August is over which means the N.E.W.Ts have finished. While I didnt manage to graduate as an Alchemist I did pass all the exams I needed to be a Curse Breaker. I will try for Alchemist again next year.
It was also the month I got my cute little fur babies, who are so distracting in their cuteness.
WRAP-UP STATS
BOOKS: 20
PAGES: 5720
(Page count includes Audiobook page numbers)
I cant believe I managed the get through 20 books! I will admit to making some substitutions to my TBR as the end of the month loomed mostly subbing the longer novels for graphic novels and short stories.
GENRES:
As you an see there is an increase in graphic novels in this month, but it still doesn’t unseat Fantasy as my most read genre. I am still disappointed in the amount of Sci-fi I am reading. I thought I was a much more avid reader or sci-fi than appears from this year.
AUDIENCE:
Again maintaining the almost 50/50 balance of YA and Adult which I am please with. Due to the increase of Graphic novels this month, there is an increase in paperbacks as a format this month. I love the N.E.W.Ts as it forces me to dig deep into my shelves and read a lot of what I own. 15 of the 20 book I read I already owned.
FORMAT:
RATINGS:
5 STARS: 7
4.5 STARS: 4
4 STARS: 3
3.5 STARS:
3 STARS: 5
2.5 STARS: 1
WHAT I READ –
Curse Breaker
ANCIENT RUNES
A: EHWAZ – READ A BOOK RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND
One Week in the Library
W. Maxwell Prince
I got this recommendation from fellow Ravenclaw Catarina the Bookworm. Be sure to check out her video and all the other recommendations though G’s video. This was an unusual one but really entertaining.
E: A BOOK WRITTEN IN THE PAST TENSE
Legion: Skin Deep
Brandon Sanderson
I have been meaning to read this series for a while, the premise was just so interesting and while this one was not as entertaining as the first in the series it was still a great read.
O: BOOK THAT HAS BEEN ON YOU TBR FOR AGES
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
4.5 Stars
Oh why did I wait so long to read this! I loved this. I am sucker for shows and movies around heists and con-artists and this really did fit in with some of my favourites with its twist turns and reveals. I am moving on to Crooked Kingdom asap.
ARITHMANCY
A: A BOOK THAT ENDS ON AN EVEN PAGE NUMBER
Sea Witch Rising
Sarah Henning
I was fortunate enough to receive an eARC for this sequel through NetGalley. I have to admit I enjoyed this one better than the first one. I have a full review of both books here.
E: READ A STANDALONE
Magic for Liars
Sarah Gailey
4.5 Stars
I really really enjoyed this, it was such a great concept. A murder in magical school, all told from the perspective of the disillusioned detective. This book played with those stereotypes and had fun with them. While the mystery wasnt the most thrilling I still really enjoyed it. I will be reviewing this shortly.
O: A BOOK THAT IS LONGER THAN 350 PAGES
Throne of Jade
Naomi Novak
4.5 Stars
I returned to the tale of Temeraire and Captain Laurance, this instalment takes us on a long sea journey with a little bit of a mystery thrown in. I am still very much enjoying this series.
DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: A BOOK THAT IS BLACK UNDER THE DUST JACKET
Legion
Brandon Sanderson
This was such an interesting premise and it really captured my imagination. While it is not the best rep for mental health, it does draw a clear line with known conditions and the fake one created for the main character. It really does make for an interesting plot.
E: GILDEROY’S MEMORY CHARM – FIRST BOOK THAT YOU REMEMBERED FROM YOUR TBR!
The President’s Brain is missing
John Scalzi
This aptly named short story was actually written in 2010 and is jam packed with all the off the wall thinking and dry humour that I love about Scalzi. If you haven’t tried Scalzi before this is a great place to start.
CHARMS
A: READ A BOOK THAT YOU THINK HAS A GORGEOUS COVER
Queenslayer
Sebastian De Castell
4.5 Stars
I finally read this! and it heralds a very dark, yet enjoyable turn for this series. While it seems a bit of a middle book setting up the end game it was still an awesome read! I have a full review here.
E: READ A COMIC/GRAPHIC NOVEL/ MANGA
The Adventure Zone : Murder of the Rockport Express ltd
The McElroy Family and Carey Pietsch
I love the podcast I love the graphic novel series and there isn’t much more to say. this really does capture all the humour of the series and didn’t skimp over my favourite bits! It just makes me giggle the whole way through.
O: SPONGIFY – READ A PAPERBACK
Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie
It’s not a readathon unless I have an Agatha Christie on the TBR. And this was a great little mystery, that keeps up the twists and turns and red herrings in the usual Poirot fashion.
Extra N.E.W.T.s
ASTRONOMY
A: A BOOK WITH A MOON ON THE COVER
We Hunt the Flame
Hafsah Faizal
2.5 Stars
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an eARC, but I wasn’t fully sold on this one I am afraid and it ended up with a 2.5 stars overall. For me it just didn’t hit the mark with its world building or characterisation. I have a full spoiler free review here.
E: A BOOK WITH THE WORD “NIGHT” IN THE TITLE OR SERIES NAME
Godsgrave – Nevernight #2
Jay Kristoff
Continuing on with my re-read of the Nevernight chronicles in preparation of Darkdawn and I loved it just as much as the first time. I knew the ending was coming yet it still got me. I knew all the highs and the lows yet they still pulled me in with them. After meeting Mr Kristoff this week and am even more eager to jump into Darkdawn.
HERBOLOGY
A: MANDRAKE! QUICK PUT YOUR HEADPHONES ON! LISTEN TO AN AUDIOBOOK.
Daisy Jones and the Six
Taylor Jenkins Reid
I have heard this is better read in audio as it is told through a series of interviews and the audiobook is a full cast, and they were not wrong it is amazing! This might be one of the best books I have read this year. I have a full gushing review here.
E: READ A BOOK BETWEEN 350-390 PAGES
The Devouring Gray
Christine Lynn Herman
Oh this put me in such a mood for Autumn and the Halloween season. It has such an awesome spooky atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. it did tie up a little too neatly for my liking but I really enjoyed the characters and the plot.
POTIONS
A: POLLYJUICE POTIONS: READ YOUR BEST FRIENDS FAVOURITE BOOK.
Fables Vol 1
Bill Willingham
My husband has been encouraging me to start this series for a while. Its like a dark “Once upon a time”, a murder mystery with fairytale characters stuck in our world. It was an enjoyable read but I did find it a little drawn out and could have wrapped up a lot quicker than it did.
E: HOUSE INGREDIENT: A BOOK WITH A COVER IN YOUR HOGWARTS HOUSE COLOUR
The Consuming Fire
John Scalzi
Another awesome instalment of this series. I always enjoy scalzi’s work, I love his sense of humour and how out there his plots can get.
O: A BOOK THAT STARTS WITH A PROLOGUE
Bloodlust and Bonnets
Emily McGovern
I managed to snag an ARC of “Background Slytherin” writer’s first Graphic Novel and it was amazing! I was tearing up with laughter. I will have my full review up soon.
TRANSFIGURATION
A: READ A BOOK WITH LGBTQIA+ REPRESENTATION
Heartstopper Vol 2
Alice Oseman
This is just so god damn sweet and amazing and lovely. Its the only words that can truly describe this book.
E: READ A BOOK THAT IS NOT THE FIRST IN THE SERIES
Giant Days Vol 4
John Allison
This is one of my favourite series it is so witty and kind of nostalgic for me. I really enjoy these and like saving them up for readathons.
Fi's Bibliofiles 