October Wrap Up (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And with the end of October comes another wrap up. 

Nowhere near as long as September's list, but I read a solid amount this month anyway. 

I read a total of four books. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. The Hidden Girl, by Lucinda Riley 

The most recently released Lucinda Riley book, edited by her son, Harry Whitaker. I didn't realise she still had more unpublished book, and I was fortunate enough to borrow my work colleague's copy. Spending several on a train jounrey to Cardiff and back was enough for me to start and finish this, it turns out. Of course I was sucked in almost immediately, with the centre of the story being about a young girl called Leah, from Yorkshire. Almost by chance, she is discovered by the husband of a famous modelling agent, and as she is whisked away from her life on the moors, events start to take place, as Leah starts to see for herself what the world of modelling is really like. Leah is very much the centre of the story, but she isn't the only character. I read from the POV of her mother, her employer and her family, and they all play their part in this very intricate story that takes place over centuries. 

2. A Mind Full of Murder (Skulduggery Pleasant #16), by Derek Landy

It's October, I pick up Skulduggery. It's like bread and butter. Skulduggery Pleasant and October. 

A Mind Full of Murder kicks off the third phase of books following SP and Valkyrie Cain, with a magical being killing off seemingly random mortals. They have powers that have never been seen before, and seemingly can't be stopped. Never one to walk away from a challenge, our heroes are on the case once more, and we get to be with them for the ride. 

Whatever happens, I know I will always be entertained, enthralled by whatever magnificent story Derek Landy has cooked up. 

3. The Haunted House on Hollow Hill (Skulduggery Pleasant), by Derek Landy

I came across this on holiday in Cornwall and figured, since I was already reading A Mind Full of Murder, it was the perfect opportunity for me to catch up on the series, since this had just been released. 

The Haunted House of Hollow Hill isn't part of the main series, more like a side story that can take place at any point during the third phase. It takes place in one night, in a hotel- The Hollow Hotel. The hotel has a gruesome history, about two lovers that became trapped in the maze of the hotel (as ghosts) that was made by an ex-betrothed. Not only that, someone is going round murdering the guests. 

So all in all, a bunch of crazy murders, ghosts scaring the guests, and a criminal running riot- makes for an extremely interesting read. 

4. Near the Bone, by Christina Henry 

After finishing The Haunted House on Hollow Hill, I had just over a week left until the end of October. 

Wanting to be in the spooky theme for a bit longer, I picked up Near the Bone, by Christina Henry, having bought it for October specifically. 

I became engrossed immediately. 

To be honest, I have no idea what fairytale this book was based off of. We follow a young girl called Mattie, who lives on a snow covered mountain with her husband, completely isolated from the rest of the world. Until Mattie uncovers a dead fox, and realises they're not alone after all. 

There's something in the woods that growls, unlike any human or animal, something with shrap teeth and claws. 

When three humans arrive at the mountain, looking for the creature, Mattie knows she needs to keep them a secret from her husband, William. Because William will get angry. And terrible things happen when William gets angry. 

This book goes in a different direction to what I thought it would. I thought Mattie would be stalking the creature, figuring more about it. I don't want to give anything away that would give a clue as to what this is about. I want you all to read it. If you like fairytales with a hint of classic horror, then this book is for you. Of course, read up on adult themes within this book before you do, because there are a few. 

As you can tell, I have a lot of thoughts for the this book, and you should expect a review soon! 

Okay! Those are all the books I finished for the month of October! I started out strong, and fizzled a bit in the middle, but managed to finish another book on the cusp, so I'm hoping for another good month in November! TBR up soon! 

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

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

The Women, by Kristin Hannah

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm here with another review! A rare post, I know, but when I read this book last month, and I knew I wouldn't be able to full process this book until I noted all my thoughts down on here. Because there are a fair few of them. 

You all know which book I'm talking about, if you've read the title, so I don't know why I'm hammering on, but I hope you enjoy it. 

Here are my thoughts and feelings on The Women, by Kristin Hannah. 

Title: The Women

Author: Kristin Hannah 

Release date: 6/2/2024

Status: Standalone

Pages: No idea, I read the audiobook. 

Blurb: "Women can be heroes. When twemty-year-old nursing student Frances 'Frankie' McGrath hears

these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and 

sheltered by her Conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in

1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a future for herself. When 

her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. 

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the 

chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal, friendships 

run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets- and becomes one of- the lucky, the 

brave, the broken, and the lost. 

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home 

to a changed and divided America, to angry protestors, and to a country that wants to forget 

Vietnam. 

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put

themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been 

forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story 

with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era." 

My Thoughts

I will say, I picked this book up because I wasn't sure what I was in the mood for. It was the most appealing audiobook on my unread list, which is why I picked it. 

But honestly, once I started it, I felt little interest in doing anything other than reading it. I became completely engrossed, and ended up finishing it in 3/4 days, despite it being about 10 hours long at my listening speed. 

Not only that, I felt so many feelings reading this. Horror and fear at the gruesome injuries in terrible conditions that Frankie and the other nurses had to deal with, but also fear and sadness at what the civilians had to live through at the hands of the Soviet Union. I felt fury at how Frankie was treated upon returning home after her contract ended, when she was told time and time again that 'there were no women in Vietnam' or when the work she had put in to save the lives of soldiers was simply brushed under the carpet. 

Frankie- instantly likeable- I loved her instinct, her need to make a difference, and her grit, to survive whatever was thrown at her, even when she was plunged right into the action of Vietnam. 

I related to her in her distaste for girlish dresses, for not wanting to brush what she had done under the carpet, despite everyone's apparent disgust. I never got bored of her as a main character, mainly because every situation she encountered (mostly post-war contract, I'm referring to here), felt like a very normal way to try and endure what she was going through. 

There are a lot of serious issues within this book, so it's best to be aware of them before jumping straight in. It of course discusses war conditions, injuries, life and death, and war. But it also deals with addiction, PTSD, alcoholism, unhappy relationships, protesting, violence, miscarriages and depression. 

There are some happy themes as well, but just be aware of the above mentioned. 

Okay, on to the other characters. Her Veteran friends, Barb and Ethel were amazing. End of. The three of them made up our main three. Of course, going to war as a nurse, your fellow nurses are your sisters. You experience pain, loss, death, and endure hell and back together. These three were one of the main reasons I was so excited to pick The Women up, day after day. And when each of them made their exits from Vietnam, the fact that they remained there for eachother, through thick and thin, was lovely to see.

I liked her family enough, as frustrating as they were. Thinking about the way Frankie's parents must have been brought up, and the world they grew up in, you can understand why they reacted to Frankie and her achievements the way they did. Doesn't make me happy about it though. 

Maybe my one critique of this book was how frequently romance and relationships occurred. There were a number of romantic interests in this, and although I know it's easy to form relationships when you're surrounded by so much horror (and trying to find comfort when you can), a new person of interest did crop up more than I expected. That's all I'm going to say about it. 

I loved this book, for the pure reason that it gives the nurses of Vietnam, or even the women that played their part in the Vietnam in general, a voice, a way to be heard, and not be forgotten for everything they did in Vietnam, for the sake of their country. 

Overall, The Women broke me. I couldn't think about anything, besides this book, for like a solid couple of days after finishing it. It whooped me emotionally, and I was ready to start the rest of Kristin Hannah's novels immediately after. Not done that yet, but I will. 

If you've been following me long enough you'll know what I mean when I say I want to do another Alice Oseman, but with Kristin Hannah books. 

So, read every single one of them, basically. 

This will definitely be on my Favourites list for 2024. 

I wonder what else will... 

Okay! That is my review for The Women, by Kristin Hannah! I hope you enjoyed reading about my thoughts and feelings regarding this book, and if you did, comment below! (You know, if you feel like you might give this a go.) 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

October TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my TBR for the month of October! 

I do have a couple of spooky reads for me to sink my teeth into, and also the final book published by Lucinda Riley, that I haven't read yet! 

I genuinely don't know what I'm going to do when there aren't any more left. Maybe cry? 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my October TBR, and feel free to comment your reading plans if you like. 

1. A Mind Full of Murder (Skulduggery Pleasant #16), by Derek Landy 

I received this for my anniversary in July, and with it being spooky season, it seems the perfect opportunity to start the final trilogy of one of my most beloved series'. 

I have been reading Skulduggery Pleasant since before I was a teenager, and I've very much grown up with Valkyrie, much like some of you have grown up with Harry Potter. Skulduggery Pleasant will always be a constant love for me, and I can't wait to delve back into this extroadinary world with their crazy adventures, for the final trilogy. 

2. The Girl on the Cliff, by Lucinda Riley 

I'm kind of nervous about this to be honest. To be reading my final Lucinda Riley book (unless her son edits and publishes any others). But still. After reading a book a month (at least) for over a year, and then to be at the end is heart-breaking but also good.

But, I still have one more book to enjoy. 

The Girl on the Cliff is about Grania Ryan, who has come home to Ireland, to be with her family, in the hope that being here will help her wounds to heal. When she comes across a girl on the cliff, she has no idea how meeting this girl will change her life. 

Or how their two families are strangely and deeply intertwined. 

From a bittersweet romantice in wartime London, to a relationship gone wrong in New York, the Ryans and Lisles have been help together for a century. Can Aurora find out how to break the circle of torment?

3. Near the Bone, by Christina Henry 

It's time! If there's a book I've been waiting for October to read, it is most definitely this one, by the amazing Christina Henry. 

I couldn't hope to better explain what Near the Bone is about, so I'll just quote the blurb:

"Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived

alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. 

But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the 

woods, she realizes that they're not alone after all. 

There's something in the woods that wasn't there before, 

something that makes strange cries in the night, something

with sharp teeth and claws. 

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for

the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will 

anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry." 

This sounds so atmospheric, so creepy, and it's been a while since I've read a Christina Henry book, so it's fair to say that I'm a tad excited. Anyone read this? It was nominated for Best Horror in 2021 on Goodreads, so let me know if you have. 

4. The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth, by Frances Wilson

And finally, this. 

I've put this on the end of the TBR, because it needs to be read. Also, I finished The Hidden Girl through train journeys today, so I'm currently ahead on my reading progress for the month. If all goes well, I should get through a good portion of this in October, if not finish it. 

For those of you that don't know, The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth is a biography, from William and Mary's wedding day, onwards. I picked this up because I wanted to know more about Dorothy as a person, not just about the poems she gave ideas and notes on. It's the third and final novel I bought at Dove Cottage last July, and although I have books I've had far longer, I know this is the one I'm likely to struggle with the most. 

Okay! Those are the books I plan to read for the remainder of the month! I would have loved to include another spooky book, but I really do need to get that last one finished! 

Is your month filled with murder and mystery, or marvellous magic? Let me know in the comments below! 

I hope you have a wonderful afternoon, and I'll see you all very soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx