August 2018 Bookish Wrap-Up

 

Goodbye August & hello September!

I don’t know about you all, but once August  hits, my life is go-go-go until the end of October.  With my kids returning to school & fall sports, my schedule is back to chaos.  My August was a tad more busy since I decided to start the process of applying for a substitute license.  The plan is to sub two days a week this school year, then find something full time in the district next school year when my daughter starts kindergarten.   I am excited to dip my toes back into the work force after being a stay-at-home parent for the past 5 years.

With everything I had going on, I am actually pleasantly surprised that I was able to read 8 books in August.  Unfortunaly, it wasn’t a big quality reading month for me.  I don’t think I’ve ever given out so many 2 star ratings in one month before… 

Like I mentioned in last week’s Bookish Weekly Wrap-Up, things have been on the quieter side around here this month.  This has a little to do with a hectic personal life, but more to do with the fact I’ve been working on some new content for the blog.   I’m really excited about it, and can’t wait to share in the upcoming weeks 🙂

» It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Trigger/content warning: Domestic violence & child abuse
• I was really nervous about this book starting off because it was giving me Fifty Shades of Grey vibes and that was not going to fly with me.  Thankfully this was NOT the case.
• This is the type of contemporary/romance that I am on board for!  One with depth & makes you think.
• I am a HUGE fan when authors tackle a heavy topic that make you reevaluate your previous stance on a subject by showing a side that you don’t often see.  Colleen wrote a very important perspective here.
• I was sweating through the final chapters of this one.  My heart was in my throat the entire time.
• The author’s note!  Do NOT skip the author’s note on this one.  My heart hurt.

» Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• This was my first Agatha Christie book!  I am not big on murder-mysteries, like at all.  I decided to give this one a go because I wanted to be able to say I have read one of Christie’s books.
• The audiobook was well narrated HOWEVER I feel like I would have enjoyed this better in print form.  Because I listened to it on audiobook, I feel like I missed too many fine details I would have picked up better in print.
• The ending! The ending was absolutely perfect and I did not see it coming at all.   The book was probably more of a 3 star reading for me (not because it is a bad book or bad writing, just because these types of books don’t interest me) UNTIL the ending.  Bravo Christie!

» Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Trigger/Content warning: kidnapping & child abuse (neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, etc)
• I went into this book blind.  I didn’t even read the synopsis before starting.  Why?  It won the Goodreads Choice Award in 2017 for historical fiction, so I knew it was going to be a good book.
• Sometimes history is more appalling than fiction.  Before We Were Yours is about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal of the 1920s through 1950.  If you are unfamiliar with this particular event in history, don’t worry I was too, you can read more about it here → This woman stole children from the poor to give to the rich
• I was absolutely horrified while reading Before We Were Yours.  This book is absolutely heartbreaking.  How did something like this happen in real life?  Let alone over the course of 3 decades?  Georgia Tann was the definition of pure evil.
• This isn’t one of those books you enjoy reading exactly because of the sensitive content, but it is one sheds light on historical events that were “swept under the rug” so to speak.  You need to be prepared for an emotional read.
• This book is told in dual perspectives in different time periods: past & present.   This is always a risky tactic since people will typically gravitate to one perspective over the other.  I personally was more invested in the plotline happening in the past, and felt the book would have worked better without the storyline happening in the present.
• I would recommend this book to fans of Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train and vice versa.

» The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Decent story concept, poor execution.  Elements of the plot were just odd that gave the story a disordered feeling.
• The prologue didn’t really fit in the context of the story.
• NONE of the characters were likeable, not even the main character Gwen.
• Not enough development in secondary characters.
• Setting was underdeveloped – wanted more of the Ceylon culture & tea making process,
• Race relations were touched upon but never fully explored

» Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Relevant YA novel told in verse
• Can easily read in one sitting
• The Ending!  So powerful!
• Would recommend to fans of The Hate U Give

» Marrow Island by Alexis M. Smith

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• Ever wonder what an acid trip feels like?  Read this book and you’ll know.  This is not a good thing.
• Concept behind story was excellent, but execution was poor.
• The plot was incoherent for the majority of the book.  I feel like I was missing big chunks of info.
• Flashbacks did NOT work here.
• The majority of the book is about Lucie AFTER the big event that occurred on the island… we do not get much about the cult or their life on the island.

» Brighton Belle (Mirabelle Bevan Mystery #1) by Sara Sheridan

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• If you are a fan of “cozy mystery” types of books, you may enjoy this one.  It was not my cup of tea.
• Too many coincidences, improbabilities, and plot holes.
• I felt like I was thrown into this story without proper character development or backstory.  It almost felt like the second book in a series – like we were already were supposed to be familiar with our main character & her story.

» The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1) by Erika Johansen

Feelings in a few thoughts: 

• This book is painfully slow… and not a whole lot actually happens.  This book could have been a good 100 pages shorter.  The plotline wasn’t bad, but just felt like it was lacking that spark for me.  It did pick up in the second half.
• I really liked the main character, Kelsea.  She is far from perfect, but she follows her heart.  She felt very down to earth & real.
• This is classified as a YA book, but I’d probably consider it to be borderline New Adult.  There is definitely more mature content in this one.  I would recommend it for those 15+ or for young readers that can handle more mature content (sex, rape references, kidnapping, murder, abuse, etc.)
• I haven’t decided if I will continue on with the series or not.  The second book would have to be much more action packed & quicker paced for me to even attempt it.

I am very happy with my progress on my Goodreads reading challenge.  I WAS on track to hit 120 books this year, but I decided to slow my reading down so I’d have more time to dedicate to my blog.  Still happy with this decision.

July 2018 Bookish Wrap-Up + Book Haul

August 2018 TBR: ARC August

Book Event: An Evening with Patrick Rothfuss

Book Review: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

Book Review: The Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

After doing so well NOT purchasing many new book this year, aside from the ones I purchase at book events, I completely blew it this month.  What happened?  I discovered the Book Outlet.  It was so bad, that I had to draft a separate book haul post for August.  Be on the look out for my book haul post later this week.

Which books did you read this month?

Have you read any of the books I read this month?  If so, what did you think?

Did you buy any books?  If so, which ones?

Comment below & let me know 🙂