We are now 8 months into 2021. Am I the only one that’s surprised yet excited for what the remaining 4 months will bring? Just me, that’s okay. I’m hoping for some positive things, as this past year (since August 2020) has been an emotional journey. Enough sad talk; who’s ready for my reading wrap-up for August 2021 and to see my TBR for September?
Looking over the books I’ve read this month, I’m impressed I read that many. Why? Because there were a few days, I just couldn’t be bothered to read. And if you know me, or really any reader, that is rare. What helped me get my numbers up were the two graphic novels. While I enjoyed reading them, I don’t think they are my thing. Who knows, maybe I need to find some different ones to try. Do you have any suggestions?
August 2021 Reading Wrap Up
I attempted to read five of the six books I listed for my August TBR on my July Reading Wrap Up. Sadly, I DNF’ed 2 books. I didn’t care for one storyline, and with the other, I was just so irritated with the two main characters after 3 chapters I had to stop. For August, I managed to read 10 books.
- The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
- Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
- The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
- Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
- Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
- Sheets by Brenna Thummler
- Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower
- The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
- The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
- The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
DNF Books
- The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
- The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
A Brief Summary of Each Book
Book 1: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie is the first book to feature Miss Marple. We are formally introduced to St. Mary Mead and some other recurring characters.
Book 2: Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
Mooncakes is a graphic novel by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu, with Joamette Gil as the letterer. Originally a webcomic, Mooncakes was released in October 2019 by Oni Press.
Book 3: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margo by Marianne Cronin
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot is the debut novel of Marianne Cronin. Released in June 2021 by Harper, this contemporary novel introduces the reader to 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot, who reside in Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. The novel is an emotional read and one that you will find hard to put down.
Book 4: Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
First published in February 2018 by Harper, Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern looks at life in small-town New England. This book is about the family you come from, but also the one you create. And what better place to explore those ideals than the library?
Book 5: Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie, first published in June 1941, is the twenty-fourth book to feature Hercule Poirot. Set at a hotel on an island just off the coast of England, Poirot is on vacation when an unfortunate event happens-the murder of a fellow guest.
Book 6: Sheets by Brenna Thummler
Sheets is the first in the Sheets series of paranormal graphic novels by Brenna Thummler. First published in August 2018 by Oni Press, Sheets introduced us to Marjorie Glatt as she struggles with school, trying to fit in with peers, and running her family’s business.
Book 7: Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower
Farm to Trouble is the first book in the new cozy mystery series Farm to Table Mysteries by Amanda Flowers. First released in February 2021 by Poisoned Pen Press, Farm to Trouble introduces us to Shiloh Bellamy as she returns to her family farm in Michigan after being in LA for fifteen years.
Book 8: The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
The Road Trip is the most recent release from best-selling author Beth O’Leary. Released in April 2021 by Quercus, The Road Trip is about a trip full of roadblocks and mishaps. Addie, Deb, Dylan, Marcus, and Rodney are stuck together in a Mini on their way to a wedding in Scotland. What could go wrong?
Book 9: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
The Witch’s Heart is Genevieve Gornichec‘s most recent release. Ace Books released this retelling of Norse folklore in February 2021. We are introduced to a witch who has been burned alive multiple times yet manages to survive her death sentence each time. She is trying to stay off the radar and not be noticed by anyone, especially the gods. When who should appear, but the trickster god himself.
Book 10: The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan is the first book in the Scottish Bookshop Series. It was first published in February 2016 by Sphere Publishing under the title The Little Shop of Happily Ever After. In this cozy romance, you are introduced to Nina Redmond when she is facing a major life change.
DNF Books
With Paris Library, I enjoyed the historical part of the story, but I did not care for the parts from 1983. I really wanted to like this one! The Dating Plan just irritated me. I understand that the relationship needed the strain to “develop,” but to me they just needed to grow up and communicate with each other about what happened 10 years ago.
September 2021 TBR
So funny story, I placed a bunch of holds earlier this summer at my library for new releases. Then one day last week, I checked my holds and noticed that they would be available in 21 days. I thought, okay, this is doable. Ha! I checked my email the next day and had a notice from my library informing me that I have 5 books ready to pick up. To add to my panic, I had 3 books at home that I had borrowed from the library. One of those three was Farm to Trouble. The other two are on my TBR, along with the ones I have to pick up this week. AND a couple of others I had planned to read in September.
- Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
- Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson
- Spells Trouble by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
- The Guncle by Steven Rowley
- Revenge of the Sluts by Natlie Walton
- Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
- Death in Bloom by Jess Dylan
- We’re All in This Together by Amy Jones
- Towards Zero by Agatha Christie
- George by Alex Gino
I have lots to read in September. I only own 2 out of the 10 books I’ve got listed. Let’s hope I can get it done! If it’s any help, I have started Better Than the Movies. I’m around 100 pages in. Fingers crossed, the books are all good reads!
How was your reading for August 2021? What books are you hoping to read in September 2021?
Looking for some more ideas to read? Check out my other monthly reading wrap-ups.
What a lovely list of books! I’ve been wanting to read The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan.
What a great list! I’ve been wanting to read The Witch’s Heart for a while now!
I loved Mooncakes! It’s such a sweet and wholesome story 🙂 I can’t wait to read The Road Trip cos I’ve quite enjoyed all of O’Leary’s books so far and this one sounds really cute, too. Hope you’re enjoying your September reads!
I didn’t know any of the books on your fall TBR, but I was curious about your wrap-up, and this is a lot of fun to read! Not least because Summer Hours at the Robbers Library and Bookshop on the Corner are both on mine. Are you planning on more of the Scottish Bookshop series? I found this one in a Little Free Library last week (it had been on my TBR prior to that though), so I’m even more excited now.
–RS @ The Idealistic Daydream
I’m glad you found my reviews of a couple of books you want to read. I hope to read more books in the Scottish Bookshop series, it is just a matter of when I can get my hands (or ears) on them.