Last year was my first ever time joining in Blogmas and I really loved doing it (and reading other peoples post’s) so decided to do it again! I think after the year we have had, we need some cheer!

I’m hoping this will be a fun series of posts on the blog starting on 2nd December and ending on Christmas Eve!

I know that’s more than 12 days………..

I’ve seen most bloggers participate in Blogmas and post on consecutive days but I didn’t want to pressure myself that much over the Christmas lead up so I’ll be posting Blogmas posts every other day.

The prompts I’ll be using are:

2nd – introduction

4th – look back at Top 5 Tuesday books I wanted to read

6th – favourite Christmas films

8th – anticipated 2021 books

10th – would you rather Christmas edition

12th – look back 2020 anticipated reads

14 – 2021 book plans

16th – Books I didn’t get to

18th – my Christmas so far

20th – my challenges: a close

22nd – best books 2020

24th – Happy Christmas!

 

HAPPY BLOGMAS!

Title: How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

Series: The Folk of the Air #3.5

Author: Holly Black

Once upon a time, there was a boy with a wicked tongue.

Before he was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone . #1 New York Times bestselling author, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame’s enigmatic high king, Cardan. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan’s perspective.

This new installment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humor, and drama that enchanted readers everywhere. Each chapter is paired with lavish and luminous full-color art, making this the perfect collector’s item to be enjoyed by both new audiences and old.

2 stories, a troll and a life where no one really cared.

This quick speed through Cardan’s life gave insight into what shaped him…..and what made him the man he is today (well whatever timezone they are in!!)

His feelings for Jude, even early on, made me smile and just reminded me how dark and delish he is!

‘She ought to be nothing. She ought to be insignificant. She ought not to matter. He had to make her not matter.’

I really liked the more up to date point of view of Cardan and how happy he and Jude are.

And can I just say how gorgeous the illustrations are. Really enjoyed this whole experience!

Welcome to Closing the Chapter! I hope you had a great reading month?

England have been in lockdown again and we are inching closer to Christmas 🎄🎅 In fact we put up our Christmas tree on the 21st for a bit of joy!

You would think being in lockdown would give me more time to read but after a great start to the month I had a slump! But I did read 5 books, 2 audio books and 1 dnf so that’s not too bad!

📚

Fable by Adrienne Young

See my review here.

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Love Song by Kylie Scott

See my review here.

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Dream Bites Cookbook by Kristen Ashley

See my review here.

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Memento by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

See my review here.

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Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin

See my review soon!

Touched by Elisa S Amore was a DNF unforts 😦

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🎧

Obsidio by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

See my review here.

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Truelife by Jay Kristoff

See my review soon!

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What did you read in November?

Title: Blood and Honey

Series: Serpent and Dove #2

Author: Shelby Mahurin

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.

The truths are out there so now it all hots up. Alliances must be won and the war is on like kong.

I set in and there was love and light…

‘In truth, there’d been no choice at all. There never had been. I loved her. And if I had to run, hide and fight for that love, I would. For the rest of my life, I would.’

But then evil in all forms started chipping in to everything I loved about Serpent and Dove. This book was much darker and even though I love the darker side, this book gutted me! At one point my face actually blanched….and it never does that!

Oh the emotions and not all of them good. But I did love that the dirty songs were back!!!

If I’m truly honest I was here for Lou and Reid and their relationship, I loved those bits! One exception to that is a new character, Claud. I loved him!

But then ending hit me like a wrecking ball! Never saw that coming! Next book please!

I have no self control and I have no chill. See below for my blatant disregard of my 3 books a month  pledge!

For 2021 I need to either set a budget each month or basically just keep away from new releases and recommendations….but I can’t do that so setting a budget it is!

How much do you budget in each month for book buying?

📚

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

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Memento by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

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City of Bones, Glass and Ashes by Cassandra Clare

(don’t be alarmed Bones isn’t here, it’s in my car!)

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📑 Arcs

Dream Bites by Kristen Ashley

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🎧 Audio

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

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🧚‍♀️Fairyloot

Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Hiya!

I thought I’d do some tags and just like magic I was nominated for the Sunshine Bloggers Award by Cherry Blossom Books (thank you!) and go check out her blog!

These are the questions that Cherry Blossom Books asked (and my answers!)

What is your favourite book?

Oh gawd, just one? That’s hard! I think I’ll go for one of my faves from this year. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco.

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What is your dream job?

I’d love to work for a publisher coordinating events!

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What is your most anticipated release of 2021?

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

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Morning or night?

Morning. I’m defo a morning person, up with the larks and getting stuff done!

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Who is your favourite fictional character?

Manon Blackbeak. She is everything! I really need a reread of the ToG series!

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Favourite food?

Chilli con carne. But not any chilli. My Mums chilli that I can never seem to replicate no matter what I do!

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Where do you want to travel?

I’d love to see Egypt, see the pyramids, soak in all the history!

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City or Country?

I used to be city but am now turning country!

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What is your favourite object ever?

My earphones. I couldn’t live without them 😂😂

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Where do you want to live?

I really like the thought of living in America but….I’ve never been there so would the reality be the same as my expectation?

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What is your favourite aesthetic?

Currently white and lilac although with Christmas coming up I’m thinking of white, red and lilac!!!! Living life on the edge!!!

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I won’t nominate anyone but here are my questions to you should you wish to join in:

– Series or standalone?

– Coffee or tea?

– Bookmark or piece of paper?

– When do you put up your Christmas tree?

– Which book do you reread?

– Do you burn your bookish candles?

– Favourite witch from a book?

– Favourite TV series

– Do you review every book you read?

– Dogs or cats?

– What are you currently reading?

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Theme – I’m Thankful for…

We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in England but I wish all my American friends a very happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a day of love, laughter, family and good food!

Lets be honest, this year has been a humdinger hasn’t it! I think that because it has been such a shitshow that its made me appreciate things more, think of others more and that’s something I want to take with me when everything turns to normal (if it ever does!)

So not really 100% bookish but here is my list:

• My son ❤
• My family 💓
• Good health 🩺
• Laughter with my friends and work colleagues 🤭
• Good books (and not so good books!) 📚
• My bookish friends (also with laughter!)📖
• NHS staff and key workers who battled and continue to battle through this pandemic 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️
• And finally, a special shout out to coffee! ☕

What are you thankful for this year (or any year!)