I really hope that's not pee running down my leg...

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with the third installment of, I'm still not sure what I'm calling whatever this it- short story? I guess we'll see how long it goes on for. 

Collection of scenes! We'll go with that! 

Well, nobody has told me to stop yet, so I'm just going to keep going. 

I did actually put some thought into how this story is going, I promise, so hopefully you'll get a little bit more of a window into how this story will progress in this scene- or you'll still be confused! Let me know in the comments below! 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. 

~I really hope that's not pee running down my leg...~

What the fuck was that? Trying to process things here.

Okay, so I’m walking home, someone is following me, I’m freaking out, and then he’s dead. Because of fricking light beams coming out of my HANDS? How is this possible?

This kind of stuff just doesn’t happen. Not in the real world, anyway.

Yet somehow it did.

Me. Charlie Frank. Simpleton. 15 years old. Just blew fucking light beams out of my hands!

This is amazing! I’m a superhero! I’m the best person ever.

If it wasn’t for the fact that I just killed a man.

My stomach turns and I’m very nearly spewing up everything that’s in it. Before I can do that though, I feel a kind of swaying. It starts in the sky, directly above me. It’s the kind of feeling you get when you’re on a boat. Not chaotic, or dizzy-ish at all, more like a gentle swaying where you never seem to get your balance right. This swaying continues downwards, until it feels like it’s all around me, cascading down into… me.

And that’s when… it appears.

Short guy, no more than five feet, might be Italian, or Greek, a bit like Phil from Hercules. Okay, maybe a lot like Phil from Hercules, complete with a headset and tattoos on his muscled arms. He descends fast, faster, faster, faster than speed itself, then STOPS, right before it looks like he’s about to crash. By this point I’m 99% sure I’m dreaming. I really hope I’m dreaming.

Please let me be dreaming…

Anyway, after the dead stop, he starts to turn (assuming he’s, well, a he) spinning, slowly downwards, until he places his hooved feet onto the pavement.

 I don’t know what he saw in my face, but whatever it is, makes him sprint over to me and hold me in place.

“Wait, wait! Don’t bolt, or throw up, please! Just let me explain!”

Couple of things. One- I must really be out of it, because I had plenty of time to get away, if I wanted to- whoever this guy is, can’t run very fast at all, and two- never actually heard him talk, I heard him in my head. Telepathic? I must be dreaming.

Because somehow, I’m not making any noise either.

“Okay, okay! Not bolting, but please, explain everything! I’m seriously freaking out here!”

Convinced at last, he lets me go. He takes a deep breath, and with a nervous glance around himself, begins again.

“My name is Gus. I’m part of the security team keeping tabs on watchers. To make sure nothing happens to them.”

A calming feeling has taken over my entire body. I’m sure it’s something to do with him, and although I’m trying to resist, I can’t help but listen to what he’s saying.

I take a deep breath, changing from ragged to barely breathing, as the calming effect, takes effect, and relax, before I say anything else.

“Wait, what are watchers? Security team for what? And what kind of things can happen to watchers?”

A slight slimmer of a smile passes along his lips. “Something like what you just did.” He indicates behind him. “Sometimes clients can lose control, when they get anxious. I shouldn’t even be here, to be honest with you. This is extremely special circumstances. In fact, we really can’t stay long.” Gus taps a triangular-shaped icon on his arm, mutters something non-committal, and a circular thing (no idea how else to describe it) slides open. He goes to grab my arm, but quick as lightning, I’m out of range. (What the actual f? I’ve never moved that fast in my life!)

“Wait! What even is this? Who is this guy, why was he watching me? What’s all this about? I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me that!”

Sighing, he taps another button on his arm. The circular thing closes.

“I really shouldn’t be telling you this. There are rules, and threats, and dangerous times coming. I should not be telling you this.”

He’s pacing now. I wish he would just spit it out. Or stop pacing. Laughing at his walk won’t help things.

He seems to make his mind up about something. Looks me dead in the eye.

“Okay, you’re one of the many hand-picked children chosen to defend Artios, the city of the stars. Something is coming, and although we don’t know what it is, there is a legend of a handful of children, arriving to save the city, and all of its inhabitants. You’re one of them. Now, please, you must come with me!”

And much like every other teenage boy being told they’re destined to save a city they’ve never even heard of, I start to freak out- again.

“WHAT? But, but, but, that can’t be true! I’m Charlie, I’m 15, and new, and weird. Complete simpleton. I can’t have been chosen!”

Gus goes on. “We’ve been on the look out for the past one hundred years. Something is coming, and you’re involved. Now, I can tell you more where it’s safe. But you have to come with me now. Please, will you? Or will you be left vulnerable, without a watcher? Because he’s your lot.”

I glance back at my watcher… What do I do? There’s Mum, she’ll be worried about me. Or will she? Gus has powers, he’s already, somehow, calmed me down, which is a feat in itself. Surely Mum will be fine?

“Your Mum will be fine. She already thinks your staying at a friend’s.”

Trying to ignore my shaking my hands, I take a deep breath, and say:

“Okay. But you need to tell me everything when we get there.”

“Deal.”

The portal opens and we walk in.

Okay! That was Installment #3! I hope you enjoyed it, and of course, any thoughts would be appreciated, if you want to share them. 

I hope this entry gave the story a bit more of a direction, there was certainly a lot more to it than the previous entries! 

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

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxxx 

Anticipated Releases (October- December 2025)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I'm back with my long overdue Anticipated Releases post for the final three months of 2025! I know I always say this, but I can't believe how quickly this stage of the year has rolled around!

Nevertheless, there are still a great many books that are about to be releases, and I can't wait to reveal my own personal list!

I will be starting from the start of October, even including the books that have already been released, just so you know.

I hope you enjoy this list, and don't forget to post your own anticipated releases list in the comments!

~October 2025~

1. Remain, by Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan

Release date: 7/10/25

When I first heard about this, I wasn't sure whether to put it on my list or not. It didn't seem all that different from other supernatural romances I'd heard about in the past, even if I'd heard of Nicholas Sparks in the past.

Then I found out who M. Night Shyamalan was- world renowned writer and director of Unbreakable, Split, and The Sixth Sense, and looking at this with a fresh pair of eyes, I decided to add it to the list after all.

"When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. Recently discharged from an upscale psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression, he is still wrestling with the pain of losing his beloved sister. Sylvia’s deathbed revelation—that she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world, a gift that runs in their family—sits uneasily with Tate, who struggles to believe in more than what reason can explain. But when he takes up residence at a historic bed-and-breakfast on the Cape, he encounters a beautiful young woman named Wren who will challenge every assumption he has about his logical and controlled world.

Tate and Wren find themselves forging an immediate connection, one that neither has ever experienced before. But Tate gradually discovers that below the surface of Wren’s idyllic small-town life, hatred, jealousy, and greed are festering, threatening their fragile relationship just as it begins to blossom. Tate realizes that in order to free Wren from an increasingly desperate fate, he will need to unearth the truth about her past before time runs out . . . a quest that will make him doubt whether we can ever believe the stories we tell about ourselves, and the laws that govern our existence. Love—while transformative—can sometimes be frightening.

A story about the power of transcendent emotion, Remain asks us all: Can love set us free not only from our greatest sorrows, but even from the boundaries of life and death?"

Aside from that, it also looks like this is going to be a film in 2026. I'm very much hoping the book sells well, but consider the names behind this project, I'm almost expecting it to do well (will definitely be joining the large fan base in reading this).

2. The Scammer, by Tiffany D. Jackson

Release date: 7/10/25

I read Grown by the same author five years ago yesterday, and it's turned into one of those books that I still think about today. Tiffany D. Jackson is known for her sensitive subjects and hard-hitting writing style and although I haven't picked up a book by her for the last five years, I have a feeling that I'm going to love this one.

"Out from under her overprotective parents, Jordyn is ready to kill it in prelaw at a prestigious, historically Black university in Washington DC. When her new roommate’s brother is released from prison, the last thing Jordyn expects is to come home and find the ex-convict on their dorm room sofa. But Devonte needs a place to stay while he gets back on his feet—and how could she say no to one of her new best friends?

Devonte is older, as charming as he is intelligent, pushing every student he meets to make better choices about their young lives. But Jordyn senses something sinister beneath his friendly advice and growing group of followers. When one of Jordyn’s roommates goes missing, she must enlist the help of the university’s lone white student to uncover the mystery—or become trapped at the center of a web of lies more tangled than she can imagine."

3. Twice, by Mitch Albom

Release date: 7/10/25

This one is a bit different from the previous two. It tells the story of Alfie Logan, who, from the age of eight, discovers that he can travel to any point of his life, and relive that moment again, and make a different decision about what to do. A second chance basically.

As he grows older, he eventually directs his gift to his love life. Studying his crushes, then going back in time to make himself more appealing. Soon he meets Gianna, and it isn't long before he falls deeply in love with her.

But, his eyes begin to wander, and soon he finds out about his gift's fatal flaw: once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Knowing this forces him to make a decision that will change Alfie's life forever.

The book begins many years later, when Alfie is arrested for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casion roulette wheel.

This sounds so interesting, especially with the mixed up start and end. Maybe a heartwarming story for December? What do you all think of this?

4. The Secret Christmas Library, by Jenny Colgan

Release date: 14/10/25

I don't need to know anything but the fact that this book is about a Secret Christmas Library. That's literally all I need to know.

I'll copy/paste the blurb here for you guys though:

"Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it’s not a chance meeting. She’s all too familiar with Theo’s good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever there’s a treasure that needs locating.

Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie’s grandfather, the castle’s most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle his clues, discovering the secrets of the house—forming and breaking alliances in a race against time."

5. The Women of Artemis (Retold: The Grecian Women), by Hannah M. Lynn

Release date: 21/10/25

This is the never-before told story for the world's most ferocious heroines: the rise of the Amazons.

When Otrera married at the age of fourteen, she imagines a life of unity, of love and partnership with her new husband. Years later, living in destitution with her abusive husband, she now knows that that kind of marriage doesn't exist. It is simply a women's lot to live with the treatment of her husband, whoever he may treat her. Until it's not.

Rallying women in a similar situation to herself, Otrera fights back, and she takes no prisoners. She is raising an army of women, and their reasoning is clear to her: when men are in charge, freedom isn't granted. It's bought with blood. It's a price she is more than willing to pay, if it means freedom for the women she stands with, if it means getting them all away from their abusers.

But a community of women- an army of women- is bound to make enemies of men and Gods alike.

~November~

1. The House Saphir, by Marissa Meyer

Release date: 4/11/25

A new fairytale retelling by the phenomenal Marissa Meyer! *Adds it to the list*.

But seriously, there was a time, maybe a decade ago, where Marissa Meyer was one of the biggest names around in the fantasy genre, for her Cinder series especially.

Now, she's back, with none other than a fairytale retelling that promises to be gory, addictive, and above all, intense.

"The ghost of Bluebeard. A handsome count. A con artist in over her head.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts. She and her sister eke out a living by selling fraudulent spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of Count Bastien Saphir's mansion - who killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet his great-grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy and when he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his home of Bastien's ghost, she can't resist.

But when murder returns to the House Saphir, Mallory is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of payment, she'll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

Still that all sounds easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when her heart's desire might be the murderer himself."

2. The Merge, by Grace Walker

Release date: 11/11/25

This sounds like everything that's science fiction done right. The Merge is about the world's first experimental process, where two people are merged into one, in extreme circumstances. It sounds new, and exciting, and unlike anything I've read for a very long time. Aside from that, it's Grace Walker's debut as well. This sure sounds like one interesting book.

"How far would you go to never say goodbye?

Laurie is sixty-five and living with Alzheimer’s. Her daughter Amelia, a once fiery and strong-willed activist, can’t bear to see her mother’s mind fade. Faced with the reality of losing her forever, Amelia signs them up to take part in the world’s first experimental merging process for Alzheimer’s patients, in which Laurie’s ailing mind will be transferred into Amelia’s healthy body and their consciousness will be blended as one.

Soon Amelia and Laurie join the opaque and mysterious group of other merge teenage Lucas, who plans to merge with his terminally ill brother Noah; Ben, who will merge with his pregnant fiancée Annie; and Jay, whose merging partner is his addict daughter Lara. As they prepare to move to The Village, a luxurious rehabilitation center for those who have merged, they quickly begin to question whether everything is really as it seems."

3. Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film, by Todd James Pierce

Release date: 11/11/25

I don't think I've had a non-fiction book on one of these posts before. But, there's a first for everything. Making Mary Poppins contains every piece of information you could want about, well, making Mary Poppins. From the time the Sherman brothers approached Walt Disney with a single song, to meeting him in person, to composing the entire score, and all the production surrounding the film. I really hope this isn't going to cost the bomb I think it will (and that I can find it in my local Waterstones too, because I desperately want to get my hands on it).

4. The Botanist's Assistant, by Peggy Townsend

Release date: 18/11/25

There seems to be a lot of books about botanist's coming out, doesn't there? I must have found at least three in the past six months, when searching for new releases. They must be pretty good, for publishing houses to keep releasing them too.

"A murder in the science lab shatters a woman’s quiet and ordered life when she decides she must solve the crime herself in this entertaining and uplifting mystery.

Plenty of people consider Margaret Finch odd. Six-feet-tall and big-boned, she lives alone in a small cabin in the woods, drives a 20-year-old truck, and schedules her life so precisely you can tell the time and day of the week by the chore she is doing and what she is wearing. But the same attributes that cause her to be labeled eccentric—an obsessive attention to detail and the ability to organize almost anything—make her invaluable in her job as Research Assistant II to a talented and charismatic botanist.

It's those very same qualities, however, that also turn Margaret into a target after a surprising death shakes the small university where she works. Even as authorities claim the death appears to be from natural causes, Margaret fears it might be something more: a murder born of jealousy and dark secrets. With the aid of a newly hired and enigmatic night custodian, Margaret finds herself thrust into the role of detective, forcing her to consider that she may not be able to find the killer before the killer finds her.

With a cast of quirky and likeable characters that one won’t soon forget, The Botanist’s Assistant is a delightful story of perseverance and the power in all of us to survive."

If I do end up picking this up, I think I'll have to pick this up in November- or risk having it on the shelf until January at least- it definitely wouldn't be a book that gets me in the mood for Christmas.

~December~

1. Persephone's Curse, by Katrina Leno

Release date: 2/12/25

Having read the blurb, and then some of the reviews, it reads a lot like Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. It's the strength of the relationship between the sisters that sells this book to me, mixed in with the tale of Persephone from Greek legend. I think I might have to do a bit of research regarding Persephone's story before reading this book, since it's not one of the more familiar Greek tales.

Here's the blurb:

"Are the four Farthing sisters really descended from Persephone? This is what their aunt has always told that the women in their family can trace their lineage right back to the Goddess of the Dead. And maybe she's right, because the Farthing girls do have a ghost in the attic of their Manhattan brownstone —a kind and gentle ghost named Henry, who only they can see.

When one of the sisters falls in love with the ghost, and another banishes him to the Underworld, the sisters are faced with even bigger questions about who they are. If they really are related to Persephone, and they really are a bit magic, then perhaps it’s up to them to save Henry, to save the world, and to save each other."

