Bank holiday weekends always mess with my head but lockdown is making them even more complicated. I’ve not known which day it was at any point in the last few days. Friday was Saturday. Saturday was Sunday. This morning? Who knows. On the plus side. I’m two books ahead of schedule. Normally, at this point, I’d be rushing to finish something for tomorrow’s review and panicking about Wednesday’s. Not this week baby. I finished them both by Friday. Of course, that means I’ve barely read anything this weekend but that’s okay. I’ve got my book club book to get through so that should spur me on a bit.

Weekly Blog Posts

• BOOKISH POST – Inside the Sun Virtual Book Tour 2020

There was a slight change to my usual posting schedule on Monday and I didn’t post a new review. Instead, as one of the stops of Alexis Marie Chute’s blog tour to promote her new books, Inside the Sun, I wrote something about the YA trilogy it’s part of. To find out more about one of the greatest YA fantasy trilogies that I’ve ever read, check out my post.

• TUESDAY REVIEW – Love Wedding Repeat (2020)

Another week and another Netflix original film. This time one of its romantic comedies. A film that clearly wanted to be a mix between a Richard Curtis ensemble piece and a dick joke fuelled Judd Apatow. Although, with an all-star cast including some big English comedy names, it at least had the potential to be a funny film. But was it? Read my review to see if the Netflix curse struck again.

• BOOK REVIEW – Girls Under Pressure by Jacqueline Wilson

This was the book in the trilogy that I was most nervous about rereading. It was always my favourite and it was such an important read for me as a teenager. It has such an important message and I always thought Jacqueline Wilson dealt with it in such a delicate and impactful way. But would it live up to my memory? Would my improved literary tastes make me see loads of flaws? Head over to my review to see if I still love it.

• THROWBACK THURSDAY – Death at a Funeral (2007)

No, not the Hollywood remake but the original British film. I’d never seen it before so I decided it was time to watch it. After all, it had such an envious cast of British talent. There are so many people I adore in this film that I expected it to be amazing. But was it? If you’re also feeling a bit nostalgic then head over to my review.

• FRIDAY FAVOURITES – Ranking the Star Wars Main Saga Films

In honour of Star Wars Day on Monday, I decided to end the debate once and for all. Just which film is the best? In the last few years, there have been plenty of opinions about this. And, let’s be honest, it’s getting stupid. People are saying shit about films that are clearly well-made just because they’re recent. I’m sick of it. Find out the answer once and for all by viewing my list.

Just Read

• Girls Out Late by Jacqueline Wilson

When I thought this series was only a trilogy, this was my least favourite book. I just didn’t find it as interesting or relevant as the others. But I had to go back anyway. I’m still not convinced by it but I guess it was always going to be difficult to follow the previous book.

• Girls in Tears by Jacqueline Wilson

I can finally say that I’ve finished the whole of this series. I got through the final book in the series at the end of this week. I have to say, I’m kind of glad that I didn’t read this as a teenager. I’m not sure I’d have been satisfied with it as a way to end the series.

Currently Reading

• Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin and Megan McDowell

I’m definitely going to get back to this book but I’ve got to finish my book club choice this week too. And I do want to finish Adam Buxton’s book as soon as possible.

• Ramble Book by Adam Buxton

I’ve had no problems sleeping this week so I haven’t needed to go back to this but I will do. Once I finished a load of work stuff that’s due soon, I might be able to get back to listening to books as I work.

Recently Purchased

I caved a bought a few Waterstones exclusives this week. I’m hoping that the floodgates haven’t opened.

• Come Again by Robert Webb – Not only is Robert Webb one of my favourite comedians/actors/people but I thoroughly enjoyed his last book. So, I knew that I had to get a copy of his first novel. When I found there were signed copies still available, it was an easy choice to go for it.
• Burn by Patrick Ness – I’ve not had a great past with Patrick Ness but I liked the sound of this one. Dragons in the 1950s? I’m more than willing to give that a try.
• The Vanishing Book by Jenni Spangler – This is Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month and it sounded amazing. A gothic fantasy about magic and orphans? It’s the kind of book I wish I’d read as a kid.
• Ramble Book by Adam Buxton – Yes, I know. I’ve already got the audiobook. But I love Adam Buxton. I have done since the first time my friends and I discovered their Channel 4 show. He’s super funny and interesting. I always knew I’d also buy a physical copy of this book, so why not plump for a signed one? It’s also a preorder so it doesn’t officially count as I haven’t actually paid for it yet.

Recently Watched

• TV:
  • Ink Master – I love it when people turn random things into a reality show. Competitive tattooing is such a great idea for a show and it’s my new obsession.
  • Game of Thrones – I’ve started watching from Season 2 again. I feel like I’ve watched season 1 recently and didn’t need to revisit the traumas of Ned and Drogo again so soon. My heart couldn’t take it.
• Films
  • You’ve Got Mail – My friends and I did another virtual movie night and picked this 90s classic. God, it feels so stupid and old now. People getting all excited about AOL and email. Tom Hanks’ character even writes “on line” instead of online. I bet nobody imagined just how badly this film would age when they made it.