
JANUARY RECAP // ya contemporary reads, rare book shopping, all the films & life updates
Only a TEENSY bit late this time. Just a smol week. Not helpful crying over spilt milk folks, let’s just get right into it!!!
One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus {★★★★☆}: gosh I love me a McManus book because I just KNOW I’ll have a great time. It’s a guarantee at this point. This was no exception. Didn’t beat book two for me but it was still a blast and I highly enjoyed my time with her. Still deciding if I’m doing a full review for this one, so I’ll send you over to GR for now!!! Ty to Penguin Random House SA for the review copy!
When You Get The Chance by Emma Lord {★★★★★}: finally got off my lazy ass and have mostly caught up with my fave Lord and saviour *sighs* I have a whole review coming very soon so stay tuned for that but yes I am incredibly stupid for doubting this author AGAIN GAHHHH. This book was literally everything and I’m so excited to yell about it. Big thanks to Pan Macmillan SA for the review copy and Wednesday Books for the eARC via Netgalley! Click here for the GR review xoxox
Begin Again by Emma Lord {★★★★★}: also have a review planned for this one so keeping my lips sealed but yes she was excellent and Emma Lord is a writer whizz who I will worship forever more. Just two more to go and I’ll be fully caught up. Tysm to Pan Mac for the review copy and Macmillan International for the eARC via Edelweiss! Right over here for the GR review xoxoxo
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston {★★★☆☆}: she just needed to be longer okay,,, and I need A Novel Love Story right now. K that is all. Click here for the GR review!
Big thank you to Pan Macmillan SA for sending me a review copy of:
- The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil by Shubnum Khan
I will stop. Maybe. Hopefully. For now, here are some of my favourite purchases lately, more on Reels/TikTok:
- The Waves by Virginia Woolf ~ Vintage classics edition bought
- Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
- The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
- The Silent Patient by Michael Michaelides
- Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by JM Barrie, illustrated by Arthur Rackham ~ first edition from 1906
Letterboxd says I’ve seen a lot but somehow I don’t remember watching them? I’m getting old folks,,,
Apparently, I’ve been in my ~thriller~ era these days, none of them all that good honestly. But oh well, here’s the list:
- A Time to Kill
- The Client
- Flightplan
- Run
I also watched Sharp Objects and oh my actual GOD IT WAS AMAZING!!!! I need to go read Gillian Flynn asap because she is a genius and this show was perfection!!!!!!!
And I’ve had all the new releases to catch up on, let’s rank from worst to best:
- The Color Purple
- Saltburn
- Mean Girls
- All of Us Strangers
- Poor Things
- The End We Start From
Not much has been up with me lately. Just been going through the trenches of job hunting and trying to keep myself from sinking into the depths of mental health. I know I’m sarcastic, it’s my coping mechanism welp,,,
But I’m okay overall, ups and downs really. Sending you all love and hugs <3<3<3

WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO LAST MONTH? WHAT BOOKS DID YOU READ? WHICH WAS YOUR FAVOURITE READ? DID YOU WATCH ANYTHING? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? LET ME KNOW!



4 Comments
Sophie @ Me & Ink
I’m sorry you didn’t love Colour Purple, I didn’t know much about it but I thought it would be good! I’m glad you enjoyed Poor Things more, it looks interesting. I look forward to watching it! Have you seen many of Yorgos Lanthimos’s films? If so, do you have a favourite?
Sending lots of best wishes your way! 🥰✨
Ruby Rae Reads
Welp sorry about the late reply, finally catching up 😅 yeah I enjoyed The Colour Purple was fine but I hadn’t seen the original so felt like I was missing out,,, Bit Poor Things is an absolute HOOT. Haven’t seen his others yet but wanting to get to all of them asap ☺️
Caro @ bookcheshirecat
So glad to see that you loved both When You Get the Chance and Begin Again, I really enjoyed them as well 💖 Best of luck with your job hunt, I hope you find something soon! 🥰 I know how tough it can be!
Ruby Rae Reads
I was on a roll and then stopped before her latest one lmaoooo but I’ll get to it. I’ve actually found an internship!!!! Which I’ve just started and so far so good 😊