October TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my TBR for the month of October! 

I do have a couple of spooky reads for me to sink my teeth into, and also the final book published by Lucinda Riley, that I haven't read yet! 

I genuinely don't know what I'm going to do when there aren't any more left. Maybe cry? 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my October TBR, and feel free to comment your reading plans if you like. 

1. A Mind Full of Murder (Skulduggery Pleasant #16), by Derek Landy 

I received this for my anniversary in July, and with it being spooky season, it seems the perfect opportunity to start the final trilogy of one of my most beloved series'. 

I have been reading Skulduggery Pleasant since before I was a teenager, and I've very much grown up with Valkyrie, much like some of you have grown up with Harry Potter. Skulduggery Pleasant will always be a constant love for me, and I can't wait to delve back into this extroadinary world with their crazy adventures, for the final trilogy. 

2. The Girl on the Cliff, by Lucinda Riley 

I'm kind of nervous about this to be honest. To be reading my final Lucinda Riley book (unless her son edits and publishes any others). But still. After reading a book a month (at least) for over a year, and then to be at the end is heart-breaking but also good.

But, I still have one more book to enjoy. 

The Girl on the Cliff is about Grania Ryan, who has come home to Ireland, to be with her family, in the hope that being here will help her wounds to heal. When she comes across a girl on the cliff, she has no idea how meeting this girl will change her life. 

Or how their two families are strangely and deeply intertwined. 

From a bittersweet romantice in wartime London, to a relationship gone wrong in New York, the Ryans and Lisles have been help together for a century. Can Aurora find out how to break the circle of torment?

3. Near the Bone, by Christina Henry 

It's time! If there's a book I've been waiting for October to read, it is most definitely this one, by the amazing Christina Henry. 

I couldn't hope to better explain what Near the Bone is about, so I'll just quote the blurb:

"Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived

alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. 

But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the 

woods, she realizes that they're not alone after all. 

There's something in the woods that wasn't there before, 

something that makes strange cries in the night, something

with sharp teeth and claws. 

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for

the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will 

anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry." 

This sounds so atmospheric, so creepy, and it's been a while since I've read a Christina Henry book, so it's fair to say that I'm a tad excited. Anyone read this? It was nominated for Best Horror in 2021 on Goodreads, so let me know if you have. 

4. The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth, by Frances Wilson

And finally, this. 

I've put this on the end of the TBR, because it needs to be read. Also, I finished The Hidden Girl through train journeys today, so I'm currently ahead on my reading progress for the month. If all goes well, I should get through a good portion of this in October, if not finish it. 

For those of you that don't know, The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth is a biography, from William and Mary's wedding day, onwards. I picked this up because I wanted to know more about Dorothy as a person, not just about the poems she gave ideas and notes on. It's the third and final novel I bought at Dove Cottage last July, and although I have books I've had far longer, I know this is the one I'm likely to struggle with the most. 

Okay! Those are the books I plan to read for the remainder of the month! I would have loved to include another spooky book, but I really do need to get that last one finished! 

Is your month filled with murder and mystery, or marvellous magic? Let me know in the comments below! 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

September Wrap Up (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'll be honest, I completely forgot that the end of September meant this needed to go live. 

But never mind that, because I am going to do my damnest to get this out today! 

I have a lot of books to talk about, so I think I best get on! 

I hope you enjoy. 

1. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings #1), by Mackenzi Lee

2. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Montague Siblings #2), by Mackenzi Lee

3. The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwreck (Montague Siblings #3), by Mackenzi Lee

The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwreck had been on my TBR list on Audible for the past three years, and even though it takes place over a decade after the events of books 1 and 2, that's still no excuse for waiting three years to read it. 

Along with that, I'd forgotten most of the finer points of Monty and Felicity's journeys from their own books, so of course I wanted to re-familiarise myself. 

It was so nice to delve back into Monty and Felicity's stories, I fell back into the world, and in love with the characters in an instant, almost with fresh eyes to be honest, I couldn't believe how much I'd forgotten! 

I loved Monty's character arc, seeing him become more caring, less egotistical but still the hilarious and amazing character he's always been. 

I've always loved Felicity as a character, seeing her be pushed away, time and time again, purely because she's a woman. That may not have happened to me, because of course, different time period, different rules, but I definitely related to the idea of feeling repressed, or not listened to, for something I couldn't help. 

As for Adrian, I really didn't know what to expect. The only time I'd met him was over a decade previously, when he was nothing more than a whimpering infant. But of course, because of Mackenzie Lee's amazing writing, and ability to craft a phenomenal story, I need'nt have worried. It was so easy to jump into his story, I could sympathise with him, because of his extreme anxiety. The worry that he was the sole heir for his family's business, taking his father's seat on the council, having to speak, when all he wanted was to be known for his writing. 

As with all of the Montague Sibling books, Adrian is thrust into an adventure trip he is in no way prepared for. Not only that, he comes to find out about two siblings he didn't he know he had. My one critique was that he didn't have a huge character arc, I didn't see him change a whole lot in terms of confidence, but I admired his resilience, just how he was able to keep going, to find out what he needed to find out, despite how afraid he was. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed emerging back into the Montague Siblings' journeys, and finally finding out how it all wraps up.  

~24 Hour Readathon- 18/9/2024~

I read a total of 5 books in my 24 hour readathon, which I am very happy with. I always aim for about 1000 pages, and I managed that fairly easily. I did take breaks occasionally, which helped with reading speed. Excited for the next one. 

4. The Murders at Fleat House, by Lucinda Riley 

Finished at 7:27am.

I didn't quite finish this before the 18th, so of course it was added to this as the first book to finish. Solid four stars for me. It had the same mystery and intrigue I felt when I read The Love Letter, with horrific consequences, and at some points, I felt like I couldn't put the book down, but then I got to the end, and all of it was revealed, and I just felt flat. Like, it wasn't revealed the way I wanted it to be. That's down to personal opinion, I know that, and overall it was a fantastic book, but that's why I gave it four stars, instead of 4.5. 

5. Wonder (Wonder #1), by R.J. Palacio

Finished at 12:35pm. 

It had been a long time since I had read this, and I'd been saving a graphic novel from the POV of Julian, for this readathon, so I decided I'd give this a re-read too. 

If you didn't know, Wonder is a book about Auggie Pullman, whose facial difference has prevented him from ever going to mainstream school- until now. Starting 5th grade at Breecher Prep, all he wants is to be treated like an ordinary kid- to blend in. But what Auggie is about to learn is- you can't blend in if you were born to stand out. This isn't just a story about Auggie- you read from the POV of his friends, his sister, her boyfriend, amongst others- but they all are affected by Auggie. 

It was lovely to re-read this, and here about Auggie's story, as he grows into a confident young man. 

6. White Bird (Wonder), by R.J. Palacio

Finished at 13:54pm.

A few months back, I was browsing in Forbidden Planet in Leicester, not looking for anything in particular. Then I stumbled upon White Bird: a graphic novel by R.J. Palacio. When I realised that it takes place in the Wonder world, there was no doubt in my mind, I needed it. To be honest, it could have been her shopping list, and I'd have read it. 

White Bird is a graphic novel, from the POV of Julian, who is most well-known as Auggie's bully in the original novel. It takes place after he leaves Breecher Prep, and he's asking his grandma about her time in WW II. From then on, it's her relaying the details of what she experienced, the people that lost their lives, in the hope that she might live, as a jew, trying to survive. 

There is a quote in Wonder, that states: "When given the choice between being right, and being kind, choose kind." In White Bird, the quote came to mind, but this time, I was left thinking about how kindness, could mean you would be killed, simply for trying to help someone in need. 

White Bird is a stunningly written, moving, powerful story and I am so glad I came across it all those months ago. 

7. A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness

Finished at 15:45pm. 

So, if I thought I'd gotten emotional with Wonder, it was NOTHING compared to how I got with this. It might have been because I was pooped by 2pm in the afternoon, but I was bawling by the time I finished this. 

Jordan even stopped playing Sonic next to me because of the noise I was making. 

If you haven't read this, go and read it. If you're not a reader, go and watch the film. I don't care, but just go and experience the story, however. 

Which is what I'm about to do, as soon as I can. 

8. The Woman in Black, by Susan Hill

Finished at 20:30pm. 

How do I begin to describe what this book was like? I was emotionally drained from A Monster Calls, so what do I do? Jump into an intense horror book, considered one of the best horror books of all time. 

I was scared out of my wits! I will say, it takes two truly great books to get me feeling something like that. 5 stars, one of my favourites for 2024. 

The Woman In Black follows Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor in London, as he makes his way to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, and organise the many papers that have been left after her death. The house is by a marsh that rises and falls, the villagers don't like to go near it, very few people even attended the old Mrs Drablow's funeral. 

When Arthur Kipps finds himself alone in the home, faced with a job to do, things start to go awry...

Is Arthur Kipps truly alone, or is someone else there?

~After Readathon~

9. Boys Don't Cry (Boys Don't Cry #1), by Malorie Blackman

After the 24 hour readathon, I was left at a loss as for what to read next. I had a list of books that I was meant to choose from, that I'd selected at the start of the month. But knowing that none of those books tickled my fancy at that point, I knew exactly what I was leaning towards. 

Boys Don't Cry is a book that I reach for when I want something familiar, something I can read fairly quickly. I can't remember the last time I read this, but I know I'll always be able to go back to it. 

Boys Don't Cry is about Dante, a boy waiting for the postman to arrive with his A Level Results, where he hopes to go to Uni, a year earlier than all of his friends. He has dreams and ambition, and nothing is going to stop him from achieving them. 

Then Melanie, his ex-girlfriend arrives, carrying a baby. His baby. 

She tells him she can't cope anymore, leaves the baby and runs, leaving Dante to pick up the pieces. 

This is a book that discusses teen pregnancy, teen parentage, adoption, death, grief, family, father's rights, homophobia, racist comments, violence and suicide, so it's best to be aware of those themes before you rush into this book. There are a lot of themes in this, that's true, but they're discussed in a gentle hand, and they're balanced with more light-hearted moments as well. 

I always love going back to this book, and I know the urge to pick it up will be back in a few years. Highly recommend this to people interested in Malorie Blackman's YA novels. 

10. The Women, by Kristin Hannah

After reading Boys Don't Cry so quickly, I was still in a bit of a runt as for what to read next. I had five days to pick up, and either get a good mount into, or finish another book before the end of the month. 

The Women wasn't really a consious decision I made, it was more, I wanted to dip my toe in, to see what I thought about it. What I didn't expect was to listen to two hours worth on that first day (listened to it on Audible). 

If you didn't know, The Women is about the nurses at the Vietnam war in the 1960s and 70s. We follow Frankie, a twenty-one-year-old newly qualified nurse in California. Striving to be on her father's hero war, she joins up, following her brother (who unfortunately gets shot down the day she announces her employment). 

Over the next 4/5 days, I listened to a total of 8ish hours, and I always wanted to know what happened next. 

There was more romance than I was expecting, given this is a war novel, but I never really got tired of reading about it. Thankfully, it wasn't a main part. 

The main part was Frankie, in the thick of it, doing what she could in Vietnam when they were low on staff, high in injuries, and her relationships with her sisters- the other nurses, Barb and Ethel, who helped her long after they'd left the horrors of the war. 

About half of the book is when Frankie returns to California, to her parents, and the aftermath of the war, how she feels as the war rages on. 

I have a lot more thoughts on this than what I'm saying now- so much so that I will be posting a review in the next couple of weeks- so stay tuned for that. 

Okay! Those are all the books I finished this month! No doubt it'll be my best reading month of the year, and I'm extremely happy with how much I managed to finish. 

That is everything I have for you all today, feel free to comment below what you finished this month, and I'll be back soon with my October TBR! 

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

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

Anticipated Releases (October-December 2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm here with my Anticipated Releases for the last three months of 2024! Where has the time gone? 

I'll need to start thinking about my end of year posts before I know it! 

Anyway, time to get on. 

There aren't a lot of books I'm anticipating for these months, given to the already substantial pile I own, but that would never stop me from looking! 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy. 

~October~

1. What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

Release date: 8/10/2024

"From #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an urforgettable story- by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming- of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew." 

Eve is a succesful novelist who one day, wakes up in a hospital bed, with no memory of how she came to reside there. Filled in by her husband, she comes to understand about the operation the doctors performed to remove the malignant tumour growing in her brain. 

What follows is a ground-breaking, moving story about how she learns to walk, talk and write again- as well as how best to explain it to her children. After some time, she begins to remember what she holds the most dear: walks with her husband, family game nights, and buying the dress she likes, when she likes it. 

