Well, folks, August was a reading rollercoaster! I devoured 4 books (that’s 1,997 pages of pure literary chaos) and ended the month with an average rating of 4 stars. I’m 22 of 25 books into my 2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge, so I’m officially in “almost there, don’t tempt me with a new release” territory.
August lineup included 3 ARCs and one that’s been on my TBR for a while. Here’s the lowdown:
1. Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards – ★★★★★
Release Date: December 2, 2025
Historical fiction lovers, this one’s a treat. Canticle threw me into 13th-century Bruges, where a young woman navigates love, faith, and her own stubborn independence. I absolutely fell for the rich world-building and the complex, real-feeling characters.
🔗 Check out my full review of Canticle here
2. Blackwicket by Bea Northwick – ★★★☆☆
Release Date: September 9, 2025
Dark fantasy alert! Blackwicket is packed with intrigue and adventure, but I have to admit—I got a little lost in the pacing at times. That said, if you love immersive worlds and a bit of magic with your drama, this one’s worth a peek.
🔗 Check out my full review of Blackwicket here
3. The Cat by Georges Simenon – ★★★☆☆
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Think psychological mystery meets existential musings. The Cat explores messy human relationships, moral gray areas, and a very… opinionated feline. Simenon’s writing is deliciously tense, but fair warning: it’s a slow burn.
🔗 Check out my full review of The Cat here
4. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas – ★★★★★
Fantasy fans, rejoice! The fourth book in the Throne of Glass series delivers action, intrigue, romance, and chaos in all the best ways. Maas knows how to keep you turning pages (and muttering “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.).
🔗 Check out my full review of Queen of Shadows here
August was a mixed bag of fantasy, historical fiction, and mystery, but the highlights—Canticle and Queen of Shadows, definitely stole my book-loving heart.
Bring on September; I’m ready for more reading adventures!
What did you read last month, and which books are you most excited to dive into next?
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