August Monthly Wrap-up aka The “Rachel Panics for September” Post

As cliché as it sounds, I can’t believe August is over. It just came and went, then, like magic, it’s already September.

And I’m in a state of panic!!!

I have a couple of blog tours this month. It was all fine and dandy when I took them on a couple of months earlier, but then I realized that two of those blog tours are scheduled the first week of this month. (Imagine me running around, screaming in panic)

I am not joking about panicking. I really am, but I’m just going to have to read like a maniac in the following days. I mean, I have always been reading like a maniac but I have to somehow step it up some more. (Wish me luck!)

Enough with that, you’ll hear more about it anyway throughout the month. Let’s talk about August.

August was, generally, a good month for me. There were a few bumps – a book that I thought would plunge me into another reading slump, co-workers calling in sick super late which led to me doing overtime at the clinic and decreasing my reading time – but, overall, August treated me well. I read some pretty great books, and may have even found one a new favorite. Truly, it has been one productive month! Here’s how August went down for me.

Books I’ve finished:

🍂 The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction – late 20s, The Great Depression, mid-70s // Mystery)

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “The Masterpiece” by Fiona Davis

I can’t believe I waited this long to read a Fiona Davis book. I fell in love with The Masterpiece! The way Davis described things both in the late 1920s and the mid-70s was amazing. She also gave me two incredible women to cheer for. I absolutely recommend this book.

🍂 A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan (Young Adult Fiction // Fantasy // Re-telling)

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “A Touch of Gold” by Annie Sullivan

I enjoyed A Touch of Gold, though somehow it fell just a bit short for me. It has an interesting premise and great writing by Annie Sullivan, but the characters felt bland for me. Still, this book put Sullivan on my radar. I’m certainly going to look forward to more of her writing.

🍂 See All the Stars by Kit Frick (Young Adult Fiction // Contemporary)

My rating: ⭐⭐ // Review: “See All the Stars” by Kit Frick

This one didn’t quite fit me. It’s not the writing, Frick did well on that front. I think it’s partly the characters, which I found bland and underdeveloped, and the plot itself, which was shallow. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad book, I’m sure there are many readers who’ll love it, but it just wasn’t for me.

🍂 Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (Young Adult Fiction // Contemporary)

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Review: “Darius the Great is Not Okay” by Adib Khorram

Now, I cannot state enough just how much I adore this book. It definitely saved me from going into a reading slump, and gave me a new character to root for. Darius the Great is Not Okay is an incredible, heartwarming and heartbreaking coming-of-age. It’s very character-driven, so if that’s also your thing, you’ll love this book.

🍂 Wait for Me and In Another Time by Caroline Leech (Young Adult Fiction // Historical Romance – WWII)

My rating: Wait for Me – ⭐⭐⭐ // In Another Time – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ // Mini-reviews: “Wait for Me” and “In Another Time” by Caroline Leech

Both of these books are just so sweet I wouldn’t mind re-reading them sometime in the future. Though, I have to say, I loved In Another Time more.

Also, these two books gave me information about WWII I’ve never known before. Like that German POWs were brought to Scotland to work on farms, and that women took up much of the work the men left when war broke out. This is one of the many reasons historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I learn and enjoy at the same time.

Books I’ve Started:

🍂 Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird (Historical Fiction – American Civil War, post-American Civil War)

I’m almost at the halfway mark of this book, and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of it so far. Cathy Williams is one character most people are sure to root for – brave, determined and proud. If you don’t hear from me in the coming days, then you know this book still has me under its spell.

🍂 I Do Not Trust You by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz (Young Adult Fiction // Fantasy, Mythology)

I cannot tell you much about this one yet as I’ve only cracked the book ’til the end of its first chapter. Nevertheless, I’m pretty excited for this because, hey, Egyptian mythology!

Forthcoming Releases I’m Looking Forward to (aka My September TBR):

Release dates:

September 4

Leverage in Death – J.D. Robb

Sadie – Courtney Summers // Review: “Sadie” by Courtney Summers

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen – Sarah Bird

White as Silence, Red as Song – Alessandro D’Avenia

September 11

I Do Not Trust You – Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz

September 18

Wildcard – Marie Lu

Strange Grace – Tessa Graton

The Deepest Roots – Miranda Asebedo

September 28

Give the Dark My Love – Beth Revis

I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I will try my best to read all these books this month. I mean, I almost hit my target last month, missing only 2 books on my TBR list. That’s a great track record, right? So, maybe I can do it this month. Crossed fingers.

Non-bookish stuff I’m into right now:

I’m a history nerd. I don’t know, it’s a boring subject for some people, but I’m continually fascinated by what happened in the past – people, events, stuff like that. So, naturally, historical documentaries are part of my diet, and I stumbled upon some really interesting ones last month. Here are some I recommend:

Buried: Knights Templar and The Holy Grail (History Channel)

Elizabeth I (Channel 5)

All four episodes of Elizabeth I are available on YouTube, that’s how I stumbled upon it. I’m not really sure abut Buried: Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. I was able to catch it on History (one of the reasons why I am willing to pay for cable).

Anyway, with all that said, September’s going to be a very busy month for me. Not really complaining, I mean, hey, I got my books and as long as I have books I’ll be happy.

💗💗💗

How’s your August been and what are you planning to read this month?