August Reading Wrap Up

Definitely hit a bit of a slump in August. I've been doing a lot of housework, decluttering, that kind of thing, which has kept me so busy that I haven't had time to read much. So this is all I've managed:

1. Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher

Funny in places, but overall a bit disappointing.

2. Dead Silence by S. A. Barnes

Quite enjoyed it, sci-fi horror

3. Before And After by Andrew Shanahan

Unusual take on a zombie apocalypse

4. How To Survive A Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Even though it was a horror story, so really 'anything goes', for some reason I had trouble suspending my disbelief.

5. Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I thought I might've liked this, but I really struggled with all the weird names and it was putting me off straight away! I know that weird names are a given in fantasy novels, but these ones just felt a bit OTT, so I DNF'd quite quickly.

6. When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

I actually read quite a lot of this before I DNF'd it, I'm sure I was well past 100 pages. I wasn't too keen on the switching back and forth between the story and the scientific reports, I think I'd have preferred just Alex's story, though I understand the 'science stuff' filled in a lot of what she didn't know. Other than that, I found some elements to be very repetitive, and I just got to a point where I wasn't really bothered about reading any more.

Slump

I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment. We went on holiday at the beginning of August and I only took my Kindle, but I had this idea that I'd get loads of reading done, in between the other things we were doing. In reality, I couldn't decide what book to choose, and then I think I only read one! 

Since I got back, I've decided to leave the Kindle alone and try to get through some more paperbacks. I haven't used my TBR Jar; instead, I'm currently reading in alphabetical order of author surname! Just because! But it's still been a bit hit and miss. 

Part of me wants to force myself to read the books that I'm less excited about, and part of me thinks I should ignore everything else and only focus on the ones that I really want to read, even if they're on my Kindle. It's a dilemma!

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

Started: 24.8.26

DNF: 27.8.26

Paperback

A bit repetitive?

Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Started: 22.8.26

DNF: 24.8.26

Paperback

A DNF. Weird names for the sake of having weird names. 

How To Survive A Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Started: 15.8.26

Finished: 22.8.26

Paperback

Finished it, but didn't really enjoy it.

Before And After by Andrew Shanahan

Started: 6.8.26

Finished: 14.8.26

Kindle

The dog survives!

A morbidly obese man trapped in his fourth floor flat as a zombie apocalypse takes over the world? I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I liked Ben, and Brown was super cute. It was sad in places, funny in others, and surprisingly tender. I think I'm going to add the second one to my TBR.

Dead silence by S. A. Barnes

Started: 3.8.26

Finished: 6.8.26

Kindle

Bit of a sci-fi horror about a long-lost 'cruise liner' spaceship whose weak distress beacon is picked up by a repair crew out on the edge of space. Pretty good actually, definitely a creepy element to what they found when they boarded the ship.

Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher

Started: 30.7.26

Finished: 2.8.26

Kindle

Bit disappointed with this one, it wasn't really what I was expecting. Felt a bit too clever and highbrow for me!

July Reading Wrap Up

Well, this will be a quick one!

I don't know where the time has gone this month, but I haven't even touched my TBR choices!

1. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

I'd started this in June, and didn't finish until the 9th July. Really enjoyed it, as expected.

2. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

This wasn't planned, but my son was reading it (a school library book) and as I had my own copy, I thought it would be fun to read together. It was pretty good.

3. Last Argument Of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

I'd started reading this straight after book 2, but broke off for a bit to read the Adam Silvera book, so this one took a bit longer to finish.

And that's it! 

TBR Picks for August... or not

I'm going on holiday soon, and I don't want to take any physical books with me, just my Kindle, so I don't think I'm going to choose any TBR prompts for August. While I'm away I'll just read whatever I feel like, and when I get back I might just carry on with the books that I'd chosen for July.