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

July Wrap Up (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my July Wrap Up (2025)! 

Going into this month I think I was three books behind schedule, which is definitely a good start. But, I pulled my socks up, came up with a plan, and got reading. I was even on track at certain points in the month! But alas, I still remain one book behind my Goodreads reading challenge (when will this torment end?)

But, I have lots of books to share with you guys today, and good news- I'm no longer reading the Earthsea Quartet or A Series of Unfortunate Events series! Finally! 

Anyway, enough rambling on. I hope you enjoy my Wrap Up. 

1. My Friends, by Fredrik Backman 

I did mean to write a review for this, because I loved it so much, and I wanted to share it all with you, but the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag reigned supreme when it came to this review. 

I might still, to be honest, I only finished it at the start of July, so I still have all my thoughts sitting close to my chest at the moment, so keep an eye out for that. 

Although My Friends was very much a slow burner, the writing was impeccable as always, and I loved the way these characters just felt like characters at the start, and then you suddenly start feeling so much for them, all at once, as the story rolls along. 

2. Clementine: Book One (Clementine #1), by Tillie Walden 

3. Clementine: Book Two (Clementine #2), by Tillie Walden 

4. Clementine: Book Three (Clementine #3), by Tillie Walden 

Since the release of Clementine: Book Three got pushed back, I've been eagerly waiting for June to roll around so I could marathon the first two novels and finally read the third with them. 

With Volume Three, our heroine is on pretty good footing- excuse the pun- with friends, a cat, security and a person to spend the rest of her days with. Until that person is thrust away from her, never to return. Clementine feels that there's no hope to return to the happiness that she once had, until she's shown the way to another potential family, and another life entirely. But at what cost?

Clementine: Book Three brings about a well-rounded finale to a beloved series of mine, and I'm satisfied with the ending. 

5. Global, by Eoin Colfer

I picked this up in Middlesborough, I think (during our Whitby holiday) and recognised it immediately. Global is written by Eoin Colfer, who also wrote Illegal, which I read a couple of years ago, and loved. Of course I had to have it. Of course I loved it just as much as Illegal. 

Global jumps between two protagonists, Sami and Yuki, in two entirely different places in the world, but both in an equally desperate economic disaster. Sami and his grandfather live in a village along the indian ocean, and are daily risking their lives, trying to gather enough fish to sell to survive, all the while waiting anxiously for the next monsoon. Yuki lives in the far north of Canada, where warming temperature is melting the ice, and endangering the polar bears. Yuki is determined to do something to help. 

Both stories are gripping and fast-paced, and I read the entire thing in one afternoon (probably because it was a graphic novel, but it was still good.)

If anyone knows of any other Eoin Colfer graphic novels, I would love to read them. 

6. Before I Die, by Jenny Downham 

At this point in the month I was struggling with deciding what to read next. I wanted to read something I would enjoy, but also didn't want to take an age to read it, because of the ever looming Goodreads Reading Challenge. Cue Before I Die: one of my favourite fast reads, when I'm in the mood for a sad book that I knew I would enjoy. Before I Die is about more than just a girl dying of cancer. It has a message that I think is very important- to take what you want and never let go. Tessa is dying- there's no getting around that- but she has a list, and a promise to herself: she's not going to die until all ten things on the list are done. 

Before I Die is an emotional, powerful book, and it is always a pleasure to pick it up again. 

7. The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events #11), by Leminy Snicket

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

These books have been a long time coming. I think I put them off for two months, maybe. But July, for me, has been my catch up month, where I promised myself that I would finish everything I'd been working for, for seemingly forever. 

Even though you can't tell, because the Earthsea Quartet is four short stories, all in one book, I was alternating the A Series of Unfortunate Events series, and the Earthsea novels, so I didn't get disinterested in either series. 

I honestly think what was stopping me from finishing this series was the start of The Grim Grotto. It starts by descriping the water cycle, and maybe I just wasn't in the mood to read that, in the extremely wordy style that's accustomed in the ASOUE series. Once I got past that, I started gaining speed, and managed to knock out each of these in five days or so. 

The Penultimate Peril felt like the finale for this series, because you get re-introduced to a number of characters that the reader has met over the last 11 novels, except for the extremely chaotic ending that sends the hotel up in smoke. There are only a few select characters that either show up, or get a mentioning in The End, so I thoroughly enjoyed The Penultimate Peril, since it's mostly a review of all of the Baudelaire's woes and troubles since the series began. 

9. Earthsea: The First Four Books (Earthsea Cycle #1-4), by Ursula K. Le Guin

Honestly, thank fuck I finished this. I doubled with reading this and listening to the audiobook with each of the short stories for Earthsea, and it worked wonders for my progress. Each of the next three novels after A Wizard of Earthsea were captivating, entising and full of excitement. I fell in love with this vibrant world, interesting and flawed characters- because geenuinely, so much was packed into each story, each chapter, each page. 

I am aware that there are two more novels I have to read until I have fully completed the series, but I'm going to read those as and when I'm in the mood to read them- hopefully it's sometime this year. 

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

I'm going to start with this: The End has a completely different feel to the rest of the series. Like I said before, very few characters from the past 12 novels make it to the thirteen book. Kit Snicket is there, Count Olaf is also there, the Baudelaire parents are mentioned throughout, and the Quagmire triplets and Dewey are mentioned occasionally. That's it. Basically, the book starts with the Baudelaires and Count Olaf being ship-wrecked, and landing on a coastal shelf in the middle of nowhere. 

It's soon clear that everything washes up on these shores eventually, the place that the Baudelaires find themselves on. Including, their parents, right before Violet was born. A very big part of this book is Violet, Klaus and Sunny finding our more about why their parents were here, what they were like, as well as trying to find out more about the schism, amongst all the other secrets they've been trying to uncover for the majority of these books. 

It was very detatched to the structure of the other books, but I didn't have any issues with it, with the way it was written, and although I'll undoubtedly be thinking about it for at least another week, I was extremely satisfied with the ending. 

Thankyou Lemony Snicket, and the Baudelaire siblings, for your amusing and unfortunate story. It was a pleasure to read about your lives once more. To another seven years before I come across your books again! 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in July! I'm extremely happy to say that I'm finally free of all the series I've been stringing along (except for some books my colleague gave me to borrow...)

which I'm already reading now. 

As always, feel free to comment down below what you got up to in July, and we can chat about it! 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

This book possibly has the best blurb I've ever read (in my whole entire life). 

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I know I was meant to be posting a review of My Friends, by Fredrik Backman, but right now that's the last thing I want to post. 

And I'd rather write a long post about something I'm genuinely interested in, instead of trying to invoke enthusiasm into something I'm not. 

I have the whole night to do this, so let's get stuck in! 

~The Best Book You've Read So Far in 2025~

A number of books were contendors for this, including: The Wake Up Call, Sunrise on the Reaping, and Friday Black, but I think Rachel's Holiday edges those just a bit. 

Rachel's Holiday is the second novel in The Walsh Family series, centering around the three Walsh sisters as they navigate their hyper-active lives, working through issues and generally stumbling through life. I've heard each novel in this series is pungent, honest and empowering, and even though they're all as big as this, I'm determined to get to all of them. 

Rachel is the middle Walsh child, and this novel follows her to an addiction centre, though she's convinced her drug taking is exactly the same as everyone else's- normal. Over 600 pages or so, we see her in denial, convinced that this rehabilitation centre is just a holiday. Then she's chasing a guy, but over time we see her broken down by the people closest too, and then to the end of her stay, out into the bright world. 

Altogether this was such an amazing read, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into the rest of Marian Keyes' other novels. 

~Best Sequel You've Read in 2025~ 

Haven't actually read many sequels this year, given a lot of my chosen books have been re-reads so far this year, but I'm going to elect The Troublemakers, by Tamzin Merchant for this. 

The Troublemakers is the epic finale for the Cordelia Hatmaker trilogy, where her seabound father and Cordelia finally make their journey out to sea, after being reunited at last. After the first two books wrapped up everything that was going on; the maker families all working in harmony again, and magic about to be restored, I was curious as to what was left, but honestly, there was so much more to come. 

A whole new cast of characters, as well as some favourites from the first two books, and a quest to clear Cordelia's name after she makes a catastrophic mistake that gets her banished from her home. I'm eagerly awaiting Merchant's next novel, about the origins of Making. 

~New Release You Haven't Read Yet, But Want To~

THIS. 

Strangers in Time was my first choice in Whitby, but unfortunately the bookshop didn't stock it. But, I am determined to read this before the end of the year. If I get desperate enough, I have my anniversary voucher that I can obtain it from. 

Strangers in Time is basically about a bookstore owner, Ignatus, and two teenager, fighting to get through the horrors of the Blitz the only way they know how- by relying on eachother. If you want more in-depth details about this book, you can look on my Anticipated Releases post for April-June. 

This is David Baldacci's first historical fiction novel, and I am eager to see what I think of it. 

~Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year~

It's a book about a pensioner-that's also a murderer. Although she doesn't do that anymore. 

Until now. 

That's really all I think I need to say to be honest. 

~Biggest Disappointment~

I bet some of you are surprised by this choice, especially as I picked The Troublemakers as best sequel. But the minute I found out that Cordelia wouldn't be setting out to sea to search for her father, my progress dwindled significantly with this book. 

It all worked out in the end, her place to be was right there in London with her family, but I was expecting her to stowoway in a mystery boat with her friend Goose, and when that didn't happen, I was slightly disappointed. 

~Biggest Surprise~

Tbe Pieces of Ourselves surprised me so much. 

As soon as I got a little ways in, I could not put this book down. 

It tells the story of Flora, who after an 'incident' and a surprise bipolar diagnosis, has had to put her life on hold. Her only reason for getting up in the morning is her job at the hotel she works at. 

Until a mysterious guest arrives, and requests her help at discovering his grandmother's past- which has something to do with the hotel. 

As Flora and Hal start to uncover the secrets to his heritage, Flora is in a battle with herself- figuring herself out, finding out what her new 'normal' is- and in doing so, finding herself a little closer to Hal. 

I knew I would like this, especially after loving Theatrical so much, but I never expected to be clawing through every page, anxious to find out what was going to happen next. 

Maggie Harcourt is an author to watch, guys. 

~Favourite New Author (to you)~

Ursula K. Le Guin- Author of the Earthsea novels. 

Which I finish this very afternoon (The Earthsea Quartet I mean, so the first four books). 

Her writing is up there with Tolkein, to be honest. 

Her stories are full of adventures, dramatic fighting and escapes, great triumphs and devastating deaths. 

Such a wonderful storyteller- And I've only just started reading her work. 

~Newest Fictional Crush~ 

Only one that springs to mind is from a tv show, from the 90s. 

John Carter, from ER. Yes I'm aware that George Clooney was also in this show. But I'm seen this character grow from a clueless student, taking charge in a meltdown, and aspiring to be the best doctor he can be. I'm currently in Season 5/15 and I never want to slow down. 

~Newest Favourite Character~

Does tribute Haymitch count as a new character if I've technically met them before?

Well, I've never met him at this age, so I'm counting it. 

And Maysilee. And Wyatt. And young Wiress, Beetee, Mags and Effie. 

~Book That Made You Cry~

Easy. Tear-jerker every time. It may seem heartless, but I read this when I was something quick that I know I'll enjoy reading. Because the thing is, this isn't a book about a teenage girl dying of cancer. It's a book about living each day like it's your last. It's about taking what you want with both hands and not letting go until you have no choice. 

I will always cry during my re-read of this book, because it's a sad book. But it's also a powerful book.

Basically, Tessa has a list. Ten things, the first being sex. And she's not going to die until all ten are done. But the thing is, getting what you want doesn't always get you what you need. And sometimes the most unexpected things become important. 

I came across this book over a decade ago, in my secondary school library. It was a favourite from day one, and I think I've shed more tears over this book than all my other favourite tear-jerkers combined. 

~Book That Made You Happy~

This could be considered a happy book, but also a sad book. The reason this books makes me happy is because I know that there aren't many things that are a constant in life, but good friends, if they're the right ones for you, can last a lifetime. Everybody needs someone to be weird with, to feel they can tell them anything, and your friends are it. 

Friends are the centre of this book, so I can't think of a worthier candidate for this category. 

~Most Beautiful Book You've Bought (Or Received)~

Technically I received this last September, but it's still in the space of a year, so I'm going with it. 

Just look at it. Absolutely stunning cover, there was no way I was going to pick anything else. 

Yes, I still need to read it, but it's going on the priority list for the rest of the year (along with a couple of other classics). 

~What Books Do You Want To Read By the End of the Year~

Off the top of my head, all my gifted books:

1. All of my Neil Gaiman books

2. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickins

3. Nicholas Nickleby

4. The Scarlet Letter

5. The House of Fortune, by Jessie Burton (which also includes a re-read of The Miniaturist)

~Favourite Book to Movie Adaptation You've Read Seen This Year~

I'm actually currently re-watching Heartstopper, just finished Series One, so I'm going to slightly change the question and select Heartstopper. I haven't seen Series Three yet, which is why I'm re-watching, but truly, the phrase 'absence makes the heart grow stronger' really is accurate in this case. 

It really is wonderful to be able to watch the Charlie and Nick story right from the start- and I know I'm going to just love Series Three. 

Okay! That is the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag! *Phew*! Finally finished. 

I hope you guys like reading this tag, because that literally took me hours. 

Anyway, as always, I'm opting out of tagging, because I'm everyone who has a blog has done this tag, but of course, it's basically a tradition on here now. 

Feel free to comment your answers down below, and I'll see you all soon for my July Wrap Up (another long one, I've finished 9 books so far). 

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

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxxx