Seriously, 2024. The end of August? What is happening….
It was a busy month of wrapping up summer activities and diving back into school. We’re one week into the new academic year, and I’m still not ready. This month completed my Goodreads challenge of 100 books for 2024 (any format counts!), so I am officially a nerd.
Total Books: 12
Physical: 5
Audio: 4
Mix: 3
DNF: 4
Two of August’s books cracked the top 10 for the year (including a new favorite!) And one of them slipped into the bottom 10 – d’oh. It’s called balance. Happy reading!
Format: Physical/Audio Mix
Genre: Sci-Fi/Romantasy
Rating: 1.75/5
I read it because: It was pretty and I wanted a sci-fi/fantasy.
Warnings: Very graphic “open door” scenes (and not in a good way, bwahaha), language, violence
I would recommend this to: women that were Team Edward in 2008 and readers that like it when eyes darken
Vampires and warlocks and werewolfs, oh my! And oh, how I wanted to like this one. It was so pretty! A Beauty and the Beast retelling?? Yay!? But oh, how it was not good. The beginning and the premise were awesome – but then it got overly complicated and the romance was gross. Apparently, I’m not into bad boy immature warlocks and a 475 year age gap. That’s a me problem. I kept going out of sheer hope that it would get better, but it just got more confusing and ended with a cliffhanger. This was a very ambitious book (mixing a million monsters and lore together), and it was too much for me.
Format: Physical
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 3.25/5
I read it because: I need hope in this election year.
Warnings: All things politics
I would recommend this to: people that need hope in the election year.
I saw this book on Instagram and thought I’d try it out. It wasn’t perfect and went on a few tangents, but it was a refreshing read to take a break from the extremes in politics. It emphasized giving people the benefit of the doubt, embracing nuance in complicated issues, and seeing the humanity in people – especially those you disagree with. It made way too much sense.
Format: Audio
Genre: Poem/Memoir/Short Stories
Rating: 3.25/5
I read it because: Jenny Slate is delightfully weird.
Warnings: This book is so weird.
I would recommend this to: adults that sometimes talk to themselves
This book is fantastic word art but should be consumed in small doses. I cannot describe this book of poems and essays other than it is peak Jenny Slate. She is a whole vibe.
Format: Physical
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.25/5
I read it because: it was on a “you might also like” reading list.
Warnings: the disclaimer page cautions about dyslexia (that’s a new warning for me!), parental neglect, and to clutch your pearls during chapter 34.
I would recommend this to: Romcom fans of second chance romances and – gasp – only one bed!
With serious Abby Jimenez vibes, this story was “obnoxiously cute” – which is how the main character is described throughout most of the book. College exes find each other again and have to mix business with their pining. Humorous banter and sidekick characters helped me overlook any cliches and moments of cringe in this lovely little romance. It was a book I kept wanting to pick up again to finish – which is always a good sign.
Format: Audio
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Rating: 3.75/5
I read it because: I saw it in a 6th grade classroom.
Warnings: bullying, middle school feelings
I would recommend this to: 5th/6th graders
This book was able to overcome my lackluster feelings about realistic middle grade novels. It had a diverse cast of characters without plodding through a diversity checklist. It had friendship/crush feelings without inducing nausea. It was sweet and clever with light suspense. It was a very pleasant surprise.
Format: Physical/Audio Mix (Great Narrator!)
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Rating: 5/5
I read it because: I heard it was a delight on the “cozy fantasy” list.
Warnings: Mild Pirate-based Violence
I would recommend this to: fans of the movie The Princess Bride
For months, I have been telling my husband “I just need a fun, innocent quest with some good sidekicks”. This. Was. It.
Now, it’s not going to be for everybody, as there is a lot of world building and plot that is a bit of a riddle. However, this was a quirky and cute tale that made me want to hug the book. It was clever and charming and I gobbled it up. A girl who loves cups, a quest with found family, pirates, word play, young love, a cursed narrator. My favorite book of the year so far.
Format: Physical
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: 3.25/5
I read it because: Sequel to The Prince and the Apocalypse
Warnings: plane crash w/injuries, stranded without diabetic supplies, angst
I would recommend this to: fans that need closure from the first book
The sequel continued to be just as over-the-top as the first one, but this is a quick (SUPER FAST) read with decent action sequences and the characters were more charming this time around. If you don’t mind horrendous pouting/communication styles and a few plot points thrown in just for shock value before getting ignored forever, this edition was cute closure for the story. But please stretch your face prior to reading to prepare for the eye rolls ahead.
**This is my second book this year with “I’m stranded on an island and one of the characters is diabetic.” This plot point was so unnecessary. Broken legs, gashed arms, and an erupting volcano was enough drama.
Format: Audio (a must do if you are interested in this one!!)
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5
I read it because: Library Challenge – Auto/Biography
Warnings: Childhood Trauma, Late-diagnosed Dyslexia
I would recommend this to: TV historians and lovers of celebrity memoir
This was adorable and sweet. If you’re interested, I highly recommend the audio book, as he has excellent story telling and his wife of 45+ years reads her perspective on some of the events. The parts where he talked about his life and behind the scenes of his career were very interesting. Unfortunately, sometimes the name dropping and repetitiveness weighed down the book. However, it included great lessons on perseverance and self-growth.
Format: Physical
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 4/5
I read it because: I got lost in the hobbies nonfiction section
Warnings: N/A
I would recommend this to: writers that need a coach like Tim Gunn on their shoulder (make it fabulous! Now, time to edit, designers!!)
This was a quick and easy book to encourage writers and give practical tips to draft and revise your work. I appreciated the tips, blah, blah, blah – Here’s my promise to you. If you have actually clicked on this blog, and actually read this far, and didn’t even skip the paragraph about the non-fiction book, and are interested in why I actually read this book, and take the time to message me, I will tell you what I’m dabbling with. Are you brave enough to ask and make me brave enough to tell you about it? Let’s see! Now I’m going to hide that part in more boring words so I can only let you – the devoted reader – feel special about discovering my new hobby. Prose and structure and revision are tools discussed in this easy-to-follow and practical guide.
Format: Audio
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 4.5/5
I read it because: I’ve been meaning to read it forever. It also finished my library challenge.
Warnings: Apartheid/racism, violence, domestic abuse, language
I would recommend this to: Americans that need to zoom out
As I checked out the book, the librarian said, “Oh! This is so good. You HAVE to listen to the audio version.” So, I did – and she was right. Between the African languages and impactful storytelling, listening to Trevor Noah’s book was the correct choice. While uncomfortable, it was informative and emotional and interesting. Now I really want to know how he wound up going from those childhood stories to hosting The Daily Show, because hearing about his life in South Africa was incredible.
Format: Physical
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.25/5
I read it because: I wanted to give Carley Fortune another chance (and I’m glad I did!)
Warnings: It’s raunchy. Stressed friendships and parent/child dynamics, grief/loss
I would recommend this to: fans of Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez and ladies that think oyster shucking is hot
This book helped me break a pet peeve: we time jumped every three chapters and I wasn’t mad about it! Amazing! It was very similar to Happy Place in the way it was told, but I liked these characters better. This book was well on its way to a 5 star romance, but if I had to hear about the three moles on her collar bone one more time……or the fleck of color in his eyes or his teacup birthmark. Stop talking about her moles. (Hey, you can’t please everybody. Maybe some people really want to hear about moles. Maybe I just don’t like the word “moles”.) Anyway, it was way more fun than the other book of hers that I read, and Prince Edward Island was an interesting setting. There were a lot of references to other books – so I’ll need to check out some of the characters’ recommendations.
Format: Audio
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 4/5
I read it because: Friend recommendation
Warnings: 2020 references, depression
I would recommend this to: adults that need baby steps to be productive
This isn’t going to be for everyone, but I felt personally called out for the vast majority of this book. If you get overwhelmed with basic tasks, fall to negative self talk, or have an all-or-nothing personality, this is encouraging. If you have an organized brain and find it easy to initiate tasks, this book will sound nuts. It’s just laundry – not a sign of personal failure.
Format: Physical/Audio Mix
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Rating: 4.25/5
I read it because: I’ve been meaning to read this series forever, and I found the set at a book sale.
Warnings: Peril, bugs, rats, and battles with bugs and rats
I would recommend this to: middle grade students in need of adventure
Before she became the author of The Hunger Games series, Suzanne Collins wrote this series for a younger demographic. Honestly, I don’t know what took me so long to read these books, because they are fun and suspenseful quests. It’s Alice in Wonderland meets Harry Potter meets the Nutcracker meets City of Ember meets Percy Jackson. There are prophecies and battles and quests and friendships and a crazy cast of characters. If you are a fan of adventure in the middle grade genre, this is a solid bet.
August’s Quit List
Some memoirs that include trauma can be a gripping journey where readers are put at ease while battling horrible topics. Gracie Gold has quite the story, but the presentation was uncomfortable. I was forcing myself to read it because of the library challenge, but I realized that I was not the best audience for it. DNF @ 10%.
I was a social studies minor. I love historical topics. So WHY can’t I get into historical fiction!?! This book was chosen after a trip to Galena, Illinois. Galena is amped up on the Grants. We toured the house, and the family was interesting. But after reading the first chapter and carrying this book around the house for three days without opening it again, I realized that I should follow my own rule of quitting books that don’t spark interest and return it to the library.
This is the perfect example of how the romance genre is hilarious. Even though I previously enjoyed this author and gave a very similar book (above) a four star rating, I couldn’t finish this one. Tropes and cliches are rampant in romance – and if it doesn’t work for you, the book is doomed. I could not overcome my personal dealbreaker: “He’s so hot! I know we are best friends and he’s giving me every signal ever, but he could never *like* like me…..did I mention he was also tall?” followed by horrendous miscommunication. Also, it was an audio book where the male narrator sounded like a surfer dude. I couldn’t take it. DNF @ 32%.
This one makes me so sad to DNF. I can’t pinpoint why this didn’t work for me. On paper, it’s everything I could want in a “cozy fantasy”, but I just couldn’t get into it. I felt like I was reading forever and only three pages were completed. I even switched to an audio book assist, but it was taking forever. When it feels like a chore, put it away. DNF @ 37%. So sad.
My pace is slowing down a bit as 2024 enters its final months, and that’s okay. Thanks for following along on my reading journey!