November Wrap Up (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And with the end of another month comes another Wrap up!

(And one big event happened this month...)

Enjoy!

BOOKS

I read a total of five books this month.

Four of which were on my TBR, one of which wasn't, which I will get into now.

1. A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1), by Jessica Cluess

This book was a little slow at the start, but once I hit the 200 page mark, there was something both mysterious and kick-ass about the plot, the characters, the relationship between the different classes, (especially magicians and sorcerers,) which was very interesting. I couldn't put this book down after that point, and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the trilogy.

2. The Grim Grotto (Series of Unfortunate Events #11), by Lemony Cricket

3. The Penultimate Peril (Series of Unfortunate Events #12), by Lemony Cricket

4. The End (Series of Unfortunate Events #13), by Lemony Cricket

 I have loved every single one of these books, for the dark and twisty places it takes us to. The characters grow and change so much, and not just the Baudelaire. I even saw Count Olaf change just that little bit. As for whether I want to start watching the tv show now, or wait until Season 3 comes out so I can watch the show in it's entirety later, so I can watch it all at once, I haven't decided yet, but it's been wonderful to re-submerge myself into this world once more.

5. Slenderman, by Anonymous

I finished this just yesterday, and one thing I will mention is that one of my favourite parts were the newspaper clippings, the emails, and the text messages. It really added to a story that I feel, would have been less engaging otherwise. That's my personal opinion, given that the characters that were interacting through text message were around my age. But it meant I got to see the effect that Lauren Bailey's disappearance had on different people.

FILMS AND TV SHOWS

Films

The films I saw this month were:

1. The Crimes of Grindelwald

You can see my full thoughts in my review (linked in the title), but my summary thoughts: I had a couple of problems with some things, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2. The Circle

Not a whole lot to say about this film. The book really frustrated me, so I knew what to expect when I clicked on the film. A decent and accurate rendition, the actors were incredibly well cast. It did a good job of explaining the world visually. I saw "explaining the world" because it's a completely different system, a different world, inside the Circle. And above all, incredibly easy to fall into the story. I recommend watching the film.

3. Dance Academy: The Comeback

All the characters from my favourite dance show of all time, Dance Academy: The Comeback. Bit of a cheesy name, but a new type of intensity from the tv show which was... interesting, to say the least. Eighteen months after Tara broke her back during her audition to get into the National Australian Ballet Company, she is left with a choice: risk a million pounds in a last ditch effort at the company, or say she'll never dance again. Of course she goes with the former! (There wouldn't be a movie otherwise.) Highly recommend this if you want an intense, beautiful, funny and fantastic tv show and film about chasing your dreams (and ballet of course.)

4. Raising the Bar

One of my films that I can watch over and over again, but still find that I enjoy it. Gymnastics, competition, friendship. Don't ask me why, I just like to watch it.

5. Robin Hood

This isn't the official poster, I just liked it the best. Let me just say, there have been several mixed reviews about this film, which I was aware of, and to be honest, I was kind of nervous going into the screening. But, I am happy to say that I did really enjoy this film. There were a couple of pacing problems when it came to a couple of scenes, but there were so many good quotes, so many amazing actions films, and it also had character development, so it basically had the whole package. It totally won me over. Review coming soon.  

TV SHOWS

1. Dance Academy

I finished the tv show before watching the film. What I love about the show is the amount of themes that make an appearance in this show.

2. The Next Step

For some reason, I got completely hooked on Season 6 this month! I can't wait to see what happens next on this show, though I'm going to have to wait a while- or find some-place to watch it in the UK!

Okay! So that is my November Wrap Up! I'm not going to talk about writing, because I literally haven't written a word.

So that is going to be my post for today, I hope you enjoyed it!

Have a lovely weekend, I will see you all on Monday.

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Autumn Book Haul

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I've bought a couple of books recently, so I thought I'd do a book haul!

Enjoy!

1. Slenderman, by Anonymous

I'm currently reading this, and what I find the most interesting is that it isn't just a story (even though it is still fictional). It includes newspaper clippings and text message conversations. There's something about those things that makes it kind of addictive to pick up and read. I'm about half way through and I should finish it some time next week. I bought this for Halloween, but when it came to Halloween, I just didn't feel like picking it up. But I hope to enjoy it.

2. A Spark of Light, by Jodi Picoult

The latest in Jodi Picoult's ever growing list of novels. It takes place at a women's reproductive health service centre, when a desperate gunman runs in. You also get to read from the perspective of the policeman pursuing the centre, who finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter is also within the centre. I haven't read a book from his kind of setting, and it kind of intrigues me as to how the copper is going to be affected, by knowing that his daughter is being held by gunpoint. Looking forward to reading this.

3. This Cruel Design (This Mortal Coil #2), by Emily Suvada

The second book in the Mortal Coil trilogy (?). I love how invested I became in the first books and I have high hopes for the second. I have absolutely no idea where the second novel is going to go, but I'm excited to find out.

4. Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns #3), by Kendare Blake

Book three out of four. With book one being one of my favourites of that year, and book two being slightly underwhelming, I don't know how I'm going to feel about this third book. I can't help but remember the Red Queen series, where I was at exactly the same point as I am with this series. Though I've enjoyed these books more. It's a fairly chunky book, so it might take me a while to work through it, but I'm looking forward to picking it up.

5. Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2), by Cassandra Clare

Yep. I have no idea when I'm going to get to this, but mark my words, it will be soon.

6. Room, by Emma O' Donoghue

This book has been on my radar for a while now. It's not meant to be a nice book, but it's meant to be an important one. I honestly don't know what I'm expecting, with this book. I know that it's from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, which is certainly a unique perspective. I also know that it's meant to be a powerful and it'll be interesting to read.

So that is my Autumn Book Haul! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know if you have any thoughts on these books (that I've just listed.)

Anyway, that's my book haul, and that's going to do it for today! I hope you have a lovely day, and I'll see you all on Monday!

Byeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Crimes of Grindelwald Film Review

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And on Saturday I went to see The Crimes of Grindelwald!

Happy to share my thoughts!

Enjoy!

One thing I will say about this film: It had a very different feeling to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, for a multitude of reasons.

1) Because it was the second film, we didn't need as much introduction as the first film. (As for character development throughout the rest of the film, I'll get to that later.)

2)From the first scene, the focus was on Grindelwald, and the plot-line, compared to Fantastic Beasts, where we meet Newt arriving in New York.

But overall, it was a decent film. As for whether I enjoyed it more or less than Fantastic Beasts, I haven't quite made up my mind yet.

So this review will be a bit of a debate.

On one hand, I liked the direction The Crimes of Grindelwald took, how we were keeping track of both Grindelwald and Scamander were doing at one time, so it was easy to follow the story.

On the other hand, what I was craving was the sweet character conversations that I grew to love the characters through in the first film. There were only a couple of those conversations in this movie, and I really noticed their absence.  

But in the absence of those conversation, a couple more characters were introduced that weren't in the first movie, that added an extra plotline to an already mysterious and dark plot. We were introduced to the young version of Albus Dumbledore, who was perfectly played by Jude Law, Newt's brother Thesis, and his fiancé, Leta Lestrange. Newt's relationship with both of the latter characters put a different spin into the overall story, which was personally one of my favourite parts.

Also, I liked that what was carried on from Fantastic Beasts was kept around in Crimes of Grindelwald. (I mean with both the Beasts capture and the obscurial plot.) The obscurial plotline was another plotline that was being weaved in and out of the story (all of these plotlines were very cleverly balanced out in my opinion). The capturing of the Beasts wasn't the main focus in this one, but it was still included, and it didn't feel forced, like it was added just for the sake of it.

Those are the positives.

Here are the things that I had a bit of a problem with:

Nothing was explained.

The film is titled "The Crimes of Grindelwald." But we don't get enough of Grindelwald's backstory, how he came to be the criminal he's known for today. I do however, get to find out what the characters mean when they say that Grindelwald is known as persuasive. Throughout the film, you get to see him show his true colours, and it's so interesting to see, especially as Dumbledore plays an integral part in his personality.

Also, the magic was a big one for me. There were certain spells that we've seen done a million times in the Harry Potter films in the past years. And then, they just go and change them! That was really irritating. I really hope they fix that.

Those are the only things.

So overall, I feel like this was an a really good second film, and all the plot points that we got to see in this film will come round in the next one, so it can be- incredible. (If that makes sense.)

If you get a chance to go and see this in 3D, I recommend it. It didn't add a whole lot to the film, but it's definitely better than it would have been if it was just 2D.

I hope you enjoyed this review, let me know in the comments what you thought and we can chat about it! You can access my review for Fantastic Beasts here.

Right! So that is my review, and that's going to do it for today! I hope you have a lovely day, and I will see you all on Friday!

Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Chocolate Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And having done this blog for near enough three years, it's tough finding new tags.

But nevertheless, I've found one: The Chocolate Book Tag!

Enjoy!

1. Dark Chocolate- A Book That Covers A Dark Topic

Having bought another book by this author just on Sunday, this is the first book that sprung to mind. It's a book about suicide, and two characters. It's... hopeful, sad, and a beautiful read that I highly recommend (though not if you have any triggers about suicide.)

2. White chocolate- Your favourite light-hearted/ humorous read

It's an old time favourite. I read it for the first time years ago and it still remains one of my favourites. It may have some serious points, but I definitely consider it a light-hearted book, particularly in the conversations between Levi, Cath and Reagan.  

Milk chocolate- A book that has a lot of hype that you're dying to read.

Having given up on the series after Throne of Glass and The Assassin's Blade a couple of years back, I'd decided that the series wasn't for me. But because of the hype, and the fact that I heard that it gets better after the second book, I'm thinking that next year, I'll start making my way through this series.

Chocolate with a caramel centre-Name a book that made you all gooey in the middle when you were reading it.

Although this story is made from an incident (that isn't included in the story- the protagonist's boyfriend dies of drowning) that isn't all that happy, the book itself is just so cute, I couldn't think of a better candidate for this question. What I love about this book is that there is a list, several goals, the usual structure of a story. Put that with happy parts, hopeful parts, and a whole lot of heart, and you've got this novel.

Wafer-free kit kat- Name a book that surprised you lately.

I don't really have one for this. I've mostly been reading the Series of Unfortunate Events since August, without many new books. So I'm going to have to skip this question.

Snickers- A book that you're going nuts about.

This series'. Always. This is one of my favourites, always has been, and every time I read it, from the time when I was reading it for the first time, about 8 years ago, I find something new every time within this series.

Hot chocolate with marshmallows- what book would you turn to for a comfort read.

A story about three generations, two perspectives. These women grow to listen to each-other, and face their fears head on. Some tension makes the story interesting, but what makes the story amazing is the relationships, the character arcs. Such a natural story.

What series have you read that you feel has a wide variety and a little something for everyone.

This series. There is none other, than the Harry Potter series.

TAGS

EVERYBODY! If you want to do the tag, you can!

Okay! So that is the Chocolate Book Tag! I hope you enjoyed it and I will see you soon!

Byeee!

-Abi xxxxx

November TBR (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And even though this is super late and a Tuesday, I'm thinking I'll post tonight and then again on Friday, when I have the time to write a long post.

For this month I actually don't know how much I'm going to stick to my TBR, but that's always going to be the case.

Enjoy!

1. A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1), by Jessica Cluess

I have just under 100 pages left of this and I'm sure that I will finish it within the next 24 hours. I don't know as to whether I'm going to finish the second book in the trilogy before the end of the year, but I don't regret picking it up. One thing I will say is that it kind of creeps up on you, and before you know it, you're invested in the story, and... what the heck it all means! Can't wait to see how it all ends (really hope there isn't a cliffhanger...)

2. The Grim Grotto (Series of Unfortunate Events #11), by Lemony Snicket

3. The Penultimate Peril (Series of Unfortunate Events #12), by Lemony Snicket

4. The End (Series of Unfortunate Events #13), by Lemony Snicket

 

The last three books in the Series of Unfortunate Events series. It's been a long time coming, having started re-reading this series in August, but from this point on I know not as to what will happen next and I'm excited about rediscovering it, especially as series 3 of the Netflix tv show will be out soon, and I'll be able to marathon the entire series at some point of next year.

5. POLL!

That's right! There will be a poll on my Instagram (same name as my blog) as to what book I shall read.

The two options are:

1. Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns #3), by Kendare Blake

2. This Cruel Design ( This Mortal Coil #2), by Emily Suvada

Two books that I am really looking forward to picking up. One's fantasy, the other is a DNA type Sci-fi. Two different series'. You decide.

Okay! So that is my November TBR! I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you all on Friday!

Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx 

October Wrap Up (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And this month I haven't read many books, but I've watched and written a fair amount!

Here's what I got up to this month!

BOOKS

I read a total of 5 books this month, and I am currently in the middle of another. I'll talk about that one first:

-A Shadow Bright and Burning, by Jessica Cluess

I'm currently about 175 pages into this, and I have been making my way through it for the majority of the month. When I picked it up, I expected it to be an explosive, exciting book that doesn't stop to take a breath. Some of those scenes were like that, and each time I picked it up I was excited to read about, but it felt like explaining everything was more developed, especially when it came to explaining the world. So this month I have been picking it up when I felt like reading more, but it's not my main story at the moment, and I'm trying not to read more than I want to, as I may fall into a reading slump.

The books I finished this month:

1. He's After Me, by Chris Higgins

I saw this in a charity shop at the start of the month and because it's the last Chris Higgins book that I hadn't yet picked up, I went and bought it. What I loved about this book was that a character from a previous novel is one of the main characters in this novel, which I already knew. But this book was exactly the same as all her others, I couldn't put it down, and I read the whole thing in less than 24 hours. They're just so addictive, and they're always written so well, and this one in particular was so dark, it was almost like an intense thriller- and it was an emotional rollercoaster with panic, sadness, love and intrigue- this was the most roller-coaster-ish book I have had the pleaser to come across in a long time.

2. The Vile Village (Series of Unfortunate Events #7), by Lemony Snicket

3. The Hostile Hospital (Series of Unfortunate Events #8), by Lemony Snicket

4. The Carnivorous Carnival (Series of Unfortunate Events #9), by Lemony Snicket

5. The Slippery Slope (Series of Unfortunate Events #10), by Lemony Snicket

  

So, the plan for the Series of Unfortunate Events series in the month of October was to read the first three books that you see here, but because of the situation concerning A Shadow Bright and Burning, I basically went for four books because I was just in the mood to keep going with the series. I now have three books left in this series, and I'm getting nervous for how it's going to end! What I liked about these books is that a full 180 turn takes place within these books. We stop reading about just Count Olaf trying to steal the fortune, and a lot more different plotlines start getting introduced into the book that brings a lot more mystery and intrigue into the story, which is something that I've really enjoyed!

 

FILMS AND TV SHOWS

FILMS

1. Bohemian Rhapsody

If you want to see my full review for this film, you can click the link. But if you want the short version, I thoroughly enjoyed this film except for a couple of (fairly significant) points. But what this film was really good at, was showing the inspiration for each and every song Queen released (especially for the people that weren't alive to live through Freddie Mercury's story.)

2. The Shining

3. The Omen

I'm putting these two together because they are both classic 60s/70s horror movies that I watched this month. I enjoyed them both immensely, and I'm glad that I've finally watched them! (Even if the horror was a little bit cheesy.)

4. Coraline

Coraline is my go to Halloween film, purely because it includes Disney! It gives me a very Alice in Wonderland vibe, and I was glad to sink back into that very surreal, mystical world that you are never sure what to expect!

TV SHOWS

1. Anne with an E- Season 1

I've had my eye on this series for quite some time, so I decided to give it a try. 7 hours later and I've finished Season 1. Such a realistic series of what it would have been during that time period. The portrayal of Anne was on point, I loved the plot, watching Anne flourish in a place where she met challenge after challenge, because of her gender and her outspokenness, so I was rooting for her from the start. The script was also incredibly beautiful.

WRITING

Right! So I finished my summary! I am now looking for beta readers! (Not much more to say other than I am currently setting up paperwork for that but, if you are interested in being a beta reader, comment on this post, or message me on Instagram or twitter- whatmakesagoodbook on Instagram

@TheWorldIsBooks on Twitter).

So that is what I have been up to in October! There are certainly a lot of spooky films in there, and I'm glad I got to embrace the spooky mood as much as I did!

Right! I hope you enjoyed reading about what I did this month, have a lovely weekend, and I will see you on Monday!

Byeee!

-Abi xxxxxxx