To be honest, this book sounds perfect for February. It's still winter, it's still dark, it's about love, family love and romantic love. Definitely a nice placeholder until then.

2. Better in Black (The Shadowhunter Chronicles #22), by Cassandra Clare

Release date: 2/12/25

It's been a very long while since I've included one of Cassandra Clare's books in an Anticipated Releases post, owing to the fact that it took me a good couple of months to finish Queen of Air & Darkness in 2019, and I never seemed to have finished her novels (there were always several that were either waiting to be released, or I had on my unread shelf). But this one is a little different. Cassandra Clare has orchestrated a series of short stories from all of her Shadowhunter books, with each of her fan-favourite couples within them.

I don't really care if there are short stories of characters I haven't met, but there's a story about Will and Tessa in this book, so it's worth getting, just for that.

She's really been quite clever with this, to be honest. She's keeping newer fans hooked into the franchise, and bringing back old fans, so they can get another taste of some of the older couples as well.

Okay! Those are all of my Anticipated Releases for the last three months of 2025! I think there are a good few on there, and I hope you've enjoyed reading about my list (of course, feel free to comment your own list in my comments, in case there are any you want to short about).

With that, I hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you all soon!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

September Wrap Up (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm here with a (slightly) late wrap up, due to a two day trip to Lincoln. 

But I'm here, and I will be posting both this and an Anticipated Releases post for the last three months of the year- in due course. 

Without further ado, here is a breakdown of the books I finished in September. 

1. Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernadette Evaristo

Just putting it out there: every time I see this book, I think Bernadette Peters is the author, which is terrible of me, to get the name of the author wrong, but I think the same thing whenever I hear the Bernadette, regardless of what context. 

Girl, Woman, Other is a compilation of short stories, from the POV of 12 different characters. There are three stories to a section, and each of those characters cross paths in some way or another. 

I actually found with this book, that even though I absolutely adored each and every story, I struggled to stay engaged to it. Thus, why it took me the best part of three weeks to finish it. 

These characters were from a variety of ages, sometimes through generations in a family, sometimes the interaction came from a school setting, but they were all powerful stories, moving and heartfelt in a way that you rarely see in the Fiction genre these days. They each had their own challenges, their own obstacles to overcome and it was interesting to read and find out how they dealt with their own individual situations.  I have been wanting to read this for the longest time, and I was so happy when I was given the chance to. 

Of course, you find out each character's ending in one ending paragraph, at the afterparty of the first story's theatre premiere- coming full circle, and it was a good ending to a brilliantly thought-out tale. 

2. The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

My colleague was nice enough to lend me this book, in exchange for The Ocean at the End of the Lane, (she in fact finished that before I had even started this) but that's not the point :). 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Graveyard Book tells the story of Bod, whose taken in by two ghosts in a graveyard, after he escapes the assassin that killed his entire family. It's a short novel, not even 300 pages, but you read about Bod from the age of 2, all the way to when he's a young man, seeking a future outside of the graveyard, but unable to leave, because of the hunter, still hell-bent on his murder. 

For me, the first few chapters felt unconnected. It was like each chapter was a whole new story, and was unrelated to anything I'd read previously. Other than the introduction to a new character, whose relevance I couldn't see at the time, a lot of the chapters almost fell flat (despite me liking reading them at the time). Then I reached a point, maybe 100-120 pages in, that it felt like the story finally came together. 

From that point on, you could say that I was a bit more anxious to find out what happened with Bod, and the killer that wanted him dead. 

The second half of the book is enough to struggle through the first part in my opinion. 

Overall, lovely, whimsical writing, a very unique story, that should not be underrated. I would say with some certainty that this is on my top three Neil Gaiman books. 

And I'm not done yet. 

3. Fence, Vol. 6: Redemption (Fence #6), by C.S. Pacat

4. Fence, Vol. 7: Challengers (Fence #7), by C.S. Pacat

Of course I was going to drop everything when I unwrapped these for my birthday! I just wish there were more volumes! I'm aware that there are standalones of course, but I don't want to say goodbye to everybody else! Anyone know if C.S. Pacat is planning on coming back to the series? Because I need more?!

God knows there aren't many sports book series, much less fencing, but that's why this series is such a standout. Amazing, adorable characters that I love so much, so intense, I practically bite a nail off after every graphic novel, just an amazing, fast paced story- you must understand, I've never had withdrawal symptoms like I have for this series- ever. 

SO I NEED THE NEXT VOLUME.

Okay, so those are the books that I read in September! Right now I'm working Great Expectations, and have been for a while- which is why there aren't anymore books on my Wrap Up for September. 

I'm very much hoping to finish it before I holiday to Dubrovnik next thursday, but we'll see how we go. 

Anyway, that's all I have for you today- as always, feel free to comment what you got up to in September, and I'll be posting my Anticipated Releases as soon as I can! 

I hope you have a good morning, afternoon, or evening- wherever you are! 

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

Chain Reaction

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

After the random story scene I posted just under a month ago, I've been thinking a little bit about how to continue on with it. 

Just for myself you know, to keep my storytelling active, you know. 

And I think I have an idea. 

Like before, completely unedited, just what I was thinking at the time of writing. I hope you enjoy it. 

~Chain Reaction~

Okay, on to the next client. Charlie. Where’s he at? Oh look, he’s walking at home, and the watcher is in proximity. Okay, perfect. He’s moved further along to discovering his abilities.

Okay, it might not be the best situation in the world, kids can develop quickly when they’re nervous, but so long as the watcher is there, that’s fine.

What’s the watcher doing? He probably shouldn’t get so close to the client. I should send something, to warn him.

Typing, typing…

Okay, I get it, if that’s what you like to do, if that’s what works, then so be it.

It sure is windy out there tonight.

…

…

…

…

Wait, what just happened?

Wait…

Wait…

Wait, what?

WHAT THE FUCK DID THE KID DO?

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh this is not good.

What do I do now? Surely, I can’t make contact, that’s the most fundamental rule.

But of course, in extreme circumstances, rules don’t apply. 

Should I?

No.

No, I can’t.

Can I?

What’s Faras really going to say against it.

I mean, the kid’s freaking out right now.

No, I have to.

Red button.

PRESS.

A trapdoor opens underneath my feet and I’m falling.

Wow, I hope this isn’t a long fall.

Okay! I guess that's what you would call scene #2, all done! I'm going to come up with a name for this series of scenes, if I continue on, I promise! Anyway, I know this was completely random, but let me know in the comments whether you want me to carry on, or not! 

That's all that I have for you guys today, so I'll see you all soon! I hope you all have a wonderful day! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

August Wrap Up (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And, even though it's a day late, I'm here with my August Wrap Up! 

I read a lot of books in August, which I'm extremely happy with, and because I lowered my Goodreads Reading Goal, it means I've already reached my target for the year (and I can't begin to tell you how relieved I feel, now that the pressure is off). 

But without further ado, here's my August Wrap Up! 

1. Fence, Vol.1 (Fence #1), by C.S. Pacat 

2. Fence, Vol. 2 (Fence #2), by C.S. Pacat 

3. Fence, Vol. 3 (Fence #3), by C.S. Pacat

The minute I changed my reading goal from 80 books, to 52, and I realised that I was a mere 7 books away, I immediately changed my attention to the books that would help me achieve that goal the fastest. Hence, the book choices of August (but mostly this series, as I had the majority of the Fence graphic novels in my possession at this time). 

I opened the first page, and that was it. I read these three in the space of two days. I likely would have carried on, if I had Volume 4. 

The Fence series just made sense to me. I love cute, LGBT romances. I love books about sport, because I haven't come across many of them. Couple that into a graphic novel, the fastest form of reading? Absolutely! 

4. Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell 

When I had read as far as I could into the Fence series as I could, I knew I needed something that was familiar, that I would enjoy, but invested enough that it wouldn't take too much time. Cue Black Beauty. One of my favourite classics of all time, reading from the POV of Black Beauty himself. 

Black Beauty as a character feels as fleshed out as any human character, even more so at times. You read about him as a young colt, being broken in, sold to his first home, his unforgettable friends, especially Ginger, swapped from owner to owner, experiencing loss, danger, cruelty, at the hands of negligence, or through work and turmoil. Black Beauty is wonderfully written, by the words of an expert, and a truly wonderful story. If you did not have the pleasure of experiencing it as a child, then I urge you to pick it up as an adult. Perfect for any age or any level of developed reader. 

5. Saga, Volume 9 (Saga #9), by Brian K. Vaughan 

6. Saga, Volume 10 (Saga #10), by Brian K. Vaughan 

7. Saga, Volume 11 (Saga #11), by Brian K. Vaughan 

 
With a fabricated deadline (my partner's night shift ending) and no Fence, Vol. 4 in sight, I was forced to search for other books that I knew I could finish fast. 

Of course it was going to be Saga. I still had Volume 11 to read, and Volume 9 was the perfect place to start, because of the emotional part at the end (it was the right volume to get me back into the Saga mindset), not to mention, at this point, I was three books away from my Goodreads Reading Challenge goal. 

And now of course, Volume 12 is out, and I'm back to being behind again. 

Sod's law. 

But this time, I am ready. 

I remember exactly where the 11th volume ended, and I want to know what happens next. 

8. Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals (Fence #4), by C.S. Pacat

9. Fence, Vol. 5: Rise (Fence #5), by C.S. Pacat 

 
At last! Volume four arrived! (It took a week longer than it said it would, but I got it in the end at least.)

You can bet I put my CR aside from I could marathon Volumes four & five! 

But, as you might expect, I loved them just as much as the first three. I think I'm going to recommend these to my brother, I reckon he'll like them just as much as me. 

In fact, if you're looking for a new LGBT obsession, and like fencing, and graphic novels, then this is the series for you! 

There are two volumes left, which I've asked for for my birthday, which is less than two weeks away, and although I'm excited to have them in my hands, I don't think I'm quite ready to say goodbye to these wonderful, wonderful characters! HELP! What do I read next? 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in the month of August! 

I know what you're thinking. You're wondering where all the books from my August TBR are! And I'll tell you: I haven't read them yet. 

But I did finish my first one this afternoon- and I'll be getting to the rest of them really soon. 

Okay! That's all I have for you guys today! As always, feel free to comment what you finish in August below, and we can talk about it! 

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

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

An Unexplained Burst of Light

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

Now, this might be nothing, but driving home tonight, I had a spark of an idea for a new story, so coming home, I turned on my laptop, and just hashed out a scene on my laptop, which is what I'm about to post now. 

If I feel like it, I might continue on, and see what comes up, or I might not. 

It's completely unedited, I literally just posted whatever I was thinking at the time. I hope you enjoy it. 

~An Unexplained Burst of Light~

Stay calm. Don’t act like you know they’re following you. Remember what Mum told you. Keys in hands. Just because that instruction is given to girls trying to avoid being mauled, doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply to you as well. Try and find someone, (even though it’s unlikely there’s anyone around at this hour).

You’re fine. Almost home.

Okay, maybe I’m lost.

We did only move here a couple of months ago, after all.

But I told myself I was fine! And I was. Until I realised I had no idea where I was going. Is that wind? Please tell me I’m not near the cliff edge.

What am I saying? Of course I’m not! There’s no way I’m anywhere near there, because it’s miles away.

But that person is still following me.

Okay, think. And ignore increasingly sweaty palms too.

Keep walking, as if I know where I’m going, but not too fast, so I don’t trip and fall. I can find my way home. Even if my phone is dead.

Stop panicking! You will find your way home.

Try and remember what else Mum said.

She said to look for familiar surroundings and take it one step at a time. So that’s what I’ll do.

What do I remember, that’s near the house?

The abandoned cottage, and the lake next to it! Yes!

Which way was it?

Shit, I wish it wasn’t so dark!

Think, Charlie!

Oh, I wish the whole neighbourhood wasn’t covered in trees- everything looks the same.

What was that?

Oh god, the person’s gone.

That horrible wind is back.

Which way was I going? My palms are really sweaty now.

I’m tired, I want to go home, I want my bed, I want my Mum, I want safety, and I want this FUCKING PERSON TO STOP FOLLOWING ME.

And then, before I know it, a burst of unexplained light rushes out of my palms, and the mysterious figure is on the floor.

Okay, now I’m really freaking out.

Okay! That's all I have for you all today! I hope you enjoyed the post, as random as it is (I'm trying to come up with more wacky, out-of-the-ordinary ideas if you didn't know), and let me know in the comments if you're at all interested in a second installment! 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

WORDS

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And in the interest of switching things up on this blog, starting with the TBR at the start of the month, I decided to do something a little different for this next one. 

This isn't an essay of sorts, more like a gathering of thoughts. I wanted to create a bit of ambiance, but you've already seem the title, so there really isn't much point. 

The subject is something I think a lot about: words. Kind words, hurtful words. Etc. 

If I babble on for much longer, I'll end up using all my points up, and that's the last thing I want. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

Words have the power to change you. They can be used to inspire, to build a momentum, to make a person feel good about themselves. They also hold the power to tear you down, to diminish you and your worth, to make your question whether you’re good enough. Whoever came up with the saying “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was talking out of their own ass.

Words are everywhere. We see them on posters, leaflets, billboards, as subtitles. Text messages, social media, and books as well, of course. Most of the time, they’re there to invoke some sort of reaction, or emotion. They’re there to inspire, to shock, to scare, to encourage, to entertain, or inform a person, dependant on what the subject matter is. For example, a message on a cigarette pack is to shock a person into giving up smoking. The words on a poster might be spreading the word for a bake sale or a yard sale (if people still do that sort of thing).

That escalades to everything entertainment-wise. Plays, books, films, tv shows, musicals and stand-up comedy- they all had a manuscript at some point. Although stand-up comedy is slightly different- some of that could include crowd work, thinking on the spot, some of it does have to be rehearsed- links to different bits and pieces that are part of the comedian’s act.

Sometimes there are so many words, phrases, so many thoughts banging on the inside of your break, it’s hard to know the right ones to say, to write down first. There’s only ever so much time, to say the important thoughts in your head, first. You just have to say the most important thoughts first, and hope that’s enough, so the other person understands. Think before you speak.

I often wonder where harsh words come from. We’re not born thinking negatively- whether that be towards ourselves or other people- we learn it somewhere. I imagine it’s from family members, and the average passer by- who is late, agitated, and swearing profusely at something that’s making them later- whether that be a person or a vehicle that is slowing their progress down.

We all have aspects that we inherit from our families- whether that be full lips, non-existent eyebrows- and sometimes what people call ‘a potty mouth’. Also, it’s worth noting that large crowds will demonstrate something called mob mentality, where a small group of people, voicing an opinion, then having it backed up by others, is enough to start one large emotion throughout the rest of the crowd. I imagine the crowd mentality works the same way as inheriting certain features- families share similar views, carry on traditions and even share day to day habits.

That might even be where harsh words come from. We’re not born thinking negatively- whether that be towards ourselves or other people- we learn it somewhere. Not just from family members though, even the average passer-by can affect our language- a passer-by who is late, agitated, and swearing profusely at something that’s making them later- whether that be a person or a vehicle that is slowing their progress down.

I often wonder, who decided the names of words? Who decided that an apple should be called an apple, or a pear a pear? I guess it was the person that discovered it decides what it’s called. Having looked it up, in the past, names of things have been established by describing. The example given is about how a person might describe a tree down the road as a white oak, but another person might describe it as a rough oak, or a dark oak.

The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, which is the name of a disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust. I have no idea in hell how Everett M. Smith came up with that word.

Vocabulary. What is it? We use vocabulary words to change the tone of an essay, a letter, to learn the definitions in a test. Some people use them to prover how smart they are. Personally, I don’t think you need fancy vocab words to show you’re intelligent.

I’ve always found it interesting, how people find different words offensive. Obviously, there are words that are just nasty, that should never have existed. But again, it goes back to, who decides why a certain word has a meaning that people find offensive. Does that make sense? Take the ‘c’ word for example. I’ve always been brought up to think that that word should never be heard or spoken. But over the past few years, I’ve heard it uttered increasingly frequently. And I’ve been told that up north, it’s not such a big deal to say it.

Obviously, I don’t say that word, because it’s an insult, but I can’t help thinking about other swear words. Like, say when you trip over something, or burn yourself cooking. Saying “Shit!” or “Fuck!” can relieve you of pain and help you to fight in the fight or flight response. Surveys show that people that frequently swear tend to be more honest and forthright day to day. They can even be calming.

I have an example as for when profusely swearing was calming. This was several years ago, when I was a kid. I went on a volcano ride with me Dad, and I found the entire thing entertaining as heck. Basically: being pushed in. Cue a little swearing. But really, it wasn’t until the cart unexpectedly sky rocketed that I could see the words tumbling out of him like water! It’s a good thing the roar of the rocket was so loud that I couldn’t hear a word of what he was saying. ‘Swearing like a trouper’ is the phrase I will use.

Anyway, if you’ve managed to get to this part- congratulations! This is the last part- the summary.

All in all, words can hurt. What might be a fleeting comment to you, might scar someone else- perhaps for life. Consider what you say, before you say it. (Unless you’ve been mates for over a decade and know each-other enough to insult them to their face and they won’t get offended (we all need a friend like that.)) That counts for online too. Everyone has their insecurities, their obsessions, their loves and passions, and pissing on that might just make you terrible.

Also, sometimes it helps to turn your phone off. To take a break from all the advertisements. You don’t need a reminder of all the things that everyone is doing, all the things you should be doing, to boost your health, to get more sleep. So, take a break off social media and get some peace and quiet.

Okay! Those are all the thoughts I have on well, words! Message, texts, truth, conversations... It's all around us. As always, if you have any thoughts of your own that you want to voice on the subject, please feel free! It's an open space after all! 

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

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

August TBR (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And this month is going to be a little different to my other TBR's. To show that I am serious in dwindling my ever-expanding unread books list, I am making a promise to myself: I will not be posting another TBR until all of the books on this list have been read. Not only will that make me more productive in this goal, but I'll also be forced to think of more creative blog posts (because, if you hadn't noticed, they tend to be primarily TBR's and Wrap Ups at this point.)

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of intimidated by this TBR pile, but it's got to be done. 

It's crunch time. 

I hope you enjoy the post. 

1. The Paris Apartment, by Lucy Foley 

As soon as I think I'm free to choose the next book I want to read, without any restrictions, cue a message from my work colleague, Clare, saying that her friend is fine with me borrowing her two books, that Clare herself has just read and loved. 

I'm fine. I love that she trusts me enough to ask her friend if I can read her books, but at this point it just feels like I'll never have no restrictions. 

If you didn't know, The Paris Apartment is written by best-selling author Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party and The Guest List. At this point I'm just under 100 pages in, and really enjoying it. You're following a number of different characters. Jess is the sister of Daniel, the brother with whom she's staying with for a while, until she finds a job and a place to live. The other characters are all Daniel's neighbours, living in the same building. The night that Jess arrives, there is a murder- Daniel is nowhere to be seen. And there are secrets behind every door. 

Right now, Jess has no idea what's happened to Daniel, and none of the neighbours seem to want to help her find out. I get the feeling I'm only at the tip of the iceberg with this story.

The chapters are all about 3-5 pages long, so I'm hoping it's a quick read. More on the wrap up. 

 2. The Moment I Met You, by Debbie Johnson

The minute I saw this, I knew it was a fluffy romance. Which is fine. I'm hoping after the quick-paced story of The Paris Apartment, a change of pacing is what I crave. 

The Moment I Met You tells the story of Elena Goodwin, who went on a dream holiday to Mexico, ten years previously, and in one night, her whole world was ripped from her feet in a single moment. 

Ten years later, she still can't forget the face of the stranger who held her while everything else came crashing round her. 

Thrown back together again, she begins to piece together the truth about that fateful night- and starts to question whether she made the right decision all those years ago. 

350 pages, and a large-ish font. Hopefully I should be able to fly through this in a few days. I really hope so, cos I'm not really in the mood for a romance/comedy at the moment, despite it being summer. 

If I can't get into it in a few days I might DNF it, but we'll see. 

3. Unread Neil Gaiman books 

  
In my Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag post, I mentioned that I wanted to read all the books that I'd been gifted. Which includes these three. Literally all the books I was gifted is on this list, because they're the most important out of all of them that I own. 

One of those friends will actually read this at some point, which is why so that makes me double as guilty, but you never know, I might have read my gifted book if I was ONLY GIVEN ONE, LIKE I ASKED. Haha. 

Anyway, I'm really not fussed which one of these I read first, so if anyone has read any of these, please let me know if there's one that I should read first. 

4. Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardine Evaristo 

This book is a map, from the top of Britain to the very bottom. This is Britain as it has never been told. 12 protagonists, 12 stories, that are all entertwined in some way, to be brought together at the ending. It's all in verse, from what I've seen. 

This is a book about a lot of things: love, struggle, passion, luck. 

I have heard nothing but fantastic reviews for this book. 

Even writing about it now, I want to read this first, above all of the others on this list. 

Whether that happens, I highly doubt it. But we'll see. 

5. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickins

I guess I should be happy my friend bought me this, instead of Les Mis, in which case I would be positively weaping. 

We all know the story of Great Expectations- or we should. Great Expectations is the story of Pip. Young, orphaned Pip, who is taught by Miss Havisham, made into a gentleman, and shipped off to London, because of a large sum of money, donated to him by a mysterious benefacotr. Once there, he must discover his true self, his own values and priorities. I've heard there are some rather disturbing events in this novel, but I have no idea what they are. 

I know I'm going to need to be in the right mindset when I tackle this kind of book, but if I want to post another TBR soon, that mood will need to be soon. 

6. A Heart Full of Hatred (Skulduggery Pleasant #17), by Derek Landy 

I rarely leave a Skulduggery Pleasant book for so long after purchasing it. This one has been sitting on my unread shelf for a couple of months now, and although I've had other priorities, that's still unexcusable. A Heart Full of Hatred is the penultimate book in the Skulduggery Pleasant trilogy- the last lot of books he will ever right in this wonderful, wonderful universe. I'm not ready for it to end, to be honest. But there's no need to get emotional, I still have this book to read first. 

This book will not be sitting on this list for long, I'll tell you. 

7. The Miniaturist (The Miniaturist #1), by Jessie Burton

The Miniaturist is a novel I read many, many years ago, under the recommendation of a Waterstones staff member. I wasn't altogether confident on whether I would like it all that much, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed it immensely. 

It wasn't until years later that I stumbled upon it's sequel, The House of Fortune, and remembered how much I enjoyed the first book. 

Hence me putting this on to my TBR list- I've House of Fortune for well over two years now, and it remains unread on my shelf. 

Taking place in the 17th century, we follow eighteen-year-old, newly-wed Nella Oortman as she takes her place at her new household, as wife of wealthy but distant merchant Johannes Brandt. Once there, she is presented with an extroadinary gift: a cabinet sized replica of their home, to be furnished as she sees fit. However, as she begins to uncover the secrets of the household, she realises the dangers they all face. But does she plan to save the people of the household- or destroy them?

8. The Porpoise, by Mark Haddon

The Porpoise. Written by award-winning author Mark Haddon, also author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. I will say, The Porpoise sounds very different to that novel, if just as interesting. 

The Porpoise tells the story of a motherless girl, who has grown up in the company of her isolating father. She believes that their relationship is normal- but over time she gets the overwhelming feeling that something is very wrong. 

She has no solace, no escape, so she reaches for stories as a way to leave her strange world- if only for a little while. Her favourite stories are of heroic mortals, and angry Gods, one of whom will eventually come to her rescue. 

Soon, she loses track of where the stories end, and she begins. 

This sounds like a very poetic, gripping, beautiful story, that I don't believe I've ever heard anyone else attempt. I'm very much looking forward to picking this up, especially as it's pretty short. 

9. I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes

Time travel and crime. 

£2 in WH Smiths bargain bin. Of course I picked it up. 

For those reading, if you think I should pick this up first, comment down below. This is your signal. 

Bit of a hefty read, but I've never really been scared of a large page count. And based on all the reviews inside the book, it's absolutely worth it. 

10. Cloud Atlas, by David Nicholls

If you've been following this blog for a while, you probably know that I'm a sucker for interlocking stories. The Authenticity Porject, Blackout, even the Taylor Jenkins Reid's books to an extent: I love stories where random strangers connect and change the world somehow for the other person. That's Cloud Atlas down to a tea. To quote the blurb "Cloud Atlas erases the boundaries of time, genre and language to offer an enthralling vision of humanity's will to power, and where it will lead us." 

I have no idea where this book will lead, but I was excited to read it three years ago when I first laid eyes on it, and I'm even more excited now. 

Okay! That is my August TBR (and likely September TBR to be honest, because who knows how long this lot is going to take me)?

Anyway, as always, feel free to comment down below what your reading plans are for the month, or even which book you think I should read first! 

I hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you all soon! (Hopefully with the My Friends review I've been promising.)

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx