Musings Reads: August

The gorgeous Kylie from Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions has started up a monthly series of posts about all things to do with reading and today is the first post!  I’ve never hidden my love for books and I love that she has started this one up.  I need a kick up the but sometimes to remember to talk on here about the things I love too!

I’m going to cheat a little though and add a serious of books that I read in July because I really, really loved them.

The Infernal Devices Series (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess) by Cassandra Clare.

The Infernal Devices series is set in London in the 1800’s.  The story is a prequel type to the Shadow Hunter series called The Mortal Instruments.  It was really interesting seeing the characters in this story and the way that they were linked to the characters in The Mortal Instruments.  Both series are about a race called Shadow Hunters, people with extraordinary strength and fighting abilities to protect the mundanes (humans) from the downworlders (vampires, faeries, werewolves).  In this series however the enemy is something all together different.  A man has created a robot army and it’s up to the Shadow Hunters and Tessa to stop him before he takes over the world.

Her by Felicia Johnson

This book really hit me hard.  It hit me right in the feels and I spent a few nights sobbing while I read it.  Her tells the story of Kristen, a 17 year old with a tumultuous home life.  Kristen is a high achiever, putting herself through home school and she takes on a lot of the care of her younger twin siblings.  After her Step Father is jailed, things get worse and Kirsten is hospitalised after attempting suicide.  She is admitted to a juvenile psychiatric facility and Kristen is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

This book stayed with me for a long time after I finished it and I struggled to start another one.  I did kind of feel a little robbed with the ending though, maybe Felicia will write a sequel.  I go sucked into the story and I would love to know what happened Kristen..that’s the sign of a good writer in my opinion.

Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price

I read this book straight after Her and it was probably a mistake.  Zoe is admitted to a private clinic, an old house in the middle of nowhere, that treats young girls with eating disorders.  The story flips between the present time and the past through letters Zoe writes to her friend Elise.  Zoe hints at a developing eating disorder in the letters to her best friend but she never receives a reply.  The story seems to meander along with not much happening, when BAM holy curve ball about 3/4 of the way through the story.  It side swiped me completely.  I won’t say what it is but holy hell Nora Price knows how to pack a punch!

I also read a few books from the Jack Reacher Series by Lee Child but they are a bit same same.  I had to read a couple of them to get over the mind fuck that was Zoe Letting Go and Her.  I like having books that I can read without thinking too much.  At the moment the Jack Reacher Series is it.  I was in Big W last week and they had the movie for the first Jack Reacher on sale as part of a Father’s Day promotion.  I still can’t believe that they cast Tom Cruise as Reacher!  In the books he is described as an ex army brute of a man.  Everything that Tom Cruise is not.  Personally I would much rather have seen Vin Diesel or Dwayne Johnson pick up the role.

What have you been reading this month?

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19 thoughts on “Musings Reads: August

  1. Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad

    I haven’t read any of those books. I love hearing about people reading. It’s totally something I need to make more time to do. I have recently finished (it takes me a couple of months to get through books currently – I’m ashamed to admit) “Burial Rites” by Anita Kent. Such a brilliant read. Dark but compelling.

    Reply
  2. Lydia C. Lee

    I’m reading Harlem Helldogs, having heard an interview with Max Brooks – smart guy. It’s okay, but I’m not that far in. Just finished Three Cups of deceit, as discussed on my blog…

    Reply
  3. Toni @ Finding Myself Young

    Ok so here’s the point where I admit my reading pretty much extends to only blogs these days. Also the last book I read was the final book in the twilight series, yea thats how uneducated I am when it comes to reading *goes and hides in a corner *

    Reply
  4. Robyn (Mrs D)

    I’m intrigued by “her’ Tegan. Although it sounds like a really tough read, I think I’d like to read it. I totally know what you mean about a book staying with you for a while after reading x

    Reply
  5. Dani @ Sand Has No Home

    I hadn’t read anything in ages, but put in an order with my favourite bookshop a few weeks ago so I could get myself back into the habit.
    I ordered Helen Garner’s new book This House of Grief, about the trial of the guy who drove his 3 sons into a dam on fathers day 2005. I finished it last night after receiving it last Friday. It was a page turner, horrifying at times, though delicately written by Garner. I’m writing a review at the moment.
    About to begin The Snow Child, which comes highly recommended.

    Reply
  6. Katie-Ellen

    Hi, I’m super interested in those two books you mentioned! I will have to keep an eye out for them. I have read the first three books of the mortal instruments series but havent read the other two. The ending of the third one was a bit weird so I haven’t been convinced enough to buy the last two and read them, though I feel like I should just to finish out the series. But that series sounds interesting, might read the first one and see how it goes.
    Happy reading!

    Reply
  7. Pinky Poinker

    Hmmm. A lot of people said that about Jack Reacher and Tom Cruise. Oh well I guess if you’re producing your own movies!! Love book reviews Tegan. Like Hugzilla I have heaps I will get on to in the school holidays! Nice to connect again. I haven’t visited you for too long x

    Reply
  8. Chantel

    Wow, they sound pretty intense – I am avoiding reading anything too heavy or emotional at the moment as pregnancy hormones would do me in 🙂 I tend to lose myself in thrillers and cop novels – much easier for my brain to reconcile 🙂

    Hello from #teamIBOT

    Reply

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