October Wrap Up (2026)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm here with my October Wrap Up (what? A second post in four days? Who is she?) 

Why, I am a person who likes writing wrap ups. Because they have a start, and an ending. 

With a story, especially one that you don't know the ending to yet, can take hours. 

A wrap up will always have a definite ending- when I've ran out of books to talk about. 

Today, I talk about 8 books. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3), by Seanan McGuire

After the first two stories in this, increasingly interesting Saga, I was more than ready for the third one. However, this one was a little different. It wasn't an origin story, like Jack and Jill's, or even based in one location, like Every Heart A Doorway. This was, let's have an impossible character, offspring of a deceased character, show up out of the blue and take us all on an adventure, in order to ressurect said character. If you've read book one of this, you know which character I'm talking about. 

This is the book where I realised, if I was to find my own door, I reckon I'd find myself in a logic world. 

Because this nonsense world had me paying close attention, or else I'd have gotten lost. 

Not to say it wasn't exciting, seeing a collection of characters I'd met before, and a couple of new ones, on an adventure, in multiple locations, but I really needed to slow the reading speed down for this one. 

Solid four stars as always though. 

2. All Time Low: Last Young Renegades, by Tres Dean 

3. Illegal, by Eoin Colfer 

4. Monstress, Volume 3: Haven (Monstress, Vol #3), by Marjorie Liu

I've included these together, because I read them all in the same day. I was determined to finish my Goodreads Reading Challenge in November, and having pursued Strangers in Time, for a couple of weeks without finishing, I of course turned to my quick and snappy graphic novel collection. 

All Time Low: Last Young Renegades, I think came out around the aformentioned album. It tells the story of two people that know one another, but have never really crossed paths, following the clues around the town they grew up in, in order to find a secret All Time Low gig, a band that dropped off the face off the Earth a few years ago. It's filled with some of All Time Low's greatest songs, so you can plug your headphones in and listen along, if that's what floats your boat. Good book to re-visit every so often. 

Illegal tells the story of a young boy, on a journey to Europe, to reunite with his older brother and sister. It jumps between two time periods- young Ebo setting out on his own, trying to get from the Sahara Desert, to the last place he heard his brother was, and after that, trying to get to Europe. Both time periods are heart-wrenching, but hopeful throughout, as each time Ebo encounters a new threat, you wonder whether he will finally make it Europe, with all of his family intact. Award winning drawings, and story. 

Monstress, Vol 3: Haven was okay. I remembered enough of the first and second volumes to not have to re-read them, but it was kind of up and down for me throughout. At some points, I found myself thinking, maybe I should give up on this series. I don't read it enough to want to carry on, and some parts I found myself wanting to put the damn thing down. Not to mention, re-reading that huge first volume was not something I was excited about revisiting. 

But, the second half redeemed itself, and that ending had me on tenterhooks. So I'll continue on with Volume four, and see how I feel. 

Will more than likely be skipping the history lessons from now on though. 

5. In An Absent Dream (Wayward Children #4), by Seanan McGuire

Okay, I think this is my favourite one by far. This world feels like it could be mine. Bookish girl, daughter of the headteacher at her school. We know her character after this story takes place, by the way. 

She goes into a tree, to a place that has fair value, at it's core. You can be friends with people, and take on some of their debt, if you want to. 

And, you can come and go a couple of times. I sped through this one in two days, or something ridiculous like that. 

Even now, two weeks after finishing it, is it in the back of my head. It really didn't take long for me to get sucked into the story, desperate to hear what would happen next. 

6. Strangers in Time, by David Baldacci

Sometimes, when books take you nearly an entire month, you end up loathing the book. That was not the case with me. For some reason, I was still invested, from day one, all the way to day twenty-six. 

I loved these characters, I loved the short, but gripping chapters, where it was one tragedy after another with this book. But through it all, was the constant of Ignatius, Molly and Charlie, as the world seemed to collapse around them. 

Set in 1944, Charlie is taken care of by his nan, his only remaining family. She thinks he is safely at school, but really, he is doing everything he can to help his family. 

Molly has returned to central London, after a hiatus away in Leiston, expecting to come home to a loving family. Only the cleaner remains. 

Only the kindness of Ignatius Oliver, owner of 'The Book Keep' keeps Molly and Charlie afloat when WWII continues to devastate London. 

I honestly don't know if I want to read any more of David Baldacci, to be honest. Not because it wasn't amazing- quite the opposite actually, I'm considering adding it to my Favourites List of 2026- but because I don't really want to mess with my idea of story-telling this good. Not to mention, Davud Baldacci, at the moment, has yet to release any more historical fiction novels. 

Maybe I will, but only if people are persuading enough in the comments! 

7. If I Stay (If I Stay #1), by Gayle Forman 

So I read this in two days. That should be enough to say how much I enjoyed this, even the second time around. 

This was exactly what I needed, after whittling away at Strangers in Time for the past month. 

Of course, I definitely wasn't immune to the emotional impact of this book. 

And the ending gives just enough away, that you feel satisfied (and leave you thinking you want more, but actually don't). 

Okay, if you maybe weren't reading when this came out, or when the film came out in 2014 (why not)?, then I'll do a brief summary. 

If I Stay is about seventeen-year-old Mia, who has been playing the cello since she could walk, and loves Adam, who is in a new budding rock band. She is awaiting the results of her audition for Julliard in September, when she takes a trip out with her parents, and her little brother Teddy, on an unexpected snow day. The next moment, she is stood in limbo, trying to decide whether she face everything that comes with a freak car accident, or go on to, not. 

The trailer of this film, with the words "Say something, I'm giving up on you." Is enough to make me start bawling whenever I do. 

Everybody on booktube, or anyone who has watched the trailer, will understand this. 

Just, a really good book, that needed to be read, so I could move on to the final book in the duology. 

8. Where She Went (If I Stay #2), by Gayle Forman 

A couple of days ago, I wrote up to this point, Where She Went. After finishing If I Stay in two days, I was more than confident that I would finish this, along with the duology, despite never having read it before. 

I finished Where She Went under an hour ago, so on to the wrap up, to shed some of my thoughts on this, heavy novel. 

I gave it 4.5 stars. Loved it. 

It was the perfect coupling to book one, reading from Adam's POV. Three years had passed since the events of book one, and Adam had made it big with Shooting Star. Mia is nowhere to be found, having sprouted her wings to Julliard, and gone radio silent on Adam, who has been left behind, despite being a world famous musician. 

Honestly, you can't help but feel sorry for him. He was almost forced to move on, but even three years later, is still clinging on to what it was like before the accident/before Mia dumped him. 

The way he's behaving, the way he has isolated himself from everyone that once cared about him, you can almost justify, because of how shitty the hand he's dealt has been. My hands are shaking, trying to get the right words out right now. Clearly I need to write a review for this. And soon. 

Basically, a change of plans means he has one evening of freedom, to unwind, before his hectic schedule claims him back. 

Mia, travelling to Japan the following day, happens to be in the same place, for the first time in three years. 

What follows is bloody messy, and emotional, and made me want to break down in tears, at every chapter. Basically, this book poses the question: Will Mia and Adam be able to work it out and find some sort of peace after all this time, or will the devastating path that they share cut them apart completely?

I started this book tuesday morning, and I was telling my colleague about it by tuesday afternoon. I was 16 pages in at that time. 

I seriously need to start thinking about this review. Soon. 

Okay! Those are all of the books I finished in the month of October! It truly seems that, in the past two months, I really have been racking through them! (They have all been fairly small, but maybe I'll tackle something slightly larger next month? Who knows?)

If you have read any of these, and have thoughts, feel free to comment below, I love to hear everyone's thoughts! 

I hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you soon, with my November TBR (2026)! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxxx

Rescue Mission

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And after three months, I'm back with another story excerpt! 

And... another POV! 

Hope you haven't gotten too attached to Charlie, because another character will be taking control for a bit. 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy Rescue Mission. 

Rescue Missing

I’m cascading in sweat, 45 minutes into my hour-long workout.

I’m surrounded by targets, and as each one appears, I focus my power to send it spinning back down. Oh, and it’s pitch black- can’t see my hand in front of my face.

Slightly to my left, I lock onto the next one, and send a small, but accurate crackling of electricity at it.

Bullseye.

I’m just scanning the room to lock onto the next one, when suddenly I hear a slight moaning, and all the lights come on suddenly.

“What gives?” I say to nobody.

Until I see my command making his way towards me.

Immediately, all business, I straighten up.

“What gives?” I ask, my hands in a questioning gesture.

“Rescue missing. Get dressed. Meet me downstairs in five.”

And then he’s walking away.

* * * * *

The jet rises. I struggle to keep my balance- we’re above the clouds in seconds- I wasn’t prepared.

“So, who’s the person? Why is he so important?”

“He’s like you- at the beginning. So much potential, with no proper training. He attacked his watcher, and Gus transported him over to Cloudlands- it was at that precise moment that we became under attacked. Thankfully we’ve managed to locate the boy, and we’re on our way to get him now.”

I had a million questions. “Wait, like me? How so? How old is he? What’s his name? How did”

“Steady on!” Commander has grabbed my flailing hands. “His name is Charlie. Not sure how old he is, but no more than a couple of years younger than you. He shoots beams of light out of his hands.”

“Okay, so where is he?” And why did he have to go and get himself captured?

“He’s been pulled underground. I have no idea why they took, or why they took him there, but something about this seems- not right.”

I get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. “Wait, do you think they orchestrated the attack, purely for this- Charlie person? Surely not.”

“I haven’t a clue, frankly. But hopefully we get to find out. Now, ready yourself to depart the jet.” He adds, as we start to lower.

* * * * *

I’m dressed all in black, helmet on, in a suit that conducts maximum electricity. That should be enough, frankly, but I have my machine gun, just in case. Though maybe I should have practised this more, I think, as we run towards the underground tunnel.

We’re there. Commander Anwhistle, back to the side of the tunnel, gun pressed close to his chest. “Right,” he turns to me, “It’s just the two of us, so the best course of action is stealth. We’ll be suppressing our power, not notifying the mercies that we’re in the tunnel. At least that’s the plan. Got it?”

A thumbs up confirms.

We head into darkness, Commander going first.

 

* * * * *

After a time of using our helmets, to see through the vast nothingness of the tunnels, we come across a luminous green light. Even from a distance, I can hear a brief whirring sound. As we approach, I see it resembles an orb type thing. Without making a sound, I step closing. As we get closer, the whirring stops. I motion to Anwhistle. He motions a don’t touch it sign with his hands. I motion what if it’s alerted the mercies.

He replies with a then that’s it. Let’s hope it hasn’t and move on.

With reluctance, I follow.

 

* * * * *

 

After, I don’t know how long, we come across more of the green orbs. As we approach, they in turn, stop whirring. This is bad. And then, a shout. With a glance at Anwhistle, we pack on the speed, caution forgotten.

Three guesses who it is.

Trying to ignore how easy it was to find our target, I draw a quick observation. Too long hair, scruffy, teenage-boy clothing, and a slight glimpse of intelligent behind his brown eyes. About my age, like Anwhistle said.

“Okay, let’s get these ropes off him, and get out of here.” I hear Commander whisper, quiet as a breeze. You don’t have to tell me twice.

As we work to loosen the last rope, we hear footsteps. Shit, I think. Here We Go.

“Into the darkness, quick!” Anwhistle spits out through clenched teeth. Charlie doesn’t know our code, so Anwhistle has to issue directions the normal way.

Less than a second after we sliver into the dark, we see torches. I close my eyes, shutting off my senses, becoming the wall. It calms me.

Charlie is not so good at this, and soon we are almost surrounded.

 I suppose I should tell you what the mercies are. They’re people, basically, but with very specific animal characteristics. Like rats, to tell you the truth. Rats, that wrinkle their noses and can talk and carry guns. They’re a group so to speak, a group that does people’s dirty business. I have no idea who they’re working for on this job.

