September 2018 Reading Wrap-Up + Book Haul

 

Goodbye September and hello October!

I didn’t read as many books as I typically do this past month.  My September TBR was a tad on the ambitious side with a few chunky tomes in the mix.  Out of the 8 books on my TBR, I finished 5 and got half-way through 1 more.  I’ll call it a success.

Let’s see which books I read this month & what I had going on here on the blog in September…

 

» City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake #1) by Victoria Schwab

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• A wonderful MG book to read around October/Halloween time.  Schwab did a great job writing for a younger audience.  The “scary” elements are age appropriate.
• It’s a story about a girl with a ghost as a best friend…gave me Casper feels.
• Was a tad worried about the reality TV portion of the plot, but it was well done and did not feel cheesy.
• Perfect for fans of The Graveyard Book or Coraline

» The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth #2) by N.K. Jemisin

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• This series is freaking fantastic!
• Jemisin’s writing is unlike any I’ve read before.  I don’t know how she pulls off writing in the 2nd person, but it works here.
• I was really able to wrap my mind around the world better in this book, there are still a few things that I struggled to grasp, but it is more of a “mind blown” feeling and not a confused feeling.
• I cannot wait to read the next book.  I will definitely be finishing this series before the end of the year.

» The Reluctant Queen (The Queens of Renthia #2) by Sarah Beth Durst

*3.75 Stars*

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• The Reluctant Queen did not have that same spark for me that the first book did.
• I feel like I struggled with the fact that Daleina took a secondary role in this book.  Naelin becomes our main character in this book.  I liked Naelin’s character for the most part, but she didn’t hold a flame compared to my love for Daleina.
• I am still in love with this world & its magic system
• I did manage to guess one of the big plot twists fairly early in the book, however not in its entirety.
• I’m wondering if part of my issue with this book has to do with the format I read it in.  I’ve been reading this series via audiobook.  This book was narrated by Khristine Hvam, who I think is a good narrator, but I could not stand her voices for Naelin’s children.  The high pitched whining… I just couldn’t take it!
• Despite the fact that I did not enjoy this book as much as the first book, I am very excited for the next book!  I have a feeling a war is coming 🙂

» A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir

*4.5 Stars*

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• It took me a good 100 pages to get into this book, which did not happen with the first two books.   It all felt a bit jumbled, and I wasn’t sure where the plot was going at first.
• Totally called the big reveal in this book.  I called it during the first book.
• Like the first two books, A Reaper at the Gates was full of action, adventure, political intrigue, and a touch of romance.
• Loved that the jinn & ghosts were a bigger part of this book.
• Elias.  My heart hurt for him for the entirety of this book.
• I cannot wait to see how everything will conclude in the final installment.  I HAVE to know what the Nightbringer’s motivations are!

» Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• It’s no secret that I am a sucker for eccentric characters, so I had a pretty good feeling that I was going to enjoy this book.  Eleanor did not disappoint!
• Once I got to the 75 page mark, I read the rest of this book in one sitting.  I just had to know what was going to happen.
• The plot was not predictable.  I did manage to guess the big twist as a possible outcome, but it did not hinder my enjoyment.
• Honeyman did a wonderful job balancing the humor with the dark parts of the plot.  I laughed out loud a few different times.
• Themes: mental health, friendship, self care, and self love.
• Content/Trigger: Suicide & Child abuse
• Would recommend this book to fans of A Man Called Ove, Counting by 7s, & The One-in-a-Million Boy.

» A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

Feelings in a few thoughts:

• This is probably one of the only historical fiction books with a dual POV & timeline (present & past) where I enjoyed both plots equally.  I almost always prefer the story occurring in the past to the one happening in the present time.
• I’ve never read a book with a fictional account of 9/11.  Just reading about it took me back to that day.  It is still so heartbreaking.
• This was a very emotional read during both storylines.
• I really wanted Clara to end up with someone else.  I know it would have been obvious, but I don’t care!

August 2018 Bookish Wrap-Up

August 2018 Book Haul – The Month I Discovered Book Outlet #BookOutletHaul

September 2018 TBR – Series September

Top 5 Wednesday: YA Books for My High School Self

Bookish Babble: How Do You Organize Your Bookshelves? Featuring 8 Ways To Arrange Your Books

Book Review: The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown

Bookish Crafts: How To Make a Succulent Book Planter

Book Review: Sisi: Empress on Her Own (Sisi #2) by Allison Pataki

Physical Books:

» Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

*Signed Copy*

» Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor

Which books did you read this month?

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

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

Comment below & let me know 🙂