January Wrap Up and February To Be Read

So thats January over and done with. In certain parts, it felt like it was never going to end, and then at other parts, it felt like it was going so quick!

So with the end of January all done with, it only means that I can go through with you all my Wrap Up for January and my To Be Read for the month of February.

January - Wrap Up

My January TBR was really quite small, as I only chose 2 books, and anything after that was a bonus!

My list was as follows:

❤ Witchborn by Nicholas Bowling

❤ Viper by Bex Hogan

What Did I Actually Read?

Throughout January I managed to read 11 books, which I am very pleased with.

📚 Witchborn by Nicholas Bowling (26.12.2020 - 09.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

This was an ok book for me, I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book being set in Elizabethan England. But the plot didn't grip as I had hoped it would.

📚 The Commanding Italians Challenge by Maya Blake (01.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

This was a nice quick Mills and Boon read, which I needed for New Years Day.

📚 Chosen For His Desert Throne by Caitlin Crews (01.01.2021 - 06.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

This was a nice Mills and Boon book that was enjoyable to read.

📚 One Moment Please by Amy Daws (07.01.2021 - 08.01.2021)⭐⭐⭐

This was another nice quick contemporary romance read.

📚 Viper by Bex Hogan (09.01.2021 - 17.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was probably my favourite book of the month. It did take me a while to get into it as I had a reall bad case of a reading slump.

But I really enjoyed the book, and I need to read the second and third books, but Im going to wait until the third book is released later in the year.

📚 Claiming His Bollywood Cinderella by Tara Pammi (10.01.2021 - 12.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

This was another quick read, as I mentioned earlier I had a reading slump, so reading this quick and easy Mills and Boon read.

📚 The Billionaires Troublesome Triplets by Holly Rayner (12.01.2021 - 14.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

Another quick and enjoyable contemporary romance read.

📚 Boomerangers by Heather M. Orgeron (18.01.2021 - 19.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

📚 Marx Girl by T.L. Swan (December - 20.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

📚 After the Billionaires Wedding Vows by Lucy Monroe (20.01.2021 - 21.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

📚Waking Up In His Royal Bed by Kim Lawrence (26.01.2021 - 28.01.2021) ⭐⭐⭐

February - To Be Read

My reading plans for February is reasonably small. I only want to try and read 3 books.

Bar 1 book, 2 of the books I have already started them through January.

So the books I have chosen are as follows:

🦢A Crown of Talons by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

☕Talking As Fast As I can by Lauren Graham - But I am listening to the Audiobook for this one.

🌹A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer.

What did you reading in January look like and what are your reading plans for February.

Top TV Shows to Binge Watch

I thought for todays post, that I would focus on some recommendations of some binge-worthy TV shows as a means of getting through this latest lockdown!

During the first lockdown and in the time since then, with all of the tiers and further lockdowns and unable to leave the house, I have watched a lot of TV to keep me occupied!

COMEDY

Staged – BBC and Netflix - Starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen. This show is primarily done through web cams, and shows Michael and David rehearsing a play over video calls during the first lockdown. it was one of my highlights to watch, and has recently started a 2nd series, which I've already watched, and thought it was just as good as the first!

Derry Girls - Netflix/Channel 4 - Set in Derry, Northern Ireland in the 1990s, Derry Girls shows 5 teenagers navigating their teen years with their families during the Derry Troubles. It currently only has 2 seasons, season 3 was postponed due to Covid, but is hilariously funny, and well worth a watch.

New Girl - Netflix - Starring Zooey Deschanel. This show looks at Jess, the main character, moving in with 3 very different male roommates, going through different phases of each of their lifes. It is very funny, and because the episodes are only 20-30 minutes long, very easy to get through! There are 7 seasons in total.

DRAMA

Gilmore Girls – Netflix – Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. This show looks at the relationship between a mother and her daughter, who are more like friends and their lives in their small town with a mix of characters thrown in for good measure! This has been one of my favourite shows to watch for many years, and one that I can re-watch time and time again. The show ran for 7 seasons with 4 special edition episodes in 2016.

Chasing Life - STARZ Play on Amazon - Starring Italia Ricci. Be prepared to have tissues at the ready for this emotional drama. It follows the story of April Carver who is diagnosed with cancer and the way she handles her diagnosis, treatment and relationships. The show only ran for 2 series.

Poldark - Netflix - Based on the novels by Winston Graham and starring Aidan Turner as the titular character. Poldark tells the story of a captain that has returned from the American Revolutionary war to Cornwall to rebuild his life. There are currently 4 out of 5 series on Netflix.

ADAPTATIONS

The Last Kingdom - Netflix - Based on the books by Bernard Cornwell, starring Alexander Dreymon as the title character  this show is absolutely the definition of a binge watch show! As soon as you have finished one episode you need to watch the next one! This show centres on Uhtred of Bebbanburg who was taken from his Saxon home and raised by Vikings and later fights for King Alfred. There are currently 4 seasons on Netflix, it has been renewed for a 5th, but delayed due to the pandemic.

North and South - Netflix - Based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe. North and South is the story of a young woman who moves from the south of England to the industrial North of England. This is a mini series, as it consists of only 4 episodes, and in my opinion, is of the best adaptations!

The Witcher - Netflix - Based on the novels by Andrezej Sapkowski and starring Henry Cavill. The Witcher follows 3 different characters at different points in time, going through different adventures before culminating with all 3 characters storylines merging in to one time. Due to thw nature of the way the story is set out, it is very easy to watch one episode after another! Currently there is only 1 season, as the second season has been delayed due to Covid.

As we're still enjoying the delights of Lockdown, please feel free to give me some of your recommendations, I'm always after something new to watch!

I hope you're all keeping safe!

Vanessa