A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
August was my most mentally challenging month of 2020 so far.
I’m currently living in Northern California, smack dap in an area that is prone to wildfires. Ironically, wildfire season hasn’t even officially started yet, but two weeks ago, a dry T-storm came through and unloaded thousands of lightning strikes in an area that hasn’t seen rain since March/April.
I remember waking up to lightning and thunder, but at that point I had no idea what it would unleash. Midway through the week, evacuation orders and warnings went out all over the area. The neighborhood I’m living in actually sits right at the border of the hills that were burning. In the end we were lucky, because favorable weather prevented a massive evacuation. Although the fire is only 40% contained, most of the evacuations orders have been lifted.
This was the first time I ever experienced a situation like this myself. And although it’s heart-breaking to see the photos in the news, it’s so much worse when the uncertainty hits directly.
I was going to bed ready to be called, or knocked out of sleep. I was prepared for a 15min evacuation order. Every night I would pack my computer and all the things I used during the day, and add them to the pile of possessions I didn’t want to live without, which were already packed and ready in the garage.
But in the end, although it was draining and messed with my sleep, it was nothing compared to what others went through who lost their homes and returned to rubble and ash.
I just realized that I don’t ever want to live this close to an open area again that can explode into a fierce wildfire over night.
Now let’s get to the bookish news:
I read 20 books in August
As always I re-read some favorite books this month. I think at this point, re-reading favorite books is just something I do. The urge to go through my kindle (which only holds favorite books) and pick a re-read comes up periodically. Sometimes I binge favorite books, other times the books I pick make no rhyme or reason – lol.
This month I was in the mood for some Tijan – she is THE author for me who delivers regularly fantastic New Adult/College romances. And Rich Prick is one of her 2020 releases, which is now also one of the few books in 2020 that I’ve read already twice so far.
I was also in the mood to re-read one of my favorite shifter novels. When I’m in the mood for some crazy and laugh out loud shifter hilarity – Bear Meets Girl is my go-to novel.
AND I finally re-read Jurassic Park. It was part of my Popsugar Reading Challenge, and I’m glad I can officially check it off.
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| FAVORITE AUGUST BOOKS |
I read some fabulous books this month. They were all different, but amazing in their own right. Some blew my mind, others I was waiting a VERY LONG time for.
Heart Bones: I actually thought when I read Regretting You last year, that it was kind of a fluke and an exception, but that wasn’t the case. Heart Bones, only my third book by CoHo, was right up my alley, which means I LOVED it! And if you love a well written, emotional YA romance with depth, this is the book to read. Full RTC
Blacktop Wasteland: Wow what a book!! Thriller, character study, fast cars, jewelry heist, diverse cast, atmospheric and just plain amazing!! It blew my mind and I really truly hope it will be turned into a movie. Full RTC
The Night Swim: I’m far from a thriller expert. I read maybe a handful thrillers a year. But I know what I like. And The Night Swim was UNPUTDOWNABLE!! I actually listened to the entire audiobook in ONE DAY!!! It covers a tough subject and it won’t be the right book for everyone because of triggers, but if triggers aren’t an issue – the audiobook was one of the BEST this year. Full RTC
Peace Talks: What can I say besides that we (the fans) have been waiting for this book SO LONG, and that I’m so glad it delivered!!!! Also, the next book is being released in September – so yay!! Review
With the Fire on High: This book was everything!! From the story, to the characters and the writing – there was nothing that I didn’t enjoy about this book. I actually listened to POET X this weekend, and at this point I can honestly say that I really LIKE this author’s work. Review
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| AUGUST AUDIOBOOKS ? |
My audiobook game is STRONG!!! I listened to some amazing performances this month, and love how many different genres I ended up listening to. It truly keeps the book slump away.
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| BOOK READING GOALS |
I’ve read 159 books of my goal of 100.
I have no more reading goals for this year, besides trying to finish my A to Z challenge.
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| READING CHALLENGE PROGRESS |
Diverse Reading Challenge
Six out of 20 books a month might not seem like a lot, but the books below ROCKED!!! Every single one of them has been excellent in one way or the other. And I will have full reviews ready later this month.
A to Z Reading Challenge
I’ve only added three letters to my A to Z challenge this month. And I still need to fill a couple letters.
G ā Gimme Everything You Got
L ā Luster by Raven Leilani
N ā Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells
20 Books of Summer ā20
Coming into the month I still had TEN book of my Books of Summer challenge to read. I ended up switching a couple things around because some of the books I picked had release date changes. Nevertheless in the end, I only read 19.5 books out of 20, shy of the full twenty, because I’m still stuck in the middle of my last book.
So this is officially a FAILED challenge!!!
On the other hand, I’ll be signing up again next year. ;D
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| NETGALLEY PROGRESS |
I’m the worst, I’m adding books but don’t really read them. Overall it’s not too bad, I only added three books to the pile – it could be worse.
Current titles (15)
Books (12)
Well Played Jen DeLuca
Pretending Holly Bourne
Crazy Stupid Bromance Lyssa Kay Adams
Say No More Karen Rose
The Guest List Lucy Foley
The Comeback Ella Berman
Eliza Starts a Rumor Jane L. Rosen
Anxious People Fredrik Backman
500 Miles from You Jenny Colgan
The Roommate Rosie Danan
The Paris Library Janet Skeslien Charle
Postscript Cecelia Ahern
The Queen’s Bargain Anne Bishop
Godshot Chelsea Bieker
Audiobooks (3)
The Shadows Alex North
The Switch Beth O’Leary
Grown Tiffany D. Jackson
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
| WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN SEPTEMBER |
These are highly anticipated releases I’m looking forward to in September.
A Bookish Wrap-Up / August 2020
I cannot imagine how scary that must have been! I live in central CA. We didn’t have the direct threat like you did in northern CA, but we sure had the smoke. Last week was surreal with the number of fires from dry lightening! Unfortunetly it seems to fit into the narrative of 2020. Stay safe!
2020 has been a year that I won’t forget anytime soon.
I can only imagine how much of our smoke you guys are getting. When the wind turns, we can smell it in the air, and see it on our cars. I think we have the worst air quality in the world right now. I haven’t been able to air the house in two weeks. But I hope they get it 100% contained by the end of the week, it’s at 60% today. Let’s cross fingers
60% that is good progress! 100% by the end of the week would be wonderful so you can fully reclaim your life!
Since yesterday was 50 and the day before 40 Iām hoping for 100 by end of the week ?? and then we just have to wait for the air to clean a bit more. But itās looking good.
I’m glad you’re safe from the wildfires. That sounds so stressful!!! It looks like you had a great reading month, though. Heart Bones was one of my favorite reads of the month, too.
I’ve never lived this close to an incident like this before, and although reading the news and smelling the smoke is one thing, having to prepare for a possible evacuation is something else. I honestly don’t want to have to experience it again. ?
And YES to Heart Bones!!! I’m so happy about it and how much I ended up enjoying the book. Looking forward to more by her.
Glad you are safe from the fires but can’t imagine how mentally exhausting of an experience that was. Looks like you had a great reading month! Ha I’m with you on having too many books – my problem is physical ones not NetGalley, but so hard to pick some up when you’re excited about another. So many great September releases coming – I’m most excited for Well Played!
I never thought it would be so draining. We have major wildfires almost every year, but it’s different if it’s actually happening in your “backyard”. At the moment, I might like physical books that need to be read more than ebooks. I can’t wait to have full shelves again. Wouldn’t care at all if they were read or unread. But don’t ask me how I feel about all the unread books after years of having them on my shelves.:D
Your netgalley tbr compared to mine … you don’t even want to know! I think you’re doing great with your netgalley lol
lol, how many do you have? Just so I feel better lol
I’m a little over a hundred š
I’m glad to hear your doing okay, that sounds scary to live that close to wild fires!
I hope things are better now!
You got a lot of good reading in this month! Happy September! ?
Also we have major wildfires almost every year, it has never been literally in the backyard. It makes me look at things very differently now.
I can imagine it would. You now have first hand experience which has got to be eye opening!
The wildfires sound horrible, so glad you’re safe!
Looks like you had a great month of reading though. Finishing 19.5 books of summer I would not call an all caps failed challenge, you almost made it š
And I can only aspire to have such a small Netgalley TBR…
I did have a great reading month. And yes, you are right, but I was SO sure I would be able to read all 20 – lol. That .5 made me extra salty.
I’ve been extra picky with NetGalley recently, only pick the books I might want to read right away, but it seems even that is no guaranteed anymore. Sigh
I still have some Netgalley backlog from 2015 – so I think everyone else is just doing fine with the ARCs… ?
I’m so sorry you had to deal with that! I know first hand what a stress that is. I only had to live through it once, but even my youngest remembers having to keep a backpack full of her favorites in case we had to make a run for it.
So glad you’re safe and that you were able to have a great reading month! I just added Bear Meets Girl to my TBR.
I’ve never felt that helpless before. Having to pack up all my most important possessions, and being on standby each and every day. I hope this will be the one and only time I ever have to go through an event like this.
Oh man, can’t wait for you to read Bear Meets Girl, expect and prepare for craziness. š
Oh gosh, I can’t imagine how stressful it must be to deal with the threat of wildfires. I’ve seen some coverage on the news here and it’s so scary. I’m happy to hear you’re doing okay and hopefully things will start to settle down.
I am so excited for Anxious People. Backman just has a way with words that tugs at the heartstrings.
Here’s to a stress free September.
I never want to experience something like this again. And I can’t imagine how it must feel for everyone who has lost their homes. Fortunately, it looks like the fires are getting more and more contained each day, we should be at 100% sometime this week, and then we just need to wait for better air quality.
And yes, I toast to a stress free September š
love that you include a call out to your NG habits for the month!! also hope you’re being safe and all is well on your side of the world. – H
Wow that sounds terrifying I’m glad you’re safe and not hope you get rain sometime soon. xx
Sadly we won’t get rain until November, that means we have two more month of fire season in front of us ?
Goodness!
Glad you are safe. I love that you re read some favorites as well as your regular reading. I don’t even look at my net gallery number. But looks like yoju are doing a great job ?.
Thank you!! This last week has been better, the fire is almost contained, I think we made it, at least until the next fire ?
I do love to re-read favorites, there are comfort food for the heart. And yeah, I feel like I haven’t touched a NetGalley book in ages.lol
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the fires, that must have been really scary. I hope you stay safe!
I haven’t read Jurassic Park but I’m really curious since I keep hearing great things about it. I started the Dresden Files this year and I have read the first 4 books, I can’t wait to continue with the series even if it feels like I will never catch up. Also, I’m so glad you enjoyed With The Fire on High, I love all her books!
It was scary, and nerve-wracking, and probably not over yet since the fire season is just really getting started. But I hope it won’t be this scary again.
With Jim Butcher you’ll have a chance to catch up, since he took almost 4 years to write Peace Talks and Battle Ground, lot’s of time for you to read the others.
I actually read Poet X last week and got Clap When You Land from the library, but I already know, after two books, that I love her writing. š
Oh sending love and I hope you are safe!! But seems like you had a brilliant month. SO MANY AUDIOBOOKS OMG GO YOU!!! I am SO excited to read With The Fire On High, and it’s on my September tbr. Also going to listen to it. As well as Black Flamingo and Cemetery Boys, can’t wait to get my hands on them xx Wishing you a lovely September
Thank you!! And yes, most of my audiobooks ROCKED!! And I can’t wait for you to listen to With the Fire on High, it’s such a great narration. And I really enjoyed Black Flamingo as well. Still need to get to Cemetery Boys. Happy reading š