I Finally Remembered How to Read (Again) // August Wrap Up

Remember me????

Okay but seriously: big ooooof!

Now that we’ve gotten that out the way… In case you’ve, understandably, forgotten who I am: Hi it’s Lauren (aka the World’s Worst Book Blogger/Reader). It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been here or read a book. In fact before this month I’d read like 4 books total, but one of those books was Daisy Jones and the Six, so whatever right? Nothing else matters. Anyway, I don’t even know WHAT happened but during August I suddenly decided I want to read again? This was mostly thanks to graphic novels because boy did I read A LOT of those. 

So…. let me try and remember how to be a book blogger again as I attempt to talk about them!!

me trying to remember how to blog

* = from netgalley/the publisher

GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS

*Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker & Wendy Xu || ★★★★★ ||This features a queer mc who is a witch and hard of hearing and her love interest is a non-binary werewolf! LIKE!!!! No, but seriously this was really fun and pure with great relationships and family dynamics. The art was stunning.

Heartstopper, Vol 2 by Alice Oseman || ★★★★★ || DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY ANYTHING?? So soft. So cute. So pure.

*Sheets by Brenna Thummler || ★★★★☆ || This was super atmospheric. It was definitely more character driven because not a lot happened, but I’m fine with that. [cw: death]

The Avant-Guards, Vol 1 by Carly Udsin & Noah Hayes || ★★★★★ || I just really love team sports dynamics and this was so perfect! I need volume 2 stat.

Fence Vol 1-3 by C.S. Pascat || ★★★★★ || I BINGED ALL 12 ISSUES OF THIS SERIES IN ONE NIGHT. My constant state reading it was just like heart eyes and screaming. I can’t believe I have to wait for the next volume???

Bingo Love by Tee Franklin & Jenn St-Onge || ★★★★☆ || This made me cry so much??? My heart hurts. [cw: homophobia]

The Tea Dragon Society & *The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill || ★★★★★ || Literally the most purest graphic novels to ever exist??? If you’re feeling stressed or anxious read these. I loved them both so, so, so much. The Tea Dragon Festival definitely lived up to The Tea Dragon Society and I love how it incorporatedx the use of ASL in the art. Speaking of, Katie O’Neill’s art owns my entire life and I will consume anything she creates. ALSO I WANT A TEA DRAGON.

Heavy Vinyl by Carly Usdin & Nina Vakueva || ★★★★★ || I’m 100% sure the premise of this comic was made entirely for me?? Badass girls who work in a record store in the 90s who have a ~ secret club ~ ??? Hell yes thank you pls !! Plus we get a f/f relationship and Maggie and Chris are so adorable !!! I need volume 2 stat.

Bloom by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau || ★★★★☆ || I loved this!!!! Ari and Hector were so soft and pure. My only issue was I felt like some of the pacing was off?? Like there was such a good slow burn build up and then everything felt a bit rushed??? But it wasn’t a huge issue, I just wish we had more!! I also now really want baked goods.

Spectacle by Megan Rose Gedris || ★★★☆☆ || This was pretty good!! I wasn’t able to get completely attached to the characters, but I appreciate the sister dynamics between Kat and Anna and I’m intrigued enough by the mystery and ending to continue.

BOOKS

*to drink coffee with a ghost by Amanda Lovelace || ★★★★★ || As long as Amanda Lovelace keeps writing poetry, I’ll keep writing it. I connected with this collection a lot and so many of the poems made me cry. [cw: abuse, mental health, death, grief, self harm]

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire || ★★★★☆ || Whilst I didn’t enjoy this as much as the other three books in the series (mostly because I was confused) I still loved it and this series means so much to me and reading it feels like coming home. I can’t wait for the next book!!

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid || ★★★★☆ || Only Taylor Jenkins Reid could have the ability to fuck me up in a novella that’s told completely in letters.

*Monuments by Will Kostakis || ★★★★★ || I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!! Will Kostakis is one of my fave authors and people ever. It’s a lowkey fantasy set in Sydney that features a gay MC and his love interest is a gay indigenous Australian!!!! It’s essentially about these Gods that are represented as giant statues and after being hidden for years they’re being hunted and the characters have to try and keep them safe and obviously things go badly. If you’re a casual fantasy reader like myself then I think you’ll LOVE this. It gave me serious Percy Jackson vibes. Please check it out!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Case McQuiston || ★★★★★ || Literally cant express in words how much I loved this and ya girl does not normally read contemporary-romances but omggg this was so good!!! So many iconic lines and moments. I loved the relationship between Alex and Henry so much I’m so soft, but also I loved the friendships?? Like the whole gang of June, Nora, Bea and Pez?? Iconic. I need more of them in my lifeeeee. Ellen is also the best mum ever, that powerpoint presentation?? I yelled. Also, I really wish the world this was set in was what our current world was like. It definitely was such a nice lil escape and I can’t recommend it enough.

The Foxhole Court (★★★★☆), The Raven King (★★★★★) & The King’s Men (★★★★★) by Nora Sakavic || Y’ALL WHERE DO I EVEN START????? I binged this series in like a week and I’m not sure I’ll ever be ok again. Have I mentioned that I love team sports dynamics??? because OH MY GOD I LOVE TEAM SPORTS DYNAMICS. I love my fucked up kids so much. I would DIE for Allison Reynolds. Andrew and Neil??? I’m WEAK. FOXES FOREVER. [cw: uhhh everything???, rape, abuse, violence, death, non-consensual kissing, non-consensual drug use, drugs, alcohol, homophobic slurs, abelist slurs, not so great mental health representation]

I haven’t really done anything too exciting to share with you all, unfortunately. I’ve mostly been playing The Sims.

I’m in the second semester of my Cert IV Web Design course now and I’m pretty stressed out, but I’m pushing through the best I can and hopefully I won’t have an actual break down before the end of the term 😂 Just kidding ….. unless….

I’ve been desperately trying to find a job and the other night I found out I finally have an interview! It’s for Lush and I’m extremely nervous. I’m not expecting to get it only because I know Lush has a reputation for hiring extremely extroverted people and that is …not me, but I’m gonna try and see what happens! I’ve been doing lots of research about what happens at their group interviews and it’s definitely going to be an interesting experience from what I’ve seen online, haha. I’m honestly kind of happy I was just shortlisted for an interview considering my lack of experiences and how much trouble I’ve had trying to find a job.

CAN SOMEONE CRY WITH ME OVER TAYLOR SWIFT’S NEW ALBUM? I think Lover is up there with 1989 for my fave Taylor album. My favourite is definitely Cruel Summer (and The Archer). I also LOVE Paper Rings and Miss Americana And The Heartbreak Prince.

Here’s some other songs I’ve been loving in August:

I fell in love with Badflower this month. They remind me of an angry/darker Waterparks.

The new 5SOS song is SO GOOD! I really hope this means they’re going back to a more grittier sound. I loved Youngblood but it was missing a lot of what made me fall in love with 5SOS.

and my out of control August Faves playlist on Spotify:

Have you read any of the books I’ve mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Also, how have you all been? I’d love to hear what you’ve all been up to and what you’ve been reading!!

I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. 

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