July Wrap Up and August TBR

Read in July: Historical Mysteries

July was a really great reading month for me. I read over a dozen books, partially because three of them were audiobooks, but still. I also read some books that really blew me away including some surprises and at least one that I know will make my favorites of the year list. Although it was historical mystery month and that's one of my favorite subgenres so it shouldn't be much of a surprise.

As far as challenges go, once again I am absolutely killing it. For the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge I have already completed my goal of 25 books so now I need to set a new goal. I'm going with 40 but that's a little optimistic at this point. I'm up to 16 on my TBR Pile Challenge which is on track for my goal of reading 21 by the end of the year, I just need to make sure I read at least one a month from now on. And I am at 14, which is on track for my Debut Author Challenge to meet my personal goal of 20 debuts. And for my Goodreads challenge, I am at 78 which is also on track for my goal of reading 120 books this year.

The Books:

1.) Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]

3.) A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Armada by Ernest Cline Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

5.) Tangled Webs by Lee Bross Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]

6.) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

7.) Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

8.) Goliath by Scott Westefeld Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

9.) The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Rating]

10.) The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

11.) Hoodoo by Robert L. Smith Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]

12.) The Diviners by Libba Bray Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

13.) Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

Other Posts:

Unpopular Opinions Tag
Discussion Post: Five Stages of Bookish Grief - Solving Twists
Crossing Over: Historical Fiction Set in WWII

To Be Read in August: ARC August

The lovely ladies at Read Sleep Repeat host this great event every August where they challenge us to get a handle on our TBRs and review books. I participated last year and it was fantastic and with all my BEA books to read over the next few months I thought this would be perfect. So I'm doing it again. This year, my goal is to read 10 ARCs, I may DNF one or two but let's set a high goal and hope my competitiveness gets the best of me.

The Books:

1.) Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine - Add to Goodreads
This is a book that has been on my TBR for a long time. For some reason I didn't know original it was a Phantom of the Opera retelling. But now I do and I'm excited. I read it and I love it.

2.) Of Dreams and Rust by Sarah Fine  - Add to Goodreads
This is the sequel to the previous book and after loving it I need the next book. My bookish soul sister, Britt from Please Feed the Bookworm is sharing her ARC with me which is so sweet!

3.) Reawakened by Colleen Houck  - Add to Goodreads
I've heard great things about this fantasy influenced by Egyptian mythology. It sounds so creative and I'm excited to try something different.

4.) A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz  - Add to Goodreads
I've heard some mixed reviews but I'm interested to read this quirky fantasy. I'm not big on fairies but the combination of gnomes interests me a bit more.

5.) Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood  - Add to Goodreads

This sounds like an interesting contemporary read with a quirky main character and a coming-of-age story so I'm interested despite some mixed reviews.

6.) Hunter by Mercedes Lackey  - Add to Goodreads

I've heard great things about Mercedes Lackey and this sounds like a really cool fantasy novel that combines reality TV and crazy mythical creatures. Plus that cover is amazing!

7.) Court of Fives by Kate Elliot  - Add to Goodreads
This book has been on my list for awhile and with it being released in August I'm excited to finally get to reading it. It's been marketed as Little Women meets The Hunger Games so color me interested.

8.) Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman  - Add to Goodreads
A historical fantasy about Alexander the Great. That's all I really need to know. The author writes mostly non-fiction so I'm sure it will be really well-researched.

9.) Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray  - Add to Goodreads
This is the sequel to The Diviners which I read recently and absolutely loved. I cannot wait for more Libba Bray, more spooky 1920's adventures and more supernatural mysteries.

10.) Dumplin by Julie Murphy  - Add to Goodreads
I tried to read this book in June but I had to bump it. I need to read it. I need this book in my life. I liked Julie's debut and I'm excited for Willowdean. She's the heroine we need in YA.

11.) The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow  - Add to Goodreads
I wasn't much interested in this book and then I heard that it's darker than it looks and with much more political intrigue. Tha sounds like a me book.

12.) A Little Love by Susan Fletcher - Add to Goodreads

How did I just recently learn about this book that is a Les Miserables retelling about Eponine. I love Les Mis. I love Eponine. I named my cat after her. I need this book even though it will destroy me!

Audiobook Reread:

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas 

This is the first month that instead of listening to a new audiobook, I'm doing a reread to prepare for the upcoming release of a new book in a favorite series. So for August I'm listening to the Throne of Glass series to prepare for Queen of Shadows coming out on September 1st.