These last few months have been some for the books. Seriously.
It was one of my better reading summers than in the last few years (moving will take up quality reading time, and it’s the first summer I haven’t moved in a while) and the reading momentum continuing into the school year. Between audiobooks, Kindle reads, and spending daily time flipping pages, I’ve managed to get quite ahead on my annual goal!
Actually at this point, I am 2 books beyond the 52 books in 52 weeks goal line!
Earlier in the summer, I finally took the time to log my books into Goodreads1 on a personal library shelf. Too many times I forget what I have or what I’ve lent to people, so having a place where they’re all collected will hopefully help.
BUT with all my books in one place I have found my grand to total to be…
777 books!
I’ve heard it said that it takes 1,000 books for a collection to be considered a library, and I’m well on my way (actually I’m over it if you count my theatre books/scripts that I keep at school)! My shelves are full and organized by color, and little piles of books are popping up all over my apartment. I’m running out of room!2
September has been a HUGE release month, plenty of pre-orders coming in, and I’m trying to keep up with those through my “Book In = Book Read” goal. So far it’s working (but I don’t know if I’ll catch them all).
✨ completed
Assistant to the Villain ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5) 🎧/📖
I started this one on audiobook, and I have to say it almost turned into a DNF for me. The narrator sounded AI generated, which didn’t help writing that felt a little weak. BUT I was intrigued enough by the story that I picked up the hard copy at Target and kept going! I’m so glad I did because I ended up really enjoying it! I think I’ve had a soft spot for the morally gray villain characters since I first started reading and it hasn’t stopped3. I also appreciated that this book was relatively short! My usual fantasy reads are LOOOOOONG (lookin’ at you SJMass) so a quick jaunt through a world of magic and mystery was refreshing! Would I have given it more stars if I read the physical copy from the start? Maybe.
Apprentice to the Villain ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✨(4) 📖
This one bumps up in stars for sure! It was full of surprises, kept the plot running at a nice pace, wasn’t too long, and you can tell the author’s writing has improved.
Us in Ruins ⭐️⭐️✨ (2.5) 📖
Admittedly, this one took me a while to get into. I loved the concept and proposed plot, but the writing didn’t match up to my expectations. Maybe it’s been a while since I’ve read true YA, but I wanted more detail, more build, and more conflict4. I think I’m going to jump to What the River Knows soon to see if this is more the vibe I was looking for.
The Unplugged Hours ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4) 📖
I’ve been hearing about this book and tip-toeing into its concept for a while now, and Hannah Brencher is an auto-buy for me. I appreciated her thoughts on the intentionality of disconnecting to reconnect, and I’m hoping to implement the practice more moving forward.
Liturgies for Wholeness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5) 📖
There’s something about pre-written prayers that have helped me connect with my faith in beautiful new ways over the past few years. These collections seem to be having a *moment* and I don’t mind at all. Liturgies for Wholeness was beautiful, thoughtful, and exactly what I needed to read this month.
Five Star Stranger ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5) 🎧
This was the book that got me to my reading challenge finish line! Just long enough to keep me company on my drive to Galveston for a conference (yep, Texas is that big), and a curious enough concept to keep me glued. I did think the ending felt a bit weird, that a different choice might have been more effective, but overall it was a fascinating read.
A Bit Much: Poems ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5) 📖
Oh my giddy aunt. This book was a delight. I’ve followed Lyndsay Rush instagram (@maryoliversdrunkcousin) for a long time, and her poems have ended up in my Sunday Favorites more than once. This collection was the perfect addition to my summer-into-fall reading, and I hope she comes out with another so soon!
Once Upon a Broken Heart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4) 🎧
This one has been on my shelf for a while, but then it popped up as a Libby audiobook option so I decided to give it a try. I loved Caraval when I read it years ago, and I knew I wanted to read Stephanie Garber’s next series, but I somehow didn’t work it in. Now that all three books are out though? I’m in and ready to fly through it! OUABH was right in line with how much I loved her first series, and listened to in a day with ease!
✨ in progress
I’m always in the middle of too many books, and these are my current middlings:
✨ dnf
There’s nothing on my “did not finish” list yet, but Lydia Bennet, Witch is a serious contender… and Us in Ruins got reeeeeally close.
✨ tbr
I have a few pre-orders coming up for October, so these are what I’m excited to read next:
Not pre-orders, but on my TBR shelf are these three:
In my list of Audiobooks to listen to, these are in the queue on Libby:
✨ shopping local
I’m trying to do my best to find local bookstores, either when I travel or what is closest to my new city (is it still new if I’ve lived here two years now?) and I’m happy to report that a brand new bookstore opened just last month!
It’s so cute and full of glorious natural light! I definitely picked up a tote bag on opening weekend, and I’m hoping to get back out there to visit in the near future.
Now I need to know… what are you reading?!
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I’ve looked at so many library cataloging apps/spreadsheets, but Goodreads felt the easiest.
But will that stop me? Absolutely not. I have 37 currently preordered into fall 2025… 😅
Listen. Don’t blame me, blame Draco Malfoy, The Darkling, Rhysand, and more. Or mostly Ben Barnes. He’s the culprit. 🥰
I know I can’t compare standalone books to the multi-tome series I prefer, but this one had such potential!
While I LOVE that Spotify gives me listening hours, I hate when I get to the last two hours of a book and run out. “Only 17 days left until your listening hours are available.” Grrrr.
I loved this movie! It was such a treat and right in line with some other favorite reads. I hope the book holds up, too!