A Month of Women Writers! | August '22 Reading Wrap Up
Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!
And happy September, everyone! I can't believe we're in the final stretch of the year. Bring on Autumn, bring on Halloween, bring on Winter! This summer has been one of the hottest on record (in Arizona, but also pretty much everywhere) and I'm so over it. I go outside and immediately start sweating, it's ridiculous. I know that fall and winter where I live aren't exactly cool and cozy (it only gets down to like, 60 degrees F at night, even in winter) but I'm begging for the over 100 degree F days to stop.
Anyway, let's get on with the wrap up. In August I read 21 books: 8 novels, 2 novellas, 2 short story collections, and 9 manga volumes. And here's a fun fact: Aside from the manga, every book I read this month was written by a female author! I'm pretty proud of myself, not gonna lie. I also read a few translated books for Women in Translation month (I have a recommendations post for translated books written by women here if you want more ideas).
I'm also back on my book buying bullshit, so there is a book haul at the end along with my monthly stats. It's not the biggest monthly book haul I've ever had, but it's definitely a step up from last month, where I had bought zero books (I don't think that'll be happening again).
Okay, let's get into the wrap up!
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Novels
1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (REREAD)
Genre: Fantasy, Queer Romance, Mythology Retellings, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 5 out of 5 stars / 9.14 CAWPILE score
Page count: 848 pages
Day(s) read: 8.01 - 8.08
Goodreads thoughts: hhhhhhh so good!!!! It was just as I remembered it, and I’ll continue to sing it’s praises from the rooftops!!
Genre: Fantasy, Queer Romance, Mythology Retellings, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 5 out of 5 stars / 9.14 CAWPILE score
Page count: 848 pages
Day(s) read: 8.01 - 8.08
Goodreads thoughts: hhhhhhh so good!!!! It was just as I remembered it, and I’ll continue to sing it’s praises from the rooftops!!
2. Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology/Folklore, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 323 pages
Day(s) read: 8.12 - 8.15
Goodreads thoughts: I thought this was a great sequel! I like how Paola was struggling with her identity and her friendships, and I feel like the stakes were definitely raised higher from the first book. I’m not sure if this is a trilogy or not, but if it is I can see how the next book could be the epic conclusion we’re leading up to.
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology/Folklore, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 323 pages
Day(s) read: 8.12 - 8.15
Goodreads thoughts: I thought this was a great sequel! I like how Paola was struggling with her identity and her friendships, and I feel like the stakes were definitely raised higher from the first book. I’m not sure if this is a trilogy or not, but if it is I can see how the next book could be the epic conclusion we’re leading up to.
3. How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 336 pages
Day(s) read: 8.08 - 8.16
Goodreads thoughts: This was absolutely brilliant. Deeply sad and hopeful, truly about finding what makes a family, a home, in a land not your own. I liked the final part (it’s split into four parts) the most, the story all coming together and the characters felt the most complete even though it was when Lucy was falling apart. And the writing was exquisite, truly.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 336 pages
Day(s) read: 8.08 - 8.16
Goodreads thoughts: This was absolutely brilliant. Deeply sad and hopeful, truly about finding what makes a family, a home, in a land not your own. I liked the final part (it’s split into four parts) the most, the story all coming together and the characters felt the most complete even though it was when Lucy was falling apart. And the writing was exquisite, truly.
4. Empty Smiles by Katherine Arden (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.43 CAWPILE score
Page count: 221 pages
Day(s) read: 8.20
Goodreads thoughts: That's it? That ended so abruptly...it feels like I'm missing part of the story. The build up was so strong but the end fell so flat. Also, clowns? Really, Katherine? Did you have to do clowns??
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.43 CAWPILE score
Page count: 221 pages
Day(s) read: 8.20
Goodreads thoughts: That's it? That ended so abruptly...it feels like I'm missing part of the story. The build up was so strong but the end fell so flat. Also, clowns? Really, Katherine? Did you have to do clowns??
5. Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 384 pages
Day(s) read: 8.21 - 8.24
Goodreads thoughts: Hhhhhhh I can’t believe it ended like that!! This was the most stressful of the books in the series so far, and for good reason!! Temeraire is becoming so rebellious and I’m here for it, but I feel for Laurence, he needs a break.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 384 pages
Day(s) read: 8.21 - 8.24
Goodreads thoughts: Hhhhhhh I can’t believe it ended like that!! This was the most stressful of the books in the series so far, and for good reason!! Temeraire is becoming so rebellious and I’m here for it, but I feel for Laurence, he needs a break.
6. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Genre: Science Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 5 out of 5 stars / 9.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 255 pages
Day(s) read: 8.23 - 8.28
Goodreads thoughts: Holy heck, this was BRILLIANT. It was a little slow in the beginning, a little confusing, but the way it all came together at the end…! I mean, the only word I can think of is genius!
Genre: Science Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 5 out of 5 stars / 9.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 255 pages
Day(s) read: 8.23 - 8.28
Goodreads thoughts: Holy heck, this was BRILLIANT. It was a little slow in the beginning, a little confusing, but the way it all came together at the end…! I mean, the only word I can think of is genius!
And it will definitely make you think. I mean in an existential-crisis kind of way. But you know how in almost all movies/books that deal with time travel, everything weird at the beginning makes sense at the end because we have the whole story, and through that we see through all the weirdness? Yeah, that’s this book. I’m sorry I’m being so vague but that’s pretty much the only way I can describe it.
But, oh man. I, like most people, really discovered Emily through Station Eleven, which was a five star read for me. I read The Glass Hotel earlier this year and I was pretty disappointed, so I was weary about Sea of Tranquility, but I should not have doubted! Will never doubt again! Emily St. John Mandel supremacy!
7. Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah (translated by Deborah Smith)
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3 out of 5 stars / 5.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 176 pages
Day(s) read: 8.26 - 8.29
Goodreads thoughts: This was just plain weird. The writing was beautiful but there was absolutely zero plot, and the vibes were actually rather unsettling. It felt like a really dangerous fever dream, everything repeating but just one little detail out of place, so you can’t actually tell if what’s happening is real or not. However I’m not much of a “no plot, just vibes” reader, so this isn’t the book for me.
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3 out of 5 stars / 5.00 CAWPILE score
Page count: 176 pages
Day(s) read: 8.26 - 8.29
Goodreads thoughts: This was just plain weird. The writing was beautiful but there was absolutely zero plot, and the vibes were actually rather unsettling. It felt like a really dangerous fever dream, everything repeating but just one little detail out of place, so you can’t actually tell if what’s happening is real or not. However I’m not much of a “no plot, just vibes” reader, so this isn’t the book for me.
8. Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology/Folklore, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 352 pages
Day(s) read: 8.30 - 8.31
Goodreads thoughts(SPOILERS): I thought this was a pretty solid ending to this series. The characters all developed well and were left in a place that felt natural and didn’t leave me wanting. To be honest I wasn’t as impressed with the villain this time as I was the first two books, but that’s okay bc to me at least the real villain felt more like Pao’s insecurities and vulnerabilities.
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology/Folklore, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 352 pages
Day(s) read: 8.30 - 8.31
Goodreads thoughts(SPOILERS): I thought this was a pretty solid ending to this series. The characters all developed well and were left in a place that felt natural and didn’t leave me wanting. To be honest I wasn’t as impressed with the villain this time as I was the first two books, but that’s okay bc to me at least the real villain felt more like Pao’s insecurities and vulnerabilities.
However, the whole “Señora Mata being Paola from the future” thing? Not a fan. That’s just plain weird. I know time travel was touched on in the second book so it’s not like it was completely out of left field, but it still raises a lot of ick in me so I gotta say it’s a no from me.
Novellas
1. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (ONE DAY READ)
Genre: Science Fiction, Queer Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.86 CAWPILE score
Page count: 152 pages
Day(s) read: 8.10
Goodreads thoughts: It’s just a warm hug. While reading I was able to forget all of my problems and just enjoy the idea of being alive and well, even if it was only for a little while.
Genre: Science Fiction, Queer Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.86 CAWPILE score
Page count: 152 pages
Day(s) read: 8.10
Goodreads thoughts: It’s just a warm hug. While reading I was able to forget all of my problems and just enjoy the idea of being alive and well, even if it was only for a little while.
2. What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (REVIEW HERE)
Genre: Horror, Retellings, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 159 pages
Day(s) read: 8.18 - 8.19
Goodreads thoughts: That...was extremely disturbing, holy hell. Despite it being so short, I was honestly kind of bored for the first half, but then everything picked up. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, necessarily (in the way that you can't say you "enjoy" war movies) but I have a feeling that it's gonna stick with me for a while. Pray that I can sleep after this, truly.
Genre: Horror, Retellings, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 3.5 out of 5 stars / 6.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 159 pages
Day(s) read: 8.18 - 8.19
Goodreads thoughts: That...was extremely disturbing, holy hell. Despite it being so short, I was honestly kind of bored for the first half, but then everything picked up. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, necessarily (in the way that you can't say you "enjoy" war movies) but I have a feeling that it's gonna stick with me for a while. Pray that I can sleep after this, truly.
Short Story Collections
1. Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata (translated by Ginny Tapley Takamori)
Genre: Horror, Magical Realism, Contemporary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 2 out of 5 stars / 2.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 191 pages
Day(s) read: 8.03 - 8.05
Goodreads thoughts: You know, I think this just showed me that Sayaka Murata is just not the author for me. I really only enjoyed the last two short stories in this collection, and "enjoy" feels like too strong a word at this point. Her stories are all fascinating in one way or another, I can't deny that, but they're just a little too out there and disturbing for my taste. I really did like Convenience Store Woman, but Earthlings was one of the worst books I read last year, and while I liked this a little better than Earthlings, it still wasn't something I would say I actually liked. So, I think I'm giving up on Sayaka Murata, sadly.
Genre: Horror, Magical Realism, Contemporary Fiction, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 2 out of 5 stars / 2.71 CAWPILE score
Page count: 191 pages
Day(s) read: 8.03 - 8.05
Goodreads thoughts: You know, I think this just showed me that Sayaka Murata is just not the author for me. I really only enjoyed the last two short stories in this collection, and "enjoy" feels like too strong a word at this point. Her stories are all fascinating in one way or another, I can't deny that, but they're just a little too out there and disturbing for my taste. I really did like Convenience Store Woman, but Earthlings was one of the worst books I read last year, and while I liked this a little better than Earthlings, it still wasn't something I would say I actually liked. So, I think I'm giving up on Sayaka Murata, sadly.
2. Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez (translated by Megan McDowell)
Genre: Horror, Gothic Literature, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 192 pages
Day(s) read: 8.15 - 8.18
Goodreads thoughts: TW: child abuse, child death, suicide, murder, self harm, animal mutilation and death, sexual abuse
Genre: Horror, Gothic Literature, Adult
Star rating / CAWPILE score: 4 out of 5 stars / 7.29 CAWPILE score
Page count: 192 pages
Day(s) read: 8.15 - 8.18
Goodreads thoughts: TW: child abuse, child death, suicide, murder, self harm, animal mutilation and death, sexual abuse
Whew, this was something. It had the slow and unsettling atmosphere of gothic horror, but still packed the punch of modern horror. Most of the stories were gory and uncomfortable, but I found the stories that didn’t have any supernatural elements to be the most horrifying. After all, people are the scariest things in this world.
Manga
1. Hunter x Hunter vol. 10-18 by Yoshihiro Togashi
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Shonen (YA)
Star rating / CAWPILE score: N/A
Page count: 1,864 pages
Day(s) read: 8.27 - 8.28
Goodreads thoughts: N/A
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Shonen (YA)
Star rating / CAWPILE score: N/A
Page count: 1,864 pages
Day(s) read: 8.27 - 8.28
Goodreads thoughts: N/A
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Total page count: 5,453 pages
Favorite book this month: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Least favorite book this month: Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
No unfinished books
No DNFs
August book haul: Heartstopper vol. 4 by Alice Oseman
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The Book of Dragons edited by Jonathan Strahan
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (collector's edition)
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The Book of Dragons edited by Jonathan Strahan
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (collector's edition)
5 Centimeters per Second by Makoto Shinkai
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Alright, that's it everyone! What was your favorite book of August? Let me know in the comments or tweet at me @AllyEmReads.
Until next time, friends!
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