I can’t believe it is September already. This summer seemed to fly by, which is such a shame as it’s my favorite season. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m doing something special for the month of September, which just happens to be Self-Published Fantasy Month. I’ll be formally announcing my plans tomorrow (although if you follow me on Insta or Twitter you might already know). Until then, here is my wrap up for the month of August.
Books I read in August:
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is the first in a series. This was a carryover from July that I finished August 1st. While this dystopian science fiction seemed far more YA than I was anticipating, I have been assured that the rest of the series is more adult. There are definitely aspects of this book that stand out even among the oversaturated dystopian market, namely a unique and well-developed socio-political system, a creative and magical science/technology, and a war-games-esque trial of the fittest. I will definitely read on in the series at some point.
Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch is the last in the Snow Like Ashes trilogy. It was an enjoyable YA fantasy series that likely could have been a successful duology, but included enough twists and turns to keep me reading. If you’re looking for a finished series in this genre, it’s a decent read, but I wouldn’t go out of your way to read it.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is the second in a series of standalone romance novels that include Vietnamese and Autism rep. I love Hoang’s style of writing. Her stories are always cute and engaging, while having strong family themes and unique premises. I can’t wait for the third book to release next year!
Beach Read by Emily Henry is one that I really expected to love. An enemies-to-lovers romance featuring rival authors who wager on their ability to write in each other’s genres? Sounds great! While I did enjoy the story, I found the author’s writing style difficult to get into. It seemed unnecessarily long-winded and I missed having the dual perspective often found in similar romances. The title and cover also paint a completely different picture than the actual story, which was fine, just a bit jarring.
I’ve got a full review of A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow coming closer to publication date. This book is a brilliant addition to YA fiction. While uplifting and light-hearted, Namey manages to tackle several heavier themes like overcoming grief, accepting change, and being open to new ideas while honoring traditions. This is sure to be a fast favorite for fans of YA Contemporary seeking unique perspectives and #ownvoices narratives. It is set to release October 6, 2020.
Balancing Act by Danica Dawn is light and quick office rom-com. It is the perfect sweet Summer read with just enough tension to keep it interesting. You can read my full review here.
The Orange Grove by Kate Murdoch is an intriguing and romantic historical fiction set in early eighteenth century France. You can read my full review here.
I have a full review of Just Our Luck by Julia Walton coming closer to publication date. This YA Contemporary coming-of-age novel tackles everything from toxic masculinity to coping with anxiety and depression and everything in between. This book is set to release December 29, 2020.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune was the highlight of my August reads. This feel good YA fantasy may be about magical persons, but the lessons about prejudice, family, and self-worth transcend the genre.
A beautiful and thought-provoking novel in verse, Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew is an impressive debut that begs to be read and shared immediately. This empowering novel tackles so many issues still plaguing young women today, perhaps most importantly the issue of shaming, whether it be body shaming, modesty, sexuality, etc. You can read my full review here.
Top Blog Posts of August:
20 YA Fantasy Duologies You Need To Read
20 Books to Read with Slytherin Protagonists
How to Speak Bookish – A Guide to Book Jargon, Slang, and Initialism
Thanks for reading! What books did you read in July? Any favorites? Feel free to drop the links to your wrap-ups in the comments!
You read some fantastic books in August, I LOVED the Red Rising trilogy, and The House in the Cerulean Sea was charming and magical.
~ Corina | The Brown Eyed Bookworm
They were definitely my top reads of the month!
It looks like you had an amazing reading month! I hope you continue to read great books in September!
Thanks so much! I’m already looking forward to my September reads.