August Reading Wrap Up | 2021
Hello, and welcome to my August Reading Wrap Up for 2021. My reading life is going very well. I’ve read eight books in the month of August! Six out of those eight were free audiobooks from Libby. I don’t know how I went so long without listening to audiobooks for Libby. My reading has literally doubled, and I work full time now, so that’s wild! Anyway, let’s get into it!
This was an Owlcrate book I got (technically) earlier this year. I gave my Owlcrate edition to my sister-in-law, Holly, because she was a huge Ashley Poston fan before me. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. It’s one of those classic fairytales that centers around a cursed wood (my favorite), but also had charming character moments and some queer representation as well. It wasn’t the focus by any means, but it was a nod at the end so I appreciated that.
I read this as an audiobook through the Libby app!
I am currently re-reading The Maze Runner series with my sister-in-laws, Holly and Heidi! This is the first book in our re-read, as we are reading chronological order to the story timeline. This was an okay book. It wasn’t my favorite, and I’m glad I listened to it over reading it with my eyes. I promise I wouldn’t be able to finish it if I had to read my physical copy. It just wasn’t as interesting the second time around. Which is surprising, because usually re-reading is magical and usually a better reading experience than the first time. I guess this was an exception. I appreciate backstory, and getting a look at the world before The Maze Runner starts. It is one of those books where you shouldn’t read this first if you’ve never read this series. Definitely start with The Maze Runner first.
I read this as an audiobook through the Libby app!
All this book did was have me want more books that take place after War Storm. I LOVED seeing the characters I love adjust to life after the main finale of the series. It was also nice to meet some characters that were dead in the original story plot. I liked how there were stories from all over the timeline. It gave this universe the much needed closure it needed. Eve is still my favorite character in that series. I will always root for her.
I read this as an audiobook through the Libby app!
I’m still thinking about this book! I picked up this book on a whim while at Barnes and Noble recently, because it was a stand alone, looked witchy, and thought it would be the perfect book to read with the upcoming spooky season. I was right! I loved this book! I was invested the entire time, and it fits right in with my other witchy books on my Favorites’ shelf. This story is told in three different point of views, by three different female characters. They were all so different from each other, it was easy to distinguish who was who while listening to the audiobook. I rooted for all of them, and loved the friendship dynamic in this book. A lot of books focus on romance (especially for teens), so it was nice to find a book that focused on friendship, and platonic fallouts more.
I read this as an audiobook through the Libby app!
This is the last book in the Once Upon a Con series, and I loved it just as much as the first two books. I wish there were more books in the series! This was a Beauty and the Beast re-telling, and it was super cute. This story was told from both Rosie and Vance’s POV, and I love stories like that! I like knowing the emotional side of both people in a romantic relationship. Everyone processes and reacts differently to romantic situations, and it’s nice knowing what everyone is thinking instead of guessing and reading between the lines. I highly recommend reading this series (and read them in order!)
I read my physical paperback edition of this book!
For this post, I will be talking about both The Babysitters Coven & For Better or Cursed (#2 in series). There are three books total, and the third book is set to come out this month, actually! So I’ll definitely be finishing this series up soon! Anyway, I enjoyed these books. They were fun, and sassy, and overall refreshing to experience. It wasn’t a serious and dark witch series, which was what made the experience refreshing. The characters are honest and funny, and honestly me if I suddenly had magic powers out of nowhere. Like, yes, let’s mess around with a bunch of spells for fun and see what happens. I loved that, because that’s what normies like us would do if we had our wishes come true and we suddenly had magic. I recommend this series to someone who needs an introduction to witchy books. It’s super tame in the magic department, but still a lot of fun.
I read these both as audiobooks through the Libby app!
Listen, this is my very first Victoria (V.E.) Schwab book. I’ve loved and followed the author on social media for literal years. She’s a beautiful and brilliant human being. And although I’ve owned several of her books (digitally), I never actually sat down to read any of them. It wasn’t a lack of want, but the indecision of where to start with her overall collection. Luckily, two of close friends read this book before me and said they really enjoyed it. I am so glad I started with this absolutely stunning piece of art.
I remember Victoria saying that it took her seven years to write this book, and I can tell it’s a story she poured herself into. This is absolutely a story I won’t forget, and Addie is a character I will love always. This story talks of mortality, and wishes, and desires, and time, and quality of life and experiences. It has a unique ending, which I adored. I HIGHLY recommend this captivating stand alone to anyone who breathes.
I read this as an audiobook through the Libby app!
Thank you so much for stopping by to see what books I read and enjoyed in the month of August. Can you believe we’re in the Ber Months already?! Be sure to stop by next month (October) to see what books I read this month (September)!