September 1st marks the first day of meteorological Autumn meaning the jumpers are out, the rain is pouring and we might finally stop seeing middle-aged men take to the streets topless as soon as they catch a glimpse of some British sunshine. Although to be honest, as someone who is always cold, I live in my cosy clothes all year round. September also means it’s only a few weeks until I’ll be flying off to Madrid for the year, no big deal. Considering I’m restrained to pack my life into just a couple of suitcases, I’ll have a limited space for books. So, I’m currently pacing my way through my bookshelf before I leave them gathering dust for nine months.
August was another month of reading an array of genres: a faerie fantasy, a murder mystery, a sci-fi dystopian, a captivating contemporary, a tear-jerker historical fiction and a spot of Greek mythology. I’m hoping to continue down this path over the following months – there are too many books I’m dying to read to stick to one genre!
I realised when reflecting on my previous wrap-ups that they were rather lengthy. I’m therefore going to try and keep this one slightly shorter. I read another 6 books this month and picked up a couple of new favourites along the way.
The Cruel Prince – Holly Black, 4 Stars
“Because you’re like a story that hasn’t happened yet. Because I want to see what you will do.
I want to be part of the unfolding of the tale.”
This was my first time reading anything by Holly Black, and after seeing everyone rave about this book, my expectations were high. The Cruel Prince started off on the slow side, but the second half of the book took me by surprise with how darkly twisted it was. I wasn’t ready for that ending AT ALL – I love a book which plays with your expectations. Some scenes crept up out of nowhere which were incredibly intense and bloody, leading to a twisted climax which was full of deceit and tied everything together perfectly. I adored the writing style and although I was sometimes left confused as to what characters fit in where, I loved being in this faerie world.
I’m hoping the sequel continues down the dark, twisted path of the second half the novel.
She Lies In Wait – Gytha Lodge, 5 Stars
I was lucky enough to receive ARC from NetGalley for this one and I paced through it. This is a gripping, fast-paced story which doesn’t lack in red herrings or plot twists and lead me towards an unpredictable ending. I can’t wait to sing this story’s praises closer to publication! This mystery comes out January 2019 so be sure to have it on your reading radar. A blog post will be coming for this one closer to release revealing more about the plot and my thoughts!
Scythe – Neal Shusterman, 3 Stars
“My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside
every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human.
There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.”
I loved the concept of Scythe and for the first five chapters, I couldn’t put it down. We’re introduced to a post-mortality society and who wouldn’t be intrigued by that? There is no war, poverty, famine, and anyone who dies are revived quickly and painlessly. Reapers by the names of scythes are the only ones who can end life. However, I thought the plot dragged and I started to lose interest. What’s more, I thought Citra and Rowan, the young Scythe apprentices, could have been developed more.
If it weren’t for the corrupt scythe community, unexplained rules and dragged out plot, I would’ve rated this book higher, especially with such an interesting concept!
Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng, 5 Stars
“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow. People are like that, too. They start over. They find a way.”
I’ve already posted a review of this captivating story which you can read here.
This is by far the most engrossing read of 2018. What I loved most was the intricate detail given to each and every character, all having a pertinent part to play in influencing how events unfold. This novel also tackles complex issues such as race and ethnicity, the secret lives of teenagers and in particular, motherhood. It is the questioning of what it means to be a mother which divides the utopian-like town of Shaker Heights and reveals that the town isn’t so perfect after all. Ng paints pictures with her words and I’m definitely going to be reading more of her. Its infectious writing gripped me from the start and I already can’t wait to re-read it. Definitely a new favourite!
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak, 5 Stars
“I am haunted by humans.”
I cried. A lot.
Set during the years of WW2, I knew this was going to end with tears. However, a part of me had hope that everything would be fine. That Liesel would live happily ever after with Rudy Steiner with Hans and Rosa Hubermann right by her side. Nonetheless, the knowledge of what was to come increased my anticipation and the ending packed a punch.
I fell in love with Liesel the same way she falls in love with reading and the freedom it grants. Books act as her escape mechanism, exploring the power of words and language. This is fitting for such a beautifully written story with its vivid landscape.
I cried, I laughed, I gasped and I cried some more. I could have easily paced through this but I wanted to savour every word. This was a history lesson, tear-jerker and an entertaining story all in one.
The Silence of the Girls – Pat Barker, 4 Stars
I’ve been trying to escape not just from the camp but from Achilles’ story
The Silence of the Girls is a retelling of Homer’s The Iliad, told from the perspective of former queen Briseis who is captured and descends to become Achilles’ prize of war. In grand epics, women have no opinion, they have no power, they have no voice. However, Barker fills this vacuum and offers readers a new perspective of the story and its brutal heroes. I was instantly gripped by the lyrical language of this novel as Barker brings the Greek encampment to life. This is a song of grief, anger and survival.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this novel – a full review will be up on the blog soon!
Have you read any of these books? What’s been your favourite read of August?
Evie
♥
I’m currently reading The Silence of the Girls and really enjoying it. She’s a beautiful writer! I cried a ton in The Book Thief I think the only other book I cried that much in was Storm of Swords!
So glad you’re enjoying it! Oh I haven’t read that one! The only other book that’s made me cry is the last Hunger Games novel haha, thanks for reading! x
I love hearing about what books people are reading! I haven’t read any of these books before so I’ll definitely be taking your recommendations on board. All these books sound really intriguing/interesting. I especially like the sound of Little Fires Everywhere. I’l definitely be getting it out of the library sometime soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Yess you’ll love it, honestly such a beautiful novel.
I really need to start reading more so I’d love to check some of these out! Really like the look of Little Fires Everywhere!
Jas xx | https://thoughtsfromjasmine.co.uk
It’s such an amazing book! I couldn’t recommend it more x
She lies in wait literally sounds like my kind of book! I’m definitely going to have to pick this one up!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
It’s the perfect murder mystery novel! Hope you love it!
You did so well to get through 6 books I struggled to get through 1! I’m so glad you loved The Book Thief it’s heartbreaking though isn’t it?!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
Thank you! My summer has been dedicated to catching up on my reading haha. Ah I’m still recovering from reading it, such an emotional ending! x
I’ve wanted to read Little Fires Everywhere for so long! I’m probably gonna read a few more of these as well, I think we have similar taste!
Ah I hope you love it as much as I do! Haha, I read so many good books last month so hopefully you won’t be disappointed! x
I have read The Cruel Prince and quite enjoyed it! Gutted that we have to wait a year for the sequel! I have not heard of the other books from your list. I should try The Book Thief
Oh I know, there’s nothing worse than having to wait for what feels like forever for a sequel! The Book Thief is such an emotional read, hope you love it! ✨
So exciting your heading to Madrid! Sounds like a bunch of good reads also, plenty to keep you occupied! Awesome post!
Thank you! I’m heading out there for my year abroad for uni! Thanks for reading ✨
Hope you’ll have a safe flight to Madrid when you go! Glad you enjoyed some books overall. Plot twists at the end can go a long way. Glad you enjoyed Holly Black’s writing. It’s a bummer that Scythe wasn’t as great as you thought. I’ve heard so much about Celeste Ng’s books. Glad you love that! Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Thank you! I’m so nervous haha. Yeah I’ll definitely be reading some more Holly Black novels, I loved her writing! I couldn’t recommend Celeste Ng more after reading Little Fires Everywhere, her writing is stunning. Thanks for reading Nancy! ✨
The Book Thief is my favourite book ever, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
What an inspiring post! Great and honest reviews. Appreciated!
Wow you were busy last month! I hadn’t heard of any of these before but they al sound so interesting. Thanks for such a helpful summary! I’ll be picking at least one of these up!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Haha definitely making the most of the last few weeks of having more free time and reading as much as I can! I hope you love them! Thanks for reading ✨
I am so excited to start wearing jumpers again! I am always looking to add some books to my reading list – will definitely add some of these!
Ellyn xx | Life Of A Beauty Nerd
I love the look of your blog it’s well designed and your writing is impressive you have a phenomenal reading list
I really loved The Book Thief! The ending absolutely wrecked me.
I wanted to love Little Fires Everywhere as much as everyone else, but my problem is usually that when anything is very hyped–books, movies, shows, whatever–I end up being disappointed. I didn’t dislike the book, I just wasn’t as enchanted with it as I hoped to be. The family did seem very fun to play as Sims though, haha.
Going to have to add The Cruel Prince and She Lies in Wait to my TBR list. Your blurbs about them were intriguing!
It’s hard to believe that it’s already September. The year flew by so fast.
Safe travels to Madrid!
I seriously need to buy The Cruel Prince already!!! I always end up buying a classic I’ve already read since I don’t have nice copy, or buying a book that just happens to catch my eye:’) I finally created a Goodreads and I already feel so much more organized and ready to buy all the books I keep hearing about!
http://twinklexthoughts.blogspot.com/
Ohhh flying to Madrid soon, that’s so exciting! I hope you’ll have a wonderful time there <3
It seems like you've had a pretty good reading month, this is awesome. I have heard amazing things about Little Fires Everywhere and you make it sound so good, I'll have to give it a try someday 😀
Thank you so much for sharing! <3
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