The End of the Year Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And it seems, everywhere I look, everybody seems to be doing this tag. With 50 days left of the year, it seems like the perfect time to do this tag, with the end of 2019 looming.

So, enjoy! And feel free to comment some of your answers down below!

1. Are there any books you started this year you need to finish?

Other than the book that I'm currently reading, I don't have any books that I've started but have yet to finish. I'm currently reading Girls of Storm and Shadow, the second book in the Girls of Paper and Fire series, which I got on Saturday.

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition through to the end of the year?

Other than reaching for more fantasy and sci-fi than contemporary in the autumn/winter months, there isn't really anything specific that I like to do.

3. Is there a new release you're still waiting for?

It's like they're saving the best releases until the end of the year! I remember when the first book came out, and everybody just loved it. The characters, the POVs, the plot. And even though I haven't seen many people talking about it recently, hyping it up, I know that I wont be the only one desperate to find out what happens next to Zelie, and the other characters on release day.  

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

My main goal is to read the books that I own but haven't read yet:

-Girls of Storm and Shadow, by Natasha Ngan

-Finale, by Stephanie Garber

-Wildcard, by Marie Lu (and reread Warcross)

-A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab

-The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon

5. Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?

Out of all of the above, I believe that the one that could shock me the most would have to be A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab, but I'm anticipating all of them, so you never know!

6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?

I definitely have a couple of ideas for plans in 2020, particularly for my TBR Jar Challenges. I won't disclose those just yet, because that'll ruin the surprise!

I'd also like to re-read some old favourites, maybe read some more adult fiction, reach outside of YA.

Okay! That's it for the End of the Year Book Tag! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment down below: what you're hoping to do with what we have left of 2019!

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

Byeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

Doctor Sleep Film Review

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I went to see Doctor Sleep in the cinema on Saturday.

That's all I'm going to say on it, you'll have to read this review.

Enjoy!

When I heard this was going to be remade, I wasn't sure what to think. I'd seen The Shining and really enjoyed it. I saw why every horror fanatic was drawn to it and why it made sense to make a sequel. I just wasn't sure whether I'd make it through 2 1/2 hours of horrors, especially on a big screen with louder sound.

Honestly though? This film isn't worth the title of a horror. For the most part.

I mean, it wasn't all bad. There were a couple of moments that my heart rate started to rise, but mostly this film was a... disappointment.

The protagonist of Doctor Sleep is Danny, the child from The Shining. It takes place at certain points over the course of his life, starting when he's a child, in the hotel, and then for a brief point a couple of months later. Most of the film takes place in his adult life, overcoming an addiction with alcohol, and his friendship with a young woman with a stronger shining gift than his own. Aside from them there are some very strange and creepy characters that are also introduced in this film. It's basically a battle between good and evil, over whose supernatural gift will win out.

You see why I didn't think this much of a horror?

I think what it was that there wasn't much horror. Some gore and blood, but I've seen a lot worse. And aside from that, Doctor Sleep is meant to be a horror film, not a gore.

I have to say that, for the most part, I was sat, bored in my seat, waiting for something that would make me jump out of my skin, or clench my fists in fear, and that thrill rarely came.

On the other hand, it wasn't that bad. There some creepy moments where I wanted to look away but I couldn't at the same time, and scenes where characters were shooting at each-other; and also scenes where I was intrigued as for what would happen next. So it was a fairly good film, in places.

I just think it was too long winded. A lot of what was included in the film wasn't needed, wasn't really relevant to the plot.

I mean, if they wanted to make a 7 hour Harry Potter film with all the details and character developments contained within the film, I'd watch it. But with a Stephen King story, where I'm only just becoming invested in the genre, it was a struggle to sit through.

But then, it really is just my opinion. Maybe a die-hard Stephen King fan would call it the best film they've seen this year.

Overall, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if some of it was cut out. As much as I enjoy character development, there was too much in this film.

My rating for this film is a 5/10 because even though there wasn't much horror, the plotline was engaging and fast paced.

Okay! I hope you enjoyed the post and let me know what you thought of the film, if you've been to see it. If not, let me know what you thought of my review, and if you've been reading anything spooky lately!

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

Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

November TBR (2019)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And with a new month comes a new TBR! This month I want to read as much as I can so I'm in a good condition to complete my Goodreads goal in December.

Here's my TBR for the month. Enjoy!

1. The Librarian of Auschwitz, by Dita Kraus

I'm going to try and read this book gradually over the course of the month. Nothing against it, but I'm more excited to pick up the other books that I plan to read this month. This book takes place in Auschwitz (obviously), from the point of view of fourteen-year-old Dita, who is the librarian, hiding books away from the Nazis, and risking certain death while she wordlessly hides the books away, day after day, away in plain sight. I've been trying to read more historical fiction, and that's fallen by the wayside. Well I'm bringing it back.

2. Four, by Veronica Roth

Somehow, even though I got this in the summer from my friend in exchange for Wild Child, I still have yet to read it. To sum it up, it's a collection of short stories that take place during Four's time as an Initiate, and then when Tris joins, two years later. I should be able to soar through this in a couple of days because it's under 300 pages long. I've been thinking about the Divergent trilogy a bit recently, so I'm looking forward to reading this and getting more of an insight into Four's personality.

3. With the Fire on High, by Elizabeth Acevedo

If it hasn't been in my hands at Waterstones, it's been in the back of my mind, reaching out, making me guilty for not having already bought this. Well, I've finally bought it, and I'm putting it on this month's TBR. I think what drew me into this was the representation. The main character is a teenage mother at school, with a passion for cooking. I honestly don't think I've read a book from the POV of a teen mum and I'm eager to see how I'll like it.

4. Warcross (Warcross #1), by Marie Lu

5. Wildcard (Warcross #2), by Marie Lu

I read Warcross way back in 2016, and to this day it's been one of my favourites. I love the concept, the setting, and the characters. Then, last September, Wildcard was released. I gave it to my boyfriend to read, because he was reading Warcross at the time. And I have still yet to pick it up. Since it's been a while since I picked up Warcross I figured I'd read them both, the entire duology, straight through. I'm looking forward to emerging myself back into the world of the immense videogame once more.

Okay! That's my November TBR (2019)! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment what you're playing on reading down below!

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

I wish you the best weekend!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx