August turned out to be a great reading month for me. I didn't read a single "bad" book this month. At the beginning of the summer, I started a challenge with the goal of finishing 50 books before the end of August. I only read 29 of my 50 books but I made some great discoveries along the way. 

Some of the highlights of the month include:

Shinju- This was a welcome introduction to a culture I know very little about. I look forward to continuing this series and seeing how the main character wrestles with his obligation to honor his family and his desire to seek the truth at all costs.

The Girl in the Glass Tower- Since her debut novel, Queen's Gambit, Elizabeth Fremantle has found her way on to my list of "day of" authors. These are authors who I think are so wonderful, their books are worth buying the day they are released. Fremantle did not disappoint with her latest work. Arbella Stuart is such a tragic figure. The only knock I have on this book was the use of Ami as a vessel for storytelling. She just didn't work for me. 

Bloodlines (Wars of the Roses #3) by Conn Iggulden- This book is not shown on the above list but it needs mentioning. This series just might be the best historical fiction series I have ever read. I am withholding judgement until I read the fourth and final book in the series. 

Not-so-much-a-highlight:

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child- Another book not listed above that needs mentioning. The Harry Potter book includes some of my favorite books of all time with the series being my favorite series of all time across all genres. Of course I was excited when it was announced there would be more Harry Potter after all this time! I bought this book as soon as Target opened on 7/31. I set myself up to be disappointed. It was a good thing I did. Lowering my expectations helped. I had no problems with the story. I thought the story by itself was another incredible work from J.K. Rowling. My problem was the format. Using the play format to tell a story took something away. Part of the wonder of the Harry Potter world is Rowling's ability to fully immerse the reading into the wizarding world. When you are reading a story that is just strictly dialogue, you loose some of that wonder. 

So close to perfect. Every other Fremantle novel I have read has driven me to a puddle of mush by the end. This novel came close but just didn't quite make it. While I felt for Arbella, I just didn't like the Ami subplot. Ami as the story's vessel just didn't work for me as much as someone like Levina from Sisters of Treason.

I like to think that I have good excuses for my reading plan going completely awry, but, excuses or no, it fell apart quite thoroughly. The only reason my reading accomplishments for the month don't look entirely pathetic is because the above includes two audio books and two DNFs. That's right, I actually completed reading four books this month.

*Samantha hangs her head in shame.*

That hasn't stopped me from accepting more books to review and assaulting NetGalley with requests, so I have a larger TBR than ever that I hope to attack with greater effectiveness in September.

August Summary:

Audio Books:

Little Women

Watch the Lady

DNF:

A Perilous Alliance

The Fall of Satan

More Historical than Fiction Book Club:

A Place of Greater Safety

Indie Reads:

The Serpent Sword

Wolf's Head

Best Book of August:

The Serpent Sword by Matthew Harffy - no competition whatsoever, loved this book!

Once again, I have probably set myself a goal that is unattainable. Thank goodness BookLikes limits me to 10 featured books or I would be even more unrealistic with my monthly goal.

More Historical than Fiction monthly selection:

continuing with A Place of Greater Safety since some members (ahem, me) have not finished.

NetGalley Reads:

Winter Crown & A Perilous Alliance

Awesome Indie Writers:

The Serpent Sword & Wolf's Head

Local Book Club selection:

A Game of Kings

Audio Books:

Watch the Lady

Little Women

Because I need to stay ahead of my husband in this series:

The Burning Land