July Wrap-Up / August…TBR?

Oh, July. Lol. I kind of tried with you? No, I’m actually really surprised that I actually crossed a few books off my TBR, because I think during the first week of the month, I made a pact with myself that I was going to literally forget that I had set a TBR and go, MOOD READER FOR THE WIN…which is precisely what I did. What I read…was not what I set out to read and why there is a lovely question mark up on the top there. Shall we see what this book princess actually did do?

Even though most (okay, like, two) of these books weren’t on my TBR, I still managed to read a decent amount. Okay, like a lot. Mandy = stunned. She had a very busy July apparently. I read 25 books this month.

July’s Books

july wrap up

Manga

asterisk = audiobook

July Thoughts

July was an interesting month. Shall we just call it the month of Sailor Moon? Because I mean, I was in quite very deep with her. I loved her dearly, and I still have yet to read the final two books (the additional short stories) SO MY LOVE AND FANGIRLING CAN LOVE ON FOR ANOTHER DAY. ARE WE EXCITED?

No books were quite added to the favorites list this month. Of course, Cinder is always on the favorites list, but nothing added. Hunted was a very close addition, but some of the things kept me from adding it immediately. Maybe it will be there by the end of August?

ariel tag
Ariel was out in force this month.

That being said, I did read a lot of good books this month. Four stars seemed to be the thing. Some of my favorite reads this month: Hunted, A Map for Wrecked Girls, When I Am Through With You, The Love Interest, and We Are Okay.

I DNF’d not many this month, which I mean, SUPER YAY. Maybe I’m picking better books or books are just getting better? 😉

The worst of the month was probably Dreamfall and Odd & True for me. So many things went wrong with Dreamfall for me, and Odd & True just fell super flat for me – despite my hugely high expectations and love for Cat Winters.

And the most exciting thing happened this month: I FINISHED THE BOOK THAT I HAD BEEN READING SINCE JUNE OF LAST YEAR. That’s right: Wild Irish Women was finally crossed off the reading list after awkwardly chilling on my Goodreads shelf for a year and a month. Is anyone else super excited to see that weird red cover off the side of the blog?

Overall, though, I thought it was a solid month. Got a lot of books off and totally expanded what I thought I would do. SO MUCH YAY.

August TBR

Okay, there is a very valid reason that I have a question mark going on at the very top of this post. I’m debating whether or not to fully give up making TBRs. For June, I did so amazingly well – then again, I decided to make a themed TBR where I only read contemporaries. However, this month, without a theme or really any desire to stick to a TBR, I went wild. Like, straight up, I’m not going to stick to any book I wrote on this list.

Therefore, I think what I am going to do is write a list of books that I have to get to this month (due to ARC obligations) and then some books I’m sort of feeling at the time. My mood readerness has come back in full and basically I’m just reading whatever calls to me at the time. This isn’t a set TBR in the slightest, but totally just some books I’m intrigued by.

Books For Sure on the TBR

Audiobooks

Books I Really Am In the Mood For

Other Bookish Thoughts

This month was also the month that I started my delight in audiobooks. I’m not sure how long it will last since I do find myself drifting in parts, but I’m going to keep on going with them until I fail completely. It is such a cool form of medium, though, and I love that I can do things while still listening and immersing myself in a whole new world (*insert Jasmine singing here*)

What do you think? What was your July like? What are you looking forward to in August? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

85 thoughts on “July Wrap-Up / August…TBR?”

  1. If you have ARC obligations, it’s time to join ARC August, no? Haha. [I’m not because I already went through most in July].
    You did read an awful lot of books this month, though! Nice!
    I ordered Stalking Jack the Ripper but was stupid in finishing my order because there was a pre-order in there.. So it’ll only arrive at the end of freaking September. Kill me now? I was so looking forward to reading it ASAP..

    Anyhow! Good luck with your.. TBR?
    [For what it’s worth, I don’t even bother creating a monthly TBR because, HEYHO MOOD READER.]

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    1. I would, buttttttt…I’m afraid that it will be like the TBR situation all over again and I just go HAHA, I refuse to read anything. XD But thank you for the suggestion, and if I get desperate, I so will need to. XD
      And oh no!!!! That is always the meanest thing when ordering books and the preorders sneak you. Sorry for the wait, but I will say that is the perfect time to read it because it has a fall kind of vibe.

      And ahahaha, thank you. I’m just going with the flow for the moment, as you know with the mood readerness. XD

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      1. Like, “Oh I’m doing this challenge” and then going “Nope, I’m reading anything but books that fit this challenge!”? That’s so.. bad.. Haha xD
        Yup, it is. I didn’t even notice until it was too late.. Stupid thing is that they did send one of those books I ordered already, but I have to wait for the other ones. Doesn’t make sense, really..
        Haha, okay. Maybe I’ll be glad getting them so late then! I had some winter-ish ARC’s to read last month and I kinda felt bad reading them with the summer in full swing. Those books need a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate but it was way too hot for either of those things. :’)

        Mood readers are the best! Seriously, aren’t those the readers that often get more books read? Simply because we don’t even bother trying to follow lists? :’)

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      2. Ahahahahaa I do the same exact thing. It’s like our reading brains just want to rebel against it.

        Noooooooo. That really doesn’t make much sense at all. So very weird. Maybe it’s still coming?

        AHahahaha oh no! That’s the hardest. It’s like you’re reading them but it’s not the right mood and it just disrupts the feel of it.

        But lol, very true! I didn’t think about it like that but so very right.

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      3. We’re rebels at heart, ha! 🤓

        Doubt it. I’ll have to wait until the end of September. At least I have plenty of books to fill that time 😅🤣

        Yep! On the other hand, it does make me look forward to Christmas again because.. presents! 🙄

        Haha!

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    1. SAME. Maybe because we made it past the mid point of the year and we’re now in a weird book funk? I’m not sure. So odd.
      But thanks, Laura, and same with you (since I literally just closed out of your post. XD)! 🙂

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  3. 25 books read this month, that’s SO impressive! I read five, but there was a wide variety of different genres so I’m pleased with that… I don’t think I’ve ever made a TBR unless it’s for a readathon, mood reading is definitely the way to go for me!

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    1. Ooooh, that is always fun and cool when you can get a variety of different genres – and definitely fits the mood reading for sure. XD But yes! They’re definitely are the first things to fly out the window when the right mood strikes. 🙂

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    1. I could have just been the audiobook format, Charlotte. There was a LOT of information coming in the first two chapters, and I definitely think it would have been far better if I had actually been reading it. You still may do well with it, and I really hope that you enjoy it! 🙂

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      1. Oh okay, I’ve never listened to an audiobook, and I’m sure it would be hard to concentrate with heaps of information at the start. We’ll see if I like it, thanks! 😊

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  6. Hooray for mood reading! That’s awesome! No wonder you didn’t DNF much! You read great books and got to read what you really wanted! So much fun! I put my August list together, and there’s only a couple I need for dates in August, most of them are for September, so I’ll get to mood read a bit from the list at least. 🤷‍♀️

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    1. Yayyyyyyyyyyyy. I think that was a big reason as well! I got to feel what I wanted to feel. XD Oooooooooh, yayyyyyyyyyy! I’m super glad!! That way you’ll get to get to some you’ve been feeling for a while. Do you have one that you are most excited for?

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      1. That’s so great! Well, I’m reading They Both Die at the End right now, which is my most anticipated read of the year, so that is really fun! I am also really excited for Jane Unlimited and Before She Ignites! 🙂 What is your most anticipated August book?

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      2. Ooooooooooh. I’ve yet to try a Silvera book, but I’ve been meaning to since I know you love his work. Can’t wait to see your final thoughts on it and that should be my final push to get my butt on his work. XD But oooooh those sound great as well! 😀 And I don’t know. I’m in the worst mood reading streak that I can’t figure out what I want to read this month. XD

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      4. Do you have an ultimate favorite? I’m trying to debate which one to start off with. And yessssssss. I definitely think so. It’s because you’re in just the right mood and not “forcing” yourself to try and get into it. Although now I’m in one of the pitfalls of mood reading: where literally nothing sounds good. XD

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      5. Of Adams? Probably History is All You Left Me, but they’re all really good. 🙂 Exactly! Even though I have a packed TBR this month. I’m glad that most of them aren’t “due” until September, so I can kind of read them in any order. It’s so nice! That is the down side to mood reading. The slump where you can’t figure out what sounds good!

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      6. Oooooh okay, I shall start with that one then! 🙂 But oooh that’s perfect! You can go with whatever strikes you for that moment. But yes! Either too many things sound good or nothing sounds good. XD

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      11. I cry every time. OMG. I was bawling after I finished They Both Die at the End. Bah. I can still barely think about it. I’m going to have to wait a couple days to review, I think.

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  7. Wow, you had an awesome reading month! 25 books in one month is super impressive!! I can’t wait to hear what you think of THUG and The Big F. I’ll be reading The Big F during August, too. 🙂 Happy reading!

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  8. Awesome wrap up Mandy! Even if you didn’t get to every book on your TBR you still read a whole lot! And Sailor Moon is totally worth your time, if I do say so myself! I see so many good books headed your way this August and I see so many great reviews for the rest of us to enjoy!! Good luck!!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Rendz! ❤ I totally didn't mind Sailor Moon corrupting my TBR. I mean, Sailor Moon (I got the final 2 books now and I'm trying not to dive right in). But thankies! You as well with your August.

      Quick question: I know we vaguely discussed doing a buddy read for Labyrinth Lost for this month forever ago and I'm not sure if it was one of those things that was oh, we should do it then, and then we totally got trampled by our TBRs. Were you still interested or maybe another month or never? :O

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      1. Sailor Moon!! Yay!! I’m sooo ready for August! Game face on.

        Quick Answer: If I can get a copy for Labyrinth Lost, I’m totally down. It depends on my library, but it shouldn’t be too hard! Probably later in this month! Oh that reminds me, what about Poison’s Kiss, I think we had that one planned too…I have that one at the ready! Whatever you want or have ready!

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      2. YESSSSSSSSSSs. We are gonna crush it.

        Omg, that one, too. I have my copy as well for that one, so I’m game for any time! 😀 And okay, any time, I’m good for that one, too. I broke down and bought both of them. XD

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    1. It was interesting, Birdie, in the way that I”m not quite sure what to do with it. There were parts I enjoyed but also parts I fell apart with. Interested to see what your thoughts will be! 🙂

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  12. So many books this month!! I can never do monthly TBR’s myself, I’m too much of a mood reader. Maybe making a TBR just depends on if you’re in the mood for a TBR? 😉

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    1. I used to be a little better at TBRs but now that I don’t have so many ARCs, I’m like, eh, I don’t really know what to put on and it’s just YAY MOOD READER. XD But I sooooo agree. I feel like you really do need to be in the mood to make a TBR. XD

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      4. Ahahah yes! And I thought it was just what the finale was supposed to be for the book. I had a few minor gripes with it, but it totally brought back the Jackaby that I always loved and enjoyed. It had a lot of comedy, a lot of actions, and a lot more epic supernatural creatures. Totally a great ending to the series. 🙂

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  14. Seems that you had a nice reading month! 🙂 What did you think of Stalking Jack the Ripper and Cinder (even tho it was a re-read)? I’m about to start Cinder, and SJTR has been on my shelves for some time now.
    Was there any specific reason that made you DNF The Selection? I know America can get extremely annoying 😛
    I hope you enjoy the books you want to read in August. Sometimes I do TBRs, sometimes I don’t, it depends on the month (and how busy I know I’ll be) and my mood. I don’t mind not following it, tho, as long as I still read. I’m not sure if I added The Hate U Give for this month, but I’m excited to get to it! ^^

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    1. I thought Stalking was pretty good! I will admit that toward the middle of it, I kind of fizzled out of it and the mystery wasn’t a super big mystery to me. But I really enjoyed the characters and I loved the atmosphere and setting. Overall, pretty good.

      And Cinder is amazinggggggggg. I will admit when I read it the first time I wasn’t quite as enthralled by it. But it really is such an interesting spin on the classic story, and the characters are SO SO good. I canNOT wait to see what you think.

      And I think The Selection is just not a book to do with audiobook. The first part was a LOT of information and I got really bored while listening to it. I think it would have been better if I read it, and I think I’m going to try it again. Have you tried it yet?

      Yes! I think I’m going to have to try your TBR thinking. 😀 But it SO good so far. 🙂

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      1. WOAH, awesome!! I can’t wait to read them, especially Cinder! I’ve waited too long 😛 I’ve also heard that Cinder is not a great first book, but that it gets better, so I’m trying not to get my expectations too high.
        And yeah, I’ve actually recently finished the fifth book in the series, The Crown. I think both America and her daughter, Eadlyn, can get very VERY annoying from time to time, but Eadlyn surprised me in this last book. And all the books have some kind of cliché here and there, the original trilogy more than the last two books, actually. But I was completely sucked into the story, in all of the books. I think it’s worth another try, if you’re up for it 🙂 (not so much if you really can’t stand annoying/childish characters haha)

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      2. I will that it’s totally right – each book really does get better. It’s kind of just the first book to really get into the series and with each book, it gets even more complex and the details and characters just grow so well.

        Oooooh, okay, I’ll definitely have to give it another try. I really think I just need the physical book to get myself into it. And I’ll definitely keep the characteristics in mind so I don’t have too many expectations with it. XD

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  15. Woow what a full month! 😀
    Ahhh I really wanna get to Hunter!! >..< Let's just hope it goes well for me!
    I really hope you like The Hate U Give and And I Darken! I loved them so much! And I am excited to see what you think of The Young Elites because I haven't picked it up yet and I'm not sure if it's my thing…
    Have a great month! 😍

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    1. Ahhh I really wanna get to Hunted*!! It sounds so good and you loved it so much! I have yet to buy it but hopefully soon! I am also really excited for Stalking Jack the Ripper, which I hope to love! It hasn’t come in the mail yet but when it does I’m getting to it!! 😍
      I am now officially not motivated to read Odd & True x) I had quite high expectations for it because it sounds really good but… ah, let’s see how it goes >.< Let's just hope it goes well for me!

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      1. Yes, I SUPER recommend, Joana. I totally think you will really enjoy it. And yesssssssssss. It was really good. A few slight issues, but overall, it was so captivating. I really hope that it does go better, Joana, for odd & True! I think the pacing just really threw me off. *fingers crossed for you*

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    2. I REALLY liked The Hate U Give. SO good. And I’m so excited for And I Darken especially after reading your review. 😀 And I agree. I figured I would try for audiobook because I’ve heard that it may or may not be my thing.

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