June favourites! Inferno | Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell | Soap & Glory

It’s July, which means: The Next Together is released in exactly 2 months tomorrow, whaaaaaat?!?!

[high pitched squeal]

[deep, calming breaths]

It also means that it’s time for another monthly favourites post! I really enjoy these, so I’m going to carry on writing them. Previously: April | May 

Book: Inferno by Catherine Doyle

Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather in the second instalment of Catherine Doyle’s Blood for Blood series. Sophie’s life has been turned upside-down, and she’s determined to set things right. But Nic, the Falcone brother who represents everything she’s trying to forget, won’t give up on their love – and it’s Luca’s knife she clutches for comfort. Soon another mafia clan spoils the fragile peace – and with her heart drawn in one direction and her blood in another, Sophie’s in deeper than ever.

Okay, I know this is cheating. The book isn’t out until JANUARY. But Catherine let me sneakily read it now because I am a lucky, lucky, shameless beggar, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I just went to Venice, and every time I saw an Italian boy I wondered whether they were a Mafia Underboss. I blame this entirely on Cat.

I think I’m going to have to start a petition for this series to be made into a Netflix Original show. It’s the best, best, best YA romance-slash-Mafia action film that you could ever HOPE FOR. I was stressed out and thrilled by everything. IT WAS SO GOOD. SO GOOD. SUCH BAD-ASSERY. Sophie totally comes into her own in this book, and I swear to god she’s going to end up being the Mafia Queen, and I’m going to be cheering her on the entire journey. In summary: THIS BOOK IS A WILD RIDE. I need the next one, which tragically isn’t out until 2017. CAN I WAIT THAT LONG? No. Definitely not.

Music:  Your Bright Blood playlist This is a playlist about the book The Song of Achilles, and it is super great. I’ve been listening to it on repeat recently. Includes Bastille, Noah and the Whale, Regina Spektor, Vampire Weekend, and other excellent bands. You should listen to it while you read the rest of this post, js.

TV: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell This is a BBC mini-series that is currently airing, based on one of my all-time favourite books. It’s about two Victorian gentlemen magicians, who are the first people able to do actual magic in centuries. They help the British Army in the Napoleon wars, while arguing over textbooks and becoming acquaintances/enemies/besties. It’s complicated and ridiculous and I love it. It. is. amazing. Mainly because of Jonathan Strange.

Oh, Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan. This ridiculously dorky magician is my new obsession. Just look at him do magic, and tell me he isn’t a fluffy-haired dreamboat:

Do you see my point? You see my point. Jonathan Strange = babe. BABE. Okay, that’s enough gifs. OH WAIT, NO IT ISN’T.

Recipe: Sweet cornbread cake

I made this recently, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. It’s the most perfectly dense, rich sponge cake, and it has just a tinge of sweetness. I love ittttt.

Article: Maggie Stiefvater’s writing blog series

I’ve been reading one of these a day for the whole of June, and savouring them like expensive chocolates. Maggie’s advice and experiences are so true and real, and I learnt a lot of new things, and agree whole-heartedly with everything else. Some of my favourites: Artist & Thief | Red = Rage. Ocean = Longing. Literary = | Why I’m A Writer & Not a Fighter Pilot | I Sneak Into Your Brain And Make You Think My Thoughts

Product: Soap & Glory Whipped Clean shower butter

This stuff is great. It smells like heaven does, probably. That’s basically my whole thoughts on it. It’s great.

Stationery: Venetian writing paper I just got back from Venice. It was amazing. Also very hot and busy and expensive. But WORTH IT.

I bought some lovely fancy writing paper while I was there, which I have been stroking lovingly since I got back. LOOK AT IT.

Nex time you’re in Venice and in need of stationary (AREN’T WE ALL?) then this is great stuff, 100% would recommend. That’s June summaried! I have to go back to staring at my writing paper now. Laters.

P.S. THAT’S RIGHT. The Bookseller described my book as ‘funny, romantic and compulsively readable’. I will never be over this. Ever.