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Hello Hello! How are you?
It’s already the middle of another week and it’s also the end of July. I can’t believe how fast this month has gone by, it feels like each month gets faster as the year goes on!
I’ve been trying to catch up in July and haven’t done the best job at that, but I’m reading a lot more than I was in May and June, so I’m happy about that! I’ve still got quite a few books to read from my July TBR, but I doubt I’ll get to them in the last 3 days.
August is going to be another ambitious month for me. I’m trying to cram in as many books as I can since I start back at uni in September, and might have a full-time job as well from November, so I’m just going to try to get ahead with my thesis and classes, and might not read as many “enjoyment” books for the next couple of months! Anyway, enough of my waffling!
On to the August TBR!
Murder in Mesopotamia (#13 Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
An archaeologist’s wife is murdered on the shores of the River Tigris in Iraq.
It was clear to nurse Amy Leatheran that something sinister was going on at the Hassanieh dig, something associated with the presence of ‘Lovely Louise’, the wife of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Leidner. But she couldn’t pinpoint it.
In a few days’ time Hercule Poirot was due to drop in at the excavation site. With Louise suffering terrifying hallucinations, and tension within the group becoming almost unbearable, Poirot might just be too late…
Le Jardin secret (#1) by Maud Begon, La Dernière flamme (#1) by Tim Probert & Les Louves by Flore Balthazar – These are all graphic novels, so really quick reads hopefully!
City of Heavenly Fire (#6 The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare
I’m sure you’re sick of seeing this book by now, but I’ve still not been able to read this one, and neither have Fiona and Erika, so we are once again pushing it back another month. We are going to try our best to read it in full in August and review it! I’ve read about 60 pages already, and I was enjoying it, I just need to get on with it and get reading it, because I feel like it will be a binge-worthy one!
Malice (#1 Malice Duology) by Heather Walter
I have seen this book on book Twitter and Instagram for a few months, and it has seriously been calling to me, so when this one was picked for the TWR Gang book club, I just had to jump on board, even though I have so many other books to read… I’m hoping that my time off before uni will help me through it aha. This honestly sounds right up my alley, so I can’t wait to read it!
Detective Stories (#4 Rivers of London graphic novels), Cry Fox (#5) and Waterweed (#6) by Ben Aaronovitch
Continuing the Rivers of London readalong with my buddies from The Folly group, and in August we are going to be reading the next three graphic novels in the Rivers of London graphic novel series. I wasn’t a fan of the second volume but did really enjoy volumes 1 and 3, and I think I will keep enjoying them! I’ve been loving the art style and the shorter, quicker mysteries, even though I do adore the novels. They are quick and fun reads, and I can’t wait to pick these all up throughout August!
Peril at End House (#8 Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
Our Hercule Poirot buddy read is still ongoing, and I’ve been trying to get back into these stories, and in a timely manner. Although this month, the timing was correct, the book edition of Black Coffee was not, so luckily I found out in time to get the audio ahaha. I’ve been loving this series and although there are quite problematic and “yikes” moments, they are still fun and engaging reads. I got this one by my mother in law two Christmases ago, so I’m glad I finally get to read it!
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
I have basically fallen off the Stephen King bibliography readalong wagon and I am so late, but I really want to try my best to catch up and be able to chat about the books with everyone. I know this continues on from The Shining, but that’s all I know. In August, I’ll also be catching up with Salem’s Lot and finishing my reread of The Shining, so hopefully will get those done, and this one in time for the chats. Please send motivation!!
Night Shift by Stephen King
I am also super late to this one and so behind, so I’ll be making a really big effort to read a short story every few days to catch up for the ones being discussed in August. The four short stories on the schedule for August are The Ledge, The Lawnmower, Quitters Inc. and I Know What You Need. I’m looking forward to finding out what they are about!!!
Changeling (#3 Six Stories) by Matt Wesolowski
In August, the TWR Gang Book Club Series Book Club (what a mouthful ahaha!!) will be reading the third book in the Six Stories series. I have been loving the series so much and got really invested in Hydra, the second book. I’m also going to be going into this one blind and I want to find out what the mystery is as I read, so I’m really looking forward to it!
The Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin by J. R. R. Tolkien
Once again, I’m super late in this buddy read, but I am using the end of August to really push through these two so I’m ready for The Hobbit in September. It will be a reread, so I might not pick it up, but I am just mentioning it as it’s the next in our schedule. I have read a bit of The Silmarillion, and while it is complicated and a lot goes over my head, what I did understand, I really enjoyed and it’s just a very intriguing and immersive book. The audio has also really been helping, but the narrator has a very relaxing voice and I keep nodding off reading it… Time to pick the physical book back up I think!
Theogony by Hesiod and The Greek Myths by Robert Graves
In August, I am also starting a buddy read for a lot of Greek mythology and philosophy, and I am so damn excited. I love anything related to myths and being able to read a lot of them, as well as more works by ancient Greek authors will be amazing. I’m so excited to start, and I feel like these are all quite short individually, so I’ll get through them quickly. We are dividing The Greek Myths, so will only read up to the end of chapter 48 in August!
Clean Sweep by E. B. Lee (15th September)
Carli Morris was looking forward to a quiet retirement. Earning billions from the sale of her Madison Avenue ad agency, she dreams of spending her golden years painting and giving back to society. But the heartbreaking discovery of a homeless woman poisoned to death reopens the wounds of Carli’s own tragic loss.
Realizing her busy career had turned her away from the vulnerable, she throws herself on a mission to get the defenseless off the streets. But as she sacrifices her own needs to support others, her new colleague’s mental illness and Carli’s unresolved grief collide in a staggering sequence of events that will alter her life forever. Can Carli dig deep and make a powerful, personal impact?
Honor by Thrity Umrigar (20th September)
Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past. While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her.
Rising Shadows (#1 The Pillar of Creation) by Phillip Blackwater (24th September)
As tension rises between the southern and northern nations of the small continent of Exitium in the world of Anteris, the Elves turn to their eastern neighbors, the Humans, for help. They wish to learn the ways of combat, which they are not accustomed to, for they have always wielded a power far greater than forged steel. The Shards of Creation, mystical artifacts of great and virtually infinite power, have always been their prized weapon, but times have changed. They now face the same threat as the Humans: the southern nation known as the Ethula.
Wariel Ritch, general of the Human army, will take upon his shoulders this burden. But when a shadow of a past long forgotten threatens what little stability is left in the world, he will have to leave everything behind to stop it. Medregal Tergrast, an Ethulan king, dead for a thousand years, plans his return to the world of the living to gain back his former glory and finally fulfill his destiny by gaining control of the Shards of Creation. But is he really the threat people make him out to be?
In the meantime, in the bowels of the Human Kingdom, the reign of Dana Crystaloak is put into jeopardy when people around her start questioning her decisions. If she falls, war could break out across all lands.
Lark Ascending by Silas House (30th September)
As fires devastate most of the United States, Lark and his family secure a place on a refugee boat headed to Ireland, the last country not yet overrun by extremists and rumored to be accepting American refugees. But Lark is the only one to survive the trip, and once ashore, he doesn’t find the safe haven he’d hoped for. As he runs for his life, Lark finds an abandoned dog who becomes his closest companion, and then a woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek?
The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery
When Col’s childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians – a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight – Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.
But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.
Murder in Mesopotamia (#13 Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
An archaeologist’s wife is murdered on the shores of the River Tigris in Iraq.
It was clear to nurse Amy Leatheran that something sinister was going on at the Hassanieh dig, something associated with the presence of ‘Lovely Louise’, the wife of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Leidner. But she couldn’t pinpoint it.
In a few days’ time Hercule Poirot was due to drop in at the excavation site. With Louise suffering terrifying hallucinations, and tension within the group becoming almost unbearable, Poirot might just be too late…
Le Jardin secret (#1) by Maud Begon, La Dernière flamme (#1) by Tim Probert & Les Louves by Flore Balthazar – These are all graphic novels, so really quick reads hopefully!
Wicked Little Deeds by Kat Ellis
I read Harrow Lake by the same author last year, and I was not the biggest fan of it, it just didn’t scare me or do anything for me, but when Dave announced the blog tour for her newest book, I had to give it and the author another shot. I read the blurb a month or so ago, but don’t remember much, so going in blind will probably be a good thing since I want to be surprised!
Fireborn by Aisling Fowler
I am really looking forward to this #UltimateBlogTour organised by Dave from @The_WriteReads, it sounds right up my alley. I love middle-grade fantasy, as you know, as this one sounds unique, fun, and I’m sure I’m going to really enjoy reading it.
Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko
I got an email about this book from the publisher and it sounded SO GOOD. It was also compared to Nightbooks by J. A. White, Small Spaces by Katherine Arden and City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab, which are all books I love, so I knew I needed to give it a chance. I’m so glad I got this email and got approved for it on NetGalley, and I’m sure I will absolutely love it!
The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara
This is another blog tour organised by Dave (so many this month ahaha!) and while this is not my usual read, I did think it sounded fun. Much like other YA contemporary romances I’ve had the opportunity to read on Dave’s tours, I know this will be quick, and I’m hoping it will be fun, cute and enjoyable! It reminds me a little of the premise of Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams, which I still haven’t read, but loved the sound of, so I’m optimistic for this blog tour book!
The Other Side of the Whale Road by K. A. Hayton
The next blog tour organised by Dave is for a historical fiction fantasy (I think, it isn’t mentioned on GR). This one goes back through centuries right to Anglo-Saxon times. It is set in Suffolk, and the blurb sounded really interesting. I love historical fiction, and some of my favourite books are a mix of my favourite genres, so I’m looking forward to reading this book!
Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
The final blog tour organised by Dave in August is a YA thriller/mystery, a genre that I have come to really love this past year or so. I thought that the synopsis sounded really promising and while I hate family secrets/lies used as plot, this one doesn’t sound anything like what I dislike. I think there is much more to this book than the blurb mentions and I’m really excited to read it because I’m sure it will be fast-paced and an edge-of-your-seat book!
Shadowghast (#3 Legends of Eerie-on-Sea) by Thomas Taylor
Let me tell you, I had a little scream when I found out that I had been approved for this book on NetGalley. I read the first book in this series, Malamander, in June and I loved every minute of it, so I clicked request super-fast, and I’m so glad I’m getting the chance to read it early. I have the second book on my shelf, and I’m going to whizz through that as soon as I can so I get book 3 read and the review up for its publication at the start of September!
The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery
When Col’s childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians – a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight – Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.
But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.
Murder in Mesopotamia (#13 Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
An archaeologist’s wife is murdered on the shores of the River Tigris in Iraq.
It was clear to nurse Amy Leatheran that something sinister was going on at the Hassanieh dig, something associated with the presence of ‘Lovely Louise’, the wife of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Leidner. But she couldn’t pinpoint it.
In a few days’ time Hercule Poirot was due to drop in at the excavation site. With Louise suffering terrifying hallucinations, and tension within the group becoming almost unbearable, Poirot might just be too late…
Le Jardin secret (#1) by Maud Begon, La Dernière flamme (#1) by Tim Probert & Les Louves by Flore Balthazar – These are all graphic novels, so really quick reads hopefully!
Brightstorm (#1 Brightstorm) by Vashti Hardy
The Middle Grade Marvels book for August is this wonderful looking and sounding book. You can find out all the info about this book and our book club in my Middle Grade Marvels August Announcement post. It sounds sad, but also very adventurous and just like the kind of middle-grade I love (even though I love them all). I just can’t wait to dive in and set off on the adventure with the characters.
Gargantis (#2 Legends of Eerie-on-Sea) by Thomas Taylor
Since I was approved for this one on NetGalley, I’m definitely going to read this second instalment as soon as I can. It’s a middle-grade book, hence the reason I put it in this category, but I think I will read it by myself, or with Noly if she wants to, but I will definitely read it in August!
Le Jardin secret (#1) by Maud Begon, La Dernière flamme (#1) by Tim Probert & Les Louves by Flore Balthazar – These are all graphic novels, so really quick reads hopefully!
I went a bit crazy at the library again, and have quite a few in my library bag now. I’m only going to write a quick list of what I want to read in August, and add pictures at the end, otherwise, I will be here for hours ahaha!
- L’Alliance des trois (#1 Autre Monde) by Maxime Chattam
- L’Alchimiste (#1 Les secrets de l’immortel Nicolas Flamel) by Michael Scott
- L’Art du naufrage by Pascale Quiviger
- Collision (#2 Titanic) by Gordon Korman
- Affaires non résolues by Cyril Guinet
- Vidal, le tueur de femmes by Phillipe Artières
- Le Mystère de la dame en noir by Irene Adler
- L’Enigme des Blancs-Manteaux by Jean-François Parot
- L’affaire du rideau bleu by Jean-Blaisse Djian
I totally failed to read any thesis book in July, but I really have to get on with it and start reading in August. I’m going to be reading Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Once I’ve finished those, I’ll pick two more!
And finally, in August, I am also going to be TRYING to participate in the Trope-ical readathon hosted by Jenny and her partner Rob. I loved this readathon last year, and I just kept questioning whether to take part again this year, but I’m not going to try to fill and complete each prompt, just 8, including my Team book and prompts!
For this readathon, this year I have chosen to take part in Team Mystery/Horror/Thriller, which is really unusual for me, but I really want to read the team book and feel like giving myself a challenge since I’m now more into these genres.
Here is a list of the books I’ll be reading, and the prompts they fit!
- Mystery/Horror/Thriller team book: The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
- “Is it Supernatural?” (Read a book where the events may or may not be paranormal/supernatural): Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
- Read a book with the “Locked-Room Mystery” trope: The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
- Coming-of-Age Trope: Read a book where the protagonist goes through a process of self-discovery: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
- Food Theme Trope: Read a book that has food themes: With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Mixed Media Trope: Read a book that includes letters, texts, emails, etc: Illuminae (#1 The Illuminae Files) by Kay Kristoff and Amie Kaufmann
- (Post) Apocalyptic Trope: Read a book that occurs leading up to/during an apocalypse or in the aftermath of an apocalypse: Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
- Multiple POVs Trope: Read a book told through multiple points-of-view: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
These are also all books that I own, apart from the Team book which I will get as soon as I can, and I might not be able to read them all, but since I own them, and have wanted to read them for ages, I do want to give it a real shot!
So there is my EXTREMELY ambitious TBR for August. I haven’t added the books I need to catch up on (still) because I’ll get to them when I can and I’m honestly not going to worry about them too much, but I want to give all these books a shot, and since I finish my internship on the 14th of August and don’t go back to uni officially until the 20th of September (apart from a few meetings at the start of the month), I am hoping I can read quite a lot in that time!
That’s all for now, I hope you enjoyed this post, see you soon, stay safe,
Ellie xx
You have indeed set out a formidable plan for August! My review queue has filled up so fast for the rest of the year. I just can’t say no. Every review request sounds so good.
Ahaha yes it’s a bit of a crazy plan 😬😂 I can’t say no either, that’s why I only do blog tours with Dave otherwise I would be well and truly in a pickle 😂
Changeling is one of my favourite ever books. I had the audio and its amazing. The series is fantastic but this one broke me. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Oh I’m so excited to read it now!
It’s amazing.