Since the summer quarter of college ended, I couldn’t wait to get back into reading. There’s pleasure in reading because I want to and not because a paper is due next week.
From the moment I stepped into my apartment, I slid a book off the shelf. The sound of it was relief, a wanting I could deny no longer, and as I turned the first page, a sacred ritual of sorts, a sigh escaped — I was home.
Here is everything I’ve read since that day.
THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
The Raven Boys is book #1 in The Raven Cycle quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. After sitting on my TBR shelf for nearly a year, I received a copy for my birthday (thank you, Lexie!). I loved it so much, I read it in 24 hours.
LULLABIES by Lang Leav
“I wanted everything because I didn’t want anything enough.”
― Lang Leav, Lullabies
It’s a rare occurrence when I adore every word written by a single author but if there was an exception, it would be Lang Leav.
Every word resonates with me, speaks to some part of myself I’m not always aware of. It’s like she understands me, knows the ways this heart has broken, the winding path from the little girl I used to be to the person I am now.
Lullabies undid me, word by word, a symphony I didn’t know I could hear.
FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager
“It’s a nesting-doll question, concealing other, unspoken ones inside. If I crack open ‘Will I meet Jeff?’ I’ll find ‘Do you like me?’ Out of which pops ‘Are we becoming friends?’ Inside that is the most compact, most important question. The heart of the matter: ‘Are we the same?”
― Riley Sager, Final Girls
Loved this book like a roller coaster addict.
NORAGAMI by Adachitoka
Normally, I do not read manga. In fact, I never considered manga to be literature or anything close. This opinion I had melted away when I discovered my love of anime. Do I love reading manga? No. Will I read more of it now? I’m not sure, to be honest but I enjoyed it enough to mention it here. Plus, Noragami is so good.
Art + words = ultimate experience. Or so I felt. You might not like manga and that’s okay. For those of you who haven’t tried it, it’s time to get your toes wet.
YUREI by Zack Davisson
If you’re into Japanese folklore, then you’ll enjoy reading Yurei by Zack Davisson. Lately, I’ve been reading nearly anything regarding the folklore of Japan for research and this book was informative. Not to mention, Davisson lived in Japan for several years and was deeply immersed in the culture. Unlike a few books out there, this was written by an author who knows how to write about fantasy in a way that gives you goosebumps.
I enjoyed every page.
THE CHAOS OF LONGING by K.Y Robinson
it took time to realize that i have to stop giving myself away as if i didn’t belong to myself.” ― K.Y. Robinson, The Chaos of Longing
This wasn’t the best poetry I’d ever read and has nowhere near the effect on me that Lang Leav’s work does but, in its own way, it’s unique. It’s honest, bizarre, and for whatever reason, I found I could connect to a few of the poems. My biggest issue was the strange use of sexual language….like moon wombs. And there were times when I could not understand what the poet was saying. It’s modern poetry, whose uniqueness is interesting, but I most likely will never read again.
MARCH by John Lewis
MARCH is a graphic novel following the Civil Rights Movement through John Lewis’s experience. Originally, I didn’t think I’d like this book but when I finished it, I was moved.
History is important to me and being able to see it unfolding, in the illustrations, enhanced the experience.
It’s a good read. I encourage you to seek it out.
THE LIVES OF DESPERATE GIRLS by Mackenzie Commons
I didn’t particularly like this book and when I reviewed it, I frankly conveyed the level of my dislike for it. The Lives of Desperate Girls lacked heart for me. There wasn’t enough emotion or intrigue to make me care. It’s like it was still an idea, left un-fleshed out across the pages. I kept waiting for more but it never satisfied me.
Sadly, it was a chore to read.
BROTHER’S RUIN by Emma Newman
The year is 1850 and Great Britain is flourishing, thanks to the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts. – Emma Newman, Brother’s Ruin
I am obsessed with this book. If there is an even more extreme word that tops ‘obsessed’, that’s how I feel about this story. Steampunk fantasy….where have you been all my life?
Have I been living under a rock?
What do you think of my August read-a-thon? Have any book recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!
Thank you for this list! Love a good list!!
Oh also, I LOVE your header!!
I’m so glad you love it! If you have any recs for next month, let me know! 🙂 Thank you!!!! 😀