Books Read in July 2024

I've been posting a monthly round-up of what I've been reading on Instagram each month for a while now, and I wanted to start recording it here, too. So, let's get the ball rolling, and start with what I read in July.

July Reading Stats:

📖12 books completed.

📖5 hardbacks.

🎧7 audiobooks (Rereads of the first 3 dramatised ACOTAR books- they’re split in to 2-3 parts each).

📖1973 pages.

🎧47 hours 26 minutes listened at 1.1x speed.

11 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star reads!*

1 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can't believe I finished 12 books in July! (And began 2 more).

I haven’t read this many books in a month in a couple of years, so I’m feeling really proud of myself.

The higher-than-usual read count is mostly because I’ve just gotten into audiobooks; after reading my first 2 ever in June, I’ve gone from never being able to stand them, to finishing 7 in a month! They're oddly addictive, and so relaxing to listen to when I'm doing other stuff, and not in the mood for music. I'm mostly just planning to listen to rereads, because I like to tab all my favourite quotes and passages when I read, but I think it’s safe to say I’m converted.

So in July...

I Read:

📖Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco. 5⭐

📖Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco. 5⭐

📖Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco. 5⭐

📖Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. 5⭐

📖Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross. 4⭐

🎧ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas, dramatised parts 1 and 2. 3⭐/ 4⭐ (*5 star in print).

🎧ACOMAF by Sarah J. Maas, dramatised parts 1 and 2. Both 4⭐ (*5 star in print).

🎧ACOWAR by Sarah J. Maas, dramatised parts 1, 2 and 3. All 5⭐

And I Started:

📖Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett.

🎧ACOFAS by Sarah J. Maas dramatised.

Favourite Reads: Divine Rivals, Kingdom of the Cursed, and Kingdom of the Feared.

I became completely addicted to the brilliant Kingdom of the Wicked series, which is a dark-romantasy murder-mystery about morally-grey demon princes, witches, and goddesses, set in Italy and the Underworld, with some forced proximity, and an enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience plot thrown in for good measure. The series just got better and better as it went on, (not to mention spicier), and Wrath and Emilia have become one of my favourite bookish couples ever.

I’ve also fallen hopelessly in love with Divine Rivals, which is about two rival journalists communicating through magic typewriters during a fantasy war, and the enemies-to-lovers relationship that develops between them while reporting on the frontlines. It’s basically like The Lake House- if The Lake House had teenagers, typewriters and war, instead of a middle-aged couple, mail boxes, and a two-year time gap problem- and it’s so romantic, and beautifully written. I finished it a couple of weeks ago, and I still can't stop thinking about it. I enjoyed the sequel, Ruthless Vows, a lot too- which was an absolutely devastating read- but it hasn't left its mark on my heart in quite the same way. Probably as it hurt my heart so much.

Favourite Listens: ACOMAF (A Court of Mist and Fury) and ACOWAR (A Court of Wings and Ruin), but the ACOTAR series is one of my all time favourites, and they’re much better in print form. The dramatised audiobooks are fun, but at times, they kind of sound like bad TV movies. Especially the first one. But I actually really enjoyed ACOWAR as an audiobook- it was perfectly tense and dramatic with all the battles and betrayals, deaths and hostility. Starfall and chapter 54 in ACOMAF were also so satisfying to hear read aloud. It's just a shame the growls and wails of pain were so cringe-worthy, and that some of the voices don't match the characters at all- particularly Cassian's.

Least Favourites: I didn’t have a single bad read in July, so I don’t have any I wish to critisise this month. At least, any more than I just did about the ACOTAR audiobooks! Haha!

Did you read anything good in July?

*Based on how I rated the print versions of ACOTAR. I rated some of the audiobooks a little lower because the voice acting is kinda cheesy, but the books are all five star favourites of mine.

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The Cotswold Wildlife Park April 2024

I wanted to quickly share some of the photos I took during my visit to The Cotswold Wildlife Park this spring. I actually had this post all ready to go in April, but it somehow got lost in my drafts. Oops!

My sister and I had a lovely day out there on the first warm day of spring in April. It was my first trip out to anywhere other than medical appointments or the shops since last July, so I can't begin to tell you how good it felt to be out and about doing something fun for a change, especially with all the blossom on the trees, and pretty spring flowers blooming wherever we turned.

The Walled Gardens looked particularly gorgeous with so many unusual varieties of tulips and daffodils (as well as many others) catching our eye as much as the animals. I wish I had taken better photos, as mine really don't do their gardens justice.

We saw so many amazing animals during our visit, from otters and penguins to tapirs and wolves, but I think this trip's highlights were the wolverines, anteaters, and rhinos.

We got to see the wolverines having feeding-time zoomies around their outdoor enclosure, and it was fun to see them galloping around at full-speed, while their keeper went in, armed with just a broom for protection. I've never seen them so active before.

I was also really excited to see the giant anteaters out and about for the first time in about a decade. I managed to capture this little guy going for a stroll along the back of its paddock, and stopping for a quick snack at a tree. I've never seen an anteater feeding in real life before, especially not naturally, so that was pretty cool to see. 

Another highlight was finally getting to see their two rhino calves. I'd wanted to go see them since they were born weeks apart last autumn, so it was nice to see the overgrown puppies before they got big. I don't know what it is about rhinos, but I just find them adorable.

Oh, and we also met a couple who had brought their animal-loving French bulldog to the wildlife park as a birthday treat, and isn't that just the most wholesome thing ever? They were holding him up to see the tamarins, and he was being such a good boy, quietly wagging his tail at them. It was so cute.

I wish I could take Rosie for a visit, but I wouldn't dare, as, judging by the way she goes ballistic at squirrels and cats, I just know all hell would break lose if she saw something new, like a monkey or a meerkat. We'd probably get kicked straight out. Haha!

So, overall, we had another lovely visit to The Cotswold Wildlife Park, and even though we've been approximately 8930921 times, we can't wait to go back.

If you've never been to The Cotswold Wildlife Park, and love animals and plants, I'd highly recommend it for a day out. It's a fantastic place to visit all year round, and I can attest that as a local, who's been taking day trips there all her life. Plus, it's on the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds, so you can come check out my part of the world!

Have you been to the zoo lately?

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Birthday Wish List

It's my birthday in a few days, so just for fun, I've put together a little wish list of things I'd love to receive or would spend my birthday money on, if I'm lucky enough to be given any. 

Unsurprisingly, it's mostly made up of dresses, pretty books, quirky brooches, and stationery. Shocker.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 // 28

1. I was obsessed with Polly Pockets in the nineties, so naturally, I'm gonna need this Polly Pocket mini backpack from Loungefly when it releases this summer.

2. And obviously, that means I'm also gonna need this adorable Polly Pocket zip around wallet to go with it.

3. This toucan print trapeze dress from Popsy Clothing looks like the perfect dress to throw on over leggings on a hot day, to stay comfortable but still look stylish.

4. I've wanted to try the Bride of the Shadow King series for ages, and the Illumicrate Bride of the Shadow King special edition trilogy is to die for.

5. I'd love to add Erstwilder's otterly adorable Owen the Otter brooch to my brooch zoo.

6. Can we talk about how cute this Doodllery Cloud brooch from Little Moose is?!

7. If there was an award for prettiest bookmark, I think The Quirky Cup Collective's Iridescence Bookmark would definitely win it. I want one!

8. I recently bought my first notebooks from The Quirky Cup Collective, and now I'm obsessed. They're beautiful, and the quality is amazing. I'd love to add this stunning Otherworldly Journal to my tiny collection.

9. This romantasy colouring book looks awesome.

10. This Quirky Cup Magic Tarot Journal is also dreamy.

11. I'm dying to get my hands on this pretty pastel Loungefly My Little Pony sky scenes convertible tote backpack. If I'm lucky enough to get any birthday money, I'll probably cave.

12. I need this Meeko iPhone case from Skinny Dip! He's the best Disney sidekick ever!

13. I ran out of my YSL Touche Eclat blur primer a couple of years ago, and it's amazing, so I'd be thrilled if the beauty fairies blessed me with a new one on my birthday.

14. I love this Pool Party brooch from Erstwilder's recent Atomic Abode collection. I could wear it and pretend I'm sunning myself by the pool in some tropical paradise while I'm stuck in sunny Oxfordshire this summer.

