April Wrap Up & May TBR (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And since most of my month has mostly been re-reads, I will be including my TBR for May as well- which means I'm in this for the long haul! 

I don't really have anything else to say so, without further ado, I hope you enjoy. 

~April Wrap Up~

I read a total of 7 books in April, and frankly, I needed a good reading month, since I was struggling to keep up with my Goodreads goal- thankfully I'm now a book ahead and plan to keep it that way. 

1. Rachel's Holiday (Walsh Family #2), by Marian Keyes

What do I say about this book? Fantastic. Gripping. Emotional. It may have taken me over a fortnight to finish, but I felt so satisfied when I did. Rachel's Holiday tells her story of being admitted into a Rehab centre, in denial that her drug habit is completely normal. When she's dropped off, she plans to treat it all as some big holiday- just a break, in a centre that has a Spa, Gym, and celebrities in every room. She's in for quite a shock. Instead, she finds herself in a facility that has no secrets, no spa, no pool, and worse of all, not a single celebrity.  As she's forced to endure the public humiliation of forms, filled out by the people that have seen her drug problem first hand read out in front of the entire group, interviews in Group from her family and loved ones, she finally see for herself through the eyes of others. 

I asked for this book as a present about a year ago, unaware that it was the second book in a series. I've since found out, after starting Rachel's holiday, that she has two sisters, and each book in the series centres around a different sisters, so they can really be read in any order. 

Marian Keyes is an excellent writer, and one I always knew I wanted to continue reading after I finished Grown Ups- I've already seen Watermelon, the first book in the Walsh Family trilogy, in Asda, and I intend to read it before too long. 

2. Slated (Slated #1), by Teri Terry 

3. Fractured (Slated #2), by Teri Terry 

4. Shattered (Slated #3), by Teri Terry 

On my TBR, I hadn't decided between re-reading Slated, or The Hunger Games. Honestly, when I finished Rachel's Holiday, there was only one book I wanted to read. 

I finished Slated in 2 days, I was that invested in it. 

Slated is, and probably always will be, one of my favourite series' of all time. I read it for the first time when I was 15, and still to this day, I have never read a book like it. Slated is from the POV of Kyla- who has no idea who she is. The Government claim she was a terrorist. Because of this, she has been slated- given a second chance- all of her memories have been wiped away, and she's been given a new life, with a new family. 

But Kyla remembers things- memories that don't make sense, from her past life. She knows someone- someone close to her- is lying to her. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Such a fantastic trilogy- I was so happy to read them all again, straight through. I finished them all in 9 days. 

5. The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events #5), by Lemony Snicket 

6. The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events #6), by Lemony Snicket 

7. The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7), by Lemony Snicket

 

It was such a joy to get to these three books- The Austere Academy in particular introduces the reader to three very important characters- 2/3 of the Quagmire triplets. The triplets serve as a source of comfort for the Baudelaires, that have had nothing but misery since the death of their parents. The Quagmires are like them- orphans, with a large inheritence, and just longing for some comfort. From The Austere Academy onwards, the story changes from the somewhat repetitive storyline of the first four books, as the Baudelaires try to uncover the secret of V.F.D, outsmart Count Olaf, and get their new found friends to safety. But the more information the Baudelaires uncover, the more questions arise. The next book in the series is called The Hostile Hospital, and it also happens to be the first book I read in the series. I'm so excited to get to it. 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in the month of April! Like I said, mostly re-reads, but they needed to be if I'm ever going to be successful in my reading goal for the year. Now that I'm a book ahead, I'm going to try and fit more new reads into my TBR- even though I'll still be continuing on with A Series of Unfortunate Events for the next couple of months. 

~May TBR~

1. Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones

My colleague Kia lent this to me- which was so nice since she received it as a birthday present. I started it on tuesday, and I'm 16 pages in due to work and having no free time. 

When I was given it, I knew the name sounded familiar, maybe it was the name of an anime- I wasn't sure though. Turns out, I was bang on. (Though most of you might not recognise the book cover, but this is the anime cover:)

To be honest, I knew squat about what this book was about, all I even know now is that Sophie, the protagonist, is cursed by a witch and must travel to the legendary Howl Castle, which can change location in the blink of an eye, and contains the wizard, who devoures the hearts of young girls. 

It's the first book in a trilogy, and hopefully I enjoy this as much as I think I'm going to, and continue on with the series at a later date. 

2. The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events #8), by Lemony Snicket 

3. The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events #9), by Lemony Snicket

4. The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events #10), by Lemony Snicket

In truth, I don't remember a whole lot about book 9 onwards for this series, so it'll be nice to have a refresher. What I do remember is that these three books are some of the most dramatic of the series, complete with head surgery, arson, murder, kidnapping and a lion pit! 

We're slowly getting closer to the end of the series, with just three books remaining after I tackle these three, and I'm half/half on wanting to find out what happens next, but also never wanting it to end! 

It's been great to see the Baudelaire orphan's daunting journey turn them into the daring, capable children I'm reading about in book 8- but I do wish them some happiness soon. 

5. American Gods (American Gods #1), by Neil Gaiman

I'm adding this onto my TBR because I'm determined to read all the birthday/christmas presents I've received in the last year or so. As I said before, I am aware of the allegiations directed at Neil Gaiman, but that doesn't mean I can't still enjoy his work. 

American Gods is about Shadow, a prisoner, who on the verge of being released from prison, receives the news that his wife Laura has passed away. Numbly, he boards a plane home, where he meets an eccentric character called Mr. Wednesday, who just happens to be a refugee from a distant war, a former God, and the King of America. 

With little direction, the two men set out on a road trip across America, whilst all around them, a storm- an unnatural, and of epic proportions- threatens to break around them. 

There are extremely mixed reviews on this book, all one and 4/5 stars, so I'm not sure what I'll make of it. But I'm determined to give it a try. 

6. The Earthsea Quartet (Earthsea Cycle #1-4), by Ursula Le Guin

One of my work colleagues (a different one to the colleague that lent me Howl's Moving Castle) had a second copy of this- I am now the proud owner of said second copy (couldn't be happier as Earthsea is one of the most classic fantasy series of all time). 

It definitely isn't a small book, given it's just shy of 700 pages, but as the name suggests, it's four short stories, rolled into one. 

Like with Howl's Moving Castle, I have no idea of what this book contains, but it's never a bad thing to be compared with Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, so I'm ready to commit to what could be considered one of the best novels released in the twentieth century. 

7. The Wake-Up Call, by Beth O' Leary 

I think this is the third time I've added this book, most likely on the end, each time. But it doesn't matter, because I will be picking it up as soon as I finish my CR. 

If you didn't know what this book is about, allow me to express it in bullet points:

• Hotel is threatening to close. 
• Two members of staff, who hate eachother, find a ring and return it to the missing couple. She's gives them an extremely large reward. 
• There are several other rings in the lost and found. Izzy and Lucas hatch a plan- if they locate the owners of these rings- they might just save the hotel. 
• Also, they can't seem to stop flling in love with one another. 

That's basically the bare bones of the story, I'm sure there's a lot more to it, but that's basically the premise. I really need to get to this soon, because I know I'm going to love it. 

Okay! That's me done! I was always considering posting these two together, as most of the books I finished in April were re-reads, but I definitely wasn't banking on the second part taken the best part of three days to complete! 

Nevertheless, it's finally done, and I can get started on my review for Rachel's Holiday, which will be coming to you soon! 

As always, feel free to comment what you all got up to last month, I'll start: 

I FINALLY RAN BOSTON MARATHON (Lincolnshire) AND HAVE SIGNED UP FOR LONDON NEXT YEAR (99% sure I won't get in as over 1 million people signed up, but I can dream). 

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

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games #0.5), by Suzanne Collins

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

I'm here with the much promised Sunrise on the Reaping review, which I'm sure most of you will have at least started by now (I seem to find at least one person a day carrying this book around at the moment). 

I was all too ready to hit the ground running with this review at the start of the month, but sometime other things need to take priority. (Like my ever declining reading challenge this year.) 

But, at last, I'm finally noting my thoughts on this ever-popular book, so I hope you enjoy them! 

Title: Sunrise on the Reaping

Author: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Dystopian

Status: Book 0.5 in The Hunger Games trilogy/ Prequel

Release date: 18/3/2025

Pages: 382

Blurb: "As the day dawns on the fiftieth 

annuel Hunger Games, fear 

grips the districts of Panem. This 

year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, 

twice as many tributes will be taken 

from their homes. 

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy 

is trying not to think too hard about his chances. 

All he cares about is making it through the day 

and being with the girl he loves. 

When Haymitch's name is called, he can 

feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his

family and his love and is shuttled to the 

Capitol with the three other District 12

tributes: a young friend whose nearly a sister to 

him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most

stuck-up girl in town. As the games begin, 

Haymitch underrstands he's been set up to fail. 

But there's something in him that wants to fight

... and have that fight reverberate far beyond

the deadly arena."

My Thoughts

I have so many thoughts on this, on the book, on the developments for the film, just so many thoughts, all fighting for attention- but where to start? 

Let's just say, approaching release date, I knew I wasn't the only one excited for this, and I knew with almost certainty, that I was going to love it, and that it was going straight onto my Favourites list for 2025. Maybe that was why it felt a little bit let down? 

Not to say it was bad, or anything- far from it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Haymitch in teenage form, before he got buried under by alcohol and mentoring kids as a victor. I just never felt the urgency to keep reading, to find out what was going to happen next. 

From page 1, you learn that it is Haymitch's birthday- and the day of the reaping, which in itself is a kick in the teeth. To know that he runs the risk of being catapulted into the idea of being a tribute every single year is horrible- or risk seeing his love, Lenore Dove going in- is even worse. Because she is his driving force, the reason for Haymitch wanting to survive the Hunger Games- even when the odds are stacked against him. 

You fall in love with Haymitch's character almost instantly. Kind and caring, he's the kind of character that you warm to immediately. Especially when he's with Lenore Dove.

Lenore Dove reminds me a lot of Lucy Baird- probably deliberate, as they're both Covey kids during their stories. Musical, mischievious and sensitive, you can see why Haymitch wants to protect her. 

At the start of the story, Haymitch is waking up to his brother, Sid, and his mother. All he wants is to go through the day's reaping, so he can spend the rest of his birthday with Lenore Dove. Of course, we know that's not what happens. 

Instead he's thrust away with the other tributes, expecting never to see his family again. Especially as this year, it's the Quarter Quell, and there are double the amount of tributes. As we know from the blurb, Haymitch knows that, because of powerful influences outside of his control as a tribute, that he's being set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight, to make himself unforgettable, so he has the best chance- the best chance to survive. 

Going into this book, we all know how it ends. But what we're all looking for (I assume at least, because I know I was) is a connection between ABOSAS and the original Hunger games series. I was looking to find out how Haymitch went from district 12's first male victor, to being the depressed drunk we see at Katniss and Peeta's reaping. I definitely got that. 

Also, I will be mentioning, it was awesome to get reacquainted with some characters- Beetee, Mags, Wiress, and of course Effie! I genuinely felt starved of all of these characters when Haymitch went into the arena! (Though my hate at Snow had me thinking murderous thoughts whenever he was mentioned.)

Of course, there was a whole new cast of characters that I was growing more and more attached to, specifically the other District 12 tributes, and a couple of others from other districts. Louella, Maysilee and Wyatt, and Ampert- all characters that I immediately became attached to. 

Being reintroduced to characters I'd only glimpsed in Katniss' story definitely opened up a can of worms for me- and based on the amount of facebook posts I've seen on the subject, I'm not alone in that. Haymitch's prequel novel is the perfect way to publish over victor's Hunger Games as well- I'd personally love to see how Beetee's, Mags, Wiress and Finnick's stories- although I know Johanna's is also a popular request. 

Haymitch's arena was interesting- and extremely bloodthirsty. Although I knew Haymitch would always survive, I always became excited that something might happen that would leave me in tears, too distraught to continue- at least for a bit. 

Surprisingly, that moment never came. It almost felt repetitive to be honest. Like, Haymitch gets into a scenario, he gets lucky, or someone sacrifices themselves, or his pursuer dies accidentally, and then it's moving on. There were certain characters that I did develop a liking for, and some of their deaths did hit kind of hard, but nowhere near as much as I thought, given what everyone else was posting on their reviews. (One sentence reviews to be fair.)

Sunrise on the Reaping was extremely well-written. Emotional and intricate, not wordy at all. Direct and to the quick to the point. The way the pacing changed at the drop of the hat left you realing at times, and I had to re-read a couple of paragraphs, to make sure I'd understood what had happened. I had no problem picturing the woods or the arena, it was all described so well. 

I will say, the poetry and songs fell a bit flat for me, especially towards the end. This is just my personal opinion, nothing against those that loved what they lended to the story, it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Haymitch's Hunger Games, there were moments that broke my heart, that left me angry, sad and distressed, and I'm glad I got to meet these wonderful characters, that impact the story, 25 years later. 

As soon as I finished SOTR, I felt the urge to pick up books 1-3, and I have no doubt that it won't be long until I do. 

Okay! Those are all my (current) thoughts on Sunrise on the Reaping, by Suzanne Collins. I'm sure the minute I post this I'll come up with a lot more to talk about. But for now, I'm fine with this. 

So with that, I bid you goodbye! As always, feel free to comment your thoughts, and we can chat about this book! 

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

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

April TBR (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And OMG- we're in the second quarter of the month already?! How did we get here?!

I'm a wee bit nervous at the moment- Boston (Lincolnshire-I'm not that speedy) marathon is less than two weeks ago and I'm bloody nervous. 

But enough about that. I'm sure it'll go fine (I hope). This post is about my April TBR.

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. Rachel's Holiday (Walsh Family #2), by Marian Keyes

I always knew it was going to be a stretch to finish this in March, especially after I picked up Sunrise On the Reaping (review is definitely coming, I promise). But so far, I'm just shy of 200 pages into this, and I'm really enjoying it. Getting the feeling that I'm only on the tip of the iceburg with this, which I love. Rachel is such a relatable protagonist, still in the denial phase that she has a drug problem, I can't help but love her. It depends on how the rest of the book goes, and what the ending is like, but I can't help but think that I'll be pursuing the rest of the Walsh Family books before long. 

If you're not familiar with this series, there are three Walsh sisters, so the Walsh Family series is a trilogy. You don't have to read them in order (I think), but I think each sister makes an appearance in the other two books. Rachel's Holiday is about Rachel being shipped off to a rehab in Dublin, her homeland, after she loses her boyfriend, her job, and her entire life in one night. Forced to confront her demons in what she thought would be something like a five star hotel, but was actually just a normal rehab centre, Rachel takes her shaky first steps to restart her life. 

2. The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events #5), by Lemony Snicket 

3. The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events #6), by Lemony Snicket 

4. The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7), by Lemony Snicket 

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THESE IT'S RIDICULOUS. These are the three books that move the story along the most, in my opinion. We meet so many awesome/ nasty/ selfish/cowardly, just wonderfully written characters, and meet so many twists and turns, I can hardly wait. 

5. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1), by Suzanne Collins/ Slated (Slated #1), by Teri Terry 

I've always been loath to start more than one series at a time, but it seems to be all I'm picking up this year! I'm drawing the line at two, but I have no idea which one of these I'm in the mood for the most. 

The Hunger Games is, of course, inspired by my recent read of SOTR, but I've been thinking about certain chapters in the Slated trilogy, one of my favourite series' for the past month. 

I may even have to put a poll up on my instagram if I'm still unsure when I get to these. I have a pretty good idea of how that poll will go, so I'll see, but look out for it if you follow my Instagram. 

Anyway, the bottom line is, am I more in the mood for a dystopian re-read, or a Sci-fi one?

6. American Gods (American Gods #1), by Neil Gaiman 

Yes, I'm aware of the allegations against Neil Gaiman. 

No, I do not support him, or anything he does. 

But I was gifted a few of his books in September last year and they need to be read. 

Glad I said that. 

I didn't originally ask for American Gods to be an option for my birthday, but my friend went above and beyond, and bought me a whole selection of his books. 

And out of all of his books, that I could choose, I of course wanted to read the fucking largest. 

American Gods follows Shadow Moon, who, after three years in prison, is finally free to leave. However, hours before his release, the news of his wife's unexpected death reaches him. Numb with grief, he boards a plane, and meets an eccentric stranger- one who claims to be an ancient god- and King of America. 

Together they embark on a strange and surreal road trip, coming into contact with some twisted individuals, and stopping at some absurb locations. 

War is coming, a scrappy struggle to control the very soul of America. And Shadow is standing squarily in it's path. 

This book is a mighty 635 pages, and on top of everything else, I highly doubt I'm going to finish it. But I'm sure going to try. 

Okay! Those are all the books I plan to read this month! It looks like it'll be a pretty big page count, but they're all so interesting, I'm bound to fly through some of them! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon with my SOTR review! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

March Wrap Up (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm here with possibly the best reading month I've had in a while (other than my HP re-read, because that was hard). But I managed to finish my first series this month, I started the Series of Unfortunate Events series, and I didn't fall into a reading slump! 

Not to mention, it's finally Spring and the sun has been shining! 

Without further ado, here's what I read this month! 

I hope you enjoy it, and of course, feel free to post in the comments what you all got up to this month! 

1. The Mapmakers (Cordelia Hatmaker #2), by Tamzin Merchant

Having bought the first book in the series purely so I could get to this one, I think it's safe to say I was expecting a lot. And although I enjoyed it, I feel like my expectations were a bit high for this. 

I enjoyed the coming together of all the maker families, that it was the children that finally brought everything together, and the fact that the storyline in the first book was resolved, but I was starved of the ship jounrey that I thought I would be getting in the first book. Like with the first book, great storytelling, with a plot that moved forward gradually, but didn't feel rushed, I was a firm fan of Tamzin Merchant by the time I finished this. (So much so that I had the third book ready to go when I felt the need to pick it up- which happened to be later that month.)

2. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1), by Lemony Snicket

3. The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2), by Lemony Snicket 

 

With 80 books as my Goodreads reading goal this year (thanks again, Jordan), I knew I needed to have a few tricks up my sleeve this year. Cue the fast paced, exciting, unfortunate, 13 book series that is Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket! 

Reading 13 all in one go felt a bit overkill, so I planned to read the four smaller books in March, then three per month until I finish in July. 

I read both of these within a day of starting them, absolutely flew through them, much to my delight. 

I have to say, it was absolutely lovely be introduced to the Baudelaire orphans once more, and read about the start of their adventure/misery- especially after I realised that it had been six years since I'd read them last. 

4. The Troublemakers (Cordelia Hatmaker #3), by Tamzin Merchant

After the plot for the first two books was resolved in The Mapmakers, I found myself wondering what would be in book three. 

I was still invested in Cordelia's story, along with her family, all of her new friends and their family, but I was a little hesitant to pick this third and final book up, in case I didn't enjoy it as much. 

Little did I know, it would actually become my favourite of the three. I finally got my boat trip journey, but it was much more intense than I thought, filled with plot twists and unpredictable characters, that were as savage as the waves of the ocean. 

I found myself wishing that the book was longer, that I got to spend more time with Cordelia Hatmaker and her ship of stowaways, but at least I get to read about her ancestors- in a book called The Mythmakers, which is out in early July. 

5. The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3), by Lemony Snicket 

6. The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events #4), by Lemony Snicket 

After finishing The Reptile Room, I wanted nothing more than to marathon the rest of the series, and forget about everything else. But, I was already in the midst of the Cordelia Hatmaker trilogy, so I took a short break from these so I could focus my attention on that. 

Of course, after finishing The Troublemakers, I immediately started on The Wide Window. 

Surprisingly, these two are the novels I struggle to read the most. Because the 2004 film covers the first three novels, I find those to be almost too familiar. As for The Miserable Mill, it always feels like a book I need to finish before events of the overall story start to unfold. In The Austere Academy, which is the next book in the series, you meet some very important characters that help shape the rest of the books. The Miserable Mill feels like it follows the same linear direction as the first three. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them all the same, and I'm eager to continue on. 

7. Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games #0.5), by Suzanne Collins

I'm sue I'm of of just one of many that has already read this and loved it. From what I've seen, people bought and read it on the day of release. Some of us have even starting constructing their own dream cast for the film, which I love the idea of. 

I will be writing a review for this in April, so forgive me if I don't give you many details now, but I promise, they're coming. All I will say now is, President Snow is the worst, Haymitch is such a readable character, I was engrossed from page one, and I gave it 4.5 stars. Genuinely made me want to re-read the original trilogy again, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to. 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in March! I'm very happy I managed 7 this month, and I'm very much hoping for another successful reading month in April! As always, if you read lots, some, enjoyed one particular book-or hated one- let me know in the comments! 

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

Byeeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

Anticipated Releases (April-June 2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And April is just round the corner, which means one thing- there's a whole stack of new books being released. 

I'm back with my next quarterly anticipated releases post, for the next three months, and trust me when I say, there was a lot to sift through! 

I hope you enjoy reading my post, as always. 

~April~

1. Swept Away, by Beth O'Leary 

Release date: 1/4/2025

It might seem a bit stupid to add the new release of an author you currently have two unread books by, but here we are. 

Swept Away is about Zeke and Lexi, two people that wake up on a boat after a one-night stand- to nothing but boundless ocean. 

Going back to a boat with a stranger seems like the perfect answer to forgetting Zeke and Lexi's problems- at least for a few hours. But with an innocent case of miscommunication, during a dark and foggy night, means nobody tied the houseboat the dock. 

With just a few provisions on this small boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back to land. But they have an even bigger challenge- not getting too swept up in the other person- and definitely not falling in love. 

When I was looking for potential books for this list, and I was drawn to this, I knew I probably shouldn't. But, I'm about to read one of my current Beth O' Leary unread books, that counts. Doesn't it? Besides, Swept Away sounds like a fun, survival book, with a romance. Perfect for the Spring months. Why not?

2. Strangers in Time, by David Baldacci 

Release date: 15/4/2025

At this point in time, I have way too many historical fictions on my TBR to add another one. But with Strangers in Time, I will make an exception. 

Fourteen-year-old Charlie is up to no good, but for a very good reason. Without parents, or any sort of guardian, Charlie is living day by day, stealing food, and just getting by until he's old enough to enlist to fight the germans. After barely surviving the blitz, Charlie knows more than anyone that the next bombing could well be his last. 

Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to a nearly unrecognisebale London. Being one of the million children shipped away as part of the 'Operation Pied Piper' evacuation, Molly has been away from her home-from her parents- for nearly five years. Even worse, she arrives to less than perfect news: both her parents are gone. 

Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an ally in Ignatius Oliver, and solace in his bookshop, The Book Keep, where a book a day keeps the bombs away. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kin-ship with Charlie and Molly, and in each-other, and they begin to rediscover the spirit that each family has lost. 

But Charlie's excapades have not gone unnoticed- and someone has been following Molly until she arrived home- Ignatius himself has been harbouring a secret himself- one about his wife- that ultimately killed her and resulted in his world being turned upside down. 

As bombs continue to cascade over the city, Ignatius and the two children find that their companoinship might be just what they need to keep them alive. 

Like I said- couldn't resist. David Baldacci isn't known for his historical fiction, which I found out the other day when I came across his crime series' in Waterstones, but this one sure sounds like a winner to me. Released mid April. 

~May~

1. My Friends, by Fredrik Backman 

Release date: 6/5/2025

I genuinely don't think I'll be able to describe what this story is, as well as the author does on the Goodreads page, so I would urge you all to go to the Goodreads page and read the blurb there. 

If you're not able to do that, I'll give you the shorter version of what it is. 

-A work of art, created by four completely different teenagers in a summer where they found hope, at the beach, at peace, telling stories. 

-Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man that never stays in one place for two long; and finally, there's the artist, who hoards sleeping pills, who's gift might just be his ticket out of town- creating a bond that changes the course of a person's life, twenty-five-years later. 

1,088 people have read the ARC of this book, and 770 have rated it 5*. That is unheard of. I cannot wait to read this 'unforgettable funny, deeply moving tale' that Fredrik Backman has created. 

2. The Names, by Florence Knapp 

Release date: 6/5/2025

Three stories. The same characters. The same important event, with three different journeys. 

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter Maia, to register the name of her newly-born son. Her husband Gordon, a well-respected doctor, but agressive and controlling husband at home, expects their son to be named after him. But when the registrar asks for his name, Cora hesitates. 

What follows are three different stories, based on what she decides- a story that spans thirty-five years. In richly worded prose, The Names explores the repercussions of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, the possibility of autonomy and healing. 

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp's debut novel forces to confront a number of what if moments, and consider the 'one... precious life' we are given. 

If you know me in person, or you've been following my blog for a while, you know I love these kinds of books. I'm very much into choice based video games, and seeing how decisions play out in books, so this is one book I'm really, very excited about. 

3. Saga Volume 12, by Brian K. Vaughan 

Release date: 13/5/2025

I mean, I know I still haven't read Volume 11 yet, but there's no way this wasn't going on my Anticipated Releases post. 

I'm genuinely waiting for the right time to marathon the whole thing again. 

4. Aftertaste, by Daria Lavelle

Release date: 20/5/2025

I was a little bit on the fence as for whether to include this or not. But I will thank the ARC readers, and their reviews, for persuading me to keep it on here. 

In short, Aftertaste is an epic love story, a dark comedy, and a synesthetic adventure about food and grief. 

Konstantin Duhovny is a haunted man. Since his father died when he was ten, he has always been able to tell when a spirit is present. Flavours of food he has never tasted will appear in his mouth- he can never see the ghosts though- just taste their favourite foods. It's a clear sign that a ghost is nearby. Through the years, he has always kept the aftertaste a secret, until one night, he decides to act on it. And everything changes. 

Kostya discovers that he can reunite people with their lost loved ones- at least for the length of time it takes them to finish the meal he has prepared. He thinks his life's purpose is to give closure to the people of New York, to help them speak to the people they've lost just one more time. But what he can't see is the catastrophe he's caused in the Afterlife- while he's busy helping people. And the one person that has the ability to tell him might just be falling in love with him. 

This sounds like a sensitive, yet unique story that deserves a good following. 

I'm curious as for how well received it is upon publication, and how my opinion differs. 

~June~

1. Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins-Reid

Release date: 3/6/2025

It's perfect timing for another Taylor Jenkins-Reid book to be released- I've just finished my fourth book by her, and I want more! 

Atmosphere is about Joan Goodwin, professor of Astronomy and Physics at Rice University, and she has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. However, she is perfectly content with her life, her job and her family. That is, until she sees an advertisement from NASA, seeking women researchers for their new Space Shuttle Program. Suddenly, Joan is desperate to be one of the few people to go to space. 

Selected from a pool of over a thousand applicants, Joan is invited to train at Houstan's Johnson Space Centre, along with an exceptional group of other candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and Scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy going, even when the stakes are at sky level; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard, and too long to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is harbouring secrets of her own; and Vanessa ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautic engineer, who is able to fix any engine and fly any plane. 

As the new astronauts form an unlikely friendship and prepare for their first flight, Joan finda a passion and love for this new world that even she didn't expect. In this new light, she starts to question everything she thought she knew about her place in this observable universe. 

But then they take off, and everything changes. 

I've been transported into the lives of a famous tennis player, a starlet, a band in the 60s, and the children of a world-class singer,  and now I'm visiting the life of an astronaut. I truly believe that Taylor Jenkins-Reid can write about anything, and I will be waiting with my money, on release day. Her books are fast paced, easy reads, with well-crafted characters and a message, and I cannot wait for this release. 

2. Nobody in Particular, by Sophie Gonzales 

Release date: 3/6/2025

I haven't read a book by Sophie Gonzales since 2021, but and I only gave that 3.5 stars. But when I heard about Nobody in Particular, I just couldn't resist. It's basically a f/f romance, in a boarding school. 

With her reputation currently in shatters, Rosie is staying in the background, just trying to keep her head down and not make her country more ashamed of her- than she has already. Having lost her best friend in the process, she can't afford distractions. However, when an atractive new girl starts at her school, she finds herself very distracted indeed. 

Attending Brampath College on a music scholarship, talented pianist Danni fully expects to be the oatcast in the group of welathy girls she attends the school with. She doesn't expect to be taken in by the ex-best friend of the princess. Or to become quite as fascinated by the princess as she is. 

When someone witnesses something they shouldn't, Rosie and Danni have two choices: they must either try to deflect the rumours that are circulating the school; or call things quit for good. What they do know is that Rosie's reputation cannot take any more hits- unless they want the palace to make sure they stay seperate. 

I haven't really thought about Sophie Gonzales since reading Only Mostly Devastating- but this sounds interesting. A perfect read for the upcoming months. I look forward to reading it. 

3. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, by V.E. Schwab 

Release date: 10/6/2025

Now, it wouldn't make sense to try and change the words for the blurb for this book, because it's so short. So I'm just going to quote them:

'Santa Domingo de la Calzada, 1532. 

London, 1837. 

Boston, 2019. 

Three young women, their bodies planted in the same soil, their stories tangling like roots. 

One grows high, and one grows deep, and one grows wild. 

And all of them grow teeth.'

I definitely wouldn't have thought that this book was about vampires, except the Goodreads genre has the word VAMPIRE, in straight black and white. 

I might not read this right away, because it's giving me nightmare halloween vibes, but you can bet I'll be eager to sink my teeth into this as soon as it starts getting dark in September. 

*Pun intended.*

4. The Girls Who Grew Big, by Leila Mottley 

Release date: 24/6/2025

I don't know what it was that made me remember it, and want to read it, out of all the seemingly millions of books being released in June, (and it did seem like millions-for all three months actually) but there was something about how the premise was written really stuck. 

After sixteen-year-old Adela Woods finds out that she is pregnant, she is shipped away from her comfortable home in Indiana, to her grandmother's home in small beach town Padua Beach, Florida. There, Adela meets Emory, who brings her newborn to school, determined to graduate, and defy all odds in the process; Simone, mother of four-year-old twins, who is surprised to discover that she will be expecting a further child and is struggling to figure out what to do; and a collection of young mums trying to raise their children in the back of Simone's red truck. 

When society thinks these young mums have lost their way, these resilient women are proving the opposite: they are in fact, finding their way, finding love and establishing a new life for them and their children. 

This sounds like a powerful, heart-warming, but raw novel that I genuinely can't wait to pick up. 

Okay! Those are all of my Anticipated Releases for the next three months! 

I have to say, I'm so happy I persevered with writing this- I didn't just forget about it for a week- I made a conscious effort to progress with writing it whenever I got the chance, and I finally finished! 

I'm probably going to go and take a nap now- marathon training is wooping my ass- but I hope you all have a wonderful evening, and I will see you all soon with my March Wrap Up! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

March TBR (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my third post in a week (there's a part of me that worries I'm about to burn out, but right now I feel fine). If you haven't guessed from the title, it's my March TBR- and I have a whole heap of different books to talk about. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. The Mapmakers (Cordelia Hatmaker #2), by Tamzin Merchant

2. The Troublemakers (Cordelia Hatmaker #3), by Tamzin Merchant

I'm just over halfway through The Mapmakers, and because of how much I'm enjoying it, and not wanting a break from it, I went ahead and bought the third book this afternoon. It's been ages since I've wanted to continue a series immediately (that wasn't a re-read) but there's just something so addictive about Cordelia and her journey, refusing to accept her father's death, that I want to find out if it's true or not. 

The Cordelia Hatmaker trilogy is full of excitement, action and great characters, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a light, exciting read. 

3. The Bad Beginning (Series of Unfortunate Events #1), by Lemony Snicket 

4. The Reptile Room (Series of Unfortunate Events #2), by Lemony Snicket

5. The Wide Window (Series of Unfortunate Events #3), by Lemony Snicket 

6. The Miserable Mill (Series of Unfortunate Events #4), by Lemony Snicket 

Is this just a way to get more books under my belt so I can take my time with others? Absolutely. But I really want to re-read this series, because I've been thinking about it a lot recently. 

HOLY SHIT. 

The last time I read this series was back in 2018. 

Genuinely didn't even know that. 

For those of you that don't know this series, you really need to. It's about three siblings, the Baudelaire siblings: Violet, Klaus and Sunny that lose their parents to a terrible future. Over the next thirteen books they are shipped off from guardian to guardian, constantly pursued by the terrible Count Olaf- who is only after their fortune. 

This is a dark, entertaining series that passages a reader from middle grade to young adult novels. I love Voilet, but as a reader, I'm definitely more like Klaus. I highly recommend this series if you haven't read them yet. 

7. Rachel's Holiday (Walsh Family #2), by Marian Keyes

This is the chunker of the bunch. The Troublemakers and The Wake-Up Call are just into the 400 page count, and the Series of Unfortunate Events books range from 162- 214 pages. Rachel's Holiday comes in at a whopping 681 pages, and as such, is the book that will likley take the most amount of time. 

However, I'm not exactly worried. 

I absolutely loved Grown Ups (the only Marian Keyes book I've read) and I fully expect to love this one too. Marian Keyes writes characters, and realtionships so well, I fully expect to fall in love with them all. 

As you might have guesses, we follow Rachel, who after losing her job, her boyfriend, and most of everything she knows, she is frogmarched to Dublin's cold turkey house- thrusting her from addiction to the unfamiliar life of adulthood. But Rachel treats the whole thing as a holiday, after all, where better to get over recreational drugs than a place full of jacuzzis, gyms and rock stars going through exactly the same thing as her?

Although I didn't know that this was part of a series, it looks like each of the walsh family books has a different protagonist. They all seem to be set in Dublin, all from the same family of course, but I'm guessing it's fine to read them out of order. 

That's what I'm doing anyway. 

8. The Wake-Up Call, by Beth O' Leary 

It's been the longest time since I've read a Beth O' Leary book, and I miss her storytelling. I've been thinking about how much I enjoyed The Flatshare and The Switch recently, and with two Beth O' Leary books collecting dust on my bookshelf, I think it's the perfect time to pick one up. 

The Wake-Up Call is about Izzy and Lucas, two sworn enemies that both work at Forest Manor Hotel. It's the busiest time of the season, and the hotel is basically crumbling around them. But when Izzy returns a lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way forward to saving the hotel. With four more rings currently in lost-and-found, Izzy and Lucas find themselves forced to work together to track down their owners. 

As Izzy and Lucas' resentment becomes something more complicated, Izzy and Lucas start to wonder if there's more at stake than just their jobs. Can Izzy and Lucas make it through the season with their hearts intact?

This is giving me Act Your Age, Eve Brown vibes, and I am here for it. I'm ready for a light-hearted funny romance, and this book could be just what I need. 

Okay! Those are all the books I'm thinking of picking up this month- they definitely seem the most appealing. It'll be interesting to see whether I stick with- or just marathon the entire Series of Unfortunate Events series- I guess we'll see. 

Let me know in the comments what you're planning in the month of March, and we can talk about it! 

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

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxx