Up and Coming: May

I’m not going to jink it by saying I’m more on top of things but…I’m more of top of things! Yay! For this month, at least.

I suddenly reached a point where I got about six posts done in a week and it broke the back of it. I used to have an organisation system where I wouldn’t even plan the following month’s posts until a certain date. Right now, however, I’m making the most of the mood and keeping ahead of myself while I can.

I won’t be thinking like this by the end of the month, I can promise that.

Jamestown, Series 1 review

Despite it being advertised for fans of Downtown Abbey – which I had never seen – I was intrigued by the teasers for Jamestown and thought I’d give it a go. I got some great characters, interesting plots and while I have no idea if it is historically accurate, I enjoyed it. Keep reading for my Jamestown, Series 1 review.

Company: Carnival Film & Television / Sky 1 | Date: 2017 | Cast: Max Beesley, Dean Lennox Kelly, Stuart Martin, Matt Stokoe, Jason Flemyng, Steven Waddington and Burn Gorman.

Synopsis: From the makers of Downton Abbey – 1619, Virginia: on what feels like the edge of the world sits the first British colony of Jamestown. For 12 years, it has been populated only by men, but the settlement is shaken up when the first women, including Alice (Sophie Rundle), Verity (Niamh Walsh) and Jocelyn (Naomi Battrick), land in this breathtaking wilderness.

Twisting storylines follow the disruptive new arrivals as they make an immediate impact and are thrust into a new world of love, desire, power and survival. While love triangles, bitter rivalries and fierce competition cause conflict for the residents, ultimately they are bound together by their resolute will to survive and thrive in their new lives.

My Year So Far

This post was a blank screen for quite a while.

I haven’t finished the show I planned to review and didn’t know what to post.

This might end up the most rambling post I’ve done, but oh well!

Then I did copywriting training at work and was completely inspired. I’ve worked hard on the blog this year and had the page views to prove it has paid off. I didn’t want to skip a post just because I was behind on reviews.

As I’ve been getting a few more views in 2018 than previously, I thought I’d take a look at what posts have been performing well and which have been my favourite so far this year (I know it’s only March so how can I really judge? But let’s just roll with it!)

Top post of the year

Friend Request by Laura Marshall. To be fair, this is the top post of my blog by a long shot. I don’t know what I got right with this review, but it’s been getting hits steadily since I posted it. It’s outstripped any other post by literally a couple of hundred views.

For some, these figures may be a bad day. But for me, this post is insane!

Top post published in 2018

The Eden Paradox by Barry Kirwan. I’m really pleased about this. I reviewed this book for a tour hosted by the wonderful Neverland and got completely drawn into the world and characters.

This is the first time a blog tour has encouraged me to read the rest of the series and I regret nothing so far!

Favourite post of the year

The Year of Saying Yes by Hannah Doyle. This book really got me thinking about my own life. Even now, two months after reading it, I’m texting my sister, claiming I want to do something the character does.

Talk about impact! A book has never had this effect on me before. Sure, I’ve loved books and been inspired by them, but not to the point of making life changes!

Looking at my stats made me realise that book posts do far better than television/film ones. I enjoy writing them more as well. Maybe that is what comes across?

I was stressing about not having my review done for this morning, but now I’ve let it go.

In fact, I think there might be a few less television/film reviews. I will still be writing them (I still enjoy examining how I feel). But now my schedule has changed, I just can’t get through the amount I need: one series can easily be 23 episodes long, so trying to get one done for each week? Not possible for me at the moment.

I also wasn’t letting myself watch shows that I genuinely wanted to, just because they weren’t on my review schedule. As soon as I realised that, I knew something had to change.

 

I hope this wasn’t too rambly for you! What’s been your favourite book this year?

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Up and Coming: July

June may have been a gorgeous month in regards to the weather, but I am excited about what is coming up on the blog in July!

As well as a number of reviews (see below!), I have a few posts that I’m looking forward to writing. Over the last month, I’ve managed to overcome a few personal challenges, including dealing with stress and being more relaxed in how I tackle each day.

I’m planning to write a post about it –what else does a blogger do when they have achieved something? I think it is going to be an interesting self-reflection, thinking of all the things that I used to do and how I am managing to get around it without completely freaking out.

Weekly Wonders: 2nd July

Now July has hit, I’m deciding no more excuses. I’ve got to get the set amount of work done that I target myself each day and I’ve got to make it to the gym when I say I am going to go.

I have absolutely no idea how much pep-talking myself is going to help, but it has to be better than not having the motivation to do anything. I’ve always been motivated, but have just been drowning under trying to do too much and the end result being that I’m not achieving anything.

Not anymore.

I’m currently having an odd-jobs and bits and pieces afternoon. Nothing that takes long, but all jobs that I want to get done. If I make Sunday a catch-up day on those sorts of jobs, it will free up time during the week.

That being said, I’m babysitting later so am desperately trying to get as many done as possible before heading out!

This week hasn’t just been about break-throughs (although I do have my first gym class on Monday – eep! Wish me luck!). Between reviewing books, I have been revisiting Harry Potter this year. I finished the final book last night.

All I can say is that I had forgotten just how good these books are. And, true to form, I cried in the last one. Only once, mind you, but it still hit me hard. It wasn’t just the nostalgia of revisiting these books. I had forgotten, or never quite realised, how genuinely good they are. This was my first time of reading them as an adult and I think I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed them!

I watched the first two films earlier on in the year but wanted to stay ahead with the books. Now, however, I can have a bit of a marathon and watch the rest of them. I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen the later films, so it could make for some entertaining watching.

But while I’m having fun rewatching Harry Potter, you can have fun catching up on any blog posts you might have missed! Sounds good to me!

Despite believing I was short of a review this week, I managed to pull one out of the bag! It was mainly because I went to uni, which gave me a nice long train journey to get some reading done. So rather than only two posts, here are this week’s three blog posts:

• Monday: Book Review: They are Trying to Break your Heart by David Savill
• Wednesday: The Book Sacrifice Tag
• Friday: Book Review: The Song-Sayer’s Lament by David Ebsworth

I should be able to get the normal types of posts done for the next couple of weeks – managing to see some of the films that I wanted, for a change. I’m just hoping that I have plenty of reading time.

But here is what is scheduled for the upcoming week:

• Monday: Book Review: Blood Fiend’s Bane by William Stacey
• Wednesday: Up and Coming: July
• Friday: Film Review: Doctor Strange
• Saturday: Book Review: Blood Bank by Zoe Markham

Even an extra review for a blog tour thrown in there!

How about you? What do you have planned?

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Weekly Wonders: 25th June

I feel bad that I missed writing this post last week, especially as I had the week off work. But I got hit with a really bad headache on the Saturday night. Thankfully, I wasn’t in work Sunday morning, and I was able to spend it in bed before heading out for a family birthday BBQ. While it was a lovely day, I was so exhausted when I got home that I just crashed.

This week has been an interesting one. I’ve definitely been on a rollercoaster. By Wednesday, I had barely slept because of nightmares and was basically terrified for my future. While I am not certain that I have actually made any decisions, per se, I’m definitely (thankfully!) feeling much calmer now and trying to keep myself calm.

My main problem when I have one of these spells is that my self-care goes straight out of the window. I don’t use any of my moisturisers and I’m really bad at making it to the gym. Right now, however, I am writing this with a face-mask on and have my gym bag packed ready for the morning!

The week off work has been nice though; it meant that I gained two of my evenings back. I only chilled and watched films, but as that included watching Beauty and the Beast (the 1991 version) with my mum – something I’m not sure we’ve ever done – it was nice to have that time.

I’ve just finished Friend Request by Laura Marshall for one of my reviews next month. I’ll save my main thoughts for the review, but let me just say, it’s the first thriller in a long time where I haven’t been able to guess what was coming. Really enjoyable read!

My next book is the final Harry Potter one. Once that is done, however, I want to re-read both the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, so there is no shortage of reading material here!

I may have missed writing a post last week, but did you miss reading any? Here’s what was posted so you can have a look:

• Monday: Book Review: Borne by Jeff VanderMeer
• Wednesday: Mini Book Haul
• Friday: Film Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

I’ve had trouble with Lovefilm over the last few weeks which has basically meant that I’m not getting the films that I am requesting. I don’t want to get back into the habit of reviewing everything, because it is enjoyable just to watch a film for the film’s sake.

As a result of that, however, I am one post short this week! I’ll make up for it by slipping some extras in when I can.

This is what I have got planned for this week though:

• Monday: Book Review: They are Trying to Break your Heart by David Savill
• Wednesday: The Book Sacrifice Tag

Ooh it looks sad and lonely only being a couple of posts. C’mon, lovefilm, send me what I want!

How about you? What do you have planned this week?

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Weekly Wonders: 11th June

I think we’ve had spring, summer, autumn and winter combined this week! From glorious sunshine to torrential rain to strong winds – don’t you love the British summertime?

There might be a few reviews missing over the following few weeks. I’ve had difficulty with Lovefilm sending me the films that I have prioritised to review! I planned to use The Impossible as a filler, but after sobbing my way through it, I knew I would never be able to form a coherent response.

Then I thought about using Ender’s Game, after watching it last night. Maybe it was because I had had a long shift, was tired and had a headache. Or maybe it was the film itself. But I wasn’t engaged for the majority of it – I knew what was going on, but had no connection to the characters and basically didn’t care. Again, not a very interesting review.

Hopefully they’ll send the right ones this week! But I’m behind on reviews, and should be planning next month’s over the next few days, so watch this space!

That has summed up what I have been watching this week. How about reading?

I’m about halfway through Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare right now. The Dark Artifice series doesn’t grip me in the way that the other series have and there is a little too much pining going on for my liking at the moment. Maybe that is the drawback of reading this one at an older age? I’m still enjoying it though!

I’ve just finished Blood Bank by Zoe Marckham. It was only a short book, hence saying yes to the tour. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it but it was dark and gory in a few places. It’s the second vampire book I have read in the last couple of weeks, and definitely was your nitty-gritty-bloodsucking vampires. Bonus points for the random Twilight references in it though!

I’m interested myself to see how the review comes out once I’ve had time to digest the book. But why is it every time there are vampires, werewolves turn up? Or vice-versa? Can there not be one book that has one without the other? Or can anyone recommend werewolf books?

Despite reviews potentially messing up over the next few weeks, let’s take a look at what I managed to look at this week:

• Monday: Book Review: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael A. McLellan
• Wednesday: Up and Coming
• Friday: Television Review: The Night Manager

I’m really pleased with the reaction for my book review this week! I’m glad you are all enjoying reading it, because I certainly enjoyed reading the book and once again, can’t recommend it enough!

At least I know that next week is sorted in regards to posts:

• Monday: Book Review: The Things We Thought We Knew by Mahsuda Snaith
• Wednesday: Make-up Haul
• Friday: Film Review: Sully

And there we have it! What has everyone else been up to on this crazy-weather-filled week?

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Weekly Wonders: 4th June

For the first time in a while, I contemplated not writing this post. It’s taken me three attempts to start it already and, quite frankly, I know no one wants to read my ramblings about the ups and downs of the week.

So instead, I’m going to make it an entertainment one: everything I have been reading and watching over the last week.

I started off with He Said/She Said. I admit that I was dubious – there was so much hyper about this book – but was proved wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed it and for the first time in a while, I didn’t see the twists coming which kept me engaged the entire way through.

I then read Blood Fiend’s Bane. Upon realising it was a vampire book, I wasn’t certain how I would feel about it. But, once again, I was proved wrong and it was an entertaining book about comradeship and bravery. I’m hoping to review this one for next month, so stay tuned for more on that.

I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I haven’t read this one as many times as the others, and I’m the first to admit, I’m loving it! I’m really appreciating the writing and the subtle things now that I am reading it as an adult. It’s thanks to this that I have my reading buzz back at the moment.

I finally got to see Sully: Miracle on the Hudson this week. I’m reviewing this shortly, but it amazed me what that poor pilot had to go through despite saving all those lives!

I watched Inkheart earlier on in the week and it left me feeling nostalgic: that was one of my favourite books as a child! I also (finally!) started series three of Grimm this week. I’m about four episodes in and enjoying it so far.

So that’s what I’ve been reading/watching this week. How about what you might have missed for reviews?

• Monday: Book Review: The Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks
• Wednesday: Book Tag: Your Bookish Identity
• Friday: Television Review: The 100, Series 4

It feels strange to be up-to-date with a series: I’m so used to trying to play catch-up about four years after they have been aired. Although I am admittedly getting there with Breaking Bad now. I suppose I just don’t watch that much television – I always wait for things to come out on DVD.

Talking about waiting for things, here is the plan for next week’s posts:

• Monday: Book Review: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael A. McLellan
• Wednesday: Up and Coming
• Friday: Television Review: The Night Manager

What did I say about coming late to things; I’ve only just watched The Night Manager – and loved it, but more of that in the review.

Having watched all of Black Sails, I’m finally watching Treasure Island for the first time this evening! At least, the first half and I’ll finish it off tomorrow – it’s rather long.

What’s everyone else up to?

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Weekly Wonders: 28th May

Knowing that I am not in for most of the day, I thought I would get this done early for a change, as that way it means I know it has been done.

It’s been a very stressful week. At the start of the week, I had no idea what I wanted to do for my major project for my masters and it was really getting to me. How can I have loved the course and be utterly blank about what I wanted to look into further?

Several people I know also had good news in regards to flats, jobs etc and it just made me feel a little stuck. Although I have a part-time job, I’m struggling to get even work experience in my chosen industry and it left me feeling as if the whole of the last year, all the stress of assignments etc, would be for nothing.

The week turned around though. I had a lovely day out with a friend. I got my vague idea of my major project proposal sent off to my tutor and mentor, and both have come back saying that it is a good idea and to go with it. I’ve also found some jobs that are directed at those with limited experience. I’m planning a very busy Bank Holiday tomorrow in order to get some of these things done.

I’m missing not getting as much read! I am going to uni this week though, so that should help me indulge – just have to plan what I want to take to read. He Said/She Said has suddenly really gripped me after not being sure about it for the first part. I don’t think that will take me too much longer – I don’t want to put it down!

Talking of being on track, have you caught all of my posts this week? If not, take a look here:

• Monday: Book Review: Blood Forest by Geraint Jones
• Wednesday: Novel Progress
• Friday: Film Review: Star Wars: Rogue One

All of my film/television reviews have been thrown out lately because lovefilm have been sending me the wrong things. I’m finally getting to the third series of Grimm though. I watched the first episode last night and I only have one word – creepy! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series – feels like it has taken me long enough to get around to it!

It’s going to be another busy week next week, but should be exciting! What have I got coming up on the blog this week?

• Monday: Book Review: The Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks
• Wednesday: Book Tag: Your Bookish Identity
• Friday: Television Review: The 100, Series 4

I’m feeling quite proud that I am actually caught up and up-to-date on The 100. That makes it the second show this year I’ve managed to catch up on! I’m not sure how I felt about this series though – have to focus my thoughts for the review.

How is everyone else? Exciting things happening?

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Weekly Wonders: 21st May

This week has been such a stressful one! It was supposed to be my week off, the time to get things sorted so that I could tackle the next part of uni.

Instead, it took me almost the entire week to spring-clean my room (which admittedly does look a lot better now!). I haven’t finished my book like I wanted. I haven’t caught up on reviews like I wanted. I haven’t caught up on sleep either, so I currently have a bit of a headache because I am so tired. Or because I have spent most of the day squinting into the sun, who knows!

I am having some big problems with my major project for uni. As in, I still don’t know what I want to do it on! The plan is to sit down with all my notes tomorrow and go through everything in the hope it will help me to decide what to explore further.

That is why I wanted everything else up straight – I always work better when everything else is organised and as it should be.

My aunt came around this afternoon and we ended up having a bit of a hair play which was good fun! I love what she did with it – makes me wish that I was any good at doing my own hair!

So saying, I have a little extra time this evening that I wasn’t expecting. I tried to chill out and watch a film, but it turned out to be a zombie one and I’m really not a fan of zombie films. After about half an hour, I realised that I really didn’t want to see anymore. Now I can maybe get those blog posts written after all!

Talking of which, what has been going on with the blog this week? If you’ve missed any posts, you can catch up here:

• Monday: Book Review: The Whisper King: Daughter of Shadows by Wil Radcliffe
• Wednesday: Personal Post: Why did I start Blogging?
• Friday: Television Review: Breaking Bad, Series 3

I finally received my copy of He Said/She Said from the library on Friday. I just want to finish off a book first, but am eager to get stuck into it and see if the hype is worth it. I’ve heard so many people raving about this book, I’m definitely intrigued to see what it is about!

While I curl up and do some reading, I mean, working, this week, here’s what is coming up on the blog:

• Monday: Book Review: Blood Forest by Geraint Jones
• Wednesday: Novel Progress
• Friday: Film Review: Star Wars: Rogue One.

There are a few nice things coming up in the next couple of weeks, which might lead to a scattering of posts, but we shall see.

How has everyone else’s week been? Have you all been having the crazy weather as well? We’ve seriously gone from gorgeous sunshine to thunderstorms – definitely wouldn’t want to have been caught out at the wrong time!

Have a lovely week!

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