I finally spent a day organising my yarn collection which was in desperate need of doing because I have a habit of spotting pretty yarn and giving in to the urge to buy it all… whoops… I really need to learn to restrain myself, especially as most of the time I don’t even have a pattern in mind, which means I may or may not end up buying enough yarn for potential future projects.
So in an attempt to be more aware of what yarn I am actually currently in possession of, I spent some time sorting my office and having a re-jig of pf my shelves to create a proper yarn corner. Without much further ado, here are the before and after photos of my office rearrange.
The past few months had seen my desk become a bit of a dumping ground. So it feels great to finally have an organised space again. My yarn had also been stuffed into big boxes which although great for storage, meant I couldn’t see half the yarn in them and I’d forget what yarn I had.
Now with everything on display I can finally keep track of my yarn stash. I’ve got them all sorted and grouped into various yarn types and stacked up on my bookcase. It’s so satisfying to see all the pretty colours and know what yarn I have available. I’m so happy to have a corner dedicated to my crocheting and knitting and it’s inspiring me to keep creating!
After a very quiet May & June I have certainly caught up on my reading goal over the last two months. July and August have been my best reading months so far this year, however the reads were all a little mediocre. Don’t’ get me wrong I enjoyed them all, but there wasn’t a single standout book you know! Keep reading to see what I thought. Also note I try to keep my reviews spoiler free, although that recently made me realise they might come across as a bit vague sometimes; apologies if that’s the case.
Anyway, here’s my July & August wrap-up:
Imposter– L.J. Ross (audiobook)
There’s a killer inside all of us…
In the beautiful hills of County Mayo, Ireland, a killer is on the loose. Panic has a stranglehold on its rural community and the Garda are running out of time. Gregory has sworn to follow a quiet life but, when the call comes, can he refuse to help their desperate search for justice?
Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced thriller set amidst the spectacular Irish landscape.
3.75 STARS: This was my first L.J. Ross book and overall I rather enjoyed it. Most detective/crime novels I read are always nice easy reads to get caught up in with enough suspense to keep you guessing along; and Imposter, by L.J. Ross didn’t disappoint. Ross’ writing style is easy to follow, flows well, and I liked her protagonist well enough, but only well enough aha. I think I found certain character traits of his a bit questionable I guess, but then again we’re all only human. Anyway, it’s a good story to switch off with but I will have to admit that I wasn’t enamoured enough to want to buy the rest of the books to continue with the series. Then again, I do plan on reading more of her books as my dad owns her whole DC Ryan series, which is based her in the North East of England where I live, and he thoroughly enjoyed them, so I am looking forward to giving them a go.
Say No More – Caroline Overington (audiobook)
A tragic, traumatic childhood casts a long shadow on the Hoedemaker sisters. Maureen has worked hard to move beyond the violence of the past and build a good, honest life for herself. Audrey, however, just can’t seem to do the same, careening from one state of chaos to another.
Maureen loves her sister, but when Audrey’s criminal past catches up to them both, she will have to make some difficult decisions about the limits of family loyalty – and just how far sisters are willing to go to protect each other…
4 STARS: This was a surprisingly good listen. I didn’t know what to expect from the blurb or the beginning of the narrative and admittedly felt a little confused at times as to where the story was going. However it moved at a good pace and kept me intrigued to the very end when the most unexpected plot twist transpired! Didn’t see it coming at all which loved. It’s great when a book takes you completely by surprise and this is what made me bumpm the story up to a 4 Star. It’s a relatively short audio too – at about 5 1/2hs I would definitely recommend a listen.
Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) – Tahereh Mafi (book)
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all.
Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.
3.75 STARS: I was looking forward to this sequel because we finally get some proper interaction between Juliette and Warner which is the storyline I was most excited about, and that side of things didn’t disappoint. Also hello Warner! I loved Warners personality and discovering that perhaps not everything about him was the way it first seemed. I’ve adored his tone of voice from the start, although when I stop to think about it, it does perhaps seem a bit too old a fit for a what 18/19 year old? Juliette also comes out of her shell more and starts leaning into her powers more and believing in herself which is nice to see cause we all like some empowerment. Kenji – who doesn’t love Kenji and his big heart that just bursts with warmth, loyalty and laughter. Adam – meh – I’m sorry but he admittedly irritated me in this book as did Juliette to be fair at certain points. I think sometimes I forget that the protagonists are still only young adults and perhaps their behaviour is fitting for their age, but then again I just keep hoping to see more maturity displayed too.
Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) – Tahereh Mafi (book)
Juliette Ferrars thought she’d won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she’s still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she’s got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?
3.5 STARS: The fourth installment felt a bit lacklustre. Juliette seems to backtrack and turns back into this naive little girl again suddenly realising she has to fill boots too big to fit and it was just kinda laughable or rather unrealistic. Like what were all the adult figures doing and why weren’t they taking more charge? Even Warner, as admirable as his blif in Juliette is, it’s completely insane to think someone with zero experience is fit to suddenly run the reestablishment. Also, why were soo many secrets still being kept between all characters?! The drama due to lack of communication was just so infuriating – I think I have a real ick for miscommunication haha. But once again Mafi knows how to write a cliffhanger and after a mediocre book I’m still left wanting to know how the story continues.
A Touch Of Malice (Hades & Persephone #3) – Scarlett St. Clair (audiobook)
Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement.
When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead?
Nothing is certain but the promise of war.
3.5 STARS: Book three in the Hades & Persephone series was marginally better than book 2. I like that Persephone is working on herself to gain more confidence and control of her magic, but then elements of her and Hades relationship are still very frustrating, when it appears they haven’t learnt from previous mistakes and and are back to being at odds with each other due to bad communication. To be fair, bad communication is a thing in general that irritates me a plenty in stories, as so many problematic scenarios could be avoided if only people communicated better. Anyway, I do like some of the sideline character such as Hermès and Apollo and overall it is still and easy listen and enjoyable enough audiobook. I just hope the next installment finally makes Persephone a bit more of a powerhouse – I love a strong female lead and don’t mind if it takes time for characters to grown into their skin, but we’re not there yet with this series and I’m starting to get a bit bored.
Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) – Louise Penny (book)
The discovery of a dead body in the woods on Thanksgiving Weekend brings Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his colleagues from the Surete du Quebec to a small village in the Eastern Townships. Gamache cannot understand why anyone would want to deliberately kill well-loved artist Jane Neal, especially any of the residents of Three Pines – a place so free from crime it doesn’t even have its own police force.
But Gamache knows that evil is lurking somewhere behind the white picket fences and that, if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will start to give up its dark secrets…
3.75 STARS: This was my reading holiday book and I enjoyed it. Another detective/crime novel to work through and another first book in a detective series, which I didn’t find our till later. I really liked the detective Armand Gamache. He was friendly, yet firm, encouraging and supportive, took no nonsense and was observant in such a relaxed manner that you’d almost forget he was supposed to be solving a murder sometimes. The book was definitely a slow burner because of this – no hectic chasing, just quiet detecting. I enjoyed the pace – it was enough to keep me hooked in and there were plenty of characters and possible motives to explore. Saying that, I was disappointed in the ultimate finale of the book. Although I didn’t guess guess the culprit correctly, I also feel like it wasn’t the most exciting resolution. As I rather enjoyed the character of detective Gamache, I would probably give another book in this series a go, however, it also wasn’t amazing enough to be a priority compared to my huge TBR pile. I will pass this book onto my dad though to get a second option – I’m curious to see what he thinks.
Nightshade (Nightshade #1) – Keri Lake (audiobook)
Nightshade follows Farryn Ravenshaw as she is drawn into a shadowy world of ancient rituals, a mysterious realm called Nightshade, and the enigmatic Jericho, a recluse with a connection to her father’s disappearance. As Farryn investigates her family’s past and confronts a dark cult, she discovers a birthmark that links her to Nightshade and a terrifying reality about her own connection to Jericho and the supernatural forces at play
3.5 STARS: I was sadly a little underwhelmed by my second Keri Lake book. I enjoyed the duality of storylines but was a little confused by the world building. I also wasn’t a fan of the abusive male dominance and how quickly Farryn seems to suddenly just accept him. Yes there’s a bit of a fight back from her initially, but not enough romantic tension building in my eyes if it was supposed to radiate a hate to love kinda vibe. I was also just so done with the steamy smut scenes haha; they just didn’t do anything for me at all in this book. I think it’s because the protagonists just hadn’t lured in me as much in this book; I felt no emotional connection and just didn’t really care for them. I know there’s a second in this series and I rarely ever dnf things so I will still read part two at some point, but I’m in no hurry to.
Defy Me (Shatter Me #5) – Tahereh Mafi (book)
Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her – secrets that change everything.
Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.
3.75 STARS: Ok I have mixed feelings about this. The whole world building feels a little feeble in general throughout the series. Mafi tends to be more character driven and thus we still haven’t witnessed any epic battles or big events. I feel like we get buildup to supposedly pivotal moments and then plotlines just jump forward quite suddenly with lack of backup. We move on from book fours huge cliffhanger, are plated a book of revelations and yet I still feel like I’m missing the whole point of the reestablishment and enemy purpose a little. I didn’t mind the flashbacks and thrown curveball of no one really knew what was going on most of their lives having lived a big fat lie. It created more intrigue and added more plot depth, but now I’m just hoping the last installment will finally bring all loose ends together and create a worthy ending.
I’m way to late to post my May & June reads but it was such a busy few month getting ready for our rebrand at work that I barely had any energy left to read or get this post together. Here’s what I did manage to work my way through:
The Let Them Theory– Mel Robbins (audiobook)
What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words?If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn’t you. The problem is the power you give to other people.
Two simple words—Let Them—will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands—and this book will show you exactly how to do it.
4 STARS:
I barely ever read non-fiction books but after seeing someone recommend this, I thought it might be an interesting read for me as I definitely struggle with some of the topics this book covers.
Although not all examples were relevant to me, others really hit home. It was a refreshing listen and although we’re often aware that we’re not alone in our struggles, it’s always comforting to hear from others going through or having experienced similar things. The Let Them Theory is a good reminder to start taking charge of your on happiness but it’s easier said than done. The phrase Let Them is in the forefront of my mind since reading this book and I try and live more by aiming to let go of things.
A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone, #2) – St. Clair, Scarlett (audiobook)
Persephone’s relationship with Hades has gone public and the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her as the Goddess of Spring.
Things only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone’s heart in ruin and Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands, striking bargains with severe consequences.
Faced with a side of Hades she never knew and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades’ queen.
3 STARS:
A little underwhelming if I’m honest. In book 2 of Hades & Persephone I just found myself getting irritated at Persephone. The tragedy involving her best friend took me by surprise admittedly, but her consequent behaviour just came across as whiney and immature. I believe she’s supposed to be in her early 20’s so I suppose a certain level of immaturity can still be expected, but her ‘I’ll do my own thing regardless of what other think’ attitude that disregards everyone around her just really irked me in this book.
Ugly Love– Colleen Hoover (book)
When Tate meets Miles, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. In fact, the only thing they have in common is this undeniable mutual attraction. They soon realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex.
Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.
Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future.
But can they handle it?
3.75 STARS:
Overall I really enjoyed Ugly Love, although not as much as Verity, my first Colleen Hoover read, which held more tension.
This book is written in present tense as well as through flashbacks and although I’m not always a big fan of long backflashes, the dual narratives worked well for me in Ugly Love. It made it a slow burn that kept feeding me little snippets to keep me hooked.
To me this book explores, love after tragedy and how we allow ourselves, or not, to move on as well as the irrational belief of having something with someone is better than nothing.
I know a lot of people look at the two protagonists and think of Miles as abusive and Tate as a woman with no self worth, and whilst they’re not completely wrong, I also find there’s more depth to these characters and their emotions and things are rarely black and white. Depending on ones own life experiences and character we will all relate differently to the protagonists and their behaviour.
Piglet– Hazell Lottie (kindle)
Together, Kit and Piglet are the picture of domestic bliss – effortless hosts, planning a covetable wedding… But if a life looks too good to be true, it probably is. Thirteen days before they are due to be married, Kit reveals an awful truth, cracking the façade Piglet has created.
“An elegant, razor-sharp debut about women’s ambitions and appetites — and the truth about having it all“
“A stylish, uncommonly clever novel about the things we want and the things we think we want”
4.5 STARS:
What a book! Piglets story is that of someone seemingly lost in the motions and clawing to keep perfection contained the life they had so meticulously built up around themselves comes crashing down. Although Piglet was an uncomfortable read, it left an impact.
I wasn’t a fan of the protagonist or any of the characters for that matter. I found myself quick to negatively judge their actions and how they delt with the situations that arose. It was interesting though to experience this emotional reaction though and dig deeper into why this story was making me react.
The whole book is very much written through the eyes of Piglets appreciation for good food which is described so beautifully it makes you want to join her on a feast of culinary delights. Hazell brings a delightfully sensuous touch to the topics covered in Piglet and her sublime depictions almost distract from the darker undertone. There is a fine balance trying to be upheld and the lines between enjoyment, indulgence, comfort seeking and overindulgence start to blur.
At it’s core I feel that Piglet explores the notion of what is/brings happiness? Hazell tackles topics of self worth, family dynamics, feelings of belonging, money struggles, a clash of classes and upbringing, dream life vs reality and our vices for escapism, all the while probing us on of how we choose to cope with said issues. I feel like this could be love/hate read – but if you’ve read it, I’ love to know your thoughts.
I really enjoyed my first Floret Pop Pullover pattern test for Yarn by Beck and was eager to do more. When I saw Eli looking for testers for her Basic Beret pattern I thought it would be the perfect relaxing pattern test to apply to as it wasn’t as big a project as the last one.
I really loved the look of Eli’s Basic Beret and was excited to be chosen as a tester. I was keen to test making a light summery version of her pattern and thus decided to reuse the same multicoloured DK recycled cotton yarn from my previous project as I still had plenty left.
This was my first project working in the round and I definitely felt like I was getting lost sometimes with the stitch counting, but I manged to fumble my through. I also think I may be low key obsessed with this yarn! I just love the dye pattern and how nicely the warm colours blend together. Saying that I also really want to check out some other colours from this yarn in future!
Being a beginner to reading crochet patterns there were certain elements that initially confused me, but I soon figured out. With it being such a small project it also doesn’t feel quite as precious; meaning if I didn’t get it right the first time, I could always try again and make a second or third hat quite quickly. Although I made a few mistakes first time round, I would still say Eli’s pattern is definitely beginner friendly.
Eli’s pattern is also easily customisable and it’s fab to see just how differently all testers approached it. I used a 5mm hook with a dk recycled cotton yarn and although I like the tension I was working with, my end product turned out just a tad too small/tight. So next time round I think I might try a 6mm hook or add an extra row or two, or both aha. I defiantly want to try making a cosier winter version with a thicker yarn.
So here’s the finished Basic Beret by Eli. I’m really pleased with how my first attempt turned out despite the odd mistake and miscounting. If you want a beginner friendly beret pattern, please make sure to check out her pattern here!
Having not come across any talk about the Shatter Me series by Tahere Mafi before I started reading, I didn’t really know what to expect from these books. I picked them up for a steal from The Works and I don’t know why, but from the blurb I’d envisioned more of a fantasy world and thus the dystopian vibe totally took me by surprise. It took me a while to figure out this new world and thus get into the story, but once I did, I enjoyed reading something a little different to my recent romantasy streak. Here’s a little spoiler free update on my thoughts so far.
Book one very much sets the scene as you go on a journey of discovery alongside protagonist Juliette, who’s been locked away and shielded from the outside world and is only just learning about it’s new structure. I’d say it’s a busy enough start to the series and the story progresses quickly, however, Shatter Me – book one, only received a 3/5 Stars from me. Although not a big book, it took me quite a while to get through as I just wasn’t hooked yet.
Book two Unravel Me, was an improvement on book one as I now understood the world setting better. The storyline progresses and you’re introduced to new characters alongside watching the main characters develop further. There’s enough intrigue created to want to see where the plot takes you, however I was feeling underwhelmed with the general storyline and relationship drama between Adam & Juliette alongside irritating character traits take over too much of the story. What ultimately saves this book from becoming another 3/5 Stars in my eyes, is the intrigue building around Juliette and her relationship with Warner. The last few chapters made me eager to pick up book three to see how my suspicions would play out and thus I ended up rating Unravel Me 4/5 Stars.
Although perhaps predictable, I enjoyed seeing other sides to characters develop in Ignite Me, book three of the Shatter Me series by Tahere Mafi. Saying that, there was however once again too much naivety and drama involved within the romantic relationships and it almost concentrated on those too much and left the main plot a bit underdeveloped and unrealistic. I’m all for girl power, but I don’t feel like Juliette had matured enough to end up where she does at the end of book three, and Warner and Adam’s charter transformations are perhaps a tad too much for my liking. The only secondary character I like and who seems to stay consistent is Kenji. I gave book three another 4/5 Stars however I feel like my ratings keep swaying a little with this series. It’s quite an easy read meaning I can get hooked easy enough and enjoy getting to see where the series leads me, but once I start comparing it other books I start to doubt my decisions and my opinions sway.
If you’ve read this series I’d love to know your thoughts.
Those of you who have been following along on socials will have seen me mention that I was doing a fundraiser in July and thus I quickly wanted to give a little update now that I’ve completed it.
In July, dad and I took part in a fundraiser for Point North, which is one of our charity partners at work that supports our local communities at a grassroot level. The fundraiser was to complete 38.7 miles in July to help raise awareness and funds to support the 38.7% of children who are growing up in poverty in our wider area of County Durham and the Tees Valley.
Every mile completed helped to provide: food, uniforms, bedding, holiday clubs, lessons, and more. If you’d still like to make a donation, our fundraiser page is still open for a few days:
As proof that I did complete the 38.7 miles, I made a little compilation of all the walks and gym trips I did in July, and so I thought I’d share it as a nice round up of the fundraiser challenge.
I’m so glad I signed up for the fundraiser, as not only did we mange to raise some funds for Point North, but it also forced me to get out more. I get so nervous venturing out on any journeys which are further than about a 20 minute car journey or walk (I might delve deeper into the why at some point), but to get my steps in I have had to push myself to overcome / deal with my fears. Although my anxiety spiked at times, I overall had really positive experiences and ended up enjoying some wonderful longer walks exploring new places. Now I just need to keep pushing myself to head out and not fall back into letting my nerves get the better of me!
So we’re over half way through the year and I thought I’d do a little roundup of my top 5 books of 2025 so far. I read about 18 books between January – June and quite a few of them weren’t actually originally on my To Be Read pile. I ended up adding quite a few new ones through 99p kindle deals or the 2 Audiobooks for 1 credits on Audible.
I was initially just going to chose my top 3 books, but as I have quite a few 4 Star books (no 5’s yet as I am very stingy with my 5’s haha), deciding on only 3 books was too difficult and so I ended up picking a top 5 instead.
Anyway let’s get to it – here’s my top 5 books of 2025 so far (in no particular order):
Something a little different, but I wanted to talk about the fundraiser I signed myself and dad up for with work for two reasons. One, to raise awareness of what we’re fundraising for but also two, to talk about how it’s been helping my anxiety which is something I’m really proud of.
At Kaffeehaus Coffee Roasters giving back to our local community is very important to us and we’re proud to already be regular supporters of Point North, but we wanted to do more, and by participating are hoping raise more awareness for this amazing charity supporting our local communities!
So, dad and I are stepping it up and taking part in Point North‘s fundraiser completing 38.7 miles in July to help raise funds to support the 38.7% of children who are growing up in poverty in our wider area of County Durham and the Tees Valley.
“Thousands of children in our own communities are falling behind through no fault of their own. As the cost of living continues to rise, more families than ever are struggling to get by. The need is urgent and growing. This challenge gives all of us a way to do something about it,” – Michelle Cooper, Chief Executive at Point North.
Every mile helps to provide: food, uniforms, bedding, holiday clubs, lessons, and more. And any donation you can give, no matter how small, will help to make a difference To donate or follow our progress please follow the link below
By signing up to this fundraiser I have also ended up forcing myself to face my anxiety which has been an unforeseen bonus. Essentially, I get very nervous venturing further than a 20 minute car journey or 15 minute walk (I might delve deeper into the why at some point, but not today), but to get my steps in I have had to and still am pushing myself to overcome my fears. So far I have had some really positive outcomes and endend up enjoying some wonderful longer walks exploring new places. The repetition of positive outcomes and experiences, is slowly creating positive reinforcements to counter my anxieties which I’m really happy with.
Below was my first 4 mile walk. I pushed myself to drive up to the Pennines, about a 30 min drive to a place I’d never been to before, and go for a walk around a reservoir I’d previously known nothing about. It turned into such a wonderful morning. The Smiddy Shaw reservoir along the Waskerly Way ended up being such a wonderful expedition for me. It was a quiet path and we barely bumped into another soul which was fab and just how I like it. The path was well paved and easy to walk, and although a little overcast at first, the clouds soon cleared giving way to tow a warm and the sunny atmosphere and stunning views all around.
And yes, my anxiety did surface at times, but I was generally having a good day and feeling more positive and so I managed to keep it in check and ende up having a wonderful morning out. It may seems like nothing to those of you who don’t suffer for anxiety, but to me this was a pretty big feat and I felt very proud of my achievement. It made me want to go out more straight away.
So, a few days later I headed out for my second 4 mile walk through a more local Nature Reserve. I completed this walk before work one morning and there were a great number of paths to meander through and explore; although some ended up being quite overgrown and narrow this time of year resulting in a fair few nettle stings and bramble scratches haha!
All in all I have really been enjoying working towards completing this fundraiser and I’m generally feeling more hopeful for the future with every new step I take.
After finishing my granny sqaure cardigan I felt like I was on a crochet roll and decided to apply to be a pattern tester for this wonderful looking jumper by Yarn by Beck. She stated it was begginer friendly and I ended up being chosen to test her new Floret Pop Pullover pattern, which I was chuffed about.
As summer was approaching I thought I’d try and make a loose and lightweight version of the jumper and, after some deliberation, went for a lovely multicoloured recyled cotton yarn in wonderful warm shades.
The beginning was the hardest. After getting used to working in squares, it took a while to adjust to building up a pattern in a linear fashion. I also wasn’t quite sure how big to make it and continually worried I’d accidentally increase or decrease stitches. However as I got used to the pattern I slowly got comfortable and managed to retain a straight shape.
I spent many an hour listening to an audiobook and building my first jumper row by row. As I’m still a relative newbie this stich combination was not known to me but I absolutely love how the pattern comes together and the overall look of the Floret Pop Pullover.
At one point I was off to Sheffield to visit my best frind Emily from Peak Knits, and of course I had to take my crochet with me. We explored a beautiful local garden and spent some time sitting in the sun working on our projects. It’s also a great activity to keep you occupoied on the train whilst listening to an audibook.
I was really happy with how the front and back panels came together but I did feel somewhat stressed towards the end as I knew I wouldn’t have time to finish the sleeves before the deadline, and thus decided to make a t-shirt version by only adding short selves for the time being. They weren’t amazing as I winged the pattern, but I knew I’d be able to go back and add long sleeves later down the line.
And voila – my first finished pattern test! The Floret Pop Pullover by Yarn By Beck. If you want a beginner friendly pattern to make a jumper tailored to you, please make sure to check out the pattern here!
Completing my first pattern test was a big learning curve for me and although it had it’s challenges I loved the experience. I’m not 100% sure on the colour of the yarn on me personally, and the neckline and jumper in general ended up a tad too big, however, the recycled cotton has created a very loose fitting and airy version of this jumper which is perfect for summer and exactly what I was after.
I do love this pattern and am hoping to make another Floret Pop Pullover with a thicker warmer yarn for winter. Do let me know if you decide to buy this pattern and have a go – I can highly recommend!
I’m back after having to take a bit of a blogging break recently due to work commitments having been a bit hectic. So here’s an extremely belated and long round up of my March and April reads. I managed to tick some more books off my initial to read list plan for the year, but also picked up some new books through the Audible 241 sales. March and April were decent reading, or should I say listening, months as I was busy crocheting most evenings trying to finish a pattern test, or often out and about getting my steps in with my spaniel Maya. Thus, I spent a lot of time primarily listening to audiobooks over reading physical hard copies. I only picked up one actual book and it took me 2 whole months to complete! So my goal for the next two months is to pick up more physical books!
Here’s what I’ve read so far and what I thought:
The Outrun: A Memoir – by Amy Liptrot (audiobook)
At the age of thirty, Amy Liptrot finds herself washed up back home on Orkney. Standing unstable on the island, she tries to come to terms with the addiction that has swallowed the last decade of her life. As she spends her mornings swimming in the bracingly cold sea, her days tracking Orkney’s wildlife, and her nights searching the sky for the Merry Dancers, Amy discovers how the wild can restore life and renew hope.
3 STARS: Having seen the trailer to the movie of this book released late last year and being intrigued by it, I wanted to read the book first, before watching the adaptation. There are some beautiful depictions of rural life on the Orkney Islands and vivid descriptions of finding solace in nature. However, Liptrot’s narrative as she navigates her road to recovery from addiction, jumps backwards and forwards too much for my liking and with a lack of intrigue and fluidity becomes a bit boring to listen to. I wanted to like it, but it sadly wasn’t for me.
Disorder – by Rokia (audiobook)
Meet Olivia, Sia, Derek and Edgar. Four young people scarred by various mental health illnesses and each of them searching for a way to heal. Brought together by an unorthodox doctor, they’re pushed to battle their respective demons through a series of increasingly demanding challenges deliberately chosen to make them face their pasts. As their relationships grow, the past is never too far away and with wounds constantly being re-openedtheir friendship becomes instrumental in learning to process their pain
4 STARS: I didn’t know what to expect from this book’s blurb and it took me a very long time to get into it. The fairytale element of the story was extremely confusing and almost made me want to quit at times as it was so odd; but I rarely give up on a book and I’m glad I didn’t. Once it clicked, I realised just how much I rated this book. It’s not an easy read, but an insightful rollercoaster of feeling. It’s filled with equal parts despair and hope; it’s dark but also beautiful. A story friendship and resilience and overcoming one’s demons.
*Please note: this book includes descriptions of mental illness, death, child abuse, violence, domestic violence, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage and substance abuse.
The Married Man – by K.L. Slater (audiobook)
Everyone thinks my husband is dead. Just like we planned…
Eleven years ago, my husband disappeared. Eleven long hard years I waited, my heart breaking for our son, who didn’t know his father was coming back.Today, my hands shake as I try to understand what I’ve just learned: my husband has a new wife. This wasn’t part of our plan.
Eleven years ago, my husband made a terrible mistake. I sacrificed everything to help him fix it. But now he’s put our son and me in danger again.We had a plan. He broke the rules. But who will pay the price?
3.5 STARS: A mysterious weave of points of view that kept me guessing until the end. Well narrated with good intrigue and an exciting enough narrative. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t grip me as much as Colleen Hoovers Verity which I read the month before, son it’s only getting a 3.5 stars from me. Not a bad easy read to switch off though.
The Crimson Moth (Crimson Moth, #1) – by Kristen Ciccarelli (audiobook)
Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. She decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe – an unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution – who she can’t help but find herself falling for.
Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but to gain intel, he pretends to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?
4 STARS: I think I struggled with the first chapter or so but it didn’t take long after that too get hooked. Who doesn’t love a good old enemy to lover’s plot. It’s an easy story to follow and rather predictable when it comes to the romance side of things, but that doesn’t deter from it being an enjoyable read which has you rooting for the protagonists to figure things out. Although elements were predictable there were some unexpected surprises that kept things interesting and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book now.
When The Moon Hatched (Moonfall, #1) – by Sarah A. Parker (audiobook)
Raeve’s job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve’s world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles – a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free.
Crushed beneath a mourning weight, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to assuage the never-ebbing ache in his chest, his hunt for a moonshard lures him into the belly of Gore’s notorious prison where he stumbles upon something that rips apart his perception of reality. A shackled miracle with eyes full of rage and blood on her hands.
The echo of the past sings louder than the Creators themselves, and even Raeve can’t ignore the truths blaring at her from a warmer, happier time. However. There’s more to this song than meets the eye, and some truths …They’re too poisonous to swallow.”
2.5 STARS: After seeing this book mentioned multiple times across BookTok, I finally went ahead and purchased it without even listening to a sample – big mistake. The narrator just didn’t do it for me, which made an already difficult story even harder to get through. I continually felt lost and like I was missing parts of the story. I had no idea what moonplumes, saber… or various other creatures where and was only able to hazard a guess due to the fact that the word dragon is mentioned like once? A map or index of creatures etc would dreally be helpful and I’m assuming physical copies had these additions.
It’s also the first time I kind of caught myself drifting occasionally whilst listening and thus feeling even more lost because of it. The whole experience was sadly such a let down and a real struggle to finish.
However, saying that, I do feel like it had potential and that it essentially wasn’t made to be an audiobook. Had I picked it up as an actual hard copy I think I would have enjoyed it more as I’d have been able to skip back easier and go over areas, I felt unsure of.
A Touch Of Darkness (Hades & Persephone, #1) – by St. Clair Scarlette (audiobook)
“Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shrivelled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes however when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favourite bets are rumoured to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can’t resist.
After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows―a love that is both captivating and forbidden.”
4 STARS: Another good romantasy, even if predictable. I love romantasies for their usual easy escapism and thus they also tend to receive quite high scores for me. A Touch Of Darkness had a decent plot and good character chemistry but we’ll see how the story continues over 3 books.
Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) – by Tahereh Mafi(book)
“It should have taken Juliette a single touch to kill Warner. But his mysterious immunity to her deadly power has left her shaken, wondering why her ultimate defence mechanism failed against the person she most needs protection from.
She and Adam were able to escape Warner’s clutches and join up with a group of rebels, many of whom have powers of their own. Juliette will finally be able to actively fight against The Reestablishment and try to fix her broken world. And perhaps these new allies can help her shed light on the secret behind Adam’s—and Warner’s—immunity to her killer skin.”
3.5 STARS: I was going to give this book 3 stars originally, same as the first in the series, as it took me forever to finish due to the start of this book just being a bit meh, however, it was the ending of the book that upped my rating in the end. I feel like characters and their development were just a bit slow and uninteresting; that is until Warner came into play towards the end of the book. I’m most intrigued by his and Juliette’s interactions and am looking forward to seeing how their story develops.
Have you read any of these? If so, what were your thoughts – I’d love to know. Also, if you want to stay up to date with my current reads why not give me a follow on Goodreads – I love seeing what everyone else is reading too!
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