The Fault Is Not Mine

killercahill @ 2026-05-10T22:47:00

2026-05-10T21:50:28Z

There’s a reblog game going around Tumblr asking: “what’s the happiest you’ve ever felt while watching a sporting event?” and I’ve been thinking about it all evening.

Of course there’s the obvious joy of watching your favourite players win. Seeing Jannik Siner lift trophies makes me ridiculously happy every single time. But some of my happiest moments in tennis aren’t even attached to a result.

They’re moments.

Walking into Wimbledon and seeing the courts for the first time that year. Sitting in stadiums in different countries just before play starts, when the whole place is buzzing with anticipation. Watching a match suddenly turn because momentum in tennis is such a strange, beautiful thing. Realising you’re watching a player you’ll still remember thirty years later.

I’ve loved tennis for so long that my memories of it are layered through my life now. From watching John McEnroe as a kid to following players and coaches across decades, surfaces, eras, countries. Tennis has been the constant soundtrack underneath everything.

So I think maybe the happiest feeling isn’t one single sporting moment.

It’s that feeling when a match completely pulls you in and, for a few hours, the rest of the world disappears.

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killercahill @ 2026-05-06T22:01:00

2026-05-06T21:02:55Z

I’ve been circling back to this idea for a while now, and I think I’m finally just going to… start.

Hi. It’s Kitty. (If you’ve ever called me Katherine, no you didn’t.)

I’ve been fannish my whole life, really—tennis first, always, and then books, and then somehow ending up emotionally entangled with The Vampire Chronicles at a frankly formative age. That part isn’t new.

What *is* new is being properly online about it. Actually posting, actually talking to people, actually letting myself exist in fandom spaces instead of just hovering at the edges. That’s only really been the last couple of years. I’m still getting used to it, if I’m honest.

And I think that’s what this space is going to be.

Not just books. Not just tennis. Not just fandom. All of it, a little bit at a time. The things I’m loving, the things I’m thinking about, the things I can’t quite shake. Recs, rambles, small moments, probably too many feelings about matches I should have emotionally prepared for and didn’t.

I don’t want this to feel like I have to be an expert in anything. I’ve been around the sport a long time, I’ve read a lot of books, I’ve loved things very deeply—but that doesn’t mean I know everything, and honestly I don’t want to act like I do. I just want to enjoy things. And talk about them. And maybe find other people who enjoy them too.

I’d like this to be a bit more… open, I think. More conversational. I want to interact more, recommend things, find new people, be a little braver about saying hello instead of just quietly observing from the sidelines.

So if you’re here for tennis, or books, or fanworks, or just the general chaos of someone in her 50s still getting deeply invested in things—welcome. Pull up a chair. Stay a while.

I’m very glad you’re here. 💜

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A Summer Abroad:

2025-12-27T11:46:01Z

1. You have the summer and plenty of money to travel abroad. Where all would you go?
This wouldn’t be a whirlwind, tick-the-boxes kind of summer. It would be slow, indulgent, and unapologetically Europe-focused — a mix of returning to places I already love and lingering long enough to actually feel them again.

France would be essential: Paris for museums, bookshops, and aimless walking, then south to Provence for markets, lavender, and the sort of lunches that stretch into the afternoon.

Italy would follow — Rome for history that still makes my chest tighten a little, Florence for art, and then a few quiet coastal days somewhere beautiful and blue, armed with a book and no real plans.

Spain, too: Barcelona, yes, but also somewhere slightly smaller — Valencia or Seville — for warmth, colour, and food that feels joyful.

Monte Carlo and the Riviera would absolutely be on the list. Some places aren’t just destinations; they’re memory-keepers.

England would still matter, even though it’s home. London for bookshops, theatre, and long walks, and Wimbledon season because honestly, how could it not? It’s less a destination and more a ritual — one I’m lucky enough to return to every year.

And if I let myself add one elegant wildcard? Vienna or Prague. A little old‑world, a little bookish, a little melancholy — exactly my speed.

I’d also have to acknowledge that a lot of my travel already revolves around tennis. Following the tour pulls me across borders as a matter of course — different cities, different surfaces, different rhythms — so this summer wouldn’t be about chasing tournaments. It would be about staying long enough in places to experience them beyond the stadium gates.

2. What foods would you be sure you got to eat?
Food wouldn’t be incidental on this trip. It would be central.

In France: fresh bread, good butter, cheese eaten daily without apology, and pastries every single morning — pain au chocolat, almond croissants, and something custardy I didn’t plan on ordering.

In Italy: proper cacio e pepe, tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes, and gelato every evening (purely for balance).

In Spain: tapas, especially anything involving ham or anchovies, and paella eaten by the sea even if it’s slightly touristy.

And everywhere: excellent coffee, taken slowly, preferably while people-watching. No rushing. No guilt.

3. What landmarks would you be sure you got to see?
There would be a few obvious ones — the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Colosseum — but only the parts I truly love. No endurance sightseeing.

Wimbledon, of course: the grounds, the museum, Centre Court if I were lucky.

But my real landmarks are quieter:

• independent bookshops • old cemeteries • libraries • writers’ houses • cafés where you’re allowed to sit for an hour without being moved along

Places with atmosphere matter more to me than famous facades.

4. What airline would you use?
This is not a budget-airline summer.

I’d choose something calm, reliable, slightly old-school — British Airways, Air France, maybe KLM. A checked bag. A glass of wine. The feeling that the journey itself is part of the experience, not something to endure.

5. Would your knowledge of other languages influence where you went?
Yes — but softly.

I’d feel more relaxed in France, Italy, and Spain, knowing I can read menus, follow snippets of conversation, and feel a little less like I’m hovering on the outside of things.

That said, I wouldn’t avoid anywhere just because I didn’t speak the language. Curiosity would win. It would simply change how I experienced a place — more listening, more observing, more absorbing.

This is very much a fantasy summer, but it’s also revealing. I’m not chasing novelty for its own sake. I want beauty, familiarity, good food, books, tennis, and time — the luxury of lingering.

And honestly? That feels like a pretty perfect way to travel.

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A Softer Kind of Bookish Reset for the New Year

2025-12-27T11:24:59Z

I don’t usually make loud New Year’s resolutions, especially when it comes to reading. Reading has always been one of the most natural, comforting parts of my life, and I’m very aware of how easily it can start to feel like work if I let it.

So this year, instead of goals and pressure, I’m choosing a small bookish reset — a few quiet intentions that bring me back to why I read in the first place.

Using the Library I Love

One thing I really want to be more mindful of is making proper use of my local library. It’s right there, full of stories waiting to be discovered, and I don’t want it to be an afterthought.

Borrowing books feels different to buying them — lighter somehow, less committal, more curious. This year I want to lean into that: more library visits, more spontaneous picks, more “let’s just try this and see.”

Making the Most of Kindle Unlimited

I’m also determined to get better value out of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I tend to forget about it, then remember in bursts, then forget again — which feels like a waste when there’s so much available.

I’d love to explore more backlist titles, comfort reads, and maybe even a few genres I wouldn’t normally prioritise. Low pressure, no guilt if something doesn’t work — just reading for the sake of it.

Playing Along with StoryGraph Challenges

This is the year I finally want to lean into StoryGraph reading challenges properly. Not as rigid rules, but as gentle prompts — nudges toward books I might not otherwise pick up.

I like the idea of structure without force, and StoryGraph feels much more aligned with how I actually read: moods, themes, curiosity, and changeable energy levels all welcome.

Stepping Away from Social Media Reading Pressure

This is probably the biggest shift for me.

I’ve realised that content creation and social media have started to change how I approach reading — what I pick up, how fast I read, and even how I think about books while I’m still inside them. And I don’t like that feeling.

So this year, I’m letting that go.

I’ll still write — blog posts, reaction pieces, reviews — but only here, in long-form, where I can take my time and say what I actually mean. No chasing trends, no reading “for content,” no pressure to perform my reading life for an algorithm.

Just books. Just thoughts. Just me.

Reading, Reclaimed

If there’s a theme to all of this, it’s intention. Slower reading. Kinder choices. Letting reading be something that fills me up instead of something I manage.

That feels like a very good way to begin the year.

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Hello Again

2025-12-13T18:27:56Z

Hi friends — it feels a little strange popping up here again, like wandering back into a room where the lights are low and someone’s left a mug of tea waiting for you. I’ve missed this space more than I realised. Life has been doing its usual thing of getting busy around the edges, and I blinked and suddenly months had gone by without a peep from me.

But here I am, settling back in, dusting off the corners a bit, and thinking it might be nice to make this a cozy little corner again. Nothing dramatic — just a soft return. A gentle “hello” rather than a trumpet blast.

Lately I’ve been juggling the usual mix of books, tennis, and a slightly chaotic Spotify expedition (my music taste is still stuck somewhere around 1996, but I’m working on it). There’s been a lot of thinking, too — about the season winding down, about stories I want to tell, and about the small comforts of having a space that isn’t rushing me anywhere.

Over the next week or so, I’ll share a few bits: what I’m reading, what I’m watching, what I’m obsessing over (spoiler: still tennis), and maybe a memory or two that’s been lingering in my mind. Just small things. Quiet things.

If you’re still here — hi. It’s lovely to see you. If you’ve just wandered in — welcome. I hope you’ll make yourself at home.

Let’s ease back into this together.

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Book Review: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

2025-08-23T14:06:48Z

📚 Quick Take:

Bleak, biting, and deliberately monotonous — a novel about opting out of life that sometimes just ends up shutting the reader out too.

✍️ My Thoughts:
I picked this up because I’d heard so much about it — the cult “sad girl lit” favourite, the book where a woman decides to sleep for an entire year. The premise is bold, and on paper it’s exactly the sort of offbeat character study I usually enjoy.

But here’s the thing: the narrator is thoroughly unlikeable (deliberately so), the tone is relentlessly cynical, and the pacing mirrors her sedation — slow, repetitive, and often disorientating. I can admire Moshfegh’s commitment to the idea, but I found myself switching off long before the narrator did.

There are glimmers of brilliance. Moshfegh skewers the emptiness of early 2000s Manhattan wealth culture with a razor-sharp eye, and the black humour occasionally landed for me. But the flashes of wit weren’t enough to make up for a reading experience that felt more exhausting than engrossing.

Would I recommend it? Only if you’re very much in the mood for something dark, bitter, and still. I understand why it resonates so strongly with some readers — the themes of grief, alienation, and the desperate urge to retreat from the world are powerful. But for me, the execution tipped too far into monotony.

📖 Vibe Check:
💊 Sedation chic
🖤 Cynical humour
📉 Nothing happens (by design)

💬 Favourite Quote:
“I was always angry that people couldn’t see into my head, that they were content to glimpse me only from the outside.”

⭐️ Final Rating:
2 stars. Conceptually sharp, but the reading experience left me cold — more numbing than illuminating.

Not every book lands the same way for everyone — this one simply wasn’t for me. But if you read it and loved it, I’d genuinely like to hear why it worked for you. Sometimes those different perspectives are just as fascinating as the books themselves.

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thefridayfive for 22 August 2025

2025-08-21T21:49:59Z

1. Have you ever stayed in a hostel? If so, where? Did you like it? If you haven't stayed in a hostel, would you? No — I never have, and I don’t think I ever will. Even when I was younger, I was more likely to end up in a little family-run hotel or something slightly nicer. Hostels have never really appealed to me; I can “rough it” if I must, but only if roughing it involves room service and at least three pillows. I like a proper bed, a bit of quiet, and the ability to unpack without worrying someone’s going to nick my shampoo.

2. What is your favo(u)rite airport that you've been to? Why? Changi in Singapore. It’s the only airport that’s ever made me wish I had more time before my flight. Waterfalls, gardens, food that isn’t just sad sandwiches — it’s practically a five-star hotel masquerading as a transport hub. Heathrow could never

3. What is the best museum you have visited on vacation? The Uffizi in Florence. Walking into the room with Botticelli’s Birth of Venus felt like being slapped across the face by beauty. I nearly cried. It’s one of those moments where you think, “oh, this is why we put up with queues and blisters and dodgy train timetables.”

4. Have you ever made friends while traveling whom you keep in touch with on a regular basis? Not in a lasting way. I’ve had those glorious holiday friendships where you’re inseparable for three days, then never see each other again. I rather like that, honestly — no pressure, just golden little moments, like postcards you keep in your head.

5. Have you ever had a conversation with a seatmate on a plane? Yes, though I usually hope for the universal signal of headphones in, book open, please don’t. But once, on a transatlantic, I sat beside a woman who told me her entire life story — loves, losses, scandals. It was like being handed a novel, only with complimentary gin and tonic.

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stunned at myself

2025-08-21T11:05:28Z

last night really got away from me. I should know better than to open up the anon box after dark, but somehow I let myself get pulled into it — and suddenly I was answering questions I had no business answering. 🙈

it started with me saying that “following the tour” doesn’t make me a groupie. (it doesn’t! …though, all right, maybe I did have my groupie-ish days back in the 80s. I regret nothing.) but then things escalated. long legs got mentioned, Darren got mentioned, and before I knew it, people were asking me about Indian Wells 1994.

and honestly? I’m not quite sure what anon was expecting. did they really think I was going to say “oh yes, I definitely had a moment with Darren in Indian Wells, February 1994” and then just… spill every detail? 😳 bless them. the only thing I gave away was his tournament result — lost in the quarter finals to Stefan Edberg 6-4 6-3. 😉 It was his best result in the last season of his playing career.

I know I should turn anon off. I know I shouldn’t encourage this. but the cheek of the questions (and the even bigger cheek of me actually answering some of them) had me laughing myself silly. tumblr really does have a way of loosening the tongue, doesn’t it?

so, this is me the morning after: a little stunned, a little scandalised, and reminding myself that some things are better left in the 90s. 😉

and with that, I’m slamming the anon box shut. (probably. …maybe. we’ll see.)

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All Matches, They Said

2025-08-21T10:28:22Z

Sky Sports promised me “all US Open matches.”

What they meant, of course, was: some matches, the ones we feel like showing, and not the half of the qualifiers you were actually looking forward to. 🙃

So there I was, forced into tennis piracy. Skulking around shady ESPN streams, dodging pop-ups like they were errant forehands, hoping there might at least be some Darren on the other side of my crimes.

But no. Not even a glimpse. Just lag, ads, and a nagging sense that Sky owes me Darren at this point.

Because really — what’s the point of breaking the law if I don’t even get a Cahill cameo out of it?

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Not Every Point is a Match Point

2025-08-12T16:24:58Z

You can’t live your whole life like it’s a tiebreaker—sometimes you’ve got to let it play out.

Sometimes life feels like you’re stuck at 6–6 in the final set — all nerves, all urgency, no room to breathe. But not every moment needs to be a match point. Some of the best things happen when you let the rally go long and see where it takes you.

There’s a certain rush in a tiebreaker. Every point is urgent, every mistake magnified, every winner worth a fist pump. It’s addictive — that edge-of-your-seat feeling where you’re dialled in, hyper-focused, heart pounding. But you can’t live there forever.

In tennis, the beauty isn’t just in the high-pressure deciders. It’s in the slow burn of a set that twists and turns. The rallies that start with a tentative slice and end with an audacious drop shot. The points where nothing much seems to happen — until you realise you’ve been drawn into something quietly brilliant.

Life’s the same. You can’t be in crisis mode 24/7, even if you’ve convinced yourself you work best under pressure. Not everything needs an immediate winner. Some things — the important things — need time to breathe. A relationship. A career change. Figuring out who you are now versus who you were five years ago.

Sometimes, the most satisfying victories come when you stop pressing for the finish line and just play the point in front of you.

So yes — embrace the tiebreakers when they come. Rise to them. Feel the thrill. But remember to let the rest of the match unfold, point by point. You might just find the best parts happen between the big moments.

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Book Review: But Seriously by John McEnroe

2025-08-11T12:27:28Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Candid, charismatic, but a touch repetitive

📖 Quick Take:
The follow-up to You Cannot Be Serious, this memoir sees McEnroe reflecting on life after his fiery days on the tennis court. It’s less about serve-and-volley brilliance and more about family, broadcasting, art, and the ongoing balancing act between private life and public persona.

✍️ My Thoughts:
McEnroe’s voice is as distinctive on the page as it is behind a microphone—dryly funny, self-aware, and never short of an opinion. But Seriously offers a peek into the mind of someone who has lived multiple lives: Grand Slam champion, commentator, art gallery owner, husband, father.

Where the first memoir thrived on the raw energy of his career highs and lows, this one feels calmer, more introspective. There’s a lot to enjoy in the anecdotes about fellow players, celebrity encounters, and the odd broadcasting drama, but some sections wander into familiar territory from his first book, which can make it feel a bit padded.

What surprised me most was the warmth—he’s still McEnroe (blunt, occasionally prickly), but there’s a reflective edge that comes with time and perspective.

💌 Vibe Check:
🎾 Life after the limelight
🎤 Behind-the-scenes sports media
🖼 Tennis meets the art world
💬 Still telling it like it is

💬 Favourite Line:
"You can’t live your whole life like it’s a tiebreaker—sometimes you’ve got to let it play out."

⭐️ Final Rating:
3 stars. Engaging and witty, but more of a gentle rally than a five-set thriller.

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Iced Coffee, Hot Coffee, and the Magic of Bookstore Days

2025-08-10T14:55:23Z

“Is there anything better than iced coffee and a bookstore on a sunny day? I mean, aside from hot coffee and a bookstore on a rainy day.”

Honestly, I can’t think of many things that beat either scenario. On a sunny day, it’s the kind of iced coffee that beads with condensation before you’ve even taken the first sip, paired with the satisfying creak of an old bookshop door. The sunlight filters through high windows, catching in the dust motes and making the spines on the shelves gleam like a rainbow of well-loved treasures. There’s a lightness to it—a sense of possibility—that maybe today you’ll discover that book, the one you didn’t even know you needed.

Rainy-day bookshop visits are an entirely different kind of bliss. The air is rich with the scent of wet pavement and freshly brewed coffee, the rain pattering against the windows as you wrap your hands around a warm mug. The world outside might be grey and hurried, but inside, time slows. You linger over hardbacks you’ll never quite convince yourself to buy, stroke the covers of new releases, and tuck yourself into a corner chair to read the first few pages of something that just feels right.

I’ve always thought of bookshops as the perfect in-between place—somewhere between adventure and sanctuary. And whether the coffee is iced or hot, the magic is the same: you walk in carrying the day’s weather with you, and you leave with a little more than you came for. Usually in the form of a paper bag and a slightly lighter bank account.

So tell me—are you a sunshine-and-iced-coffee reader, or do you live for the rainy-day-hot-coffee kind of bookstore bliss?

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Book Review: Book Lovers by

2025-08-10T13:14:52Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Witty, warm, and wonderfully self-aware

📖 Quick Take:
Emily Henry flips the small-town romance trope on its head, giving us a story where the “cold big-city woman” gets to be the heroine — and the love interest is a grumpy editor, not a rugged local carpenter. Expect whip-smart banter, emotional depth, and a romance that feels earned.

✍️ My Thoughts:
Nora Stephens isn’t here to charm the locals, she’s here for her sister. But when a work trip takes her to a small North Carolina town, she keeps running into Charlie Lastra, a fellow New Yorker and fellow cynic. What follows is a delightful enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers arc that’s both funny and heartfelt.

Henry’s strength is in her characters — flawed, ambitious, and believably human. The sibling dynamic between Nora and Libby adds a rich emotional layer, exploring identity, sacrifice, and the stories we tell ourselves. And the romance? Crackling chemistry without losing sight of the personal growth that makes it meaningful.

Why not five stars? While I adored the writing, a few pacing dips and slightly overlong introspection pulled me out now and then. Still, it’s a standout in the romcom genre.

💌 Vibe Check:
💬 Enemies-to-lovers banter
🏙 Big-city hearts in a small-town setting
👯‍♀️ Sisterhood front and centre
📚 Publishing world backdrop

💬 Favourite Line:
“You don’t have to be anything more than what you are to be enough.”

⭐️ Final Rating:
4 stars. Smart, funny, and brimming with heart.

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Never Let Anyone Make You Feel Ordinary

2025-07-27T16:22:54Z

"Never let anyone make you feel ordinary."

Big words, right? But here’s the thing—what even is ordinary? Beige? Quiet? Acceptable to strangers in a Tesco queue? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been good at fitting in a box, especially not one with such drab wallpaper.

From the moment we can walk, we’re handed this invisible rulebook that says: blend in, don’t rock the boat, keep it neat. Honestly? Boring.

Ordinary isn’t real—it’s just a tidy little box that makes everyone else feel comfortable. And you? You weren’t made for a box.

The world is full of people who’ll try to iron out your edges. “Too loud.” “Too much.” “Not like the others.” You know what I hear in that? Fear. Fear of anyone who dares to be bold, or weird, or passionate about the stuff they love—whether that’s obscure novels, your borderline romantic feelings for Centre Court, or the way you refuse to pretend you don’t still listen to early Madonna on full volume.

I used to worry about that, once upon a time. Thought maybe it would be easier if I just toned it all down—talked a little less about my latest book crush, pretended I wasn’t that into the way Darren Cahill stands at the back of the box with his arms folded and that expression like he knows your secrets. But here's the plot twist: being ordinary is exhausting when you’re not built that way.

I’m not here for it.

And I don’t think you are either.

So wear the jacket that makes you feel like a badass. Say the thing. Read the vampire book and the sapphic romance and the slightly weird sci-fi novella about tea monks and sentient robots. Take up space—on the page, on the court, in the room. Laugh loudly. Be seen.

Because the truth is, the people who matter? They're not looking for someone who fits neatly into “ordinary.” They're drawn to your fire, your mess, your sparkle, your depth. They want you, just as you are.

✨ So tell me—what’s something about you that’s gloriously, unapologetically not-ordinary? I want to hear it. Let’s celebrate the beautiful weirdness together.

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Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2025-07-26T15:58:03Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – Glamorous, heartbreaking, and so much bigger than its title

📖 Quick Take:

This isn’t just a story about seven husbands. It’s about one unforgettable woman—ambitious, unapologetic, and endlessly complex—telling the truth on her own terms. Evelyn Hugo will make you love her, hate her, and ache for her in equal measure.

✍️ My Thoughts:

You know those books that pull you in and make you cancel plans? This is one of them.

Taylor Jenkins Reid serves up Old Hollywood in all its glittering, cutthroat glory—but strips away the polish to show the bruises underneath. Evelyn Hugo is magnetic: a Cuban-American woman reinventing herself, chasing fame, and paying the price for both in a world built to consume women and discard them when they stop shining.

The framing device—a present-day journalist interviewing Evelyn for a tell-all—is clever, though I wasn’t as invested in the modern storyline as I was in Evelyn’s confession. And what a confession it is: marriages for love, for survival, for convenience; friendships that feel like lifelines; and a romance so tender and tragic it gutted me.

This book asks big questions about identity, sacrifice, and what it means to live—and love—authentically in a world that punishes you for it. It’s dazzling, devastating, and—fair warning—it will wreck you in the last 50 pages.

Why not five stars? A little predictability in the twist and a framing character I didn’t fully click with. But the emotional core? Perfection.

✨ Vibe Check:

💎 Old Hollywood decadence
💔 Heartbreak and reinvention
🏳️‍🌈 Queer love and quiet resistance
🎥 Scandal, secrets, and sacrifice
📚 The price of ambition

💬 Favorite Quote:

“Never let anyone make you feel ordinary.”

⭐️ Final Rating:

4.5 stars. Glamorous, gut-wrenching, and impossible to put down. Evelyn Hugo will live in your head rent-free for a long time.

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Back from the Tennis Trail: Monte Carlo to Wimbledon

2025-07-24T15:09:40Z

It feels like I’ve been living out of a suitcase since April—and honestly? I rather have. From the clay in Monte Carlo to the grass at Wimbledon, it’s been a whirlwind of airports, match points, and one too many cappuccinos on the go. Somewhere between chasing the ATP tour and trying not to melt in the summer heat, my little corner of the internet went a bit… dormant.

But now that I’ve drawn breath (and finally unpacked), it’s time for a proper reboot.

Back When I Was Much Younger

Back in the mid-late ’90s and into the early 2000s, I followed the tour properly. I’d jet off to Australia, swing by the US Open—it was easier back then, and frankly, far less ruinous on the purse. Was I a tennis groupie? A lady never kisses and tells.

Post-COVID, with travel feeling heavier and—if we’re being candid—the years creeping in, I’ve mostly stuck to a handful of clay court tournaments in Europe. But this year? I’ve not gallivanted quite like this in decades, and it’s been glorious fun.

Life on Tour: The Real, Beautiful Chaos

Monte Carlo was the start, planned down to the last detail. Then life threw me a delightful curveball: I met the loveliest Spanish couple, David and Miriam. One moment we were chatting over coffee, and the next I was in their car, road-tripping back to Spain. That turned into an unplanned escapade through Barcelona and Madrid—two cities, two entirely different rhythms, and frankly, more tapas than is respectable.

Rome was always on the agenda, though I had to tear up my flights and start again thanks to my newly altered route. It was the sort of last-minute scramble that used to send me into hysterics; these days, I simply shrug and order another espresso.

Then a quick interlude at home for laundry (and perhaps a decent cup of tea) before Paris called for Roland Garros. After that, back to London for Queen’s and Wimbledon—with David and Miriam making a surprise appearance, which was the perfect punctuation mark on an already mad summer.

At this point, my suitcase and I are on first-name terms. Plans shifted at the eleventh hour, flights got rerouted, and my main concern was not leaving my favourite tennis hat in some forgotten corner of Madrid.

And you know what? That unpredictability—that joyful chaos—is what makes this whole thing magic. It’s why I fell in love with tennis in the first place: the drama, the brilliance, the constant sense that anything could happen. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Why the Reboot?

After months of gallivanting and tennis-induced adrenaline, I wanted this space to feel like me again: books, tennis, and a little slice of life. Think vintage tenniscore meets literary dark academia—because my heart belongs equally to manicured grass courts and a well-worn novel.

What’s coming:

Weekly round-ups (Kitty’s Weekly Serve) mixing books, matches, and musings.
TBR check-ins, book lists, and a few strong opinions.
Tennis reflections and some inevitable US Open chatter.
Moodboards, playlists, and the occasional aesthetic indulgence.

So, What’s Next?

Today kicks off a new posting schedule - 4 to 5 posts a week through August. Tomorrow, we’re diving into my Current TBR.

In the meantime, tell me:
What’s been the highlight of your summer—books, tennis, or something entirely different?

Drop a comment and let’s catch up. 💬

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Save 🌞 The Sunday Post – April 20, 2025

2025-04-20T19:13:42Z

Hey friends! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet for another Sunday Post—a weekly blog link-up hosted by @ Caffeinated Reviewer, where we share what’s been going on in our lives, blogs, and bookshelves. This week’s post comes with bonus vampires, sunshine, and just a hint of red clay dust. Let’s go!

✍️ Blog/Life Updates

It’s been a proper blogging week this time! I’ve had a bit more energy, a lot more time on courtside terraces, and apparently all the opinions. Here’s what went up:

📖 Book Review: Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice - intense, dramatic, so much yearning
🧠 Top Ten Tuesday: My Unpopular Bookish Opinions – let’s just say I’m not afraid to stir the pot
🎾 Book Review: You Cannot Be Serious by John McEnroe – chaotic brilliance
☀️ Book Review: You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry – warm, wistful, and I adored it
💬 Meet the Blogger – a little intro for anyone who’s new around here (hi!)

📚 Books This Week

I finished The Vampire Lestat and... it was a ride. Melodramatic and decadent in the best possible way.

I’ve just started Fourth Wing, and I’m already seeing the hype. Give me dragons and drama any day.

🔮 Coming Up Next Week

A full review of The Vampire Lestat (will try to keep the swooning to a minimum… maybe)
Books That Surprised Me – whether for better or worse
A peek at my bookshelves (aka: organized chaos)

🎾 Tennis Talk

Well… it didn’t end quite the way we hoped. Carlos had been playing beautifully all week, but the final slipped away—and more worryingly, he seemed to be struggling physically. A thigh/groin issue, maybe? It’s hard to tell, but the whole thing left me holding my breath and crossing every finger for a quick recovery. Here's hoping it's nothing serious, and he can rest up before Madrid. ❤️‍🩹

🌍 Life Lately

I’m heading to Madrid on Monday - yes, for more tennis! This is shaping up to be the spring of clay and cross-country road trips. I’m a little tired, very sun-kissed, and constantly having to remind myself to drink water.

But really, what could be better than books, good food, and live tennis in some of the most beautiful cities in the world?

Want to read more Sunday Posts or join in yourself? Head over to the Caffeinated Reviewer’s Sunday Post link-up.

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✨ Reading Outside My Comfort Zone ✨

2025-04-19T19:19:32Z

So... Fourth Wing. Not my usual genre (fantasy + dragons??), but here I am, giving in to the hype like the rest of Bookstagram.

If you know me, you know I usually stick to contemporary romance, horror, and the occasional brooding vampire—but Fourth Wing promises enemies-to-lovers tension, dramatic stakes, and something called “war college,” so… I’m intrigued. Possibly scared. Definitely curious.

I’ve seen Lord of the Rings, I loved Beach Read, and I yell “JUST KISS” at fictional characters often enough to feel emotionally prepared.

Will I fall in love with a dragon? DNF after 40 pages? Stay tuned. 🐉📖

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thefridayfive for 18 April 2025

2025-04-18T21:46:00Z

1. Who was your first crush?
Darren Cahill. I was gone. That quiet confidence, the Aussie charm, and the way he moved on court—I imprinted like a baby duck. Still a little bit in love, honestly.

2. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert with bursts of sparkle. I can be social and chatty, especially when the topic is tennis or books, but I need quiet time to recharge. Give me a clay court match and a cup of tea, and I’m blissed out.

3. What is your favorite non-sexual thing you like to do with the love of your life?
Hands down, watching tennis together. Sharing a look when someone flubs a volley, yelling “challenge!” in unison, and debating the merits of a slice backhand... it’s our version of a love language.

4. What is one quirky habit your partner does that either annoys you or makes you grin?
They narrate their cooking like it’s a Food Network show, full voiceover and all. It makes me roll my eyes but I can’t help but grin every time.

5. Do you believe in monogamous relationships?
Not particularly. I think love and connection come in all shapes and formats, and monogamy doesn’t feel like the only—or even the most natural—path for me. I’d rather have something deeply honest and flexible than fit into a traditional mold.

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💫 Meet the Blogger: Kitty in the Wild

2025-04-18T17:36:22Z

Hello, hello – and welcome!
I’m Kitty: lifelong tennis obsessive, book lover, music time-traveller, and your guide through whatever chaos this blog turns out to be. If you’re into swoony stories, strong opinions, grass courts, and discovering songs that ruin your life (in a good way), you’re in the right place.

🎾 So… Tennis?
Oh yes. Tennis is my oldest and most complicated relationship. I’ve been playing since the ’70s and watching since the days when McEnroe was yelling and Borg was brooding. I fell hard, never recovered, and I’ve been chasing the drama of a fifth-set tie-break ever since. Grass courts are my sacred ground, but I’ve been known to flirt with clay now and then – especially if the coaching box is interesting.

You’ll probably catch a few tennis-flavoured detours here – I mean, I could keep them separate, but where’s the fun in that?

📚 And Books?
Books are my not-so-secret second love. I read widely, but I always come back to stories with heart, heat, humour, and a little angst for seasoning. I’m a sucker for sharp dialogue, slow burns, found families, and anything that makes me clutch my chest and whisper “oh no” in the middle of the night.

You’ll find book reviews here, reading wrap-ups, wild opinions about fictional people, and probably a few “how did this turn into a character study of a side plot” posts. I read for pleasure, but also for emotional devastation. It’s a balance.

🎶 And You’re Fixing Your Music Taste?
Yes. Well. Trying. My playlists got stuck somewhere around 1996 and never quite recovered. So now I’m actively exploring – current charts, viral hits, forgotten gems, recommendations from strangers — anything to drag me into the 21st century one banger at a time. Feel free to send me your favourite song, album, or “I can’t believe I love this” guilty pleasure.

😺 Miscellaneous Kitty Facts:

My first tennis crush was Darren Cahill. I regret nothing.
I’ve cried at Wimbledon more than once, and I will again.
I once made a spreadsheet to track book tropes. It got out of hand.
I collect bookmarks like they’re a competitive sport.
I believe every book is improved by snacks, a playlist, and yelling at the characters out loud.

💌 Let’s Be Friends
If you love reading, rambling, ranking fictional men by how well they’d survive a camping trip, or dissecting match highlights like it’s your job — I think we’ll get along great.

Say hi in the comments, or find me on Twitter, Threads or Instagram @SliceServeSwoon where I yell about books, tennis, and the occasional cursed earworm. Let’s swap recs, share feelings, and build a little cozy corner of chaos together.

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Book Review - You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

2025-04-17T18:37:59Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Witty, wistful, and a little sunburned in the best way

📚 Quick Take:

A fizzy friends-to-lovers romance told through snapshots of summer trips past and present—equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and oh-so-human. Poppy and Alex are a study in chemistry, missed timing, and emotional slow burns.

✍️ My Thoughts:

You know that feeling when you’re sitting on a balcony at golden hour, sipping something cold, and laughing with someone who just gets you? That’s the energy of this book.

Emily Henry does such a brilliant job with voice—Poppy is funny and chaotic and deeply lovable, while Alex is her quiet, repressed, khaki-wearing match. Their banter snaps, but there’s so much underneath it: yearning, vulnerability, and the ache of not quite being ready for each other… until maybe, just maybe, they are.

The timeline structure—bouncing between past summer holidays and their current attempt to reconnect—works beautifully to build tension. You know something went wrong, but you’re not sure what, and you’re too invested in their goofy little adventures to stop reading.

Why not five stars? A few pacing dips and the will-they-won’t-they dragged just a touch too long for me. But emotionally? It lands. And I love that Henry doesn’t shy away from exploring the messy parts of relationships: the fear, the timing, the inner stuff we have to figure out before we can show up fully for someone else.

✨ Vibe Check:

🧳 Friends to Lovers
⏳ Slow Burn, Slow Yearning
💬 Witty Banter Goals
😬 Emotional Avoidance Experts
🥲 Summer Nostalgia + Sadness
🧠 Therapy But Make It Sexy
🍕 Eating your feelings in different cities

💬 Favorite Quote:

“You couldn’t have held my hand. I was using it to hold yours.”
(Insert a little scream here.)

⭐️ Final Rating:

4 stars. Funny, messy, romantic, and real. It’s a beach read for people who cry under their sunglasses.

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Book Review: John McEnroe – You Cannot Be Serious

2025-04-17T12:33:49Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Loud, honest, and totally McEnroe

📚 Quick Take:

Reading You Cannot Be Serious is like sitting courtside while John McEnroe tells stories at full volume—unfiltered, intense, surprisingly funny, and often smarter than you expect. It’s not polished, but it is so him.

✍️ My Thoughts:

Let’s be real—I’ve loved John McEnroe since the first time he yelled at a chair umpire and refused to apologize for being passionate. So reading his memoir felt like catching up with an old friend who hasn’t changed a bit... and I mean that in the best and worst ways.

The book is full of stories from his rise through the tennis ranks, his fierce rivalries (hi, Björn Borg), his outbursts, and his complicated personal life. It’s raw in places and surprisingly reflective in others—he talks about pressure, perfectionism, and the need to be seen and understood. I expected the fire. I didn’t expect the vulnerability.

That said, it’s not always easy to love. He’s brutally honest, which means he sometimes comes off as arrogant, defensive, or just... a lot. But that’s part of the deal, isn’t it? He doesn’t rewrite his past to be more palatable. He owns his contradictions, and that makes it feel real.

The writing style is casual—more like an extended rant than polished prose—but it works. If you’ve ever watched him in the commentary booth, you know what to expect: fast-paced, sharp, emotional, sometimes hilariously petty, but always entertaining.

🎭 Vibe Check:
🎾 Iconic throwback
🧠 Candid self-reflection
🎙️ Big voice energy
📖 Tennis nerd heaven
😬 Flawed but fascinating
👟 80s nostalgia with a headband twist

💬 Favorite Quote:

“I was always trying to be perfect, and when I wasn’t, I couldn’t handle it. That’s when the yelling started.”

⭐️ Final Rating:

4 stars. Honest, messy, memorable—exactly what I hoped a John McEnroe memoir would be. If you love tennis history with a side of emotional chaos, don’t skip this one.

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My Unpopular Bookish Opinions

2025-04-17T12:12:22Z

Top Ten Tuesday: My Unpopular Bookish Opinions

(a.k.a. I Said What I Said—Don’t @ Me)

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is “My Unpopular Bookish Opinions,” and I am absolutely leaning into it. These are the little hills I’m willing to die on—whether it’s about reading habits, hyped books I side-eye, or just the quiet rebellions I’ve embraced as a lifelong bookworm. Grab a snack, take a deep breath, and let’s dive in.

1. I don’t care if the main character is “likable.”
Give me messy. Give me selfish. Give me someone who makes terrible life choices and doesn’t learn their lesson until the last five pages—or never at all. I don’t need to want to be friends with them. I just need to believe they’re real.

2. Romance novels are some of the smartest books out there.
Yes, I said it. People love to sneer at romance like it’s all fluff and fantasy, but crafting a truly compelling love story takes emotional insight, great pacing, and dialogue that snaps. Some of the sharpest writing I’ve read lately came from romance authors. (Looking at you, Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert.)

3. I’d rather reread an old favorite than chase the next big thing.
New releases are exciting, sure—but you know what’s really exciting? That one chapter in a book I’ve read twelve times that still hits like a truck.

4. I didn’t like The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
I wanted to! The premise had so much promise! But it felt too neat, too moralizing, and honestly… kind of shallow? I know it helped a lot of people feel seen, which is lovely—but it just didn’t land for me.

5. Audiobooks absolutely count as reading.
Your eyes don't have to be involved for your brain to be. Anyone who tries to gatekeep this is just being a snob with too much time on their hands.

6. I love a good spoiler.
Seriously. Sometimes I want to know who dies or who ends up together before I commit. I read for the journey, not just the surprise.

7. I don’t need a map in every fantasy book.
Unless the geography really matters to the story, I’m not flipping back to trace your protagonist’s route through the Hill of Dust and the Forest of Shadows. Just tell me who’s stabbing who and why.

8. Annotating books isn’t sacrilege—it’s love.
Dog-eared pages, underlined quotes, little scribbles in the margins—yes, even in pen. Books are meant to be lived in. Pristine pages are nice, but give me a copy that’s been dragged around in a tote bag and cried on during a layover.

9. I don’t always need a twist.
Plot twists are great when they’re earned, but not every book needs a gotcha moment. Sometimes I just want to watch characters grow and stumble and fall in love without a sudden “and then they were siblings” moment. You know?

10. I don’t feel guilty about DNFing a book.
If I’m not into it by page 50, I’m out. Life’s too short and my bookshelf is too full to push through out of obligation. (Apologies to the unread literary masterpieces gathering dust.)

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Book Review: Interview With the Vampire

2025-04-15T08:09:31Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Lush, Lyrical Descent into Darkness

Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire is the literary equivalent of a rich, red velvet curtain being pulled back on an eerie stage. Everything feels decadent, shadowy, and just a little bit doomed - and I was absolutely here for it.

Told through the confessional lens of Louis, a reluctant vampire with a poet’s soul, this novel is drenched in emotion. Guilt, longing, despair, rage… every feeling is dialled up to eleven. The structure is brilliant: an actual interview, unfolding in real time, with a human boy as the audience surrogate. It adds this eerie intimacy, like you’ve pulled up a chair too close to a fire that’s burning a little too hot.

Rice’s writing is gorgeous. Gothic and sensual, but never afraid to wallow in moral ambiguity. There are no easy answers here, especially when it comes to Louis and Lestat. Their dynamic is a toxic waltz - manipulation and dependence wrapped in elegance and horror. I kept wanting to throw things at Lestat, then turn around and quote him. He’s that kind of character. Infuriating and fascinating.

That said, this book is a bit of a slow burn. The plot sometimes drifts in dreamlike circles, which can either enchant or frustrate, depending on your mood. And while Claudia’s storyline is gripping and tragic, some of the pacing around it felt uneven to me. I kept waiting for a second wind that took a little too long to arrive.

But even when the story meanders, the atmosphere never lets up. Rice creates a world so vividly haunted, so steeped in its own mythology, that you can practically smell the candle wax and old books. It’s a vampire novel that feels eternal - aching and opulent and deeply weird in the best possible way.

If you're looking for a blood-soaked meditation on immortality, identity, and what it means to be truly alone in the world—this one’s a must. Just maybe light a candle and pour a glass of wine first. You’ll want to set the mood.

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🌞 The Sunday Post – April 13, 2025

2025-04-13T10:22:08Z

Hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer

Hey everyone! I didn’t manage to post anything on the blog this week because, well… I’ve been in Monte Carlo soaking up sunshine, sea air, and seriously good tennis. It’s been a blur of match days, long walks back to the hotel, and collapsing into bed too exhausted to even think about writing. But I’ve started using my Instagram again a little (baby steps!), so that’s something!

✨ Last Week on the Blog
Let’s be honest: not a lot happened blog-wise. But I’ve got a backlog of thoughts percolating and some posts lined up for next week (fingers crossed the Barcelona sun lets me sit still long enough to write them).

📚 What I’m Reading
✅ Finished: Interview with the Vampire — moody, brooding, and yes, a little theatrical in all the best ways
📘 Almost done: You and Me on Vacation — soft and sweet and hitting all the right romcom notes
🧛 Next up: The Vampire Lestat — because clearly I’m having a bit of a moment with long-haired immortals right now

📆 Coming Up This Week (…maybe)
A review of Interview With the Vampire
A review of You and Me on Vacation
Maybe a little “Meet the Blogger” post
And possibly: My Unpopular Bookish Opinions – which is bound to ruffle a few covers!

🎾 Tennis Talk
Monte Carlo has been everything. Nothing compares to watching live tennis—the atmosphere, the tension, the ridiculous beauty of that centre court against the sea.

There were a few upsets this week that properly got to me (Dimitrov’s quarterfinal still stings), but it’s all part of the thrill. And—this was unexpected—I ran into Darren Cahill. I’ve met him a handful of times over the years, but I wasn’t expecting to see him in Monte Carlo, so it felt like such a lovely surprise. He’s always exactly what I need him to be: steady, kind, and so much more real than you’d ever guess from the commentary box. That moment will be tucked away in the highlight reel for sure.

💬 Life Lately
Life has mostly been sunshine, good food, and beautiful backhands. I made friends with a lovely Spanish couple while watching a match and—because life sometimes writes a better story than I can—I’ll be heading with them to Spain after today’s final for an unexpected little adventure to the Barcelona Open.

Sometimes, you just have to say yes.

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The Fault Is Not Mine

killercahill @ 2026-05-10T22:47:00

killercahill @ 2026-05-06T22:01:00

A Summer Abroad:

A Softer Kind of Bookish Reset for the New Year

Using the Library I Love

Making the Most of Kindle Unlimited

Playing Along with StoryGraph Challenges

Stepping Away from Social Media Reading Pressure

Reading, Reclaimed

Hello Again

Book Review: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

thefridayfive for 22 August 2025

stunned at myself

All Matches, They Said

Not Every Point is a Match Point

Book Review: But Seriously by John McEnroe

Iced Coffee, Hot Coffee, and the Magic of Bookstore Days

Book Review: Book Lovers by

Never Let Anyone Make You Feel Ordinary

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

📖 Quick Take:

✍️ My Thoughts:

✨ Vibe Check:

💬 Favorite Quote:

⭐️ Final Rating:

Back from the Tennis Trail: Monte Carlo to Wimbledon

Back When I Was Much Younger

Life on Tour: The Real, Beautiful Chaos

Why the Reboot?

So, What’s Next?

Save 🌞 The Sunday Post – April 20, 2025

✍️ Blog/Life Updates

📚 Books This Week

🔮 Coming Up Next Week

🎾 Tennis Talk

🌍 Life Lately

✨ Reading Outside My Comfort Zone ✨

thefridayfive for 18 April 2025

💫 Meet the Blogger: Kitty in the Wild

Book Review - You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Witty, wistful, and a little sunburned in the best way

📚 Quick Take:

✍️ My Thoughts:

✨ Vibe Check:

💬 Favorite Quote:

⭐️ Final Rating:

Book Review: John McEnroe – You Cannot Be Serious

📚 Quick Take:

✍️ My Thoughts:

🎭 Vibe Check:🎾 Iconic throwback🧠 Candid self-reflection🎙️ Big voice energy📖 Tennis nerd heaven😬 Flawed but fascinating👟 80s nostalgia with a headband twist

💬 Favorite Quote:

⭐️ Final Rating:

My Unpopular Bookish Opinions

Book Review: Interview With the Vampire

🌞 The Sunday Post – April 13, 2025

🎭 Vibe Check:
🎾 Iconic throwback
🧠 Candid self-reflection
🎙️ Big voice energy
📖 Tennis nerd heaven
😬 Flawed but fascinating
👟 80s nostalgia with a headband twist