August Wrap Up (2019)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I am excited to announce that I will be doing my August Wrap Up today! It's been so long since I've been able to go into detail about what I've been up to on any given month.

Enjoy!

-BOOKS-

I read a total of five books this month, which is more than I thought. Those books are:

1. The Surface Breaks, by Louise O' Neill

This was a very, uniquely written book. Looking back at the Goodreads comments, some people loved the book, some despised it, because the feminism was either clear in every chapter, or it was few and far between. I personally really enjoyed it, especially as it was more like an adaption of the Hans Christian Anderson version rather than the well-known Disney film.

2. Girls of Paper and Fire (Girls of Paper and Fire #1), by Natasha Ngan

Yet another book that I wasn't super enthusiastic to start, but ended up kind of enjoying. I say kind of, because of the reason why these paper girls are brought forth to the king. Other than that, I'm intrigued as to what will happen in the follow up book, which has just been released. I get the feeling that this book was just the tip of the ice-berg in this trilogy? series? I don't know. But what I do know is that I will most definitely be continuing on with the next book.

3. Dear Evan Hansen, by Val Emmich

Although from Goodreads, a lot of people didn't seem to stick with this book, I found it incredibly easy to read (despite the delicate subject matter), and I still desperately want to see the musical. Dear Evan Hansen is about a boy who has social anxiety, nervous when in public. But because of one letter, and a lie that takes on a life of it's own, he has a chance to change his life for the better. This is a book that discusses suicide and anxiety in a very real way, so if those are triggers for you, then maybe take a moment to think about whether this book is for you.

4. Crossfire (Noughts and Crosses #5), by Malorie Blackman

Book 5 in the Noughts and Crosses series', and it was everything I hoped it would be. And what's more, there's another book! There are so many plot points that I can't wait to see tied into knots. What's more, it doesn't feel like a completely new series' either, but more subplots have been added in among the old ones. I don't know when the next book is out, but I'm eagerly awaiting the release date.

5. The Opposite of Always, by Justin A. Reynolds

I was really really excited to pick this one up. I wanted to see what it would cost Jack to keep the girl he loved alive, and see what his choice would be. But I got maybe 60-70 pages in until I got bored. It was a lot slower paced than I thought it was going to be, and even though I learned to like the wayward style of writing, it wasn't what I expected it to be. It was a decent book though, so if you like characters that are willing to do anything for the people they love, then I recommend this book.

-FILMS I WATCHED-

1. My Sister's Keeper

2. Fast Girls (again)

3. Mamma Mia

4. Dance Academy: The Comeback

-TV SHOWS I WATCHED-

1. Dance Academy } Season 3

2. The Next Step } Season 5 & 6

3. Waterloo Road } Season 7

4. Dragonball Z

5. Anne With An E } Season 1

-WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO-

Truthfully, I haven't been up to much. I've gone running, because I'm currently training for the Leicester Half Marathon on 6th October.

I've met up with some friends, for Curry takeout, which was fun.

And I went to Boston, near Skegness for the day.

I've got more things planned for September, but it's been a very quiet, and very happy month all in all.

Okay! That was my August Wrap Up (2019), I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to let me know what you got up to in August, what books you read, and what you watched!

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

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Favourite Book Covers!

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And today I'll be sharing some of my favourite book covers with you today!

Enjoy!

1. Mistborn trilogy, by Brandon Sanderson

These books like a watercolour picture and they are absolutely beautiful. The wonderful flowing blue tends to look a bit random for me in the second and third books but for the first one at least, it kind of gives you a clue as to what is contained inside the book, with the sharp and dark building, and the blue, which suggests magic in a historical and tough culture.

2. Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor

Just something about the blue background, the shiny butterfly was just the final nail in what I needed to pick up this book. Even if I hadn't known the synopsis, or who wrote this book, I'm willing to bet that I still would have picked this up, purely for the cover. Because it is absolutely gorgeous.

3. A Shadow Bright and Burning, by Jessica Cluess

It looks so mystical! There's just something about the blue flame that stands out against other fantasy covers. What I love the most about this cover is the use of colour, ranging from orange and red to ice blue. Well done cover designers!

4. Caraval trilogy, by Stephanie Garber

Now there's a different cover design for the UK than the US. Usually I prefer the US covers (The Hate U Give hint hint), but I actually prefer the UK cover for this one. I don't have many books that have a black, white and gold cover, and it definitely stands out in my bookshelf!

And those are my favourite book covers! I hope you like them, and hey! Feel free to share some of your favourite book covers in the comments! I'm always on the lookout for eye-catching book covers!

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

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Buying Books To Mark A Place

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And to be honest, I'm really not sure what to name this post, so I'm writing it down, in the hope that a title comes to me!

It's about something that I've started doing whenever I go to a town that I haven't been to.

It's like when you go to Parkrun to tourist somewhere new.

So, whenever I go to a new place, like when I went to Durham in June, and I went to Boston on Saturday, and because there were Waterstones' in both of those places, to make my mark on the town, I decided that I was going to make it a rule that I buy a book in Waterstones.

And it's a trend that I've decided to keep carrying on with that trend.

Here are some of the books that I've bought, along with the places that I've bought them at.

Also, there's only two at the moment, so this'll be really short.

Durham- Heartstopper Volume 1

I'm not going to go into detail about this book because I've already talked about it a million times. I love these characters so much I just want to hug them close and never let them go. They send my emotions on a rollercoaster whenever I pick up one of the volumes.

Boston- A Darker Shade of Magic

Although I much prefer the US cover, I can't deny its the story that I want to emerge myself in; not the cover. I've been wanting to pick a darker shade of magic for the longest time. It's been on my series tbr far longer than any of the other trilogies I've wanted to pick up. Most people that enjoy reading fantasy probably knows what this book is about. But if not, A Darker Shade of Magic is from the POV of Kell, who is one of the last travellers, who can travel to the different parallel universes throughout the city. There's Grey London, without magic and ruled by the mad king; Red London, where magic is present. And there used to be a Black London. All I know is, everyone is in love with this trilogy and I can't wait to pick it up!

That's going to be it for today! I'll do an update when I've been to visit more places- and got more books!

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

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx