August Reading Wrap Up
I read six books in August and I had one dnf. Six books per month has been about my average this year. I read two fantasy books, and four books of nature literature. Most of these are in preparation for an upcoming trip I have to Utah. Let's get into it!
1.An Echo of Things to Come (Licanius Trilogy 2) by James Islington, 4/5 stars. I had a good time reading the second book in this doorstopper fantasy series. I liked it more than book 1, and felt like it really delved into the plot. I'm looking forward to finishing this series up, and the ending of this book was: 😮
2.Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane, 5/5 stars. This is a prominent piece of nature literature from within the past decade. Macfarlane has a way with words, and I enjoyed reading a nature lit set somewhere besides the US. I liked his "word-hoard" project, and would definitely pick up more of his books in the future.
3.Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher, 4/5 stars. This is Kingfisher's newest release, a snow white retelling. Like her other fairy tale retellings, I thought this was a fresh adaptation and an interesting twist on the tale. It reminded me a little bit of her horror book, the Hollow Places, as a sort of alternate realm horror. Enjoyable, but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as some of her other books. I also don't care much for the cover, and don't think it really fits the book.
4.This is the Place: Utah by Maurine Whipple this is a travel guide for Utah written in the 1940s by mormon author Maurine Whipple. I skimmed parts of it, and was mostly interested in the pictures. I was hoping for a bit more about the natural landscape, but this was mostly about Mormons/Mormonism (sorry just not interested lol).
5.Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey. I reread this on audio and was incredibly happy that Michael Kramer narrated the audiobook. I do really love this book despite some of Abbey's views.
6.Desert Cabal: A New Season in the Wilderness by Amy Irvine. This is an essay published on the 50th anniversary of Desert Solitaire, and Irvine having a conversation with Abbey at the place where he is buried. It's a recollection of what has changed since Abbey's book and a reflection on the desert now in the 21st century.
DNF: The Councillor by EJ Beaton. I read about 100 pages but just couldn't get interested in it. I set the book aside for now, maybe one day I'll pick it back up and try again.
September tbr:
Katabasis by RF Kaung (already finished lol)
Read some other Utah books (Zion Canyon Reader, Red, Capitol Reef Reader?)
The Light of All that Falls by James Islington (Licanius 3)
Roots of Chaos novella by Samatha Shannon
What Stalks the Deep by T Kinfisher
Gods of the Wyrdwood by RJ Barker