What Does It Feel Like is very much a telling of Sophie Kinsella's journey, but with fictional characters. And I am very interesting in reading it. 

2. Fledgling: The Keeper's Records of Revolution, by S.K. Ali 

Release date: 8/10/2024

Fledgling: The Keeper's Records of Revolution is a story about two sides of a coin. It follows Raisa, of upper earth, that believes her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt lower earth, will bring peace to both their lands. She has led a privileged life, and knows she must do her duty if there is to be an end to everyone's suffering. 

On the other side of the coin is Nada, of lower earth, who is fresh from a prison cell. He has found his true calling: to stop the Royal Wedding. He believes that if he allows his cousin to form an allegiance with the upper earth, it will plunge the country into an era of tyranny. 

When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf- Nada's brother, a fugitive on the run. But when Nayf and Raisa meet, worlds collide- and they start to feel things that nobody is expecting. 

Okay, I love the cover, I love the feel. It reminds me so much of Legend, by Marie Lu, and it's been ages since I've read something from the Sci-fi/ Fantasy genre, so I was really excited when I came across this when I was searching anticipated releases. 

3. The Blue Hour, by Paula Hawkins

Release date: 10/10/2024

The Blue Hour:

-Takes place at an isolated island, which is only reachable 12 hours a day. 

-Was once the home of a painter, and her notoriously unfaithful husband, who disappeared twenty years ago. 

- Now home to Grace, who is content in her isolation, revelling in her alonness. 

But then, when an astonishing discovery is made in an art gallery, miles away, in London, a visitor comes calling. And all the secrets of the island emerge... 

This book keeps cropping up on my socials, it won't stay out of my head. And I was thinking just yesterday how much I want to re-read The Girl on the Train. Should The Blue Hour take it's place?

~November~

1. Flopping in a Winter Wonderland, by Jason June

Release date: 12/11/2024

I can't quite wrap my head around this plot, based on the synopsis, but I do know that this is a Christmas LGBT romance, set in Winter Wonderland, which is a big Christmas Village. Aaron wants his brother to keep away from his ex-girlfriend, and Kris wants his uncle to move back to the Christmas Village, so he can be the first gay santa. To do that, he needs to win the race, his grade's annual competition to get a guest to confess their love to them. 

Kris and Aaron agree to help eachother with their own tasks, but when they start to spend more and more time together, things go in a direction neither of them were expecting... 

I love this premise (think I've figured it out, by typing it out) cos it just sounds so damn cute! I can't remember the last time I read a winter YA romance, and I'm super hyped for it's release. 

2. Rani Choudbury Must Die, by Adiba Jaigirdar 

Release date: 12/11/2024

Of course I have to finish November with an Adiba Jaigirdar novel! I actually need to catch up on a couple of her more recently released novels, as I've only read two of her books so far, but this looked too interesting to pass up. 

Meghna Rahman is tired of constantly being compared to her ex best friend, now rival, Rani Choudbury. Everyone, with the exception of her boyfriend Zak, seem to think that nothing Rani does is wrong- even her parents. The worst part of this is the fact that Rani's projects always get accepted to the Young Scientist Exhibition- and Meghna's always seem to fall short. 

Rani is tired of feeling like she has no control in her life. Her mother always has something to say about how she thinks she should act better, or date her extremely close friend- Zak. 

When Meghna and Rani realise that Zak has been playing them both for idiots, they decide to team up, creating an app for seaking and revealing cheaters- with the idea that they can expose Zak for the traitor he is. 

I like Adiba Jaigirdrar for the funny, light-hearted tone she has with her novels. And with it being a couple of years since I've picked up one of her books- I say it's high time that I start reading them again! 

~December~

NONE AT ALL. 

I don't know what's up with me, but none of these really stick out, to be honest. 

If there's one that you're really looking forward to being released, by all means, stick it in the comments, and I'll consider it. 

Okay! Those are all the books I'm anticipating for the three final months of 2024! 

Like I said up top, if there are any books you're excited for, just comment them down below! 

Right! That's everything I have for you guys, so I will see you all soon, with my September Wrap Up (it'll be a long one, because of the readathon, so stay tuned for that.)

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all at the end of the month! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx