November Wrap Up (2023)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my November Wrap Up (2023)! 

Not read too many books this month, just haven't found the time. 

I'm one more book through the Seven Sisters series and with just two more books remaining, I'm getting nervous as for how it's going to end! 

I hope you enjoy my wrap up. 

1. Lyrical Ballads, by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge

I finally finished this! After putting it down to read The Moon Sister I dug my heels in and refused to pick anything else up until I finished it! It's never taken me several hours to read 50 pages in my life before but I did it! I've never pretended to be someone who reads a lot of poetry, but it was exciting to delve into this unknown genre with such a well-loved book. Despite it not being a book that I was able to fall into straight away (like I had to push myself to pick it up) I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the language and the storytelling. On to the journals of Dorothy Wordsworth! 

2. The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6), by Lucinda Riley 

Out of all of the sisters, Electra is the sister most like general society, I think I'll say. She's extremely active on social media, she's into drink and drugs in a huge way, and she's a world renowned super-model (okay I know the last one isn't like a typical person, but you get my drift). So because of that, I found it extremely easy to fall into her life become engrossed in her story. 

Basically when her "hobbies" become out of control, (largely due to losing Pa Salt and a mysterious woman that may or may not be her grandmother) she's admitted into a home for addicts. And this is where we see her grow from somebody that needs help, to a kind, compassionate human being that wants to help others. The character grown is amazing, I love Electra as a character, and I wish this book was longer (even though 830 pages is nothing to be sniffed at). 

3. The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham 

This was a gift from my boyfriend, after we watched the film (remake) and the tv-show this year (which we both adored). I thought it would be a short, gripping book that I could read in a couple of days. Honestly, that it what it was, but I found I had a hard time concentrating with it. Could have been the language, or maybe my attention span wasn't there, but I often found that I'd missed a sentence and had to go back and read it again, even when switching to the audiobook. It was a very good story, I won't lie, but it wasn't my favourite horror book by any means. 

Okay! Those are all the books I finished this month! Currently on to the Missing Sister, really want to finish it soon (but still have time for other books of course). 

Let me know in the comments what you finished this month, and we can chat about them! 

See you soon guys, hope you have a wonderful day! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Favourite Audiobooks 2.0!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I was scrolling through some of my old posts on Post Pandemonium, and I came across one listing my Favourite Audiobooks. And so I thought, why not do an update on that? It might be fun to see if some of my old favourites still make the list? 

So, without further ado, let's jump right in! 

I hope you enjoy it. 

So, I tend to use Audiobooks as a method of convenience. If I'm struggling with the physical copy of a book, I'll download the audiobook. It helps me to see how long the next chapter or part is, especially if it's a chunky one. 

Other than that, if a book's out of print, or just not accessable when I want it, or in my local bookshop, I'll download it. Other than that, I'll download the audiobook for a specific reason (which you'll see with some of these favourites). 

1. Becoming, by Michelle Obama 

This book is one of the specific reasons. The physical book was mega expensive at the time, but the main reason I got this was that Michelle herself had narrated the book. Still to this day I find that I connect with an autobiography a whole lot more when I'm hearing the words from the horse's mouth. It makes it so much easier to feel what the author is speaking about, through the emotion in their voice. 

What's my reason for picking this up? To be honest, I was intrigued. I'd heard Michelle was a kind, caring and intelligent female, and an inspiration to black people everywhere. 

Becoming is a memoir about Michelle's successes and disappointments, both private and public, and it was wonderful to see inside her mind, even if it was several years ago. This one still shapes up as an absolute favourite! 

2. Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Orchestrated with a number of narratives, this was the perfectly constructed audiobooks, because Daisy Jones and the Six is first and foremost, a series of interview accounts from the band members of Daisy Jones and the Six, as well as a few other token members surrounding the band. 

Totally gripping story, sometimes with conflicting accounts, made for a hugely entertaining read. 

It takes place in the swinging sixties, following Daisy as her voice gets noticed, and she goes on a journey of a lifetime with her band- it follows the highes and lowes, the sex, the drugs, and the times- all in black and white. 

3. Salem's Lot, by Stephen King

This book is for sure, one of the creepiest books I've ever read, purely because I listened to the audiobook. I don't think I would have been half as creeped out as I was if I'd read a paperback. Salem's Lot is the stuff of nightmares guys. If it was ever to come second to another horror book, the only one I would consider to even light a candle to it, is It, another of Stephen King's masterpieces. Just, if you're in the mood for a scare, then pick this up. It's not terribly long and drawn out, but it doesn't need to be. Loved this. 

4. Where Am I Now?, by Mara Wilson 

To say that I was inspired by a film that Mara Wilson starred in when I was young is what I would call a huge understatement. Of course, I'm talking about Matilda. 

But ever since a post on my Facebook Feed about the role Robert DeNiro played in that film, and what he did for Mara's family growing up appeared on my screen, I couldn't stop thinking about this autobiography. (I also wanted to see how Mara Wilson grew from a child actor to the inspirational speaker she is now.) Going into it, I thought I had an idea about what I would find within this book. And although I was right, this book was so much more. It deals with body issues, first kisses, the pressure of fame (amongst other things) with frankly, an extremely candid voice. 

Such a poignant and honest book that I would love to re-read again. 

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

Sick of never finding this book in any of my local bookshops, I finally opted for the audiobook. I was looking for a funny, historical fiction LGBT romance, and that's exactly what I got. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue was an instant hit on booktube and I was a part of the hype from the very first chapter. It's been three years since I've read this, and I still think about it from time to time (and how I need to re-read it, because the third and final book in the trilogy has been sat on Audible for at least a year). 

But honestly, what made this book stick out for me was the wonderful writing by Mackenzie Lee, Monty's character arc, and his relationnship with his best-friend Percy. 

I can't wait to re-read this soon and re-immerse myself in this amazing series, starcing with Monty's story. 

Okay! Those are my current favourite audiobooks! I was hoping for some variety, but honestly, I know what I like, so I guess there's something to be said for that! 

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

Byeeee guys! 

-Abi xxxxx

November TBR (2023)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with another TBR! The penultimate one for 2023, in fact. 

With a mountain of books left in my unread books pile, I was blessed to have quite a choice. 

I've got quite a combination of books to talk about, and I'm eager to get stuck in.

 I hope you enjoy it. 

1. Lyrical Ballads, by Samuel Coleridge and William Wordsworth

I started this on the 10th of October and, upon the arrival of the fifth and sixth books in the Seven Sisters series, promptly put the book down. That is actually what I was going to do today, with the next book in the series, but considering how much I still had left, I decided that I want to continue and finish this, before jumping into The Sun Sister. 

After such a long break from this, I think it'll take a while for me to become fully emerged back into this, but I like the writing, and I love the elegant style with which Coleridge and Wordsworth weave a story in their poems. I'm so excited to finally finish this book, that I haven't picked up in so long. 

2. The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6), by Lucinda Riley

The sixth and final shall we say 'autobiography' of the seven sisters series. In the sixth volume, we follow the infamous Electra, the youngest and certainly the most famous D'Aplièse sister. She's also the character we know the least about, and the sister I'm probably the most curious about. From what I know about her currently, she's very much a flawed character, one that I'm very much hoping will see the error of her ways and turn herself around. 

Up to this book, I've always felt that the sisters have shared a likeness, despite their different heritage. But Electra seems to be very different to the others, and I'm very excited to see her story unfold. 

3. The Grasmere and Alfoxden Journals, by Dorothy Wordsworth

When I decided I needed to pick up the novels I'd bought at Dove Cottage, my fingers were itching to pick this up first. For me, the most interesting part of Dove Cottage was the simple lifestyle that Dorothy and William led, scouring every inch of the Lake District, living off the land, wanting for nothing, living a life as free as a bird- this journal was my window into the Wordsworth's world. But I didn't, for the pure reason that if I did pick this up first, I had a feeling I would throw the book of poems into the fire the first chance I got. 

If you didn't know, this is very much an everyday journal of what Dorothy's life was like in Dove Cottage, from 1800-1803 (the Grasmere Journals) and 1797-8, (the Alfoxden Journals- when Dorothy and William were living in Somerset, near Coleridge). They capture their walks, their trips to the market, any common passersby, and just their general experience. 

In short, I'm really looking forward to reading this and, as soon as I finish the books on top, you can bet I'll be picking this up as soon as I can.

4. The Midwich Cuckoos, by John Wyndham 

After watching and loving The Midwich Cuckoos tv show, my wonderful boyfriend ordered me the book to read. At just 220 pages, this feels very much like The Mist, so a book I can knock out in a weekend if I want. If it's anything like the tv show, it'll be an easy book to get into, with twists in every chapter. 

Midwich Cuckoos is about the residents in a town called, you guessed it, Midwich. The story starts when a strange storm results in a number of simultaneous pregnancies of the women of the town. But these pregnancies are anything but ordinary. The children that are born as a result all have blonde hair, and golden eyes. They grow up too fast and all have mind control abilities. And that's only the beginning... 

Like I said, I'm hoping this'll be a quick, engaging and intense read that I'll be able to knock out in a weekend. Really hope I like this. 

5. I Invited Her In, by Adele Parks 

I got this book a couple of months ago, from my auntie. (So I really should have read it by now, but the truth is I got side-tracked.) 

Really simple premise, this. Protagonist Mel, receives a message from an old friend, completely out of the blue. She's in a spot of trouble and needs a place to stay. It's the least Mel can do. 

After all, friends look out for each-other, don't they? 

When I noticed this book, I thought it looked familiar, but now I know why. Fantastic reviews, and a tv show to go with it. Not sure if I'll watch it, I'll see if I like the book first. Pretty sure I will though. 

6. The Missing Sister (The Seven Sisters #7), by Lucinda Riley 

And... the seventh book in the series (cry emoji). These books are so amazing I can't believe it's the penultime book ALREADY. 

(Never mind that I still need to read the sixth first.) 

Okay, I have no idea how far into this TBR I'm going to get, but I'm sticking it on here anyway. This is the book that I've talked about cumulatively since starting the first book, back in August. It's the one where all six sisters join forces to uncover the mystery of why there wasn't a seventh sister, to make the full seven star constellation. I've heard mixed reviews on Goodreads a few times, but I'll be keeping an open mind considering how much I've loved this series so far. 

(Fingers crossed I enjoy this one as much as the rest.) 

Okay! Those are all the books I'm hoping to get to in the month of November! I hope you enjoyed, and as always, feel free to comment what you plan to read this month and we can chat about it! 

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

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx