Great Expectations // Review

I hope you’re all ready to dive into some classics with me! This year, I’ve managed to read so many more than I usually would, and I’ve surprised myself by actually really loving them. I also got super lucky in a charity shop, and managed to buy about fourteen books (a mixture of Dickens and Dumas) for twenty pounds! Who on earth would pass up that opportunity?

To start getting through them, I thought I’d start with one of the most well-known Dickens novels: Great Expectations. I figured since I sort of knew the plot, that would probably help out with understanding the language.

‘In what may be Dickens’s best novel, humble, orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman — and one day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he finds himself in possession of “great expectations.” In this gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, the compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric jilted bride.

Falling Into October

Happy October! Can you believe we’re so far into 2020 already? I genuinely don’t even know what happened to September. And it’s crazy with the weather here – it feels like someone suddenly flicked a switch from bright, sunny, warm summer days to rain, wind, and grey skies. Not that I’m complaining! I’m loving these more mysterious autumnal mornings. It probably helps that I no longer have to leave the house and go out first thing in the morning.

But anyways, how are you? It’s been a while since I checked it on the blog, and the weather today was absolutely calling out for curling up in an armchair and writing. So I thought I’d catch you up on what I’ve been reading, and also how addicted I am to all the crafts right now. And I’d love to know what hobbies you’re up to right now, whether it’s reading or crafting or whatever else.

10 Blind Dates // Review

I’ve never really looked for “seasonal” reads before, but today 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston has shown me how cosy it feels to read a Christmassy read at Christmas. Honestly, this book was just the cutest. I don’t think I stopped smiling throughout (which must have looked kinda strange to my work colleagues when I was reading at lunchtime), and all I want right now is a sequel.

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?

This book is the perfect, light-hearted, Christmas read. The basic plot? Sophie has just sort-of broken up with her boyfriend and to help her get over it, her extended family set her up on ten blind dates. As well as dealing with a crazy family and a lot of dates, Sophie’s also worrying about her pregnant sister and figuring out how to rekindle her close friendships with her cousins. There’s a lot going on, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Sunday Favourites

I’m posting today while pretending that my last post wasn’t back in February and that I haven’t neglected my blog since then. I’d also love to say that I plan on posting consistently from now on, but let’s be honest, how likely is it that it’s going to happen?

I have been reading though! I’ve actually had such a great reading year, especially compared to last year. It’s amazing how much more time I can find for reading now that I don’t have to study for a degree. It also means I’ve got time for other nice things, and I thought I’d share a few of my recent favourite things today!

Listening to: The Shires released a new single called New Year, and it’s lovely! It’s a part of the album that they’re releasing next year, and if the whole album is like this song, I cannot wait. I’ve loved everything they’ve released so far (their third album being my favourite), so I have high hopes!

Watching: Saturday evenings are all about Strictly this time of year, and some of the contestants are brilliant this year. My faves are Karim and Kelvin, but I also hope Chris keeps doing well. Anybody else been watching?

King of Scars // Review

It’s 2019, and there are three books at the top of my most anticipated releases. They are King of Scars, The Boy Who Steals Houses, and Romanov. The first of these to be released? King of Scars, and I can tell you, I started reading this the moment I picked up my pre-order from Waterstones.

What did I think of it? Well, obviously I loved going back to Ravka, I loved reading about Nikolai and the squad, and the magic was very cool. But… I’m not convinced that I like where the series is going? My thoughts are a little bit mixed right now.

The much-anticipated first book in a brand-new duology by New York Times bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo.

Face your demons . . . or feed them.

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war – and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried–and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

So, King of Scars follows two main plot lines – Nikolai and friends as he attempts to rule Ravka as well as the demon inside him, and then Nina on a mission over in Fjerda. I’ll start with Nina’s part, because I loved her chapters. She was one of my faves in Six of Crows and she did not disappoint. She’s suffering after the events of Crooked Kingdom (don’t worry, no spoilers here!), but it was really cool seeing her get through her struggles and do all she could to help people who were suffering around her.

Top Ten Books That Don’t Get Enough Love

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl, and it’s a chance for bloggers to celebrate reading in the best way possible – through lists!

So I thought the list would be really easy to put together this week, but I was so wrong! Turns out, the majority of the books I read are pretty popular (or at least have a few thousand ratings on GoodReads). So I’ve ended up going for my top eight books because I genuinely couldn’t find enough under 2,000 ratings.

Also, some of these really surprised me – you should all go show these books some love, because they are definitely worth the read.

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These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch: I read this over Christmas, and although I was bit dubious at first, I ended up really enjoying it. I mean, it’s about pirates and spies and magic, so obviously it was going to be good.

Sunday Favourites

I’m writing this on a frosty morning with a beautiful blue sky and the melting remains of the snow that we had the other day. I feel so cosy right now – I’m wrapped up in a jumper in my favourite chair, just watching the world go by. It’s the best feeling.

And you know what? It’s the perfect feeling for writing a blog post on my favourite things from this week.

Listening to: I have totally fallen in love with Catherine McGrath’s album, Talk Of This Town. It goes perfectly with my love for The Shires and Ward Thomas.

Watching: I saw How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World yesterday, and wow. Just wow. I loved it so much. I honestly don’t think I could’ve hoped for a better ending to the films – it was gorgeous.

February Book Releases

Happy February! I don’t know how your month started, but yesterday we woke up to snow and it was so lovely (although it was all gone by the time I got home from work yesterday). The cold has stuck around though, although it’s definitely not as cold as the USA is – praying for you all in those crazy low temperatures!

But whatever weather you’re facing right now, I want to share some of the books being released this month that I’m most excited about. One of the things I’m trying to to do this year is actually keep track of book releases, especially the UK release dates. And so far, it’s actually going well! (Although I did only start doing this two weeks ago so there’s time for it to go wrong…)

There are so many new releases coming this month! And I definitely already have plans to purchase a few of them. Bear in mind, all of the release dates in the post are based on Waterstones, so they may differ from US release dates.

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Save The Date // Review

Once again, I have fallen in love with a Morgan Matson book. Granted, it did take me a little longer this time, but by the end of Save The Date, I was really wishing that I could be hanging out with the Grant’s. Seriously, all I want right now is to learn every single detail about them. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, then this is the book you want!

Charlie Grant’s big sister is getting married and Charlie wants everything to be perfect. And with all her siblings back in town, along with her childhood crush, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend.

But the thing about life is … it doesn’t always go to plan. And with the arrival of Charlie’s favourite brother’s surprise new girlfriend, a rented dog that won’t stop howling, feuding relatives and the surprisingly cute wedding planner’s nephew, things are quickly spiralling out of control.

Over the course of three chaotic, life-changing days, Charlie learns more than she ever expected about her family and realises that holding on to the past may mean missing out on the future.

Aru Shah and the End of Time // Review

I love books based on mythology, especially when it’s mythology I know nothing about. So when I heard about Aru Shah and the End of Time, I knew that I would definitely be reading it at some point very soon. Did it meet expectations? Not completely. I did end up enjoying it, but it wasn’t as amazing as I was hoping it would be.

Aru Shah has messed up.

Desperate to impress her snooty schoolmates, and embarrassed to be living in the museum where her mother works, she lights the cursed Lamp of Bharata. It can’t actually be cursed… can it?

After accidentally freeing an ancient demon and freezing her classmates and her mother in time, Aru must fix things before the ancient God of Destruction is awoken. Accompanied by a wise-cracking pigeon and her long-lost half-sister, she must find the reincarnations of the five Pandava brothers and journey through the Kingdom of Death.

But how is one girl in Spider-Man pyjamas supposed to do all that?