15. This Loungefly My Little Pony colour block mini backpack is the thing my nineties kid dreams were made of.

16. The colour palette is different to what I usually go for, but I kinda love this cottage-core patchwork print dress from Joanie Clothing.

17. I'm so tempted by Owlcrate's beautiful special edition of Sword Catcher.

18. My face needs all the help it can get these days, so I'd love a new YSL Touche Eclat illuminating pen to make me look a little more alive.

19. How pretty is this Paris scenes print dress from Popsy Clothing?

20. I really want to get a book light to save my eyes as I keep getting eyestrain, and this IF Book Lover's Reading Light has made my short list. I love the botanical pattern, too.

21. The Loungefly My Little Pony castle mini backpack has been on my wishlist for over a year, but can you blame me when it's this cute?!

22. Another booklight I've been considering is the IF Really Tiny Book Light. They come in a bunch of colours, but I'd probably choose petal pink or mint.

23. I love colouring-in with watercolours, but I'm still learning how to mix the perfect skin colours, so it would be handy to have some ready-to-use shades I can use when I'm feeling lazy, like this ZenArt portrait watercolour set.

24. Monet's got nothing on Little Moose's beautiful Waterlily brooch. How cute is the little frog?!

25. I really want to try this Ecoline skintones watercolour brush pen set.

26. I've also wanted to read Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong for ages. Apparently, it's an Antony and Cleopatra retelling with Hunger Games vibes.

27. I keep hearing good things about Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows and have been meaning to read them for over a year, so I'd love to get the duology.

28. And finally, I'd love to add this gorgeous Bushbaby Duo brooch from Little Moose to my collection.

If you want to see what didn't make the cut, you can find my Birthday Wish List board on Pinterest here.

What's on the top of your wish list right now?

Erstwilder Jewellery Haul

It's been a minute since I last reviewed some Erstwilder jewellery on the blog- it's been a minute since I blogged at all- so I think it's time to rectify that with a look at the latest additions to my brooch zoo.

I haven't actually added many to my collection over the last six months or so. I've either not been wowed enough by the designs to splurge, or when I have, I've not had the pennies to be able to. The last piece I bought was from the Valentine's collection, and it's the only brooch I've bought since the Kutopia collection was released before Christmas. What is happening to me?! 

I might not have bought a lot lately, but the ones I have acquired are ridiculously cute. Especially the first brooch I have to show you, Stevie the Seahorse.

I really loved the Kutopia collection Erstwilder did with the artist Kacey Rainbow at the end of 2023, and as a big animal lover and colour junkie, I couldn't help but be drawn to the colourful animal designs. I could only afford one piece since it came out just before Christmas, so of course, Stevie the Seahorse won. Why? Well, just look at him! He's the cutest seahorse brooch ever!

I love the soft, summery colours he's made from. The glittery coral and bubblegum-pink of his body and spine, and the turquoise of his fin are so pretty, and the rainbow of colours freckling his head and neck add such a fun finishing touch. He'll be perfect for wearing with colourful summer dresses, especially for trips to the seaside or aquarium. Not that I visit either often these days, but it's good to have these things planned out just in case!

I was also lucky enough to be given Warren the Wombat brooch from the Kutopia collection for Christmas from my parents, after pointing them in the right direction when they asked for ideas. My Mum chose well. I have a soft spot for wombats, and this brooch is almost as adorable as the real thing. Almost. (Sorry, Erstwilder, but nothing quite beats a real wombat).

This handsome little guy is made from the sparkliest russet brown resin, with equally sparkly coral-pink ears, peachy cheeks, and a coronet of multi-coloured shapes crowning his head. He's gorgeous, and I love him. I've got so much wear out of him already.

The last brooch I bought was the (now sold-out) Our Deer Sweetheart brooch from the Love Everlasting Valentine's collection. This dainty little deer reminded me of the mid-century-style Bambi deer Christmas decorations I love to collect, so I couldn't resist the chance to own a Bambi deer brooch I could wear all year round. Three months on, I regret nothing. It's one of the loveliest brooches in my collection.

This sweet little deer is made from the prettiest dusky pink and white marbled resins, with a glossy scarlet ripple resin bow around her neck, and five red hearts instead of spots on her flank. She's a small brooch, barely bigger than my thumb, and though she's wonderful at this size, I think they missed something not making her into a statement piece. She'd be perfect if she was just a little bigger.

I was also given a pair of the purple Moon Mirror drop earrings for Christmas from my parents, which are, apparently, the hardest things ever to photograph properly because they're reflective. They're made from light-weight, violet-coloured mirrored-resin, and they're the perfect, affordable statement earrings. They're the biggest earrings I own, and so fun to accessorise with. They're still available from Erstwilder, and some of their stockists, and if purple's not your thing, they come in red and gold, too.

And that is my little Erstwilder jewellery haul.

Have you bought anything from Erstwilder lately?

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The Quarter Year Book Tag

I came across The Quarter Year Book Tag on another blog, and thought it would be fun to give it a go to think about what I've read so far this year. 

It was originally created by Roison's Reading on Youtube, but I found it on The Shelf of Unread Books.

On a side note- can you believe we're already nearly a third of the way through 2024? Where has the year gone? 

Anyway, let's get started.

Here's The Quarter Year Book Tag.

How many books have you read so far?

I've only finished fifteen books so far this year, and I'll be starting my sixteenth today. It's not a lot compared to a lot of readers, but at least I'm a couple of books ahead of my reading goal for the year.

Have you found a book that you think might be a 2024 favourite?

At the moment, I think it's between The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, and Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas- although, House of Flame and Shadow was also brilliant. The books were so damn good, I've become completely addicted to both series, and haven't been able to stop thinking about them since I finished them. TSATWON is kinda like The Hunger Games with vampires and a stabby, vampire-raised human FMC, and Crescent City starts as an urban romantasy, murder-mystery, with epic world-building, shocking twists and turns, emotional annihilation, lots of action, fae, angels, mer, wolf-shifters, demons, the cutest otter mail carriers, and so much more. I'll be surprised if anything tops these books this year.

Any least favourite books of the year?

Definitely In The Shadows by L. B. August. I read an ARC of this last month, and if I hadn't been obligated to write a review, I would've DNFed it early on. I hate giving bad reviews as I feel mean criticising someone's work, especially as it was a debut from a new author, but the writing was so clumsy, repetitive, and badly-written, and the MMC was insufferable. Think Chaol Westfall in Queen of Shadows without any of his redeeming qualities. It had some enjoyable moments, but it basically read like a YA fanfic, which was weird since it had a fair amount of spice. I really had to force myself to get through it, and only awarded it 2.5 stars in the end.

Most read genre?

Definitely fantasy. In fact, I think everything I've read so far this year has been some kind of fantasy. I really need to mix it up with some other genres again, but I seem to be lost down a fantasy rabbit hole right now. Sorry, not sorry.

A book that surprised me?

I was surprised by House of Sky and Breath, and how slow-paced it was. With the way everybody raves about it, I thought it was going to be another explosive, fast-paced read that would blow my mind, like House of Earth and Blood. In reality? Even though I really enjoyed it, I actually found parts of it super slow and incredibly boring- especially the whole Thunderbird storyline. And any time Ithan opened his mouth. I enjoyed Hunt and Bryce, and Ruhn and Lidia's storylines, but it wasn't until the last quarter that it really started to get exciting. The finale was amazing, though- especially the very last chapter!

A book that came out in 2024 that I haven't read yet?

Bride by Ali Hazelwood, but it only came out in February and I only got myself a copy last week, so it's not exactly shameful behaviour. I keep hearing good things about it, though, so I can't wait to read it. 

One goal you made that you're succeeding at?

I'm currently ahead on my 2024 reading goal by a couple of books, so I feel like that's off to a successful start. 

One goal that you need to focus on?

I've fallen a little behind with writing book reviews in my reading journal, mostly as I'm still playing catch-up on writing reviews for books I read last year. I had hoped to keep up with them and add them after finishing each book, so I need to work harder at it. I've almost caught-up now, so hopefully once I have, I'll stand a better chance at keeping it up to date.

And that's The Quarter Year Book Tag.

I never know who to tag in these things, so if you see this and want to take part, consider yourself tagged.

If you decide to give it a go, remember to leave a link to your post so I can have a read!

What's the best book you've read so far this year?

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