Music, Books and Bank Holiday – August 2024 Overview

I think August 2024 being over is the strangest month for me as it’s now the ‘ber’ months. And that means it’s pretty much the countdown until Christmas. This is both exciting as it’s my favourite time of the year, but also terrifying how quick time is going.

I definitely had a busier month in August than I’ve had for the past few months, and the next few weeks don’t slow down. But we do go on holiday in a few weeks so that will be a chance to slow down a bit.

Things I got up to in August 2024

Me and Luke did a bit of shopping at the start of the month with a trip to Bicester Village. My main mission was to get a new purse and I now own my first piece of Mulberry which is super special. We didn’t go too crazy in the outlets each picking up a few bits and pieces, but nothing crazy. We did some shopping in another outlet centre, and Milton Keynes over the month so very retail therapy filled.

In the middle of the month Luke planned a day out for us. We started off going to a rage room where you donned overalls and masks and got to smash things up. It felt so cathartic using hammers and bats to smash up office equipment and glasses. And it was great cardio work. In the afternoon we headed to Port Lympne wildlife park and had a really great few hours seeing the animals and enjoying the sunshine.

Then for Bank Holiday weekend we spent four days in the Peak District. I’m going to do a whole post on what we got up to but it was such a lovely weekend. It was filled with walks and nature, nice food and some relaxing too.

I had two live music events one after another in early August. It started with Bludfest a new festival run by Yungblud in Milton Keynes. One of my friends was working it so got some of us access and it was such a fun day just chilling and listening to good music in the sunshine. Then the next day I ticked off a bucket list artist when I saw Justin Timberlake. His voice is incredible and it was such a good show, even if Luke hated having to come with me.

Things I watched and read

I had two trips to the cinema during August 2024. It started with a solo trip to see It ends with us, the Coleen Hoover book adaptation. I read the book a few years ago and loved it, although that doesn’t feel like the right words considering the topics included. I think they did a pretty great job translating it to the screen and I did sob near the end.

In complete contrast me and Luke saw the new Alien movie in the month. It was a tiny bit jumpy but I actually really enjoyed it, and Luke said it had the same feeling as the first movie and not the later ones (not that I could remember). What impressed me was finding out how little CGI they actually used throughout.

TV wise the only thing I really watched was Love is Blind UK. I love the trashy reality of these shows but there were definitely some red flag contestants for me.

All things books

Near the start of the month me and a friend headed to Bookfest which is a summer event hosted by Waterstones. While it was a little overwhelming I did manage to get some books signed, pick up a brand new release and win some proofs so it was a pretty great day. Then near the end of the month I had another solo event at Kensington Library with Juno Dawson and Maureen Johnson. The pair worked so well together and I had a great time.

My favourite books of the month

I love pushing myself to read books by authors I’m going to events of so two of my three top books were thanks to this.

• Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson was my only five start of the month. It’s a book all about a coven of witches and it was full of magic and strong female characters who I loved. And the chapters flitted between the few main characters which I loved. I’m already reading book two as I loved this one so much.
• Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson was another fav of the month. It’s a YA thriller mystery set in a pretty unique school. It gave me the feels of A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder and I absolutely loved it. I want to read the rest of the series soon to see how it pans out.
• In Memoriam by Alice Winn was my book club’s buddy read of the month and I loved it (as much as you can love devastating books set during the war). I don’t tend to read books like this but it was so emotional and the relationship between the two main characters was pretty beautiful.

Things that made me happy in August 2024

During the month I headed up to Morley just outside Leeds for my latest tattoo appointment. I had a half day session with a lovely artist called Charlotte who added three pieces to my collection including my current favourite tattoo of a celestial wyvern on my left arm. For the next few sessions I think I need to focus on one arm and start filling in some of the gaps in my patchwork design.

Wingstop opened in Milton Keynes a month ago and we made a trip in August. And my goodness the garlic parmesan and lemon pepper chicken were just incredible. We definitely need to make another trip soon.

Across both the new book club I joined and a women’s F1 group I have a few bubbles of lovely ladies I can chat to which I am loving. The small F1 group is filled with some amazing people and we’re all similar Autumn, bookish, F1 lovers and it’s so nice to have this new space.

What did you get up to in August 2024?