy and quietly charming, this is a low-stakes fantasy about starting over, friendship and building something new.Same As It Ever Was – Claire Lombardo
A sharp, emotionally rich novel about marriage, motherhood and the quiet discontent that can simmer beneath a seemingly stable life. As Julia reflects on her past and present, long-buried feelings resurface in this nuanced exploration of identity and choice.The Salt Path – Raynor Winn
After losing their home and facing serious illness, a couple set out to walk the South West Coast Path. Honest and quietly powerful, this memoir captures resilience, nature’s healing force and the strength found in simply putting one foot in front of the other.Circe – Madeline Miller
Banished to a remote island, the witch Circe hones her powers and encounters gods, monsters and mortals alike. Lyrical and immersive, this reimagining of Greek myth centres a woman finding her voice, strength and independence.The Road of Bones – Demi Winters
In a harsh, myth-infused landscape, survival depends on strength, loyalty and the ability to endure the unknown. Dark, atmospheric and steeped in folklore, this is a gripping fantasy of perilous journeys and hidden truths.The Burnings – Naomi Kelsey
A haunting historical novel rooted in witch trials and superstition, following women caught in a web of fear, accusation and power. Richly atmospheric, it explores belief, control and the cost of being different.The Night She Disappeared – Lisa Jewell
When a young mother vanishes after a party, the mystery lingers for years—until a new resident discovers a hidden clue. Twisty and addictive, this thriller weaves timelines and secrets into a compelling search for the truth.Queen Macbeth – Val McDermid
A bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic figure, placing Lady Macbeth at the centre of power, ambition and survival. Dark, fierce and psychologically rich, it explores the woman behind the legend.The Help – Kathryn Stockett
Set in 1960s Mississippi, this novel follows Black maids and a young white journalist exposing the realities of domestic work and racial inequality. Powerful and accessible, it’s a story about courage, voice and challenging injustice.The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce
When Harold sets out to post a letter, he keeps walking—believing his journey might save a dying friend. Gentle and quietly profound, this novel explores grief, hope and the unexpected power of small acts.Unexpected Gifts: Stories of Change – Storyhouse Works
A collection of stories centred on transformation, resilience and the moments that shift our lives. Thoughtful and varied, it highlights how unexpected events can lead to growth and new beginnings.The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
Told from the perspective of Dinah, a largely silent figure in the Bible, this novel reimagines the lives of women in a patriarchal world. Rich and immersive, it celebrates female community, storytelling and hidden histories.
Jayne Castel
Guest writer, Jayne Castel
Multi-award-winning author Jayne Castel writes epic Historical and Fantasy Romance. Her vibrant characters, richly researched historical settings and action-packed adventure romance transport readers to forgotten times and imaginary worlds.
Jayne is the author of a number of Amazon best-selling series. In love with all things Scottish, she writes romances set in both Dark Ages and Medieval Scotland.
When she’s not writing, Jayne is reading (and re-reading) her favorite authors, cooking Italian feasts, and going on long walks with her husband. She’s from New Zealand, but now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Honor & Obsession
He’s the chieftain bound by duty. She’s the healer hiding a deadly secret. A forbidden obsession. A reverse age-gap. A love worth fighting for.
Craeg Maclean is the perfect chieftain—controlled, honorable, and trapped in a political betrothal he never wanted. He has spent his life outrunning his father’s brutal legacy, sacrificing his own desires for the sake of an alliance.
Until a fateful fall in the woods lands him at the feet of a remarkable woman.
Hazel lives in the shadows for a reason. As a gifted healer with a devastating secret, the last thing she needs is to get entangled with the local chieftain—especially one who's ten years her junior and betrothed to another.
But when one night of healing sparks an uncontrollable fire, Craeg’s fascination turns to obsession. As his wedding day looms and killers close in on Hazel, he must choose: the honor he was born to uphold, or the woman he’s willing to lose everything for.
Banned Book Reading
March, our banned book section turned closer to home (again), looking at a recent case in Greater Manchester where over 130 titles were removed from a secondary school library.
It began with a single title, Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates (founder of the Everyday Sexism Project), being removed on request of the Headteacher and quickly escalated into a much wider removal of books, including titles like The Black Flamingo and Heartstopper, as well as a graphic adaptation of 1984. These weren’t obscure or fringe reads, but books many young people use to better understand themselves and the world around them.
We also spoke about the impact on the school librarian, who had added the original book following safeguarding training. She was investigated, reported to the local authority, and told she could be considered a safeguarding risk. The process was described as prolonged and deeply stressful, with concerns raised that it could affect her career. She ultimately resigned.
It left us thinking about who gets to decide what’s appropriate to read — and what happens when those decisions are made quickly, or without transparency.
If you’d like to read more about the case, you can do so via the link below to the original article on Index on Censorship:
Join us at future secret book swaps: