Hi guys, and welcome to my August wrap up!
So I know it’s pretty standard to say that time flies, but seriously, where did August go? I am seriously so confused, like why is time going by so fast and I still feel like I’m getting nothing done? Even though, when I wrap it up below, it turns out I did get some things done. Just not as much as I would have wanted, ha! (Adulting is exhausting, lemme tell you!)
So without further ado, let’s get into my wrap up for August!
The Son of Neptune by Rick RIordan
So I’ve been bravely continuing my personal quest of finally getting to The Heroes of Olympus series, which I’ve been buddy reading with Uma of Books. Bags. Burgers. And I could summarize everything with just this: When in a reading slump, reach for a Rick Riordan book. Even in a big reading slump, it’s impossible not to fly through these books. They’re all fast-paced and easy reads, with still a lot of humor and heart and of course, lots of mythology! That said, I must say I expected these books to get better and better with each next book in the series, and… The Son of Neptune didn’t get better. It didn’t get worse, either, but it just kind of stayed average. It wasn’t my favorite Rick Riordan book to date.
Rating: 4 stars | Check out my full review here.
The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Finally, one of my most anticipated reads of 2017 that did not disappoint! The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was on my radar ever since I saw it described as a tale of two boys going on a road trip through seventeenth century Europe, fighting pirates and their feelings for eachother along the way. And oh boy, it didn’t only live up to all my expectations, but it managed to surpass them and surprise me along the way. The hype is real. This is one of the best books I’ve read in 2017 and I’d absolutely recommend it to everybody. You simply must meet Monty, Percy and Felicity, as they are one trio you won’t soon forget!
Rating: 4,5 stars | Check out my full review here.
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Poison Study was the first book I read for #TheReadingQuest and it definitely started the Quest with a bang! I flew though this book in just two days, which was really great considering it’s been taking me 2-3 weeks on average to read a book lately. I loved the plot and the characters. This book is basically a combination of everything I love in fantasy! Though I must say I was expecting something more from the ending… Not sure what though. Guess I’ll have to continue the rest of the series and find out if I love the next books just as much or not.
Rating: 4 stars | Review to follow
The Mark of Athena by Rick RIordan
Oh yeah, Uma of Books.Bags.Burgers and I have been tearing through our buddy read! We also already read the third book in the series and what can I say? I love Rick Riordan books. The Mark of Athena finally got all my favorite characters together and I ADORED watching them interact. Like seriously, I could read about these kids having dinner and I’d be entertained. But of course the stakes are much higher than just a dinner and it was quite an adventure. It still didn’t reach the ultimate WOW-factor for me, but maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy-ass reader…
Rating: 4 stars | Review to follow
Top Ten Tuesday
- 29 August 2017: Ten Reasons Why The Red Winter Trilogy Is THE Hidden Gem Fantasy YA
- 22 August 2017: Ten Books That Take Me Back To My School Days
- 15 August 2017: Book Recommendations For Casual Readers
Something Different Sunday
- Songs That Keep Me Going (read)
I actually listened to quite a lot non-kpop stuff this month (even though, let’s be honest, I still listened to a whole lot of k-pop as well). This month I’ve been loving a lot of songs, most of all New Rules by Dua Lipa and No Promises by Cheat Codes ft Demi Lovato. I also really enjoyed the new songs by Sleeping With Sirens, 30 Seconds To Mars and (even though it took me a bit) the new Taylor Swift.
Some of my faves this month:
Game of Thrones
I only watched one tv show this month, but oh boy did Game of Thrones deliver! It was a super short, but EPIC season. Even if a few of those major epic plot twists were kind of predictable, I was still watching every episode screaming at my tv. Now, can someone please explain to me why we have to wait more than a year for the final few episodes?
Descendants 2
As I explained in last month’s wrap-up, I have a huge amount of love for the soundtracks of these cheesy but super enjoyable movies. But I just watched the second movie this month and I ADORED IT! I may love the first one just a tad more plot-wise and I also wasn’t such a big fan of the ending of this one, but overall I could just watch these kids’ adventures and their friendship all day long.
Death Note (Netflix)
As you may already know from previous wrap-ups and also more obvious posts such as this one, I LOVE Death Note. I adore it. So when Netflix announced a new adaptation, I was all ready for it. Though from the beginning it was already looking to be well… a trainwreck (whitewashing, major plot changes,…) I was still strangely excited to watch it. And well, if you’re a huge fan of Death Note, this adaptation probably isn’t for you. The plot that should have been an intriguing psychological thriller and cat-and-mouse game between two geniuses became an overdramatic Final Destination wannabe with a completely unnessecary romantic subplot. The plot is not my beloved Death Note and the characters are NOTHING like my beloved characters. But I do think that if you’re not familiar with Death Note yet, you might still like it for what it is. (Even though I’d still recommend the anime or Japanese adaptations first).
Guardians Of The galaxy 2
Hi, I FINALLY watched Guardians of the Galaxy 2! Woop woop! I love me some baby Groot. That intro scene gave me life <3 But I must say that I found the villain a bit underwhelming and I preferred the first movie a tad more. Not to say that I still didn’t highly enjoy this one and I’m already eager to see more of all these characters!
Hmmm, what’s new in life? Well, this month I went on a day-trip to the Belgian coast, had dinner with friends, had a wedding anniversary for my grandparents and went to a fairy-tale based amusement park with my family-in-law. Basically, my weekends were pretty booked, and my weeks have been going by at super-speed. Which leaves me with mixed feelings, because as happy as I am to be working full-time again, I’m also super exhausted and struggling with finding the time to do the little things I love, such as read, blog and watch my kdramas. So please bear with me a bit longer and forgive my huge lack of blog hopping and commenting while I’m still trying to figure it all out!
In September I do have a holiday coming up in which I’m travelling to Tenerife so I hope to get some quality reading done then! I’m already looking forward to it so, so much 😀
We were looking forward to Descendants 2 for so long, and we really liked it! I just love anything Disney, so these movies are so cute.
I agree, these months are moving by way too quickly!
Disney movies are seriously the best! I don’t mind that they can be a little cheesy sometimes, I’ll soak it all up because they’re so much fun and so cute indeed!
Yeah, busy’s good but it can be hard to take the time for ourselves sometimes 🙂
I just watched the season finale of Game of Thrones yesterday. A little predictable, sure but so good! 😀
Haha yeah, it’s so good that I didn’t mind at all that I predicted several plot points 😉
I think you got way more done than I did! 🙂 I want to watch Death Note but I am sad but not surprised that is was whitewashed. *sigh* I still need to see Guardians 2!
Haha I think we will never get everything done that we want to do 🙂 Yeah I wasn’t that surprised with my disappointment in this Death Note, but I hope you’ll still enjoy it more than I did though! Guardians 2 was so much fun, definitely recommend 🙂
Wow, sounds like you’ve had a busy month off the blog! I’m right there with you on Game of Thrones. I just finished the season finale a few days ago and cannot believe how long we’re going to have to wait to see what happens next. It was so good though!
Haha yeah, busy is definitely good, though I’m also kind of hoping to have a bit more blogging and reading time this month 🙂 Game of Thrones was so good indeed! The wait seems so long now though and then the final season will still be over before we know it…
Aw, yay for ‘Guardians.’ I STILL haven’t watched that one although I do own a copy. (This just makes me ask myself “WHY HAVEN’T YOU WATCHED IT??” 😉
Glad you ended up liking Taylor’s new tune eventually. I do too, though I think the melodies of her newest song, ‘…Ready For It?’ are beautiful and this song is more align with Taylor’s style.
(And I’m with you. Where did August go?? September is already passing as quickly and it’s not cool.)
Oh, I’d definitely recommend watching GotG 2, especially if you enjoyed the first one 🙂
I still need to listen to Ready For It a few times, I haven’t really listened to it properly yet. But I’m sure I’ll end up liking it as well!
Yes, already one week in September, where is the time going?
So happy you enjoyed the Gentlemen’s Guide! This book has been so hyped around the blogging community, to be honest I did not know what to make of it. I’m hoping to read it someday and see for myself if it’s as great as everyone is saying 🙂 Iam hoping that it is 🙂
Yay for Guardians of the Galaxy! I loved this movie even if, just like you, I preferred the first one just as well. Baby Groot was just too adorable, right? <3
I hope you'll have a great September – and yay for your upcoming trip!! <3 <3
Yeah the hype around this book was definitely intimidating, and I’ve been disappointed by hyped books before… But I did really love this in the end, so I hope you’ll love it as well when you get to it 🙂
OMG yes, baby Groot is the THE BEST. I love him and am sad to see him go, though I’m definitely curious about teenage Groot as well, haha 😀
Hope you’ll have an amazing September as well Marie!
Gosh, I’m only getting to your August wrap up and it’s basically the end of September. *worst blogger friend award goes to me!*.
Adulting is super exhausting. I’m feeling ALL of the exhaustion this month! Yikes.
Riordan books are awesome. I love them. They always surprise me with how long they actually are but they are great with all that sassy humour and fun adventure! I’m so glad that you are enjoying them!!!
I really need to pick up Gentleman’s Guide. I’ll get there!
Yay for enjoying Poison Study! I’m reading your review after this.
GOT… Oh my goodness. How EPIC. I’m actually scared for the next season (you know, the one in 2019!!!! Grr). I get it… The episodes are going to be MANIC and probably full of battles and action that takes forever to film… But STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hungry fans over here, right?
Anyways, still so much to catch up on on your blog, so I’m headed to do that now!!!!
Oh no Di, you’re definitely not a ‘worst blogger friend’!! Life happens, and it’s totally ok! 🙂
Hope your life and job are slowly going back to normal and you’ll have some more time for yourself soon! Adulting sure can suck 😉
Yeah, I know I love Riordan books, but I still always am a little surprised by how much fun they really are.
OMG GOT was so EPIC indeed! Yeah, I understand why they need the time, but I’m still so excited to see the end! But on the other hand, I can also wait, because I’m scared for my precious characters and after that season, it’ll really be over…