The Books I Read In August 2022
The Books I Read In August 2022
August was definitely a weird reading month for me. Overall, I had a slow start. I began with a reread of an asbolute favorite followed by its sequel that definitely left me hungover when I finished! I was also preparing to go on a week long trip, so I think my mind was just kind of maxed at that point and nothing was really hitting right either. But I mostly finished strong with 4 full length novels and 2 novellas altogether as well as, unfortunately, 1 DNF (did not finish), but I’d call that a great month looking back! Here’s a recap of all the books I finished in August 2022.
Blog Contents
The Stats
The Books & My Reviews
Life Update
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The Stats
NUMBER OF BOOKS: 7
BEST OF THE BUNCH: A Reaper at the Gates
STUNNING SERIES SPOTLIGHT: Crystal Bloom
PRINT: 4
E-BOOK: 3
REREAD: 1
DNF: 1
GENRES: Epic Fantasy (1) // Romantasy (2) // Romantic Comedy (1) // Steamy Romance Novella (2) // Magical Realism (1)
AVERAGE RATING: 4.29★
The Books: Full Length Novels
1 // To Bleed A Crystal Bloom | ★★★★★
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. ParkerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
2022 REREAD - 5 ⭐
I'm still 1000% obsessed. This was so damn good.
Check out my full blog review from my original read in 2021 here!
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2 // To Snap A Silver Stem | ★★★★★
To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. ParkerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Everything is nothing if you're in pieces."
Well, holy hell, my heart 😭💔
This story, from start to finish, was stunning in its moving prose, vivid imagery, and in its overflowing feeling and gut-wrenching emotion. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, my mind bouncing between all sorts of theories and predictions and what ifs… but oof what a blow this book gives. That “hurts so good” kind of feeling, but more. It gutted me and left me reeling and I'm still in a daze this morning... but, in the same breath, I cannot wait to see where the story ends up!
In Crystal Bloom fashion, Silver Stem is an all-consuming, soul-devouring and -shattering, mind-bending, can’t-do-anything-else-til-I-finish-but-I-don’t-want-it-to-end read that tears and pulls at those heartstrings and doesn’t let you go. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do until book 3. I'm waiting with bated breath for what's to come next, because I just know it's going to be the best so far.
"He taught me to bleed so beautifully. I wonder ... will he bleed for me?"
READ THIS IF YOU LIKE:
💙fated/bonded mates
💙prophecy x secrets
💙aquatic shape shifters
💙kingdom/courtly intrigue
💙deception, political power plays
💙arranged couplings/political pairings
💙heartbreak x despair
💙secret identity x rendezvous
💙monsters x growing sickness tropes
💙gutwrenching love stories
💙multiple POV/storylines
"I'd strike the fucking world down for you."
Content Warnings: self hatred, thoughts of self harm, grief/despair, death
Thank you to Sarah for my early review copy!
View all my reviews
3 // A Reaper at the Gates | ★★★★★
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa TahirMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
+ 100% done with audiobook
Amazing 🙌🏻 I devoured this. Beyond 5 stars!!!!
View all my reviews
4 // Other Birds | ★★★★
Other Birds by Sarah Addison AllenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be an other bird rather than just the same old thing.”
This story felt magical. From the food references to the locale to the friendly ghost stories, their was a whimsical and quaint feel to Other Birds that kept me turning page after page. And it completely snuck up on me!
Stories take flight and a residential mystery ensues when Zoey moves into a small community on Mallow Island in Charleston, SC taking over residence of her mother's old studio space. There's not only new people to meet and stories to uncover but a whole new world to explore and Zoey does it with a graceful innocence that's endearing.
This is a story about coming home and feeling safe. Unexpected love. New friendships. Closure. Letting go. And fresh possibilities. It was beautiful and touching in the most unexpected way! And there were so many twists I didn’t see coming or, quite honestly, expect!! This story will definitely stick with me for a while.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
— shifting POVs
— Charleston area locale
— death x mysterious happenings
— paranormal magical realism
— small condo community
— Dellawisps 🐦
— food = love
— found family
— friendly ghosts
— interconnected storylines
— attention to detail
— reclusive/unexpected hero
Possible Content Warnings: death and death of a friend/parent (mostly off page), hoarding and a religious cult (light references/mentions to each)
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the early copy!
View all my reviews
The Books: The Novellas
Both less than 200 pages each and available on Kindle Unlimited, these two sizzling novellas got me out of that minor reading slump I hit after finishing To Snap A Silver Stem. I knew exactly what to expect from both of them, but they each surprised me regardless and I really enjoyed them both. If you’re looking for quick, steamy reads with plot, these two have you covered! And both are actually the first in a series. Be sure to check the content warnings on these as well.
1 // The Never King | ★★★★
The Never King by Nikki St. CroweMy Rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a pleasant surprise! I was hooked from the start with the mysterious and haunting tone of the writing and storyline. The Never King is a reverse harem, Peter Pan reimagining with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and lots of elements of a romantasy! It has a significant plot in a short amount of time that I'm eager to continue. If you're looking for a fast, dark, steamy romance check this out!
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2 // Theirs for the Night | ★★★★★
Theirs for the Night by Katee RobertMy Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holy moly, this was good!! And completely unexpected. The writing style drew me in and the steamy, tantilizing plot had me sticking around! This is a MMF romance that includes a prince and his bodyguard (who are both alphas, by the way). It's one night that ends up continuing with an incredibly intriguing plotline that I'm really looking forward to continuing!
View all my reviews
The Books: The DNF
So, I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book and honestly, I must not have read the synopsis or the synopsis I was given at the time did not have enough information for me to make an informed decision. And I also LOVED A Brush With Love, so I know that I was excited for another Mazey novel, but this just wasn’t it for me. At all. This has major themes of pregnancy and abortion, and there’s no sugar coating either. They are both intricate to the storyline, so please take care before picking this up. And while I did DNF at about 50%, I skimmed the rest of the way and know the major plot points for the rest of the novel, and just meh. I also thought it was indelicate to essentially blame all of Lizzie’s “personality quirks” (to put it nicely) on her ADHD. I’m pretty sure that’s not how that works and it was just yet another thing about this story that didn’t sit very well with me and contributed to me setting it aside.
1 // Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake | ★★
Life Update
We got to go to Walt Disney World this month and it was honestly just the perfect trip. I’m so sad it’s already over and I’m pretty sure I now have a vacation hangover LOL. I’m still planning to put together a blog recapping our trip, but for now, please enjoy this quick slideshow!
How was your reading experience in August?
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Oh hey, friend!
I’m Leah. Cozy connoisseur and bountiful book buyer. I have a minor obsession with getting lost in the pages of a good book, guzzling coffee, and thriving at home. Leggings, wine, and essential oils are also my jam. I'm truly just a bookworm and homebody at heart with a knack for content creation & cozy shots. This is my creative space.
It’s thriller season! Although I definitely enjoy reading thrillers year round! If you’re looking for cozy and atmospheric, eerie and spooky, or mindbending and shocking reads for this fall check out this quick list of thriller and mystery books I’ve compiled — 8 I still randomly think about and 8 I'm looking forward to reading soon!