Feeling Charlie hyperventilate, I start to wonder whether I should try to make a move to calm him, he’s so obviously panicking. I decide not to, what with the mercies so close. He’ll just have to get a grip.

And of course, the rats catch on anyway.

“Hey, he’s free! The freak has got free!” Says one very stupid rat.

“Shut up, you idiot, he didn’t do that himself, did he? It was these two, Commander, and the other freak!”

“Who are you calling, freak, rat shit!” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.

“Watch your mouth, girlie! Or I’ll go boom with my gun, and you’ll be history!”

“I’d like to see you try!” I face the one who spoke before. “We don’t have anything against you, so why don’t you just scurry back to whatever hole you came from, hmph?” I can feel my electricity lingering at my fingertips as I speak.

What happens next is so fast, even I didn’t see it coming.

A gun was in my face, a rat was shot dead, I looked around for Commander, and Charlie, and boom, everything was bathed in light.

That was the last thing I saw before I passed out, along with the rest of my crew.

Okay! That is everything I have for this chapter. I can't help but feel that this one was a bit lack-luster. It certainly took a lot more effort on my part to stay concentrated on the story, so let me know in the comments what you think! 

Okay, with that, I will see you all very soon, with my October Wrap Up! 

I hope you have a lovely evening! 

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxxx

Birthday Haul!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And as I have recently obtained a fair few books, either by gift or voucher, it seemed fitting that I post about them! 

Knowing me, it'll be months until I get to any of these, but I'm going to write a post about them anyway. 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy! 

1. Angels (The Walsh Family #3), by Marian Keyes

Basically, when my friends are stuck on birthday/Christmas presents for me, I give them a book choices, so I don't just have book vouchers loitering in my purse. 

Angels, and Wolf Hall, was one such choice. Obviously, I ended up with both. 

This may seem like a random choice, as they're two completely different genres. But Angels is the next book in the Walsh Family series, by Marian Keyes. The Walsh Family series is one that I come back to every so often, but seem to have forgotten about recently. I read book 1, Watermelon, back in February, and book 2, Rachel's Holiday, the year before that, before I realised I'd stumbled across a massive series that is the Walsh Family. 

Angels introduces us to a third (out of five, I think) Walsh sister, Maggie. Compared to her older sisters, dramatic Claire, and reckless Rachel, Maggie has always been sensible, and chosen safety, rather than risk taking. But when she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her, and she's about to be fired from her job, she flees everything, to the only place she can think to be, Los Angeles, the city of angels- where her best friend resides. As she begins to contemplate her next move, she comes to the realisation that Los Angeles is not quite what she expected.

What can be around the corner for sensible Maggie, the third Walsh sister?

2. Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell #1), by Hilary Mantel

Wolf Hall! Now I can finally start this series! 

Yeah, like that'll happen soon haha. 

Okay, it's not like it won't happen. After all, I own both Wolf Hall and Bringing Up the Bodies now. It's just one of those series' that I have to be in the right mood for, to pick up. 

And I've been wanting to pick this series up for years, since I remember being interested in the Bringing Up the Bodies release in Waterstones, over eight years ago. And despite my interest in the Henry VIII era, I've never actually read a book series set in that time. 

It's my understanding that this series takes place during Henry VIII's marriages to Catherine of Aragon, through to his marriage of Jane Seymour. Honestly, don't know more than that, but I think I'm just going to pick this up, without doing too much research about it. Sometimes it's nice to be surprised. 

3. Monstress, Volume 3: Haven (Monstress #3), by Marjorie M. Liu

As I write this, I plan to start this tomorrow (14th October). Mainly so I can finish my Goodreads Reading Challenge, but whatever! 

From what I've heard about this volume, Haven enters into uncharted territory. Maika has always relied on her flight ability, but now the tables have turned, and she must rely on others, in order to survive. 

From what I have read from other people's reviews, this one is a little chaotic, a little about the other characters, with a bit of everything- plot, relationships, and action. 

We'll see what I think of the third volume, and the direction the story takes. 

4. So, anyway..., by John Cleese

I spotted this in a random Travelodge last weekend- donate £1 to Rainbow Children's Hospital (I think) and I just couldn't resist. 

I love John Cleese, and his type of humour. I love Fawlty Towers, and I cannot wait to pick this up. (I just know I'm going to become obsessed with Monty Python when I'm reading this, and that is a-ok with me.)

Really don't know what to say, other than, I know I'm going to laugh out loud while reading this.

5. The Pools, by E. Lockhart 

6. The Sixth Faction (The Sixth Faction #1), by Veronica Roth

So, I didn't actually make a conscious decision to buy these two. 

When I walked into Waterstones last Wednesday, I had £30 of vouchers to use. 

I just knew that I would be walking away with whatever they had in store. The choices were: 

1. The Pools, by E. Lockhart 

2. Victorious (Villains #3), by V.E. Schwab 

3. The Sixth Faction (The Sixth Faction #1), by Veronica Roth

They didn't have Victorious in store yet, and that was that. 

Truly, I didn't mind which ones I walked with, because I want all of them. 

Let me know in the comments which one I should read first! 

7. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brönte

The last three books on the list were gifted to me by Jordan's nan, who lives just down the road. She doesn't even want them back! 

Wuthering Heights is one of those books that I always planned to get around to reading, but was way down the priority list. It wasn't a book I'd see in a bookshop and think 'I have to read that soon!'. 

At least now I know it's on my bookshelf ready, for when I want it. 

Who doesn't love a bit of forbidden romance? And Wuthering Heights is about as good as you can get. 

8. The Long and Winding Road, by Lesley Pearce

When I was given this book, I thought it was just another Leslie Pearce book. But as it turns out, it's her autobiography. 

"From being rescued, aged three, found in the snow after

her mother's tragic, undiscovered death, to being sent to

 an orphanage. From a teenager seeking her fortune in 

swinging sixties London to being an unwed mother having

her newborn taken from her, Lesley Pearce has been no 

stranger to adversity. But as a true survivor, she turned

struggle into inspiration to become one of the world's 

bestselling storytellers. Now, for the very first time, she

tells us her own extroadinary tale- of loss, love and 

above all, hope." 

Certainly sounds interesting, doesn't it? I think I might have to read at least one of her novels before delving into this one though. 

I do have The Girl with the Suitcase upstairs, after all. 

9. The Potteries Girls on the Home Front (The Potteries Girls #3), by Lynn Johnson

Out of all of these books, this is the one I know the least about. Never heard of the author, and after finding out that it's the third book in the series, I might have to put this off for a while. 

Saying that, it looks like each of The Potteries Girls' novels each have a different protagonist, so maybe I'll pick this up sooner than I think (thinking of read a whole load of books, for one month, that look the least appealing). 

"Staffordshire, 1911: Betty Dean is sent into service. 

The work is long and gruelling, and her dreams of

making something of her life seem very far away. 

But soon, she is forced to return to The Potteries, 

carrying with her a dreadful secret which could

destroy her reputation. 

As WW1 strikes, a new job on the trams throws

her a lifeline. Meeting her fellow clippies brings

the joy of friendship, and when Duncan Kennedy, 

a sly but charming soldier, enters Betty's life, it

seems that she may finally find love. 

But opening herself up isn't easy, and when he 

leaves for the front, she finds herself alone once 

again. As the Great War brings heartbreak, can 

Betty overcome her own battles?"

I don't know guys. It seems interesting, as most books do, but I have so many. I have to wonder if this'll be one of those, sat on my shelf for years, collecting dust? Maybe I'll get the urge to read it in a few months, but definitely not at the moment. 

Okay! Those are all of the books I was gifted/purchased for my birthday! I hope you enjoyed reading about them, and as always, any comment is welcomed (don't forget to mention whether I should read The Pools, or The Sixth Faction first though). 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx