Jules Swain
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thereadingpara.bsky.social
Jules Swain
@thereadingpara.bsky.social
Paramedic/Team Leader (views my own)
Runner (including crazy distance runner!)
Book reviewer #TheReadingParamedic™️
UK Book Blogger of the Year 2023 🏆

All my links here: https://linktr.ee/thereadingparamedic
Shantaram is now officially the longest book I’ve ever read, at a whopping 933 pages. Truth or not, it’s a powerful feat of storytelling that I’m definitely glad I took the time to read. Reviews below ⬇️

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b74f...
March 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Did anyone else have a Boxing Day sale book haul because you don’t already have 348* books on your TBR?! In my defence, I already wanted most of them anyway & many of them were half price!!!

*not an accurate figure 🙈
January 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Forgot to celebrate my anniversary of joining the ambulance service - 15 years done as of 4 January.

A career I fell into by accident and, though there’s been stress & tough times, I’ve never regretted my decision & genuinely don’t think I’ll ever do anything else 🚑💚💚
January 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The perfect antidote to work? That would be this! ☺️

Castleton-Hollins Cross-Mam Tor-Winnats Pass-Castleton 🙌🏻
January 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
M&S stop it now!!! I bought an Easter egg on 3 January!!! 😂
January 3, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Boxing Day walk done, around the Emley Circular Trail, from fog to bright blue skies, back to fog! ☺️
December 26, 2024 at 5:45 PM
I’m in work for the Christmas Eve late shift. The last few days have been a little calmer so because I am forever a bookworm, I’m taking along Three Wise Men to read on my break while stuffing my face full of chocolate.

Have a fun evening & stay safe! 🎄
December 24, 2024 at 7:46 PM
A heads up of 11 of 2025’s publications that I’m really, really excited for!

What’s on your reading radar in 2025? 📚🙌🏻
December 17, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Love my new light for my book nook! 🤩
December 15, 2024 at 7:59 AM
Good morning folks! Yesterday was a pretty shitty day at work. Today I’m on a late shift (4pm to 2am) so I’m crossing my fingers for a better day, and then it’s my weekend off & I’ll be continuing reading book 2 of the ACOTAR series.

What are you reading this weekend? 📖
December 6, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Made me own wreath? Rate impressed wi meself! ☺️
December 1, 2024 at 9:15 PM
Went to look at some art at the Belvedere Palace. I have to say I think I prefer Judith. What do you say?
November 28, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Outdoor slide at 170m on the top of the Danube Tower? Go on then! 😳
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Getting all festive in Vienna! 🎄🎅🏻🥰
November 26, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Can’t come to Vienna without calling into Shakespeare & Co! 🥰
November 26, 2024 at 3:25 PM
It’s time for another solo adventure & after falling in love with ACOTAR (& I mean that I am literally OBSESSED!), I’m taking book two with me! 📚✈️
November 24, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Incredibly excited about the book post I’ve received this week, and my new Jellycat! 🥰

Individual details of each book to follow! 💙📚
November 24, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Thank you @alisonbarrow.bsky.social for sending me a copy of Madame Matisse by @sophiehaydock.bsky.social. I adored The Flames so very much looking forward to this one too!

It’s out on 6 March. More details here: uk.bookshop.org/a/10770/9780...
November 22, 2024 at 10:16 AM
The cold weather hit us hard in the UK this week so thought I’d share some of my favourite wintery reads.

The Reader on the 6.27 is a bit of a cheat as it’s not really set in winter but it’s one of my favourite books ever & they re-released it with a winter, snowy cover so 🤷🏼‍♀️

Tell me your faves!⛄️
November 21, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Is that not one of the best street names?! (In York, England).

Let me know if you’ve got some good uns!
November 20, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Love my leisurely mornings on my days off - rarely out the house before lunchtime! 📚☕️

What’s your favourite way to spend a leisurely morning?
November 20, 2024 at 11:17 AM
A lot of people here won’t know that I’m a solo traveller & other people often feel that’s a brave thing to do. Sometimes I do have a wobble & have been anxious that I’ve planned myself too big a journey, but today I got myself a permanent reminder that I will always strive to be brave 🙌🏻
November 18, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Ok, so as someone who’s never read fantasy, I’m going in!

I’ll keep you posted (I am already excited after Chapter 1!) 🗡️
November 17, 2024 at 8:39 PM
My review of Ice Town by Will Dean is up! ❄️❄️

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/bb15...
November 17, 2024 at 8:01 PM
Anyone else get baffled by that often asked question - how do you arrange your bookshelves?

There is no arranging. I, erm, I just put them on there.

That’s it.
November 15, 2024 at 4:34 PM