August 3th, 2022

Hi hi!

How are you all doing? I hope July has been kind to you (and June ofc too).

A month ago, I would have told you July was great. I was getting ready for my trip to London, then went on my trip to London, and spent 3 days at YALC and London Film & Comic Con.

It was fun! I saw awesome actors (read: SANTIAGO CABRERA aka Merlin's Lancelot!) and met some great authors. I got my Heartstopper Vol. 1 signed by Alice Oseman (!!!) and won some really cool books!

And then I got sick *sadface*. I know where your mind travels first. No, it wasn't corona, so stop asking (okay, ofc you may ask but the answer is still no). And then I spent 3 weeks in bed (and counting, but I'm mostly just very tired now), feeling completely and utterly miserable.

I just typed an essay-long piece on everything I realised during these past 3 weeks, only to realise I don't really want to share it at all, so I deleted it. It's not that I want to keep all my very interesting insights to myself, but I don't think it really matters to anyone but me. And that's perfect :)

So instead, I'm going to share the usual! I'll start with a review of my favourite read of July, Something Fabulous.

"Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally.

It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up…romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again.

Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up…romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella and prove to her that he’s not the cold-hearted cad he seems to be.

Despite copious misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase to Dover with Bonny by his side. Bonny is unreasonable, overdramatic, annoying, and…beautiful? And being with him makes Valentine question everything he thought he knew. About himself. About love. Even about which Tarleton he should be pursuing." REVIEW:

Even though Arabella is one of the most infuriating characters in character history, this book was absolutely everything. I found myself laughing out loud so many times it hurt (in a very good way). And I have officially fallen in love with Bonny and Valentine💚 (And with Alexis Hall, he is the sweetest and I absolutely love to read anything he writes. Instagram captions included.)

CURRENTLY READING

I'm currently reading Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones. It's set in the 14th century in Barcelona when the city is at its moment of greatest prosperity. The inhabitants of the Ribera, the humble neighbourhood of fishermen, have decided to build the largest Maria cathedral ever known.

"A construction that moves parallel to the hazardous story of Arnau, son of a peasant serf, who flees from the abuses of his feudal lord and takes refuge in Barcelona, ​​where he becomes a citizen and, with it, a free man. While his best friend and adopted brother Joan studies to become a priest, young Arnau becomes a member of the guild of the stone-workers, soldier and moneychanger. A strenuous life which leads him from the misery of the fugitive to nobility and wealth. But with this privileged position he also gets the envy of his peers, who devise a sordid plot that puts his life in the hands of the Inquisition. He finds himself face-to-face with his own brother. Will he lose his life just as his beloved Cathedral of the Sea is finally completed?"

WOAH this book is so good. I think I've read maybe about 1/4th of it now, but if it keeps being like this, I will definitely rate it 4 or even 5 stars. Even though a lot of miserable things happen to Arnau and his dad, the story somehow gives off such a soothing vibe. It must be the writing style, but it's so nice to read. And I am very curious how the story will play out!

CURRENTLY WRITING Last week, I've been working (whenever I was able to) on a new chapter for my fantasy story. At this point I've completely let go of the 'what I "should" write' and am focusing on the 'what I want to write' so I'm going all out with strange creatures and crazy storylines. It's so much fun! It also made me realise I love unicorns. Where can I get one?

Okay, I think this was it for now. I hope you have a lovely day filled with lots of joy and laughter!

Love,

Annabel