August Reading Wrap Up

August Reading Wrap Up

Welcome to my August reading wrap-up – I didn’t read as much and only managed a couple of blog reviews this month as our daughter got married mid-August and I was gladly acting as innkeeper and tour guide to various friends and family who came to town to join the celebrations.

The total of books I read in August was: 8

Of these: I read 2 Library Books, 4 E-books and 2 were from my physical TBR pile

Then: Out of the books I read, I discovered 3 ‘new for me’ authors (i.e. the first time I have read their work).

And: this month only 1 of the books I read was written by an Australian author.

Best Book of the month: I only had one ‘A’ book in August. I give ‘A’s (or 5 stars) to books that, regardless of genre, are complete page turners for me, that have me reading late into the night, suck me straight into the story and leaves me wanting more at the end; and of course, it should go without saying, I utterly recommend you read it. If I give a high score to a book it means it is a top example of whatever genre it belongs to. Someone else may turn their nose up at giving 5 stars to a light and fluffy romance, but if it is the best example of a light and fluffy romance then it is just as worthy of 5 stars than a dreary angst ridden book that wins some great literary award. If I give a high score to a book it means it is a top example of whatever genre it belongs to. So this month it was a contemporary romance – CURVE MY HEART by Sarah Gai – a book that I really needed in the frenetic social events surrounding our daughter’s wedding and was the perfect book for the time and place.

Least Favourite Book(s):

I say ‘least favourite’ because my lowest ‘score’ still means it is very readable, but for one reason or another I found it a bit of struggle to stay focused and finish. This month it was a historical novel about Queen Anne of England A WANT OF KINDNESS by Joanne Limburg that won the dubious honour of being my least favourite book of the month. This is just my personal opinion and you may find that it may very well be perfect for you.

General Summary:

Because I am an eclectic reader I read many different genres, sometimes at the same time! This month the different genres covered were Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Historical (set over 50 years ago), Contemporary Fiction (set in the last 50 years), Dystopian and Science Fiction. Many of the books were a blend of two or more genre.

The Australian author I read in August was Sarah Gai. Just to clarify an Australian author is defined by me as either an Australian born author no matter where they live and write in the world now, or an author who currently lives and writes in Australia even though they have been born elsewhere.

Finally, the 3 ‘new-for-me’ authors this month were Dinah Jefferies, Joanne Limburg and Elizabeth Perona. With the exception of Joanne Limburg I would happily read all of these new authors again.

Interesting book related links that I’ve come across this month:

Looking at another of my favourite genres –chick/hens lit. Hens lit is also referred to as granny lit, matron lit and lady lit. Whatever the term used they are books that are aimed at the older women in our society – they deal with the gritty subjects of hot flushes, widowhood, empty nest syndrome and sexual needs. Stuff that needs to be talked about in a humorous way that older women can relate too.

Despite being one of the biggest selling genres many female readers turn their noses up at these descriptors and think they are derogatory terms. I say poppycock – I use the term, I am a woman, I am not going to insult myself, don’t think they are offensive, and I love it – so there!

Australian comedienne, Wendy Harmer, explains:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/books/putting-the-chick-into-lit/2005/08/11/1123353432397.html

Matron lit:

http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/2005/09/matron_lit.html

Finally Cindy Roesel from Chick Lit Central says that we are all chicks regardless of whether we are 18 or 108:

http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2013/07/never-too-old-to-be-chick.html

You know, I think she could just be right – I’m a Chick and proud of it!!!

The Reading List

So let’s get onto what this post is about – what did I read during August? Here is the list of books that I read during the last month (each group is in the order I read them):

A (5 stars) = Excellent Stuff – a real page turner and hard to put down

Curve my Heart by Sarah Gai – Contemporary Romance

B (4 stars) = Really Good Read

Anne’s House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery – Historical

Lost Night by Jayne Castle – Science Fiction

The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies – Historical

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith – Cosy Mystery

The Heir by Kiera Cass – YA Romance Dystopian

C (3 stars) = Above Average – very readable and enjoyable

Murder on the Bucket List by Elizabeth Perona – Cosy Mystery

D (2 stars) = Average – it was OK, a bit of a struggle to finish

A Want of Kindness: A Novel of Queen Anne by Joanne Limburg – Historical

So onward to September – Woo Hoo! I wonder what book goodies I will discover this month?

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