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Sign up to our newsletter The Bookish Drop

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Wales Online14-05-2025

Sign up to our newsletter The Bookish Drop
Introducing our free newsletter the Bookish Drop and why if you love books you need to subscribe
Our free Bookish Drop newsletter has launched.
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Have you ever wished that there was a one-stop shop for all things book recommendations and book news? Well, wish no more because The Bookish Drop is here to satisfy all your bookish cravings (specific books and sweet treats are not included, sadly).
Journalists Catherine Shuttleworth , Danielle Kate Wroe, Talya Honebeek and Zoe Delaney will send you the latest book-related news straight to your inbox once a week.

What will be in The Bookish Drop each week?

If you want to know the gossip about new releases months before they're available on shelves, or want exclusive interviews with authors, or to find your new favourite indie writer who you can tell all your friends about, The Bookish Drop is perfect for you.
We're curating bookish news into one easily digestible newsletter so you don't have to trawl the internet looking at different sources, because we've already done it for you.
Books that you may be avoiding because of their Goodreads rating - we'll convince you to read. We'll find social media posts that you're going to be interested in and love, helping you build your bookish communities.
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We're building a bookish community, and we want you to be a part of it.

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Zara McDermott says she's ‘taking a step back' from ‘negative' social media amid Sam Thompson online abuse
Zara McDermott says she's ‘taking a step back' from ‘negative' social media amid Sam Thompson online abuse

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Zara McDermott says she's ‘taking a step back' from ‘negative' social media amid Sam Thompson online abuse

Find out what Zara will be focusing on instead Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ZARA McDermott is taking a hiatus from social media to focus on making a new documentary about family violence. The former Love Island star announced her break from socials just days after ex Sam Thompson came face to face with her new boyfriend, Louis Tomlinson. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Zara McDermott is taking a break from social medi Credit: Getty 3 It comes days after her ex Sam Thompson (L) ran into her new boyfriend Louis Tomlinson during a training session ahead of Soccer Aid 2025 Credit: Getty She split from Made In Chelsea star, Sam, earlier this year after five years together and was spotted with the One Direction singer in March. Zara took to her Instagram stories to update her fans and explain why she was stepping away from social media for a short while. "I also just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who messaged me with regards to the story I posted the other day," she began. "If you didn't see it; I spoke about developing my next documentary and how I've been thinking of how to create a project about domestic abuse, coercive control and tech abuse." Zara revealed she had received thousands of message from people who had stories to share and she was still going through them. "But I wanted to say the biggest thank you ever. It's so nice speaking to you all because I've definitely taken a bit of a step back from socials to focus on my documentaries and other work just focusing on being more present recently," she explained. The TV star added: "Social media feels quite heavy and a negative space sometimes... so to be able to feel like we can work together to do something super positive is a great feeling. thank you again. forever grateful to all of you who continue to support the work i do. it really means SO much." Her post comes just days after Sam and Louis came face to face while representing England in the charity football match, Soccer Aid. The pair had already crossed paths on the training pitch last week, prior to Sam pulling out of the game due to injury and later attended the same pre-game dinner. Both men looked relaxed this evening as they milled around their hotel with fellow squad members. Zara has already ruled herself out of attending the star-studded match. Sam presented a video of his charity work in Guatemala to both sets of players, something he found much more nerve-racking than meeting Louis. He said: 'I did a small talk in front of everyone, which was terrifying, and I maintain I think it's the most important thing I've done in my 32 years of life. 'I really do believe that. Getting to go to Guatemala to see what UNICEF do on the ground is just life-changing.'

Why has Thomas Markle NEVER met Prince Harry? There can only be 3 reasons and the third is bad news for Meghan, says pro
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Scottish Sun

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Why has Thomas Markle NEVER met Prince Harry? There can only be 3 reasons and the third is bad news for Meghan, says pro

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FATHER'S Day has just been and gone, but one dad who was not given a royal shout out was Thomas Markle. The former lighting director, 80, is estranged from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 43, and hasn't even met her husband Prince Harry or his grandkids, Archie and Lilibet. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle has not seen his daughter for years Credit: Phil Penman - The Sun 9 Royal experts have said there may be three reasons why Meghan has never introduced Prince Harry to Thomas Credit: Getty 9 Thomas pictured with Meghan growing up Credit: Thomas Marlke 9 Thomas was not able to walk Meghan down the aisle at her wedding - and King Charles did it instead Credit: Getty Royal experts have queried why an introduction has never been made, and royal author and broadcaster Hugo Vickers claimed there could be three key reasons. 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Meghan shares videos of Archie and Lilibet to wish Harry a Happy Father's Day After the pensioner - who divorced Doria in 1987 - was unable to walk his daughter down the aisle, they've not been in contact since. Hugo continued: 'Mr Markle should have been at the wedding and they should have flown him over and stuck him in a health farm in the Shetlands or somewhere. 'Prince Harry should have gone up to see him and if he couldn't have walked the aisle he should have been sitting there, because, as you rightly say, he did a lot for that girl and she even admitted it in the early days before she distanced herself from him.' 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MARKLE FEUD 9 Meghan reportedly has not spoken to Thomas in years Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 9 Thomas has done numerous TV interviews about their relationship Credit: ITV Turmoil between the pair erupted after Thomas posed for paparazzi pictures ahead of Harry and Meghan tying the knot. However, Meghan has previously shared the hurt and "betrayal she felt" by her father. She opened up about her relationship with her estranged dad and said she was left feeling crushed when he lied to her about not talking to the media. In her sensational interview with Oprah in 2021, Meghan said: "I'm trying to decide if I'm comfortable even talking about that. 'It was... if we were going to use the word betrayal.' Meghan Markle on how dad Thomas Markle 'betrayed' her IN her candid interview with Oprah, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her relationship with her dad and said she was left feeling crushed when he lied to her before the wedding. 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King Charles knew his mother had died after hearing two heartbreaking words
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King Charles knew his mother had died after hearing two heartbreaking words

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