Howdy Bibliofriends!

Where on earth has April gone? I feel like the last few weeks have been such a whirlwind and May is literally here and we’re barreling towards the mid point of the whole year…!! 🤯 The first half of my month was so very productive, however this last part has kind of fallen to sh*t in terms of my reading and blogging. More on that below!!

Life Update

Initially April was fabulous because I was on my Easter holidays from school. My partner and I got to visit my parents down in Cornwall and spend some time near the sea – it was blissful. We visited Tintagel castle and I became very obsessed with Arthurian legends. We also took a trip to an aquarium in Plymouth. We seem to be cursed with our aquarium visits as the last two that we have visited, we’ve both had to leave because the fire alarm was going off – thankfully we still got to go back in and see all of the sharks and big fish. After returning from Cornwall, we did one of our 2024 day trip adventures and went to Cardiff on the train. We took a tour around Cardiff Castle and visited an amazing second-hand bookshop! I talked a little about this in my mid-month Magical Readathon review.

Then fast forward to the return to school and the absences have been bonkers, we’re all picking up extra lessons and my parallel teacher is currently on medical leave so I’m doing my best to hold up a whole year group – thankfully I have a great team of helpful colleagues who are all pitching in too.

There is another reason for the lack or productiveness on my reading and blogging part – but I thought I’d save that for the music section! 😉

The rest of this Wrap Post follows my usual format (Past Reads, Current Reads, Films/TV, Music) so feel free to skip any irrelevant parts!

What I’ve Been Reading in April

The first half of April was incredibly productive with my participation in the Magical Readathon. It definitely helped me tick quite a few books off the list!

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the eerie atmosphere surrounding Hiraeth Manor and the way the surrounding waters, coastline and mists were almost swallowing up the land. The secrets surrounding the Angharad book were also mystically intertwined to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Voyage of the Damned by Frances White ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A murder-mystery set on a ship… loved it! Everything about Ganymedes Piscero’s character was so endearing. I really bought into the whole blessings part of the storyline and trying to work out not just whodunnit, but also the unique blessings of each of the individuals. The animal references and likelihoods were also cleverly crafted.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow didn’t I just devour this book! From the setting, to the characters, to the idea of magic and war – this book had everything I was craving in a magical escapade. I also loved this representation of elves and fae too as my brain automatically puts them in LOTR or ACOTAR vibes so it was nice to see this varied representation.

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Looking back on this I actually want to downgrade my original rating a little as I feel 3* was too generous. I went into this hoping for a bit of a Tomb Raider style, archeologically driven storyline but about 90% of the story was centred around the character relationship and the smut. It was far too much into the romance box for my liking and I have to admit that I speed read it towards the end.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Without spoilers… I had to reread the final two chapters again because I could not believe what I had read and if I had read it correctly. I still can’t tbh! I have no idea how this story can possibly unfold now… My mind is reeling but I am so irrevocably in love with this series!

#CurrentlyReading

I’m going to take it a little easier in May at deciding what to read. I posted a Top Ten Tuesday a couple of weeks ago about which books are kind of in the starting line, but after being so driven with the Magical Readathon, I just want to let my bookish whims roam free.

I’m currently reading The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni, as well as a non-fiction book about horse racing called The Jumping Game by Henrietta Knight. On audiobook, I’m on A Dance With Dragons to finish off the Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.

What I’ve Been Watching

As part of a Film Club, we’re often at the Cinema at least once a week so I watch a lot of movies. I’ve been using the app Letterboxd to track what I’ve seen and give them rating. If you’re on the app and want a new follower be sure to add me! My profile name is: tillyj

I finally finished Beef! And watched quite a bit of other stuff…

Movies/TV, I’ve seen:

• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Cinema) – I freakin’ love Godzilla! This movie was action-packed, and we saw it in IMAX so the images and sounds were on-point! One of my favourite films of this year so far!
  
• Seize Them! (Cinema) – I liked that this was a British medieval-style comedy. Some of it was funny and had me laughing, but it was also a bit of an average watch.
  
• Monkey Man (Cinema) – Don’t get me wrong, although this film is gory, violent and quite sad – the storytelling was brilliantly and poignantly done. Films in this style don’t usual capture my attention but the references to Hanuman and Indian mythology throughout sucked me right in.
  
• Scoop (Netflix) – Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell as Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew were phenomenal castings! They really got into the depths of their characters and for some strange reason it (almost) made me want to watch the original interview again!
  
• Civil War (Cinema) – Wow, oh wow do you have to see this movie! I was blown away and gave it 4.5*! Although you might think this is about war, and whilst it does contain highly graphic depictions of war brutality, the underlying story is about the press photographers on the front line and the dangers they go to just to get their pictures and report the news. Kirsten Dunst was exquisite in her role and did so well at playing the emotionally detached, yet emotionally vulnerable journalist. Spectacular!
  
• Back to Black (Cinema) – Marisa Abela did such a stellar job at taking on the role of Amy Winehouse. She showcased everything and sounded so hauntingly like the real Amy without just being pegged as a tribute act. I know there have been plenty of dividing opinions about it, but what I took away from the film was just how deeply one person could feel and the tragic circumstances of how the addictions to whatever love, alcohol or drugs affected her life.
  
• Abigail (Cinema) – I can’t help but think of Matilda every time I see Alisha Weir in a film. That being said, she was fantastic as a scary-ass ballerina in this film. It was spooky but funny at the same time and the bloodiness of it all by the end had me squirming in my seat.
  
• Challengers (Cinema) – There is something so brilliant in the way this film tells you a story about the lives of three tennis players and then leaves you reeling about how the tennis is almost the fourth character in the whole story. Very cleverly done and engaging!
  
• Baby Reindeer (Netflix) – I literally had no idea where this was going. This was dark, twisty yet had some comedic elements at the same time… The fact that it is genuinely a true story and acted by the person who wrote it and lived through it is brilliant. A story I won’t forget in a while that’s for sure!
  
• Lost in Translation (Netflix) – This is one of those films where I couldn’t quite decipher what the plot was supposed to be. I was waiting for some major event or storyline to reveal itself but it just appears to be one of those films which follows the ins and outs of a couple of characters and their major life crisis for a couple of hours. I don’t think it’s quite my type of movie!
  
• Beef (Netflix) – I finally finished it – the ending two episodes ramped it right up! I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing on my screen at one point (sliding doors – iykyk…!) I can’t help but feel like the characters got what they deserved even after all of the absurdity that it started with a honked horn and a little bit of road rage!

Music

Y’all know this is going to be about The Tortured Poets Department right??? This is the entire reason my productivity has hit the floor and I haven’t read a book or written that many blog posts since mid-April. I have been listening to this album non-stop…. I think it may dethrone Folklore as my favourite TS album! It has grown and grown and grown on me with every listen. I love it, and it’s ruining my bookish life! I’m gathering a post together about my album thoughts – 31 songs is a lot to get your head around so I don’t really want to say too much else about it here, but know that the musings are definitely coming! 🤍🖤

And that’s a wrap! How was your April? Did you have a productive month? I’m really hoping I get my reading groove back this month, especially after my little book buying splurge earlier in April. What are you all looking forward to reading in May?

As always, drop me a comment to chat! ☺️

T xx

Howdy Bibliofriends!

March is over, it’s the middle of the Easter holidays, Spring is finally here! There seem to be lots of good things to celebrate in this month’s wrap post… and plenty to look forward to too!

Life Update

Life in March has been busy…! There’s quite a bit going on at work. We took my year group of 30 8-9 year olds away to the Peak District for a Residential which was super fun, but also took up lots of time and energy reserves. I have spent the first week of the holidays catching up with life admin, adulting things and lots of reading!

This month’s sports calendar has also been hectic! There have been horseracing and rugby events on throughout the month. The absolute highlight being my team winning the Premiership Rugby Cup! That victory was such a special night – I think I needed lots of time for my voice to recover from all of the pitchside screaming!

The rest of this Wrap Post follows my usual format (Past Reads, Current Reads, Films/TV, Music) so feel free to skip any irrelevant parts!

What I’ve Been Reading in March

With the busyness of March, I didn’t really read as much as I wanted to, however I am still ahead of schedule on my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I had been waiting for the Easter holidays to dive into Crescent City 3 – House of Flame and Shadow and boy was I glad that I did!!! I felt like I entered a black hole until I’d finished it, and even then I would have to walk around my house at the end of certain chapters with ‘omg omg omg’ going round and round in my head like a public service announcement. It’s definitely been a fun reading month!

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the mix of Ancient Greece and technical, A.I. automatons. You can check out my spoiler-free review for This Golden Flame here.

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well if this novel didn’t pack a punch! Savage satire poking a big ‘take-a-look-at-yourself’ finger to the publishing industry… this book absolutely slices and I loved it!! You can read my spoiler-free review here.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I haven’t quite digested my feelings on this book yet… I know that I liked elements of it, I just can’t quite verbalise or even put into words which bits those are at the minute – a review will come!

A Feast For Crows [A Song of Ice and Fire #4] by George R. R. Martin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These audiobooks have given me a newfound love for this series and I’m desperate to read A Dance with Dragons just so I can actually finish watching the TV Show – I know that Martin hasn’t actually finished writing the book series yet – but I’m trying desperately not to get spoiled by anything!

House of Flame and Shadow [Crescent City #3] by Sarah J. Maas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are no words… yet! Again review incoming, and when I say review I actually mean a longwinded, rambling post where all my inner-thoughts and feelings just fall onto the electronic page! 🤯

#CurrentlyReading

My April TBR is a little packed as I’m attempting to take part in the Magical Readathon hosted by @book_roast! I loved this challenge back when it was related to the OWLs and NEWTs from the Harry Potter series, but now G has intricately designed her own readathon with maps, guilds and different paths and side quests! I’ll be posting more about that tomorrow so stay tuned!

What I’ve Been Watching

As part of a Film Club, we’re often at the Cinema at least once a week so I watch a lot of movies. I’ve been using the app Letterboxd to track what I’ve seen and give them rating. If you’re on the app and want a new follower be sure to add me! My profile name is: tillyj

March has been pretty jam-packed with movies and TV shows!

Movies/TV, I’ve seen:

• Lisa Frankenstein (Cinema) – When I found out that Isabella Summers (the Machine part of Florence + the Machine) had created the score for this movie, I immediately added it to my watch list. It’s a quirky, whimsical film which I enjoyed a lot!
  
• The Royal Tenenbaums (Disney +) – I’d heard a lot about how great this Wes Anderson film is, the cast is pretty outstanding… however, I still fell asleep partway through.
  
• Dune (Rewatch) – I am so glad that I rewatched this to refresh my brain before Dune 2. I’ve read the book so I already know what happens but it really got me in the Arrakis zone!
  
• Dune 2 (Cinema – IMAX) – This was even better than the first movie and made me love the whole Dune series even more. I immediately left the cinema, went to Waterstones and bought the book sequel! 🙈
  
• Damsel (Netflic) – Loved Millie Bobby-Brown, loved the costumes and the setting, landscapes etc… but seriously, the story is entirely predictable and top tip: when you’re trying to hide from a dragon, please stop screaming!!! 🤷🏻‍♀️
  
• Past Lives (Netflix) – Some of my friends highly rated this film and I’d heard that it had a few nods during awards season. I loved the shifts between the characters’ childhoods and their adult lives. I genuinely had no idea where that ending was going, and even still… I’m not sure it was entirely what I wanted!
  
• Drive-Away Dolls (Cinema) – I’m taking a leaf out of Thumper’s book here in that if I can’t say anything nice, I’m not saying anything at all. Drive-Away Dolls is really not my kind of movie. One of my friends loved it though…
  
• Irish Wish (Netflix) – I’m not sure if I’m a closet Lindsay Lohan fan or if it was just the Irish vibes that made me watch this. You can guess what happens in the whole story just by watching the trailer. The acting was ok. The costumes and scenes of Ireland were magical and now I feel the need to visit the Cliffs of Moher too.
  
• Freelance (Netflix) – John Cena, action film, lots of guns – pretty much your average action film!
  
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire(Cinema) – The opening action scene is by far the best ‘ghosthunters’ bit of the whole film. I loved the ideas for the storyline but felt like the mythology of the characters could have been expanded a little. It’s quite slow after the awesomeness of the opening but overall very nostalgic and satisfying.
  
• Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) – Whilst I haven’t read the Bridgerton books, I am a huge fan of the TV show and this spin-off was no exception. I loved the parallels between the young and old(er) characters from the TV show. Again, costumes and scenery were on point, particularly as I could recognise the shots of Blenheim Palace which is not very far away from me at all and I’ve been lucky to visit many times.
  
• Beef (Netflix) – The opening couple of episodes of this were so good, then I felt like it got a little eccentric and lost its way – I still haven’t quite finished it yet so maybe it’ll have a spectacular ending. A super-fun concept though.

Music

Asides from all of the Taylor Swift music on my phone, I was so excited to finally download Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER album! 🤠 For about 18 years whilst I was growing up, I went to Line Dancing classes and even choreographed and taught some of my own – therefore I grew up with this huge love of country music. I love that so many legacy artists within the genre have come out in support of this record and helped contribute to it. Is this pure or typical country, for whatever pure/typical country actually is…? Perhaps not, it takes inspiration from a melting pot of musical genres but the influences are undeniably there within the soul of every track. Beyoncé’s rendition of Jolene keeps the spirit at the heart of an incredibly beloved song whilst turning it completely on its head. No longer is the lead singer begging for Jolene not to mess with her man in a politely assertive way, they are now upfront declaring their authority and calling out Jolene’s crap like an apex predator – it’s so brilliant! This album will definitely be on repeat for the foreseeable – at least until The Tortured Poets Department comes out next month!

And that’s a wrap! How was your March? Did you have a productive month? I’m totally looking forward to the Magical Readathon starting and compiling my book list from the prompts! What are you all looking forward to reading in April?

As always, drop me a comment to chat! ☺️

T xx

Howdy Bibliofriends!

It feels so good to be wrapping up another month of the year! February was actually a pretty good month for me in so many ways!

Life Update

I have finally managed to update my OS software on my Macbook! The little nerd inside me is so happy about this as my Mac has been having issues for over a year! I thought it was well and truly destined for the Home of Retired Laptops, however after some extensive internet digging and offloading stacks of my old files, I was finally able to download the latest operating system and update Chrome! Every time I wanted to visit a website, it came up with security messages and some websites wouldn’t even work at all, so I am overjoyed that everything is now working again!

With Spring on the way, I have been having a massive decluttering of my office/library and managed to shift a load of old books and paperwork that I didn’t have a use for anymore. I really love the feeling you get from having a good clear out – of course, I’ll be filling up all of those spaces with new books though!

Where are my fellow Swifties at? Anyone else excited for The Tortured Poets Department?!?! That live stream drop during the Surprise Song Set on the Eras Tour had me so excited! I can’t wait for April 19th. If this album is anything like Folklore or You’re Losing Me then this will hit so hard!

The rest of this Wrap Post follows my usual format (Past Reads, Current Reads, Films/TV) so feel free to skip any irrelevant parts!

What I’ve Been Reading in February

February was a seriously good month for me! I’m actually a little shocked at how much I read! 😂 I had a week off for half-term and due to my Spring Cleaning drive, managed to get through quite a few books that I’ve had on my TBR list for a fair while!

The Sea of the Dead (Magicians of Venice #2) by Amy Kuivalainen ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I first got into this series though NetGalley and really enjoyed the first instalment. The mixture of Italy, Atlantis, Magicians and a magical archive really drew me in. I listed to The Sea of the Dead via Audible and I’m not sure if it was the narration or just the general pace and direction of this sequel that didn’t have me enjoying it quite so much. I’ll definitely read the final book in the series though, at some point!

A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #5) by Sarah J Maas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the in-depth way this went into Nesta’s character and her development as one of the key figures in this book series. She has a really redemptive arc that was quite heartwarming to read. I love all of Maas’ work but I almost took half a star off for the over-exaggerated and almost unnecessary smut scenes. Fifty Shades of Fae wasn’t really what I signed up for… 😂 You can read my spoiler-free review here.

Taylor Swift: The Whole Story by Chas Newkey-Burden ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given this as a Christmas present from someone who knows how much of a Swiftie I’ve become! Given that this was published around 2014, it really isn’t the whole story – anyhow, this read a little bit like a kid’s high school essay. The author clearly did a lot of research, but not all of the quotes were entirely verified. Most of it read as a track-by-track album analysis mixed with how Taylor’s dating life could have influenced her songs.

We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep by Andrew Kelly Stewart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novella has been on my TBR ever since I heard about it in the SFF Yeah podcast from Book Riot. I was quite taken by the main character and her narrative voice. I’ll be posting a Biblioshelf Musings post of it very soon!

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This popped up on my iBooks store and I must shamefully admit that I was initially drawn in by the pretty pink cover! The plot revolves around two co-writers who are struggling to work together and write their follow-up novel. The blurb reminded me so much of what I love about Emily Henry’s novels so I took a punt on it. Overall, it’s a pretty predictable romance but I managed to breeze through it in just a day so it’s definitely helped my 2024 reading goal tick along!

Rivals (American Royals #3) by Katharine McGee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s no secret that I adore this series! After getting my friend hooked on it too, she purchased the thirs book in the series and let me borrow it! I’m still reeling from the ending, and one character really had me warming to them until they went and did something sneaky at the end…! I genuinely have no idea where this series is going to end up but I am desperate to find out!

The Hours by Michael Cunningham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had been sitting unread on my bookshelf that in my Spring Cleaning blitz it became time to read it or throw it out! Thankfully I chose to read it because it was such a moving and interestingly sequenced book. It’s also in my copy of 1001 Books To Read Before You Die, so reading this ticked off many little goals. I’m not entirely familiar with all of Virginia Woolf’s work. I read Mrs Dalloway at University but that was about it. I admired the work Cunningham went into to link the three main characters together and layer their narratives around each other. It was highly effective and made this an intriguing and enjoyable read.

The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch #1) by Rin Chupeco ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I listened to this via Audible and it’s one of those books I have really conflicting emotions about. I can’t tell whether I liked it or not – there are definitely some aspects to it that I majorly appreciated but I just can’t put my finger on why I’m not exactly raving about it just yet.

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was another TBR purge or read choice and as it is such a well-known piece of fiction I made myself read it. Not gonna lie, I really struggled to get through it. Whether because of the writing style (lack of speech punctuation) or the genre type, I found it hard work. Whilst I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed reading it – I’m glad that I did as it is one of those key texts that is of high cultural and literary importance; again, one of my 1001 Books To Read Before You Die entries!

If I Have to be Haunted by Miranda Sun ⭐️⭐️⭐️
YA fantasy about a ghost speaker on a quest to resurrect the ghost of high-school enemy. This was quite cute, but it read a little bit like playing a computer game – one level after the other. The ending was pretty predictable but I really enjoyed the author’s description and world-building.

#CurrentlyReading

Physical Book: This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria – Ancient Greece meets AI robots and pirates… I’m enjoying it so far!

Audio Book: A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire #4) by George R.R. Martin – I have a renewed love for this series since discovering the audiobooks!

What I’ve Been Watching

As part of a Film Club, we’re often at the Cinema at least once a week so I watch a lot of movies. I’ve been using the app Letterboxd to track what I’ve seen and give them rating. If you’re on the app and want a new follower be sure to add me! My profile name is: tillyj

Over my half term break we watched the NFL Super Bowl for the first time! Being from the UK, we don’t tend to follow NFL as a major sport, but since one of the rugby players from our local club has transferred to America to try and make it in the NFL program, we were keen to see what it was about! We support Gloucester Rugby and our team made it through to the final of the Premiership Cup and with the Six Nations in full flow, February has been a fun month for watching sport!

Movies/TV, I’ve seen:

• American Fiction (Cinema) – I found this so funny! I love it when films poke fun of their own subject matter. This was about a black American writer who found that his work wasn’t being published because it wasn’t ‘black enough’. A hilarious plot ensues, with an ending that made my spin as if to say, ‘What just happened?!’ If you love bookish movies, this one may well be for you!
  
• Dead Poets Society (Streaming) – So of course, with the announcement of a certain upcoming album titled ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, my mind kept dragging back to this move and the fact that I hadn’t seen it. Boy, did this film steal a little bit of my heart. For starters, Robin Williams! 🧡 Secondly, he plays an English teacher in a Prep School, which as a teacher at a Prep School, I obviously connected with. I must say, I wasn’t prepared for the turns the movie would take, and there were definitely tissues needed… but that ending!!! I loved it!
  
• Argylle (Cinema) – Quirky action film, had me rolling my eyes at some points. I enjoyed the Kingsman vibes and the references to the main character being a novelist. A little absurb at times. It was good, not great!
  
• Castaway (Streaming) – Winston, dear Winston!! Definitely the hero of this piece! Again, an ending that had me screaming at the TV, but what an iconic film!
  
• Bob Marley: One Love (Cinema) – Go for the music – not for the storyline. The pace is very slow and steady, they do a good enough job at explaining the events leading up to Marley’s shooting, his Exodus tour and what happened post-tour leading up to his death. I would have liked a bit more background about the Wailers and their initial success in Jamaica to really get into the history of such an iconic artist and band.
  
• The Marvels (Streaming) – I haven’t seen Miss Marvel and I definitely felt like there was a piece of my Marvel history knowledge missing when watching this. Not the worst Marvel film the studio has put out since Endgame but it didn’t have feeling ecstatic about superhero films again. Goose the Cat and his Kitten parade was the only takeaway I think I’ll remember!
  
• One Day (TV series – Netflix) – Finally something which lives up to the masterpiece that is David Nicholls’ novel One Day! The main characters were just superb and I loved the way each episode was broken down into different years. They also took their time to give each year exactly what it needed, some episodes were 30 minutes long, others were about 20 mins. The final episode hit me really hard – although knowing what was coming was bad enough, but the fact they took the time to do the ending of the book justice made me love this series – even if it did leave me in floods!
  
• Anyone But You (Cinema) – A Much Ado About Nothing inspired rom-com. Predictable but laugh-out-loud funny all the same!
  
• Players (Netflix) – This was predictable in all of the wrong kinds of ways. I appreciated how the ‘sports playbook’ made it interesting, and how it reminded me of How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, but overall, I just could not care less about these characters and their happy ending. Sorry!
  
• Wicked Little Letters (Cinema) – I knew this would be right up my street from the first few seconds of the trailer! Hearing Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley fling graphic swear words and scenarios at each other in a slanging match had me laughing so hard! This film is based on a series of explicit letters which were posted to residents in the village of Littlehampton. It’s based on a true story and has a balance of humour and darkness. I loved it! Definitely not for the faint of heart, or for people who show the slightest hint of outrage at the word ‘crap’.

And that’s a wrap! How was your February? Did you have a productive month? I’m totally looking forward to Spring being on the horizon and putting together my March TBR pile! What are you all looking forward to reading in March?

As always, drop me a comment to chat! ☺️

T xx