August Reflection

~ Isabelle @ Nine Tale Vixen

August was nearly over — the month of apples and falling stars, the last care-free month for the school children. The days were not hot, but sunny and limpidly clear — the first sign of advancing autumn.

– Victor Nekrasov

Can I get a refund on my summer vacation? I don’t feel like I had much of one, yet somehow the new semester is already upon me.

I honestly couldn’t summarize my August because I barely remember it; the most notable thing about the month seems to be that it’s already over and September is coming.

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Month Highlights:

  • My summer class finally ended! While there were some ups and downs as I continued struggling with the concept of daily studying, ultimately I passed and that’s all that matters.
  • I finished my Goodreads reading challenge (150 books) & earned the Bengali tiger badge (51+ books by Asian authors)!
  • Thanks in large part to my participation in ARC August and #Reviewathon, I’ve actually finished all but one ARC! (The last one is scheduled for a September buddy read, otherwise I might’ve tried to finish it off too.)
  • After orientation this morning, it finally feels a bit more real that I’m starting my first professional year of pharmacy school. [More on that at the end of this post.]
header: posted this month

My Best August Posts

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Other Awesome August Posts

header: read this month

Clicking on the titles below will take you to the book’s Goodreads page; clicking on the flames (which indicate my rating out of 5) will take you to my review. Books marked as [ARC] were received as Advance Review Copies; [RC] indicates a post-release review copy.

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11 total, 4.05 (!!!) average rating

Top read(s) of the month: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett & What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Sheinmel 

Currently reading: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

header: coming out next month

ARCs I Have

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Waiting for Release Day

header: looking to next month

Since I’ve gotten through essentially all my ARCs, I can return to my backlist TBR, maybe finish off some series and more reading challenges. I’m not quite sure yet which specific titles I want to pick up next, but I have plenty of options. I’m also not quite sure how much time I’ll have to read, but at least I’m not under release-date pressure anymore!

My classes start on Tuesday; it’s hard to believe that the new school year is already here. Of course I’m looking forward to getting back into my extracurricular activities, seeing my friends somewhat regularly, and all that — but it’s going to be a really busy time. Quite honestly, I’ve been looking over my syllabi and they scare me a little bit. 

So after a lot of thought, I’ve decided to go on semi-hiatus for the semester. I have an upcoming post with more details, but basically my only blog / bookish social media activity will be prescheduled. (I will still be active on Discord though!)

What’s the best book you read in August? Did you read any of this month’s releases, or ARCs of September/October releases? Have you set any goals for September?

20 thoughts on “August Reflection”

  1. Wow, what a productive month! I’m also a student so I completely understand your comment about the ups and downs this month. My best book of August was Scythe by Neal Shusterman. I managed to catch-up on my ARCs (thankfully!) and was able to do a back read that I had been looking forward to for a long time. Enjoy your semi-hiatus! 😀

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  2. “Can I get a refund on my summer vacation? I don’t feel like I had much of one.” SAMEEE. What even is summer vacation? And it was basically my last one because I graduate in May next year and well… in the adult world you don’t get a summer vacation unless you’re a teacher… good luck with classes! You’re going to kick exam butt and do fabulous.

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  5. Ah thank you so much for sharing my post Izzy! hands you bubble tea (I’m hoping the bubble tea will be better than a virtual hug?) Congrats on reading nearly all your review requests/arcs though and for finishing your Goodreads goal! Sending you all the good vibes for your new semester ❤

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  6. “Can I get a refund on my summer vacation” AJKFD SAME. I hate school!! Like.. really hate it smh. I hope you’re hanging in there though! Also, I took summer classes in the summer too, and they were not fun haha.

    Ohh, I remember reading The Joy Luck Club for required reading a few years ago. Weirdly, I actually really enjoyed it. Not by a lot–probably 3 stars too–but I loved the Chinese aspects and getting to know about the lives of different Chinese women in different time periods! You also have to tell me how How to be Remy Cameron goes. I’ve seen some good reviews and some bad reviews, but I’m mostly just gonna read it for the cute cover, representation, and the fact that I want to read something from the author haha :”)

    I hope that August goes great for you!! P.S. Thanks for featuring some of my posts here 😭💖💖

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    1. thanks Caitlin! I’m definitely not looking forward to the nosedive my motivation will inevitably take once classes get going, but school is kind of a necessary evil in my life so I’ll (probably) survive 😅

      I am looking forward to reading Remy Cameron, I’ve been avoiding reviews as much as possible until I do, but definitely really excited for it! hope you enjoy it too, and that you have a great month 💕

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  8. OMg, you got so much done this month! Congrats on finishing your summer class and the Goodreads challenge and getting the Bengali tiger batch! That is all just so crazy!
    On a side note, I also completed my Goodreads challenge this month, so hurrah!
    And just one ARC left? WOW. Teach me your ways, please. I have no self-control sobs
    4.05 is your month average?! I’m so happy you had a great reading month, and I think I’ll have to put The Grace Year on my tbr since you loved it so much
    (Helps it has a pretty cover too winks)
    Taking a semi-hiatus is a bold step and all the best for it. I hope it lessens the pressure for you – all the best for school!

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  9. Congrats on starting pharmacy school!!
    The Goodreads challenge, a reading challenge badge AND all but one of your arcs?! What is your productivity cheat code? I think The Furies is on my tbr, it looks good. Thanks for sharing my post 💜💜
    How To Be Remy Cameron was the first arc I broke my ban for 😂😂 I think I’m going to start it as soon as I finish another one of my reads – which I’m close to finishing anyway 🤞🏻
    I think my favourite read of August was probably Patron Saints of Nothing. It was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. And yes – August was barely a month 😭

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  10. Bahaha I could have sworn I commented on this, turns out I read it and forgot to say anything. I adored Kingdom of Souls and I can’t wait to read Eclipse the Skies, overall I’m most impressed by your ONE ARC [and dare I say, a bit jealous lolol but whose fault is it that I have so many ARCs? Miiiiine].

    I’m glad you’re doing a semi-hiatus, it means you’re still around but also taking better care of yourself in regards to your priorities, the best of both worlds!!

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