Yearly Wrap Up (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I'm coming at you with my last post in 2024- my yearly wrap up. 

This post is mostly about reflecting on everything that I've managed to accomplish this year- both reading and otherwise, and just put it all to bed so I can look ahead- to 2025! 

This year has been particularly different, due to one major change- but somehow I've managed- and read and posted some along the way! 

Without further ado, let's get to it- I hope you enjoy, and I hope you've had a good year too. 

~Books Read in December~

Funny enough, I've really struggled with staying committed to reading this month. I only managed to finish two books (one isn't even finished as I'm writing this, but I'm including it because it's a graphic novel, and I have like 10 pages left), but that's okay, because I don't have any pressure on me at the moment, and I only needed to finish 2 to make 52 for the year. 

1. Unbroken, by Katarina Johnson-Thompson

For everyone that doesn't know, I'm a huge athletics fan. And anybody that has experienced athletics will know about the hepthatlon, an event that is seven different sports, and takes place over two days. 

Katarina Johnson Thompson (or KJT for short) first appeared on our television screens in 2012, during the London Olympics, at just 19-years-old. I'm not going to list her many achievements, the book will tell you about the amazing and terrible feats she's had to experience, without me trying to list them. 

But her book is amazing, and I recommend you try it, if you're into athletics at all. 

Because this is resilience and strength at it's purest. 

2. Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening (Monstress #1), by Marjorie M. Liu

I stumbled upon this in a retro gaming store in King's Lynn, of all places. I'd heard about it and was vaguelly interested, but had never seen it physically. £5- of course I was going to pick it up (despite it having 9 volumes, and was showing no sign of slowing down). 

With ten pages left, I'm hooked. I'm sure I've told my boyfriend at least 10 times how great it is. 

If you asked me what it was about, I don't think I'd be able to tell you. There was a war, many years ago, but the country is now in peace. There are children with powers, that are causing fear and fighting between the two sides- that peace is on the brink of turning into war again. The protagonist, a seventeen-year-old girl has stolen a mask and has a creature, living under her skin, that everyone wants to capture. And she's just trying to figure out what's going on. 

That's the bare bones. I feel like I'm constantly being pulled in different directions, and I'm really enjoying how the story is unfolding. Eagerly anticipating picking up the next volume. 

~Series Finished in 2024~ 

This year definitely hasn't been the year for series'. Instead of my usual seven, I've only finished three. But that's fine! My goal this year is to not be afraid of the bulkier books- and that's exactly what I've done! 

I've also caught up on some, and started others (like the graphic novel series I mentioned above). I'll talk about them after. What's more, I've enjoyed every single one. 

1. The 'Maple Hills' trilogy, by Hannah Grace

This is the trilogy that's responsible for making my heart flutter, and my insides turn to mush- they're all just so damn sweet! Stacie and Nate, Rory and Russ and Hayley Henry all have a special place in my heart- and I'm having a hard time finding a book series that makes me feel the same (I have an idea about one, but it's going to be a while until I can be fully committed to a series like this again). 

If you're in the mood for a cute, easy read (with series issues thrown in every so often), then this is the series for you. It's rare that I pick up a contemporary romance series, but I'm so glad I decided to give this one a go. Icebreaker was one of the first novels I picked up after moving into my new home this year, and I feel like each book has been in my head for the whole year. It's been amazing to get to delve into these characters' journeys. Thanks Hannah Grace. 

2. The 'Poppy War' trilogy, by R.F. Kuang

This trilogy had my brain in knots. It absolutely deserves the hype surrounding it. If there is anybody on this earth that has anything bad to say about this trilogy, they are lying. 

I will go as far as to say that R.F Kuang is up there with the fantasy greats- Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman... need I name any more? 

If you like epic chinese fantasy, then go and pick this trilogy up- you won't regret it- now where's my copy of Babel? 

3. The 'Montague Siblings' trilogy, by Mackenzie Lee

 
I read the books 1 & 2 right when they were released- way back in 2017 & 2018, and then I preordered book 3 on Audible, so I could read it right when it was available- simple right? Wrong! Instead it stayed, languishing on my Audible library- unread for years! Years! I told myself, it's fine, right? The Nobleman's Guide takes place over a decade after the first two, so I can pick it up whenever... 

I basically decided that enough is enough, and started way back on book 1, so I could experience The Montague Siblings trilogy in it's entirety.  

Thankfully I managed it, I didn't stop before book 3, thus laying the series to rest. 

It was lovely to be able to re-emerge myself in the stories of Monty and Felicity, in their escapades across the world, being caught up in adventure they never dreamed they'd find themselves in. 

And getting to meet Adrian, and then the inevitable reunion with the siblings he never even knew existed- it was great. 

And now the series isn't hanging over my head any more- even better. 

~Series I've Started and have Caught Up on~

To be fair, I've caught up on just as many series, as I've finished. One of them was even meant to be finished by the end of the year. Here's the list of series I'm awaiting the next release: 

1. The 'Clementine' trilogy, by Tillie Walden- Awaiting the third and final graphic novel, release date is 8th July, 2025. 

2. The 'Heartstopper' series, by Alice Oseman- Awaiting the sixth and final graphic novel *sobbing*. Release date is currently unknown. 

3. The 'Skulduggery Pleasant' series, by Derek Landy (of course- I'm always doing that). Awaiting the 18th book in the series (A Heart Full of Hatred- release date is 27th March). 

Those are all the series I'm caught up on, the only book series I've started, but am yet to catch up on is, well, basically, the one I started yesterday: 

The 'Monstress' graphic novel series, by Marjorie Liu. I have eight volumes to read after my current one, and then whatever she sees fit to release in the future. But this graphic novel series is here to stay.

~What I Accomplished in 2024~ 

1. I FINALLY GOT SUB 23 AT THE 5K- literally been trying to do that for 6 fucking years- and I finally managed it this year. 

2. I moved out- have lived in this house for the best part of the year and I couldn't be happier. 

3. Kept my blog posting and reading consistent- a book a week is decent- going to try for three posts a month consistently next year- doing four in December is proof that I can achieve that. 

~Goals for 2025~

1. Blog three times, every month. I know I can do it. 

2. Achieve a marathon time that's better than 5 hours. Brighton was over measured, but that's still no excuse. I know I can do better. 

3. Get a fucking cat. We've nearly made it a year. It's time. 

~What I'm Looking Forward to in 2025~ 

1. Actually doing a marathon- I said on my 2023 wrap up that I'm eyeing the distance up- I'll be running Boston (Lincolnshire, UK- I'm not that fast) in April- and then eating a lot later on. 

2. New trainers! I've had my current ones nearly a year and a half- and I can't wait to get another pair. 

3. Donating my hair again! I'll be sending my hair to Princess Trust Foundation some time in January- it'll be such a relief to not find my hair everywhere. 

4. Talking to you all! 

Okay! That is my 2024 at it's end! I don't think I have anything left to say- if you do, write it in the comments! Let me know your achievements, your thoughts, your goals for 2025- or even what your favourite read was! 

This year has felt different. Some days I was so tired I was surprised I had the energy to even wake up. Other days I was up and out of bed, ready to take on the day. Even making a cup of coffee or getting in the shower was enough to make me feel brighter about the day. 

Getting out of bed, or making a cup of coffee is an achievement some days. But we've made it through another year, and for that we should be proud! 

So let's look forward to 2025! 

See you on the flip side, everyone! 

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx