Nayu's News #259 Autumn catch up

Mizuki from Aikatsu! looking gorgeous as ever at night

 

 November has marched along mostly to me having a lot of poor sleep which was not very fun. It's why I decided not to catch up with October reading and playing lists, to give myself grace. Starting to sleep a bit better, kind of, which is nice especially as the weather is getting distinctly colder which my body hates. Busy with gaming or TV watching. I am getting back into the habit of watching anime daily as my rest time, which is fun for sure! 

 As for my laptop charger. My laptop is old, and in the next few years I will need a new one. For a long time whenever I use it the charger gets crazy hot, like so much so I feel it could be a safety issue. Last week I ordered a new one, not too expensive, thankfully. And you know what? It is so much cooler that I have to wonder what on earth was wrong my original one. It's been on a few hours and is cool to the touch apart from a slightly warm area. This is in stark contrast to the so hot I feared it might set on fire older charger. So if a charger is heating up, I advise getting a replacement. Maybe it can be cleaned if you a techincally minded person. I'm not and I don't want to electrocute myself thus a new charger happened!

Hope you all are having a good week start to autumn!  

Sakura from Aikatsu!

 

What I read in August 2024

August has been a busy reading month for me, I joined my local library to get mostly audiobooks easily but I'm reading a few ebooks too (not loving it on my phone though). I also joined Kindle Unlimited. I ummed and ahhed for a few days, but it has so many genres I love (especially urban fantasy) that I decided to try it and so far it's working really well. It's similar price to if I wanted to go use my local library with family taking me so it makes sense for me. Let's see what I've read! 

 The Summer I Saved the Wild by Rachel Faturoti, Children's, Middle Grade, very good
It was a bit too much save the planet for me but the overall tale was enjoyable. Review here

 

 Vern and Lettuce by Sarah McIntyre, Children's, Graphic novel, 7 years +, excellent
A hilarious animal friendship duo have a lot of fun together. Review here.

 

 Pirate Academy by Justin Somper, Children's, Middle Grade, reread, excellent
Book 2 is more exciting and drama filled than book 1 in this sea adventure series. Review here.

 

 A Gift of Grace by Amy Cliptson, Audiobook, Amish romance, relisten, excellent
First in a beautiful Amish bakery series that I relisten to at least twice a year 

 

A Promise of Hope by Amy Clipston, Audiobook, Amish romance, relisten, excellent
The focus on God and family is always interesting

 A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston, Audiobook, Amish romance, relisten, excellent
A true comfort read

 

 Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage by Teresa F Morgan, Romance, reread, excellent
Maddy has a cat, and together they find shelter in their initially unpleasant neighbour's life due to a fire that was not an accident.

 Heart's Sentinel by P J Schnyder, Romance, Reread, excellent
This shapeshifter tale is heartwarming as MacKenzie learns to be both cat and human. Review here

 

Vox by Christine Dulcher, Dystopian, Thriller, very good
Scary future where in America women's voices are reduced to just 100 words, jobs aren't allowed and much worse in this thriller.

 

 The Girl in Seat 2B by Diana Wilkinson, Thriller, very good
Lots of fake living in this tale

 

 Raz Beri by Matt Stephens, Children's, Middle Grade, excellent,
Life in a wheelchair isn't easy but Billy learns to stand up for himself. Review here

 Touch and Feel: Farm by Spring Street, Children's, Board Book, Picture book, very good
Several animals have various parts in soft material for young ones to investigate. Review here.

 

 Are You Small? by Mo Willems, Children's, Picture book, Non-fiction, excellent
Many small things are investigated in this book. Review here.

 Contest by Matthew Reilly, Audiobook, relisten, excellent
The 1st book by the now award winning thriller author, a father and daughter end up in an alien competition to the death

 Sara's Dream Role by Holly Webb, Children's, Middle Grade, excellent
Being at drama school with a drama resistant family is hard on Sara. 

 

 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Classic literature, very good
Finally a Jane Austen I understood mostly, but didn't like the end as the character I liked, Elinor, didn't end up with who I wanted. This wasn't the edition I had but I love the cover.

 Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie, Urban Fantasy, excellent
A new to me series which is so addictive, has a good balance of drama and humour (a cover I don't like)

 

Dark Arts and a Daiquiri by Annette Marie, Urban Fantasy, excellent
2nd in the compelling series that I can't stop reading (cover is so-so)

 Two Witches and a Whiskey by Annette Marie, Urban Fantasy, excellent
Life is a bit darker for Tori, but she has the best sidekicks and friends

 Demon Magic and a Martini by Annette Marie, Urban Fantasy, excellent
Tori continues to lead a magic filled life, much to her brother's disgust. 

 

 The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie, Urban Fantasy, excellent
So much major drama in this installment I was taken by surprise a lot.

What I played in July 2024

So as not to make super long posts, and for anyone who isn't interested in gaming, I'm doing my what I played gaming post separate to my what I read post. Hope you enjoy it! 

 

Constantly enjoying hoop of the week and the daily hoops in Stitch on Nintendo Switch

 

Getting a Disney fix from Disney Magical World on my Nintendo 3DS XL 

Enjoyed familiar favourite songs in Hatsune Miku Project Mirai on my Nintendo 3DS XL

 

Finished the cute find the cat in Hidden Cats in Paris on Nintendo Switch

Finished Fae Farm, whose DLC wasn't my fave aspect on Nintendo Switch

The black and white short game A Winding Path was a fun few hours that I finished in two sessions on Nintendo Switch. 

 

Started the time management cleaning game Hotel Hustle with raccoons as the protagonist on Nintendo Switch 

 Started a point and click adventure, First Time in Paris on Nintendo Switch. Visited Paris as a teen, didn't like it that much. The game is fun though.

 

 Started Mary Skelter 2, a first person dungeon crawler horror with cute graphics but scary premise. Played the other 2 games in the trilogy, this one is new and is being played before the 1st game as oddly that's how it's meant to be. All on Nintendo Switch, by a fave company Idea Factory

 

Finished a cute farming game, Story of Seasons Pioneers of Olive Town which had me zipping about on a bike the later part of the game on Nintendo Switch

 

 Continued the calmer farming DLC to Eastward: Octopia on Nintendo Switch (pic generic stock image not my personal farm)

 

 Since I finished one farming sim I started another, Story of Seasons Doraemon Friends of the Great Kingdom. In the very early stages of this Nintendo Switch game. 

What I read in July 2024

I unfortunately do not have the energy to review every book I read or every game I play. I frequently say stuff on Twitter, but that's about it. I feel it would be nice to get back into the habit of monthly reads' plays so at least you know what I've been reading and gaming. So let's begin with the books! The games will be in a separate post

Due to being tired and unwell more than normal I didn't read a lot this month and that's ok

The Abandonned Empress by Yuna and Ina, Korean Manga, Excellent

The fact each page is full colour has me so happy! Trying not to be killed in her reincarnated life, this little Empress is smart, has the most beautiful clothes and a tale that I'm intrigued by and wish I could afford more than one book every 1-2 months. 

AdelAIDE by Melinda Salisbury, Young Adult, Dyslexia Friendly, Teen, Excellent 

And people wonder I don't like AI! this is edge of the seat reading. Review here.

 

 Peter Pan by J M Barrie, Classic Literaure, Okay 

Peter is the villain - he kills pirates! Literally! Glad I read it but won't reread. Review here.

 

Pirate Academy #1 New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper, Children's, 7 years +, Excellent

Adored Justin's Vampireate series, check out my review here.

Sunshine At the Cornish Bakery by Sarah Hope, Romance, Very good 

Who doesn't love a bakery themed read? Yes it made me want pastries a lot. But was a sweet romance. 

Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts, Thriller, Audiobook, very good

1st ever Nora Roberts book, long but extremely clever with plot twists. Looking forward to the other books I have of hers.