Books That Make Me Hungry

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And today I'm writing about a list of books that make me hungry (because they're about food.)

There isn't much else I wanted to say so, enjoy!

1. Sweetly (Fairytale Retellings #2), by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly is arguably my favourite from this series, and the Chocolatier is a big part of that. Not the entire part, because a book can't be a favourite based purely on description alone. But when I'm reading this it's as if you can taste the delectable treats pass your lips. It makes me wish I could bake such sweets and cakes like this, but that's never going to happen (I'm not that great a cook- yet.) Sweetly is a Hansel and Gretel retelling, if you didn't know.

2. With the Fire on High, by Elizabeth Acevedo

Unlike in Sweetly, cooking is a main theme in With the Fire on High. Emoni is a single mother in high school, whilst also trying to carve a living out so she can provide for her child. I was drawn to this because there are so few books with teen mum representation, but what kept me wanting more was her cooking. What makes you want to keep reading is Emoni's desire to learn her craft, her willingness to work hard, and above her delicious cooking. Just from the words on the page, it's so easy to imagine the smell, the taste of anything Emoni makes. I swear, if there was a restaurant with Emoni as head chef, I would gladly go. In an instant.

3. Heidi, by Johanna Spyri

Although the food isn't as complex as the previous books', just the simplicity of what Heidi and Grandpa Alps have after a busy day in Dorfli is what I like. It's genuinely just cheese on toast, or meat, as fresh as can be, but it's enough to want to visit the famous Alps, so I can experience the day for myself.

4. Heartless, by Marissa Meyer

Yet another fairy-tale retelling, but this time, it's the story of a villain we all know. This is a story of how the infamous Queen of Hearts came to be. It's also kind of like Wicked, in the respect that you would expect the person that you know is going to become The Queen of Hearts, to be bitter and hateful, but she's the opposite of that. Anyway, what Catherine wants more than anything, more so than possibly becoming the next Queen, is to start a bakery with her best friend. Even though her delicious desserts are only mentioned at certain points (like it's a subplot at most), her cakes sound like they're to die for.  

5. Pumpkin Heads, by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

I read this graphic novel on Halloween last year, and it takes place on Halloween, at the Pumpkin Patch. And because it's a graphic novel, I didn't just read about everything, I got to see it too! The Pumpkin Patch is full of food stalls: The Fudge Shoppe, Chilli Fries Stand, and not to mention the S'Mores Pit. I wish I could try all of these foods, but of course they're not real. And that hurts. (Though thinking about it, I could probably make chilli chips without too much trouble.)

Okay! So that's my list, and that's going to do it for today.

I hope you all have a wonderful VE day, and continue to stay safe.

Byeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxx

May TBR (2020)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And with the start of a new month comes a new TBR. I had to be creative and really think about what I wanted to read when assembling this TBR, because I only own Under the Dome & A Conjuring of Light left that I haven't read yet.

But here's what I came up with: Enjoy!

1. Under the Dome, by Stephen King

I have approximately 100 pages left of this, and I'm hoping I'll be able to finish it sometime in the next couple of days. I will have to dedicate some time to this, but I want this finished and on to the next read. Aside from that, I'm eager to find out what is going to happen with all these characters, particularly Big Jim and Barbie because a showdown will happen between those two, and it'll be soon. It will probably be explosive, and I doubt everyone will make it out of the dome alive. This is going to be one hell of a finale.

2. A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3), by V.E. Schwab

The third and final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy, and I have no idea what the heck is going to happen. I do know that I am very excited to see what was going to happen, and what is going to happen when a certain meeting (the anticipation has been building since the start of book 2) takes place. I also know that I am not ready to say goodbye for these characters, but thankfully this is the longest one of the three, so at least I won't be finishing this in 3 days. From what I can tell, A Conjuring of Light is about Kell trying to help the planet, because another London that was previously crumbled, and Kell is trying to stop that from happening. In the midst of all this, Lila has to try and control the magic she discovered in the magical trials. All of these crazy things will be happened in book three, and I can't wait to dive in.

3. Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2), by Seanen McGuire

I sped through the first book during my 24 hour readathon last month and I can't wait to read the next one. The audiobooks are 2-3 hours long, and they're quick and snappy, perfect for keeping a Goodreads challenge up whilst tackling a longer book. Down Among the Sticks and Bones takes place before the events of the first book, going into the backstory of two characters that were featured in Every Heart A Doorway (Jack and Jill). I'm curious as for why it's important to experience this place to progress in the story, but I'm looking forward to finding out more about the characters that I was introduced to in book one. I'm very much looking forward to going back to this world.

4. Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1), by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

A few days ago I did a surprise poll on Instagram. With the Shades of Magic trilogy coming to an end, I need a new series to work towards, and my two frontrunners were: Scythe, by Neil Shusterman, and this. Honestly, I had no inkling of how it was going to go, as they're both two highly loved series' in the Booktube community. The Illuminae Files is now my new series that I will be picking up! I'm ashamed to say that this is my first series that was written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and I'm looking forward to seeing for myself who everyone loves this duo so much. The Illuminae Files is a study case, and within it's pages is research, medical reports, interviews, and being the ravenclaw that I am, I can't wait to sift through all of them and analyse them to death.   

5. A Girl in Three Parts, by Suzanne Daniel

It's already a few days into May and I have yet to pick up any anticipated releases for April- June. A Girl in Three Parts sounds like a light contemporary about an 11 year old girl, with some serious themes to make it interesting. It's about Allegra, who is torn between who her grandmothers' want her to be, and who she is. Aunt Mathilde is strict, and wants Allegra to concentrate on her studies, whereas Aunt Joy is a free spirit, and wants her to follow her heart and be creative. These aunts do not get along and Allegra is caught in the middle, until one day, the turmoil that caused this division, explodes in the person they all cherish most. This doesn't sound like anything I've read before, and I received it today!

Okay! That's it for today. That is my plan for what I want to read this month, let's see if I can stick to it! (Honestly, who knows?)

Feel free to comment down below what you plan to read this month!

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

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxx

April Wrap Up (2020)

Hey guys, this is Abi here!

All of a sudden, it's the end of April! That means another monthly wrap up. Because of my 24 hour readathon, I read a fair amount of books, so let's get to them!

Enjoy!

-BOOKS-

1. Educated, by Tara Westover

This is the story of a girl who never set foot in a school until she was 17. Her father denounced hospitals, so she never had a birth certificate. Gashes, concussions, even the aftermath of an explosion, were all treated at home. With the need to know more than her home and the mountains with which she grew up in, she taught herself mathematics, without any formal education from anyone else. The blurb on Goodreads barely scratches the surface of what Tara goes through in her journey to be educated. This is very much a book about her family, and how she balances growing up with the family that she has. If you want to know what I mean by that, read it. It's such a powerful book.

2. Skyward (Skyward #1), by Brandon Sanderson

The first book in a new Brandon Sanderson series. One of my favourite books this year for sure. Ten years after Spensa's pilot-hero Dad is branded a coward, she wants nothing more than to become a fully fledged pilot, just like her dad. But, she won't even be given a chance to become an initiate- until the Krell double their attack. Now, Spensa will get the chance to prove she has the skills to get through training- and to prove she's different to her father. I highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in space, aliens or flying- or Brandon Sanderson novels.

3. Unbecoming, by Jenny Downham

No matter how many times I talk about this book I never get tired of it. Unbecoming has some of my favourite tropes to date: families, independent female characters and discovering who you are and learning to be proud of it (character arc). This is the story of Katie, the responsible and studious daughter of Carolyn, who kissed her best friend. When she meets Mary, the grandmother she never knew she had, fills her world with possibilities. Can Mary help Katie embrace who she is, before she loses her grip on reality forever? This is a book about relationships, how meeting the people you need can change your life, and I just love how cleverly it's written, even years after first picking it up. It will remaining a favourite for years to come and it was a joy to pick it up again.

4. A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2), by V.E. Schwab

Not a filler, at all. Our favourite characters both return (I'm talking about Kell and Lila if you didn't know.) and there's a huge battle of magic (kind of like the Olympics.) Why isn't there a tournament like these in every fantasy series? It set some fab endings up for the conclusion of the series, which is my next read after I finish Under the Dome, it's actually my motivation for finishing it. Absolutely loved this. After thoroughly enjoying A Darker Shade of Magic, I knew there were more to these characters than what I read in the first book, and that was exactly what I got. So excited for the third book.

5. The Kingdom of Back, by Marie Lu

I wish I hadn't read this book the first time around so I can read it for the first time again. Another trope I love that I haven't mentioned is an underdog, and even though a fair amount of the setting is fantasy based, Nannerl Mozart's story is pure fact. This was Marie Lu's first historical fiction, and it flowed just as well as all of her past novels. The Kingdom of Back is a story of Nannerl, the famous Wolfgang Mozart's older sister, the sister that is constantly overlooked by her prodigy brother. But when a mysterious character approaches her with an offer, it's one she can't refuse. Of course, naturally he wants something in return. Is it worth it, and what will happen once she takes the offer? Read it to find out. A phenomenal book, I have to admit. Realistic characters, with a fantasy plot so well weaved into the historical fiction background, it almost seems real. I could read this for days, so I'm bummed its just a standalone. Recommend to Marie Lu fans.

6. Every Heart A Doorway (Wayward Children #1), by Seanen McGuire

You'd think that after finishing A Gathering of Shadows and The Kingdom of Back that I wouldn't want to read anymore? Well since this was a 24 hour readathon (the last three books on my wrap up this month) I picked up the first book in the Wayward Children series. Well, I loved it, and I can't wait to hear the audiobook for the next few. It took a while before I got the grasp of what was going on, but once I did, it was just an instant love! I don't think I've fallen in love with a cast of characters sooner, and then things just started happening to the characters and I wasn't expecting it! Let me know in the comments if anybody predicted the ending, because I certainly didn't! I'm looking forward to continuing on with the series and finding out more about a couple of characters that I met in the first book.

-FILMS & TV SHOWS-

Films

1. The Heat

2. Crazy Rich Asians

I genuinely think that was it. It probably wasn't, but that's all I can remember.

TV Shows

1. The Next Step~ Season 4

2. Chicago Med ~ Seasons 1/2

The Next Step was something that was watched sporadically this month, just when I wanted something quick and easy to watch.

Chicago Med was something I watched, pretty much everyday. It was something I put on when working on blog posts, or just doing tasks in my room. I really hope I don't get further than the end of season 4 during this pandemic but that's looking likelier every day.

-What I Did This Month-

1. Work.

2. Read.

3. Write.

4. Play Pokémon.

5. Run.

6. Repeat.

That's all I've done, most days this month.

Okay! There's my April Wrap Up.

Honestly, it feels weird that it's going to be 1st May tomorrow. I just wish we weren't missing out on the best weather days just staying inside. But that's the way it has to be right now.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of reading and whatever it is that you like to do. Inside that is.

I will see you all next week with my May TBR (2020).

Still haven't fully decided what I'm going to read yet because I've got no books left.

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx