Favourite Books of 2020!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And now Christmas is over, there's only a number of days left of the year, which means it's time to talk about my favourite books of the year! 

I've been seeing this more and more recently, so it's time for me to talk about my list! 

Enjoy! 

1. The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman 

I read this book in February and it's definitely the book that's made me the most emotionally distraught this year. After three miscarriages, Tom and Isabel are desperate for a child. So when a boat with a dead man and a baby arrive, approaching the secluded island they live on, to tend to the lighthouse.  Against Tom's better judgement, they adopt the baby. Years later, the cracks start to show. As well as pulling my brain and my heart in different directions, I loved the way it shows that these kind of situations aren't black and white. I was glued to this from the time that I turned the first page. 

2. What If It's Us, by Becki Albertalli & Adam Silvera 

I read this back in February also, and out of the adorable LGBT romances I've read this year, this was by far the best one. Dear Evan Hanson quotes, a summer romance in New York, and there's going to be another book coming out in the next couple of years! I loved all the characters, I didn't have a problem with any of them, and I can't wait to see them all again. 

3. Skyward (Skyward #1), by Brandon Sanderson 

It had been a couple of years since I'd picked up a Brandon Sanderson novel, and out of all the current Sanderson series', Skyward seemed the most intriguing, so I picked it up, and the rest is history. Honestly, I'd forgotten how easy it is to fall into one of Sanderson's stories, which is why Skyward is on this list. I loved Starsight just as much, I just thought book one was just a bit better. They were both fantastic however, and I will be continuing with book three as soon as the paperback is released!

4. The Illuminae Files trilogy, by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff 

Loved this series so much I can't choose between them! I wish I could forget everything about this series just so I could re-read it with fresh eyes, all over again. Loved the concepts for all of them, the unique printing just made them that much more addictive, and I was close to crying over some of the events that happened throughout the trilogy. I really wish there were more books in this series, so I could love them for even longer, but unfortunately it's just the three. 5 stars for all three. 

5. The Henna Wars, by Abida Jaigirdar 

Although it wasn't the reason I loved this, it was the reason I picked it up: there's so much representation in this month. Now, I've read female female relationship novels, but never from the POV of a Bengali girl, which was something I was interested in, right off the bat. Such a simple concept (for business studies, the girls at Nishat's school are given a task: to create a business and make money. The trouble starts when Nishat and Flavia (a childhood friends, and Nishat's crush) both decide to create a business for hennas whilst Nishat is constantly struggling with the pressure of being a lesbian and a Bengali girl (her parents won't allow it.) Add this to wonderful, fleshed out characters that will make you want to gasp, laugh and cry all at once, and you've got The Henna Wars. 

6. The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig 

The final book I read before I completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge this year. I got this on my birthday and I finished it three days later. Despite only being released in September, it's won the fiction category for the Goodreads Choice Awards this year. If that doesn't tell you how good it is, this book isn't for you. The Midnight Library is the place between life and death, and when Nora finds herself in this strange place, she gets the chance to look and decide: what life she could lead, if she had made a different decision along the way. Absolutely fantastic debut. 

7. Punching the Air, by Ibi Zoboi 

I wasn't even alive when the events that inspired this book began, but once I heard the premise, there was no way that was going to stop me tearing through this book as soon as I could. I was expecting this book to be amazing and I wasn't wrong. Written in verse, Punching the Air follows Amal, as he is wrongly accused and thrown in Jail, all because he was a black boy, in the wrong place at the wrong time. The language is powerful, emotional and gripping, and I will undoubtedly be picking it up again soon. 

8. Grown, by Tiffany D. Jackson 

If you think I finished The Midnight Library quickly, you haven't seen anything yet. I finished Grown in less than 24 hours. The story follows Enchanted, who wants nothing more than to be the next singing sensation. So when Korey Fields, an ultra famous singer takes her under his wing, she couldn't be more excited. Until she wakes up remembering nothing, and that's not all. Corey Fields is dead and the police is at the door. Who killed Korey Fields? I don't need to tell you guys how addictive this book is. I finished it in one day. Just, read it. 

9. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (The Montague Siblings #1), by Mackenzi Lee 

This is the most recently read book on this list, despite the fact that I've been wanting to read it the longest (out of all the books on this list.) But that doesn't matter, because I'm on the train now. And there's no way I'm getting off now. The Gentleman's Guide is a book I didn't know I needed, as it includes an LGBT romance, travel around the world, and a whole lot of trouble. Throw all of that into a world set in the Victorian era, and you have this book. Since stepping into the world of the Montague siblings, I've also read the second book, which is about Monty's sister Felicity, and I am extremely excited for the release of the third and final book in this phenomenal trilogy. 

Okay! Those are my favourite books of 2020! I hope you enjoyed this post, and feel free to comment about any of these books below in the comments! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you very soon with my 2020 Wrap Up! 

Byeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

The Joy of Christmas Book Tag

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I'm doing The Joy of Christmas Book Tag! 

It's the last tag of 2020 (thank god the year's coming to an end) and it's a Christmas one! 

Enjoy! 

1. Anticipating ~ The Christmas excitement is real, what book(s) releases are you anticipating? 

For all my anticipated releases for January- March, you can search here, but the two books (out of the books mentioned) are definitely Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala, and Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. Be Dazzled is basically an LGBT romance that takes place at Comic Con- and it has designing, fashion and a competition- sort of like Project Runway. There's more to it than that, but for some reason I'm really excited about it. Concrete Rose is a prequel of THUG, and because Angie Thomas is an auto-buy author for me, of course I'll be devouring it as soon as I can get my hands on it! 

2. Christmas Songs and Carols ~ What book or author can you not help but sing it's praises? 

There are a couple of authors that I've discovered this year, but none of them stand out- they're all equal, and I love their books equally. Therefore, I'll list them here, and you can check out their books for yourself- 

Christina Henry- Written the Chronicles of Alice duology, The Girl in Red, amongst others

Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples- Most well-known for Saga 

Tiffany Jackson- Written Grown, Monday's Not Coming, Allegedly, amongst others. 

Absolutely loved all the books mentioned! Go and read them if you haven't already.  

3.Gingerbread House ~ What book or series has wonderful world-building?

 

The Nevernight Chronicle trilogy is the first series I thought of, to best fit the category. 

Darkdawn review is coming, I promise. 

It may have taken me a whole to get into this series, but the world-building is first class. 

4. A Christmas Carol ~ Favourite classic or one that you want to read 

I need to get back into the Classics! It's a genre I've longed to delve back into. I read a couple of my favourites just last year, Black Beauty, Heidi and Anne of Green Gables, but there are several that I'd like to try next year. Some examples are A Little Princess and Great Expectations, to name a couple. 

5. Christmas Sweets ~ What book would you love to receive for Christmas?

I already know what I'm getting book wise for Christmas! I asked my boyfriend to get me one of my Series' TBR picks and I have an idea for what I'm getting! As for the rest of my family, it'll be book vouchers to spend on whatever book I so desire. 

Click here to see what my Series' TBR picks are for 2021! 

6. Candles in the Window ~ What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling? 

Any book with Nick and Charlie in it! I love these two so much- and I can't wait for Volume Four to be released in May! (I really hope this story doesn't end any time soon- or have a hiatus like Saga!)

7. Christmas Trees and Decorations ~ What are some of your favourite book covers? 

It's been a while since any cover's completely blown me away, but these covers are just beautiful: 

Under A Dancing Star just stood out in Waterstones when I saw it on display in my local Waterstones, (it shimmers under the light.) 

Punching the Air just looked so amazing and colourful that the cover drew me in (though I'd likely have read it even the cover was awful, because it was amazing.) 

I don't even know what to say about Kingdom of Back- even the photo on a screen is mesmerising. 

8. Christmas Joy ~ What are some of your favourite things about Christmas/ favourite Christmas memories? 

1. Christmas Day Parkrun- Done it four years in a row. 

2. Bacon bap after parkrun! 

3. Spending time with friends and family. 

What are some of your favourite memories? 

Okay! That's The Joy of Christmas Book Tag! 

As always, if you want to do this tag, you're free to. I tag you all! 

I hope you all have a wonderful evening and I'll see you soon- either with my Favourite Books of 2020, or my Darkdawn review! 

Comment below which one (or look out for a poll on Instagram.) 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Series TBR (2021)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And because I finished all the series' on my 2019 (and 2020) TBR, it's time for a new list! 

I've been wanting to read these for years, so it's high time I got to them! 

There's nothing left to say now except, enjoy! 

1. Throne of Glass series, by Sarah J Maas 

I tried to read this series about 5 years ago and for some reason it just didn't sit well with me. 5 years later, when a whole load more books have been released, and I'm giving it another go. I hate leaving series' unfinished and even though I've left it really late, I'm determined to see it through. Throne of Glass is about a notorious assassin Celaena Sardothien, who has to compete in a tournament against 23 other killers to win her freedom and work under the king. But there are secrets hidden amongst the castle, secrets plays at work. But there is so much hype surrounding this series, I need to know why. 

2. Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan 

Although I read maybe the first three of these iconic Percy Jackson books, I don't think I completed the entire series. So, this is the year I'm going to do it! When Percy Jackson's teacher tries to kill him, the truth comes out- he's actually the son of Poseidon. He's immediately sent to the one place his mother knows will be safe- Camp Half-Blood! It all kind of unravels from there, and Percy goes on a journey to find a stolen lightning bolt, along with his two new friends (whom I can't remember the name of!) 

3. Magnus Chase trilogy, by Rick Riordan 

Magnus Chase is actually the series I know the least about. The blurb states that Magnus Chase is a normal boy, living on the street that gets tangled up in a business with the Gods of Asgard. Maybe he has a relative that's a god, like Percy? I honestly have no idea, but I'm excited to find out. This one's a trilogy, so it shouldn't take me too long either. 

4. The Trials of Apollo series, by Rick Riordan 

If I want to read Rick Riordan, why not try for three individual series'? The "Trials of Apollo" series has just wrapped up and even though the fifth and final instalment came out in October, or November, sometime in those months, yet The Tower of Nero still won a category for the Goodreads Choice 2020 Awards, so if that doesn't mean I need to start to series, then I don't know what does. I've heard this series is action-packed and incredibly funny, but with more mature language, opposed to the Percy Jackson series, so I'm looking forward to reading about the mortal turned god Apollo. 

5. Poppy War trilogy, by R.F. Kuang 

I've heard nothing but fantastic reviews about the series and even though the third and final book got released a couple of months ago, I swear The Poppy War came out a couple of months ago. But the series is finished now, so I think it's time to start the series. Now, I don't know a lot about this, but I do know that it's based on the second Sino-Japanese war, and that there are a lot of adult themes, so if you're a young teen, or just entering into the genre of adult fantasy, this might not be the series for you. 

6. An Ember in the Ashes series, by Sabaa Tahir 

I've only read the blurb of An Ember in the Ashes, but I'm already entranced in where this story could go. The hype speaks for itself, I need to at least give this series a chance, if nothing else. The series speaks of slavery, a world where if you even raise a head, you and your family will suffer. This is the life that Laia leads, until the time that her brother is accused of treason, and she has a decision to make about whether she will do nothing, or dare to rise against royalty? I have no idea where the story will go after this, but I'm looking forward to finding out. 

Okay! Those are the series' I'm hoping to get to in the next year! I won't be doing a TBR Jar Challenge for 2021, because it would look pretty similar to this list!

So that's all I have for you all today, I hope you have a wonderful evening evening, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

Anticipated Releases (Jan-March 2021)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And it's December, which means another Quarterly Anticipated Releases post! 

I always look forward to new releases and I'm excited to show you guys what releases I am currently awaiting for the next three months! 

Enjoy! 

January Releases

1. Lore, by Alexandra Bracken (5/1/21) 

Honestly, this sounds crazy amazing. Years ago, nine Greek Gods rebelled, and as punishment for this rebellion, Agon was created. Every seven years they are stripped of their immortality and are forced to fight off a herd of humans that want nothing more than to fell a God. We follow Lore (protagonist) as she creates a shaky alliance to join the fight, as she tries to hunt the man that killed her entire family- he is now a god. I don't know more than that, but it's been ages since I've read something like this, and I can't wait to see what I think of it. 

2. Be Dazzled, by Ryan La Sala (5/1/21) 

Completely different to the previous book, De Bazzled is an adorable LGBT contemporary, and I am here for it. It takes place at Comic Con- Project Runway is making an appearance, and Raffy knows this could be his big chance to show the world what he loves to do most- what he's given up everything for- his stitching, dazzling, sewing, and draping- his art. The only problem is, his ex boyfriend Luca is his main competition. Once upon a time they tried to make it work, but Luca's insecurities and Raffy's strife for perfection ruined their relationship. But when they're forced to work together for their biggest project yet, can he juggle those unresolved feelings and make his best work yet? When I heard about this, I was so excited! I can't wait for this to be released so I can get started straight away! 

3. Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give #0), by Angie Thomas (12/1/21)

What took place seventeen years before THUG. You best bet I'll be reading this as soon as I can get me hands on it. Maverick Carter is the protagonist, when Seven was born. A teenager, struggling to conker his addiction of drugs and the Gang Lords. 

It's an understatement to say that I absolutely can't wait.  

4. Across the Green Grass Fields (Wayward Children #6), by Seanen McGuire (12/1/21)

I read the first five books in this series in as many months this year, and although this might not be the first book I reach for from this list, you best bet it won't be long before I do. I might leave it for a while though- so I don't have to wait as long for book 7. As usual, the blurb for this is whimsical and vague, meaning I've barely learnt anything for this story from glancing at it. But with all of the books of this series, I'll be going in as blind as I can. All I know is, the world that we're about to enter into is about heroes. It also contains unicorns, and that's all I need. I'm excited to take my next step into the Wayward Children world. 

5. Neverland, by Meagan Spooner (28/1/21)

This one doesn't actually have a cover yet, but that doesn't matter. I thoroughly enjoyed Hunted when I read through the audiobook in September, and I'm eager to throw myself into Meagan Spooner's take on the classic tale, Peter Pan. No doubt it'll be unique and intense, and I don't think I've ever read a Peter Pan retelling. One thing's for sure, I'm looking forward to this release. 

February Releases 

1. Amelia Unbridged, by Ashley Schmacher (16/2/21) 

Amelia is obsessed with the famous Orman Chronicles, because it's what brought her and her best friend Jenna together. But when they get the chance to meet the author, N.E. Endsley at a book conference, they are over the moon. 

But when Jenna gets to go and Amelia doesn't, the pair evolve into huge fight, one like they've never experienced. And then, before Amelia gets the chance to apologise, Jenna is killed in a freak car accident. Devastated, Amelia begins to plan everything she planned for the future. 

But when a mysterious, rare edition of the Orman Chronicles arrives on her doorstep, Amelia thinks it may be a gift from Jenna herself. Tracking the book to an obscure bookshop in Michigan, she finds herself face to face with none other but the legendary N.E. Endsley himself, the reason for Amelia and Jenna's fight, and perhaps the clue as for what Jenna was trying to tell her all along. 

This book sounds heart-breaking and hopeful all at once honestly. I don't know what to make of it, but I'm curious.  

March Releases

1. The Bright and the Pale (The Bright and the Pale Duology #1), by Jessica Rubinkowski (2/3/21)

Seventeen-year-old Valeria is on the run from the Czar, after she was one of the few survivors of the freeze, a dark and magical hold that was placed over her hometown. Everyone, including her family is stuck, and she knows she must stay ahead if she is to survive. Valeria finds refugee with the Thieves Guild, doing odd jobs with her friend Alik, the only piece of home she has left. 

Until he is murdered. Or so she thought. 

A year later, she finds him being held hostage, against his will. To buy his freedom, she must lead a group of cutthroats and thieves on a perilous journey to the very place she once escaped from. Only something sinister lurks there... 

This sounded like an exciting middle grade that I wanted to get my teeth into, and I'm looking forward to it. The cover is gorgeous too! 

2. She's Too Pretty to Burn, by Wendy Heard (30/3/21) 

A summer romance- with dead bodies. Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, She's too Pretty to Burn follows Veronica, who is bored of her photography as the summer in San Diego draws to a close. Her best friend Nico is insatiable, subversive and obsessed with chaotic art. They're photographers first, best friends second. But that was before Mick: the perfect subject, Veronica's dream girl. The days are long and hot, and soon the two girls are falling in love. Falling in love so hard, they don't imagine what comes next- one fire, two murders. Three drowning bodies, one suspect and a stalker. This is a summer they won't survive. Sounds interesting? Yeah, that's what I thought too. 

Okay! Those are all of the Anticipated Releases I have for you today! I hope you enjoyed reading about them, and feel free to comment your anticipated releases in the comment below! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2), by Jay Kristoff

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I'm writing my Godsgrave review because I'm dedicated to posting a review for all of these books (cos it's a trilogy.) 

There isn't anything else I want to say apart from, enjoy! 

Title: Godsgrave 

Author: Jay Kristoff 

Genre: Adult fantasy 

Status: Book 2/3 in "The Nevernight Chronicle" trilogy

Pages: 455

Blurb: "Mia Corvere, destroyer of empires, has found her

place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed

Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry 

do not believe she has earned it. 

Her position is precarious, but when 

it is announced that Consul Scaeva 

and Cadinal Duomo will be 

making a rare public appearance at the 

conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, 

Mia defies the Church and sells herself 

into slavery for a chance to fulfil 

the promise she made on the day 

she lost everything. 

As conspiracies unfold upon the sands

of the arena, secrets are revealed and 

the body count begins to rise within 

the collegium walls. Mia will be forced 

to choose between her loyalties and revenge." 

My Thoughts 

Wow! 

Just, wow! I've got so many emotions that I could draw from this, that I'm genuinely at a loss for words about what to say. 

Godsgrave was... a struggle to say the least. Not in the way that I didn't want to pick it up (there was a little bit of that at the start, same as Nevernight, but less so), but in the struggle that Mia went through in this book. Whatever the stakes were in the first book, they were tripled in book 2. I was invested throughout. 

You got to see more of the world in Godsgrave. In book 1 most of the book was centred around the Red Church, and although I liked watching Mia rise through the challenges that the school presented in her goal to survive the school, you saw a whole new world in this one, complete with a whole new set of plotlines and characters with it. 

And oh my goodness, did I grow to love these amazing new characters. Strangers at first, thrown together to fight for a common goal, but as they start to bond, you see them as more than just strangers, as they learn to fight as a team. But they weren't just caring people that I clung to with my heart and soul, they had an amazing set of skills! Every time they took to the stage, the challenges they faced, they kicked ass! And although you were fearing for their lives each and every time, I was also in awe at some of the events I witnessed!

Aside from that, there was some romance! I genuinely wasn't expecting this, because the relationship that was carved out in book 2, they despised each-other at the end of Nevernight. But similarly to book 1, the romance and the sexual tension wasn't the main focus of the book. I don't mind smut, but not when there's nothing else, and I'm happy to say that it was a back-burner.  

Also, Mia changed a lot in this middle book. She went from a would-be assassin that isn't willing to kill an innocent, to a person that might kill her own friends/ teammates to get what it is she wants. The protagonist we see in Nevernight isn't in the same stratosphere as the protagonist we see by the end of Godsgrave. 

Throughout this book I was clutching my side to stop from laughing. The constant banter with the characters, from two in particular (which I won't disclose) but they gave a lot of comedic relief in the highest intensity moments, and I was living for it. 

All in all, I gelled with this book a lot better than Nevernight, for some unknown reason. It might be that there were so many new characters, new plot points to keep track of, I wasn't bored at all because each and every chapter compelled me to continue. 

I don't know if I'm alone in this opinion or not, but if you're like me, and didn't gel too much with the first book, you never know, you might like it more! 

But anyway, that's all I have for today! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment below! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi 

December TBR (2020)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And it's time for the final TBR for 2020! It's quite the ambitious one, because there is a very large, very vast series I'm going to try and complete! 

I won't keep it from you any longer, enjoy! 

1. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (The Montague Siblings #2), by Mackenzie Lee 

I started this yesterday and I'm already halfway through this. I absolutely adored Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and I can't wait to see what happens with Monty's sister, in her struggle to become a doctor. It's a different feeling to Gentleman's Guide, but just as good as the first book so far. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy follows Felicity, Monty's sister a year after the events on the first book when she wants to be allowed to study medicine and become a physician. Which you'd think would be easy, but isn't when this book was set. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of this, because I already love reading about Felicity. 

2. Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3), by Jay Kristoff 

There's no way I'm going into 2021 without having finished this series. It might be the largest book of the three in the trilogy, but I didn't go through all I did to progress through the first two books, only to fall short in finishing this series in the last month of the year. If I need to, I might alternate between the physical book and the audiobook, like in Godsgrave, but I can't wait to see what'll happen in the final book for this unique series. 

3. The "Harry Potter" series, by J.K. Rowling (in it's entirety)

Reading the entire Harry Potter in one month is an ambitious feat, I'll admit, but I'm determined to give it a try. I don't need to tell you what this series is about, but it's been a few years since I've re-read this, which is why I'm going to relive this month because if there's a series to read in December, the first one I think of is the Harry Potter series!

4. The Cousins, by Karen M. McManus

After reading everything above this, I doubt I'll have the time to finish this as well, but it's being tacked on at the end anyway! This came out yesterday, and even though it's more of a mystery than a Christmas tale, I was eagerly awaiting it's release anyway! The Cousins is a book about family members, mystery and secrets, and that's all I need to know that I want to read this book as soon as I can. Karen M. McManus' books are always a quick read, and I'm hoping I'll be able to get to this before the year is out! 

Okay! That's all I want to try and read this month, hopefully I can get to all of them, but we'll see! 

As always, feel free to comment what you plan to read this month! I hope you have a wonderful evening and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx