11-20 Books of 2019

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And it's time to have a lookback at some of the books I've read recently!
Enjoy!


11. Nought Forever, by Malorie Blackman
(World book day book that takes place straight after the ending of Double Cross)

As I said at the top, Nought Forever takes place straight after Toby confronts McAuley in the warehouse. For those that have read the book, you'll know what that means. This short story is from Dan's POV, and I was so excited when I saw this in the World Book Day selection, especially as the first chapter of her upcoming book, Crossfire is also in the back! Anxiously awaiting 8/8/19.

12. Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2), by Laini Taylor

This was the second and final book in the Strange the Dreamer duology (though I might have heard that there is going to be a second book out?) When Strange the Dreamer was pushing the velvet, Muse of Nightmares tipped the whole thing up! Characters that I wasn't expecting to like became my favourite, and before I knew it, I'd finished the whole thing. Highly highly highly recommend this duology.

13. Pet Sematary, by Stephen King

I picked this up because my partner is really into horror films, but I actually turned out to really enjoy it. I didn't feel like any of it was rushed, and it was just the right pacing, the right amount of scary and regular moments. There also wasn't any of the horror tropes that you see in horror films in the current day. I recommend if you're looking for an entrance into the genre.

14. The Sun Is Also A Star, by Nicola Yoon

Hearing about this book, I wasn't immediately drawn in at first. I wasn't totally keen on the premise, and even more turned off by the hype. Now, after reading it, although I enjoyed it, I kind of proved myself right. The cover's beautiful, and I really want to see the film, because there were parts that I flew through. Overall it was disappointing.

15. The Beast Within

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is one of the many spin-off books that are from the POV of the villains in some of the more well-known Disney films. There's a Beauty and the Beast one, a novel from Snow White, Tangled, and others. It certainly puts a perspective on Beast in the lead up to the events of Beauty and the Beast. Recommend if you enjoy reading from bad guys' views, and watching Disney.

16. The Light Between Worlds, by Laura Weymouth

I picked this up purely because of the cover (and the synopsis, which is the barest minimum I research before picking up a book). All I needed to know was that it was a combination of magical realism and historical fiction and I was hooked. I haven't heard many people talking about this book, but if you're into either one of those genres then I recommend giving this one a chance. It's certainly interesting, with some subtle themes that you have to look for.

17. Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2), by Cassandra Clare

The second book in the trilogy and my favourite so far. I can't believe how quickly I flew through this, especially considering how large it is. Cassie Clare has written multiple books in the Shadowhunter world, and this is one of my favourite ones to date.

18. Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1), by Kevin Kwan

Honestly, this book surprised me! Even with the tiny font, I soared through this book and I am eager to pick up the second! The detail, the description, even though it's a bit wordy, the detail for the buildings are insane! If you like books that explore different cultures, different places then I highly recommend this book!

19. The 7  Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, by Stuart Turton

Although this took me a while to get through, every page every chapter was dripping with mystery. We're inside the brain of a person who will take on the physique of seven different characters. And with each of these people, he has to figure out one thing: who killed Evelyn Hardcastle? Absolutely worth the hype.

20. They Both Died at the End, by Adam Silvera

This was always going to be a depressing book. It's right there in the title. But it wasn't until I started to read it that I realised just how sad it would be. And Adam really knows how to make a reader nervous, which is probably one of the reasons why I enjoyed this so much. As well as the love I felt for those two boys.

Okay! Those are the books I've read recently! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know in the comments if you've read any of these and what you thought of them!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxxx

Quintissential Summer Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And since it was the start of summer last Friday, I thought it would be fun to do the quintessential summer book tag!

Enjoy!

1. Iced drink- a refreshing read

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It may have had a few tropes, but it showed the theatre from a point of view I haven't encountered before- from behind the scenes. It was a wonderfully light, enjoyable read that I will undoubtedly re-read in the years to come.

2. Cotton candy- a book that was fluffy and sweet

Becki Albertalli is an author to take note of, especially when it comes to writing fluffy and sweet contemporary. Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is the combination of not the nicest themes, but there's always that positive, sweet spin that Becki puts into the story. Highly recommend for readers.

3. Sunglasses- a dark book

I re-read this series this month and it's such a serious, yet fantastic way of gaining awareness (for so many issues that are discussed in this series). The characters are so complex, the stakes are so high, and it remains to date my favourite series of all time.

4. Picnic on a rainy day- a sad book

You'll speed through this book you won't know what hit you. The struggles these characters go through, just day to day, living with their condition, you'll be in tears from the get go. It's not the best written book I've ever read, but it's got a wonderful premise, and the story to back it up.

5. Sand- a book that irritated you Out of the three books in this trilogy, this was the one that dragged the most, in my opinion. It doesn't even touch how well the other two were written. The only good thing about this book that I will mention is that Still Me, couldn't have happened without this book. It feels like a bridge book, but it was written for a reason.

6. Summer blockbuster- favourite book-to-screen adaptation

The film is amazing: the book is phenomenal. I can't wait to read the next one (when I read all the books on my TBR of course.)

7. Dropped ice-cream- a book you were anticipating, but ended up as disappointing.

I honestly thought that One Day was a standalone. But when I heard that there was a second book, I decided to pick it up. I didn't know what I was expecting, maybe to enjoy it. Not so much. Honestly, I was expecting more.

8. Palm tree- a tall book you loved

When I first heard about the Red Queen series, I was intrigued. A Red- in a world where Silvers rule- with the power to control electricity. This is a series that you will not be able to predict, from the first time you open the book, to the very last page.  I recommend this to fans of Fireblood and the Mistborn trilogy.

9. Bonfire-a book you want to burn

I think I'm going to opt out of this one. Authors work way too have for any of them to have their books burnt.

10. Fireworks- a book that exploded onto the scene

THUG. That book has been on the Book Bestseller for like two years, since it's release date. There's no moving it.

Okay! That was the Quintessential Book Tag! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to reply in the comments!

I love summer, despite all the sunburn and the sun, do you?

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx  

A Walk Round the Mountains

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And even though this post is slightly off-topic from what I usually post about, it's something that I wanted to write about.

So suck it up! As I tell you about my day in the mountains.

As some of you know, this week I'm on holiday with my partner and friends in a cottage up North in Rookhope, County Durham. And as one of our friends is into hiking and seeing waterfalls and mountains, we decided to go on a hike, thinking that it would be a breeze as it was only 6 miles. We all like to run, we're all runners, we all met at parkrun, so even though we knew it would be slightly different, we though that it couldn't be too much harder.

It was not six miles.

It was maybe something like 8.5. Each way.

And on top of that, my partner and I had been running that morning too.

I won't tell you what happened. Let's just say that my legs and ankles are still aching, even after a night of sleep.

But that's not what I want this post to be about. The aching in my muscles are temporary. But what isn't, is the memory of the rivers, the mountains, the views we got to see when we were walking. They were unlike anything you've ever seen guys. The sunny weather of the day made everything light up and shine.
The stream was the deepest blue I think I've ever seen. It honestly looked like sapphire blue. And I was with my friends. The people who, even though we were all getting tired, never let their spirit drop.
(I'll put the pictures of the waterfalls at the bottom so you can see for yourself.)

Overall, it was a wonderful day full of beautiful things to see. It truly was good to get back to nature, to spend a whole day away from technology (even though my legs won't be able to make a trip like that for a long time). It reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life, to take a look around me and take it all in.
I thoroughly enjoyed our extensive walk and I recommend it to anyone that fancies taking a break from the everyday stresses once in a while.

Here are the photos:

Okay! So that was my post for today! I know it was a little different from my usual posts but I wanted to take the time to write about this little (being the operative word) adventure that I went on!
I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you all very soon!
Byeeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Mental Health in Novels

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And originally I was going to write a story, but I'm watching a film whilst I was thinking about it, and I decided to write about mental health instead.

Mental Health is something that has been around for, for as long as I can remember. Even longer. But it's only just been introduced in the novels that we're all reading. Just recently, I feel like it's becoming less of a taboo subjects, because they're being introduced into stories.

But we've still got a long way to go.

Because there's a reason why suicide is the second highest killer in males ranging from 15-29. It's because, everybody feels as if they're the only person to feel this way. Because males are told that their feelings aren't masculine, so they shouldn't share how they're feeling, afraid that they'll be seen as weak.

Which is why I feel like books should include characters that have mental health. Not just depression and anxiety, but BPD, BDD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, every mental health problem out there. We need to normalise talking about them, and show people where they can reach out to, to get the help that they need, without being ashamed.

Look, I'm not here to talk about what I want. It would be fantastic to say it and make it so. But that's not going to happen.

For me, books are about messages. About communicating a message. And within the characters, we see ourselves. We learn about who we want to be through the characters that we read and relate to, which is why I feel like it's so important to talk about mental illness in books.

I'm starting to see it in different mediums. In musicals like Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers and Waitress, mental illness is a theme in all three. There was a series', not too long ago, about people in the spotlight, opening up about their mental health journeys. TV shows/movies on Netflix.

Here are some books that contain mental health, to name a few:
-The Light Between Worlds, by Laura Weymouth
(trigger warnings: depression, suicidal thoughts)

-Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
(trigger warning: addiction)

-All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven
(trigger warning: suicide, depression.)

And finally, if you are struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help. You're not alone. And, I know it sounds cliché but, it will get better.
Samaritans: 116 123 (open 24 hours, free to call)
https://www.samaritans.org/

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday 9-6)
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line: 0300 5000 927 (Monday-Friday 9-4.30)
http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice


See you all on Monday.
-Abi xxxxxx

May Wrap Up/ June TBR (2019)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And after a little bit of a break, I'm back, with all the things I did in May and all the books I want to read in June!

I'm off on holiday, to a cottage in Durham this month, so hopefully I'll have lots of time to read during that week!

Enjoy!

MAY WRAP UP

-BOOKS-

I read a total of four books in May, two of which were re-reads.

1. The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, by Stuart Turton

This took me a while to get through, but it is by far one of the most intriguing reads that I've read recently.

2. They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera

I read this in two days. It was such an amazing, yet sad book. If you're in the mood for an LGBT book that's wonderful, yet sad, I highly recommend this novel.

3. Noughts and Crosses (Noughts and Crosses #1), by Malorie Blackman

4. Knife-edge (Noughts and Crosses #2), by Malorie Blackman

I'm re-reading this series to prepare for the fifth book, Crossfire, to be released on 4th July. Its my absolute favourite series, and I've loved reading this series so far.

-FILMS-

These are the films I watched in May:

1. Friends with Benefits

2. The Other Woman

3. Fast Girls

4. Snow White & the Huntsman & The Huntsman: Winters War

5. IT (1971)

6. What to Expect When You're Expecting

7. Lady Bird

8. The Girl on the Train

-TV SHOWS-

1. Miranda

2. Chicago Med

3. Dragonball Z

JUNE TBR

1. Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices #3), by Cassandra Clare

My GOD I need to finish this this month. This is my one goal. If I finish just this one book then I will consider this month a success!

2. The Surface Breaks, by Louise O' Neill

I don't know much about this book, but from what I've heard other people say, it's an amazing book. Aside from that, it's on the Shortlist for a book award! I've been craving a Little Mermaid retelling and I'm really looking forward to reading this!

3. Girls of Paper and Fire, by Natasha Negan

This book has been on my radar for quite a while. I don't know much about it yet again, but it's a book that's been getting a fair amount of hype in the book community and I'm excited to pick it up!

4. Double Cross (Noughts and Crosses #4), by Malorie Blackman

I'm currently 84 pages into this, hopefully I should have finished it by Friday. It's the fourth book in the series, and currently the last one in the series. Until 4th July, that is.

5. A Poison Dark & Drowning, by Jessica Cluess

Another TBR Jar challenge! Also the second book in the Kingdom on Fire trilogy and a trilogy where I thoroughly enjoyed the first book.

Okay! That's my May Wrap Up and June TBR (2019)! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know in the comments what you plan to read this month!

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

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx