Hello!

I am here with August Wrap Up. This month I read a total of 4 books and 1,668 pages.

The genres I read this month were fantasy, literary, non-fiction and a classic. I read 3 standalones and 1 first book.

Onto the ratings!

 

 

★★★★★

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo  

Six of Crows is heist novel focused on a rag tag gang of gamblers and thieves who are hired to break into the impenetrable Ice Court. This was my first Leigh Bardugo novel and I adored it! Why did I wait so long to read this? Although I’m kinda glad I did because that ending would have been a killer if I had to have waited a year.

The story is a stunning blend of character development and plot all anchored on some seriously high stakes. Each of the six main characters—Kaz, Inej, Nina, Wylan, Matthias and Jesper— has their own distinct voice, motives and detailed backstory. I cannot get enough of this group. I’ve already started Crooked Kingdom to see what the gang gets tied up in next.

 

★★★★

 

A Superior Spectre by Angela Meyer

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I do have a full review coming up so I’ll keep this short. Thank you so much to Ventura Press and NetGalley for sending a copy my way!

A Superior Spectre is at times disturbing but wholly engrossing, cautionary tale of greed and the misuse of science of gothic proportions. Jeff has skyrocketed to the top of my most hated characters. He is an self-indulgent and self-absorbed man. He spends the novel trying to repent from his sins while abusing the drug, the allows you’re mind to time travel, and invading Leonora’s mind.

Leonora’s sections are filled with beautiful settings and an authentic atmosphere. It was heartbreaking to see her deal with Jeff’s influence. But Jeff isn’t the only male in her life to betray her, in fact, every male character in her life does so. But throughout she still strong-willed and unapologetic for who she is.

Angela Meyer brings a strong voice to the Australian literary scene and I’m excited to see what she does next.

 

 

★★★1/2

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf  

This was my first taste of Virginia Wolf’s writing and I did really enjoy it. I think I would’ve gotten more out of the book if I did read it in one sitting, but nevertheless a lot of food for thought in regards to women having the space to create. Some of which still echoes to this day. This one I will definitely re-read for years to come.

Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires by Selwyn Rabb 

Five Families was my first audiobook experience. I have become addicted to podcasts so I thought audiobooks aren’t too different and would be a way to tackle some of the more intimating nonfiction on my shelves.

Seleyn Rabb is very detailed in both his research and the way he pieces the events of The Five New York Families together. I will say my interest with the mafia is limited to the 1920s and 1930s with gangsters such as Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Frank Costello and Meyer Lansky so the first third of this book I really adored. Once it moved onto the 60s, 70s and 80s to the lives of crime boss like John Gotti I was less interesting.

The one thing that did fascinate me throughout was the Mafia’s ability to adapt. From bootlegging and numbers rackets to creating Las Vegas, loan sharking and union infiltration.

That’s it for me. Comment down below and let me know what you’re favourite read of August was.

Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna