August 2020 Reading Recap

August lead me to hit my reading goal of 150 books for the year, with the 5 star read of ‘How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse’ ringing in at the finish line. My not-so-secret ( probably unachievable ) goal is 200 books. Now that I’ve hit my ‘official’ Goodreads goal, the pressure is off and I can read a bit more freely. Next year, I think I may skip goal setting. Or set an arbitrary goal of 1 book and just use the website as more of a tracking / social site instead of constantly staring at the ‘X books ahead/behind’ statistic they force on you. Overall, in August I read 18 books. Still a LOT of books — but overall didn’t feel like the best reading month.

There were only a few standouts, shown below. A few books that were highly touted (like The Jane Austen Society and Children of Blood and Bone) fell flat for me. I think in August I was also in a mood where a book needed to do a LOT to hold me in. Normally I feel like I am able to enjoy books for what they are, but the whole COVID pandemic reared its ugly head in my reading life again. Here’s to September being full of more 5 star reads!

FIVE STAR READS OF AUGUST 2020

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason
This kind of narration and storytelling of another universe is one of my favorite things about science fiction novels. I’d compare this to Becky Chambers’s Wayfarer series. Rory is a plucky and unique heroine who uses her strengths to navigate a strange space station. The Kreshti ferns that change color depending on their owner’s emotions was a fun touch.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – shared in my Quick Lit post.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend
This was a comfort re-read in anticipation of fall. Morrigan is still an immensely strong young girl, and Nevermoor is a place I would like to visit and stay forever. Middle grade magical fantasy and adventures abound!

The Fated Sky (Lady Astronauts #2) by Mary Robinette Kowal
‘The Calculating Stars’ was already on my list for favorite books I’ve read this year, and ‘The Fated Sky’ runs a close second. You should read Calculating Stars first, because the Mars / space program setup is important. Elma is SO relatable, and her actions as a Jewish, white, female person trying to navigate the complexities of racism in the 1950s/60s are what we all need to learn from. She makes mistakes, owns up to them, and realizes what she is doing wrong. ALL while being a freaking kick-ass genius astronaut headed to Mars. A feminist, smart version of ‘The Martian’.

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas
I won’t spoil this novel for those of you who haven’t read it or the Court of Thorns and Roses series, but it is safe to say that this novel is my favorite of hers by far. Feyre really comes into her own power and finds out what she truly wants in life. Warning (or, a fun plus): many sexy times.

Other novels I finished in August