May Wrap Up & June TBR (2024)

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

Here with my Wrap Up & TBR for the next month! 

Little late, I know, but I'm here now, and that's what counts. 

I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to comment anything down below, whether it be about books, reading, anything at all. 

Thanks. 

~May Wrap Up~

I read a total of 4 books in the month of May. 

Finally, I'm back to a book a week! (Kind of- thankyou Tom Felton autobiography, you really were a gem). 

1. Hothouse Flower, by Lucinda Riley

I really don't know how Riley did it. She takes these characters that we know nothing about and makes us care for them, through witnessing them overcome personal struggles in their quest for the truth of their livelihood. 

I wasn't sure about how much I was going to want to read another of Riley's books, especially after growing so attached to the seven sisters. 

I need'nt have worried. I absolutely adored this. 

Apparently I'm not alone in that, as there are more five star reviews than four stars on Goodreads. Do you know how rare that is?

Overall, it's been so nice to delve into another of Lucinda Riley's books once more. 

2. The Goodbye Cat, by Hiro Arikawa

I have a review for this, it's linked in the title. So if you want more in depth thoughts, click the link in the title. 

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderfully written book. 

So refreshing, so beautiful, just an amazing book in general. 

Go and read it if you like cats. 

Its 200-something pages, you'll fly through it. 

3. The Light Behind the Window, by Lucinda Riley 

Okay, I liked the characters in this one, but the way the story played out for me was a bit far fetched, in my opinion. I loved the writing, like I do with any Lucinda Riley book, but it wasn't my favourite. 

Saying that, I still give it four stars. 

4. Beyond the Wand, by Tom Felton

Oh for the god send that is this book. I picked this up because I was in the mood for something short, fun, that I hadn't read before. 

After finishing the audiobook for The Light Behind the Window, my eyes fell on this. Knowing it wouldn't take me long with my usual 1.8 speed, I downloaded, started it, and fell in love with Tom Felton's quirky, funny storytelling. 

If you're considering this book, listen to the audiobook. It's Tom Felton recording, and it makes it 10 times better to hear his voice describing The Borrowers, how being cheeky landed him roles, as well as his most famous Draco. Tales from the HP set will fill you will laughter, I assure you. 

So well written, so well performed, wonderful read. I'm so glad I had the privilige of reading this. 

~June TBR~

1. The Midnight Rose, by Lucinda Riley 

I've been switching between book and audiobook for the past fortnight and as those who have been following me for the past 10 months know, I have been reading and loving Lucinda Riley's writing, every time I pick up one of her novels. My lovely colleague Liz has been letting me borrow them all this time, and I couldn't be more grateful. 

The Midnight Rose is very much the same as her other books, taking place in two different time frames, but often finding out the protagonist's ancestor is the key to what they are struggling with in their own life. I never get tired of this premise, and I always love seeing how everything falls into place, this one no different. Will definitely be giving this five stars. 

2. The Italian Girl, by Lucinda Riley 

At this point, it really doesn't matter what the premise is for Lucinda Riley's books, I know I'm gonna love it. 

The Italian Girl follows Rosanna Menici and Roberto Rossini, who have no idea of the repercussions that will happen when they fall in love- built by an obsession of talented opera singers. A love that, will ultermiately affect the lives of those closest to them. 

Okay, the blurb on Goodreads will give a better description of what this book is, and honestly, I don't really care, because I know I'm gonna love it. 

3. Impossible Creatures, by Katherine Rundell 

I've been slowly making my way through Katherine Rundell's books over the past two years, picking them up when I want something amusing, not too heavy, full of adventure. 

Those are the words that I use to describe Katherine Rundell's books. 

I was overjoyed when I heard she had a new book out- and even more elated when I received this for Christmas. 

Yes, Christmas. 

It's time to get on this. 

Impossible Creatures follows Christopher Forrester, who, on the day he rescues a baby griffin from a hidden lake, his life is changed forever. He's whisked away on an adventure, to a secret, unmapped group of islands called Archipelargo, where all the creatures of myth live side by side with humans. 

This is also where he meets Mal, a girl on the run, with whom he will transform the fate of the world... 

This gives me Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them vibes, but better! I have thoroughly enjoyed every Katherine Rundell book I have picked up, and I'm guessing this won't be any different. I'm very excited to pick this book up. 

4. Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang

Okay, I didn't plan to add this to my TBR. I promise. Especially when I only finished The Poppy War trilogy a couple of months ago. But I saw a man reading this on the tube in London last month, and it just appealed to me when I was deciding this month's TBR. So I'm giving it a go. 

From what I got from the blurb, this is a crime novel, full of dark humour, lies and deception, and consequences that make your skin crawl. Very different to what I've read of R.F/ Rebecca Kuang before, and despite it's length, I get the feeling I'm in for a treat. 

So, calculating pages from this TBR, page counts comes in at around 1,400 pages, which I know I can finish. Comes in at around 54 pages a day, and knowing I'll likely read double that tomorrow with The Midnight Rose, I know I'm starting the month out on good footing. Surely nothing will go wrong, right? 

Ha, who knows? I might not even read a page. 

Anyway, that is my May Wrap Up & June TBR (2024)! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment what you're hoping to read this month, or if you've already finished something, what you thought about it (lucky, fast reader). 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx