Another month is over, and that means it’s time for a new looking back at our bookhauls. It’s always an interesting post, because we get to see if we actually read the books we buy. Today we’re looking back at the August 2023 bookhaul. Have we read the books we bought? Keep on reading to find out!
Candyce
In August 2023 I added 18 books to my shelves. I know there are definitely a few I haven’t read yet, because I tried focusing on reading some of the books for my August haul last month. But let’s take a look at what I did read!
The Spare Room – Andrea Bartz
Read
A friend and I did a buddy read of this one, and I have to say The Spare Room was a bit of a let down. It wasn’t one that we loved as much as we were hoping! I actually think I ended up finishing this one, because my friend gave up, haha.
Threads That Bind – Kika Hatzopoulou
Read
I read Threads That Bind with the same buddy that I read The Spare Room with. We actually enjoyed this one a lot more. The magic and world were both really interesting. Also, some of the twists near the end definitely made us want the sequel. We’re actually planning on reading book two once we finish our current buddy read.
The Way I Hate Him – Meghan Quinn
Unread
The Way I Hate Him is a book I’m surprised I haven’t read yet. Meghan Quinn is one of my favorite authors, and I know I’ll love her books. I guess I’ve been saving this one? I don’t know why, because it’s one that sounds amazing.
The Jasad Heir – Sara Hashem
Unread
Again, I really don’t know why I haven’t read The Jasad Heir yet. Other than that I seem to get easily distracted by other books. I have been in a fantasy mood lately, so maybe I’ll just have to bump this one up my TBR.
Assistant to the Villain – Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Read
Assistant to the Villain was so much fun, and I ended up loving it more than I thought I would. I will say I wasn’t expecting the cliffhanger we got, but it was definitely shocking. The sequel, Apprentice to the Villain, came out last month, and I’m hoping to read it while on vacation.
Daisy Haites, Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home, & Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing – Jessa Hastings
Unread, Unread, Unread
This series ended up getting a cover change when traditionally published and I still can’t stand those covers. So I decided to get the older covers while still available. The Magnolia Parks series is one I keep hearing about. I’ve actually started the first book, so hopefully I can check these off as well soon.
Girl, Goddess, Queen – Bea Fitzgerald
Unread
I still really want to read this Hades & Persephone reimagining, but I’m really glad I had it to get signed last year when I went to YALFU. While I didn’t love how the signing was organized, I’m glad I went. The author has recently released another retelling and a thriller, so if I enjoy this I have more to pick up!
Electric Idol – Katee Robert
Read
Electric Idol definitely met my expectations. I had so much fun reading this story! I love the romance, politics, and just the way it’s written. The third book is one I’ll have to grab soon. Reading the book while listening to the audiobook made my reading experience even better.
Divine Rivals – Rebecca Ross
Read
The hype around Divine Rivals is one I was kind of hesitant of, but after reading this one I completely get it. I loved every minute of this book. The characters, the world, the letters… just everything worked so well.
If We Ever Meet Again – Ana Huang
Read
If We Ever Meet Again ended up being a bit of a disappointment unfortunately. The book starts off with a breakup which felt kind of weird. While I did enjoy some of the story, there were quite a few tropes and elements I just don’t enjoy in romances. I’m still debating on picking up the next one.
Twin Crowns – Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
Unread
Twin Crowns was another book I bought for YALFU. Thankfully I was still able to get these signed. The signing ran late and the authors had a plane to catch. This is another one I’m still really curious about and hope to read soon.
Spells for Forgetting – Adrienne Young
Read
I said in the bookhaul that this seemed like a perfect rainy day read and I was right! Spells for Forgetting is atmospheric, dark, mysterious, and so much more. This story had the perfect balance of romance, mystery, magical realism, and more.
The Summer of Broken Rules – K.L. Walther
Read
I read this earlier this year, and I loved it! The Summer of Broken Rules is definitely a perfect summer read. I loved the elements of the wedding games they had going on, while our main character is still dealing with her sister’s death. This was lighthearted, but at the same time also really emotional.
What Happens After Midnight – K.L. Walther
Read
After enjoying The Summer of Broken Rules, I was excited to read more by K.L. Walther. What Happens After Midnight was another lighthearted, but emotional story. I enjoyed the idea of a senior prank, and our main character getting close with the boy she let go. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
House of Marionne – J. Elle
Unread
Besides the fact that House of Marionne sounded really interesting, I bought this book because of the stunning hardcover the first print got. I haven’t read this one yet, but I did get the sequel that just came out. That one is also really pretty. A friend and I plan on reading this duology together soon.
Pack Up the Moon – Kristan Higgins
Read
Pack Up the Moon sounded like a book that would break my heart, but was beautiful at the same time. I was right! I loved this book, but I was tearing up near the end. The author knew how to bring in two POVs and timelines and make these characters feel so real.
End Result
Read: 10/18 – 55.6%
TBR: 8/18 – 44.4%
Isabelle
Last August I got two physical and two audio books. Not a lot but I’m really happy with it. It seems like this way I can slowly make my TBR shrink instead of grow haha. But only if I also read some of those books. Let’s see how I did this time around.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
Unread
I really want to read this book and I’m pretty upset that I still haven’t haha. It sounds like a book I would love and I have a wonderful floppy paperback copy. Hopefully I can pick this one up soon, I have it close to my bed so I am reminded of it constantly haha.
After that Night – Karin Slaugther
Read
I adore Karin Slaughter as a writer, she comes up with some incredibly sick stuff and her books can be hard to read sometimes but they are always so good. As soon as I got this one I read it and since then I’ve also read the newest book in the series. Can’t wait for the next release!
Audible
A Court of Thorns and Roses & A Court of Mist and Fury – Sarah J. Maas
Read & read
Last year I did a reread of all the Sarah J. Maas books to get ready for the release of Crescent City book 3. So yes, I did read (or listened to) both of these. They were very enjoyable but it also reminded me that Feyre can be pretty annoying haha.
End Result
Read: 3/4 – 75%
TBR: 1/4 – 25%
So that’s another looking back at our bookhaul! Have you read any of these? Let us know in the comments what you thought! We’d love to hear from you!
