With the end of August now nicely tucked away in our back pockets, it would appear that the end of summer has arrived. And all I can say is: CAN I GET AN AMEN????!
When I was still a little sapling, just a sprout (if anybody gets this reference, I will adore them forever), I was thoroughly convinced that I loved summer. The beach, the sun, the sticky popsicle slush melting down my hand and onto my arm. BUT I WAS WRONG, FRIENDS. SO VERY, VERY WRONG.
Now, whenever summer rolls around, all I can think of is the pure absurdity that is humidity. (Like seriously, who felt the need to invent that particularlly hellish weather condition?) And don’t even get me started on the horrible coating of sweat that covers my entire body at all hours of the day, or even worse, the ridiculously high cost of my electric bill. (In a stunning turn of events: running the air conditioner all the time is EXPENSIVE). *Sigh* I guess this is what happens when you grow up. I’m not sure that I like it.
What I Read in August
Wicked Fox // Kat Cho // 📱// This book was one giant Ant-Man-sized love letter to all Korean Dramas, and you know I’m a thousand and one percent here for that. Throughout the book, I kept thinking to myself, “If this were a drama, here is where they would insert the dramatic theme song…” haha. But seriously, this book spotlights Korea’s beautifully unique culture, and that’s probably what I loved that about Wicked Fox the most.
Someplace Only We Know // Maurene Goo // 📱// This is my second Maurene Goo book and I’ve just gotta say, she has a real talent at creating compelling characters that feel very real to me! This book was fast-paced, easy to follow, and although it wasn’t perfect, I finished it in only two days! It’s the sort of book that’s perfect for when you’re in a reading slump (and as the moodiest of mood readers, I tend to find myself in those a LOT).
Spin the Dawn // Elizabeth Lim // 📱// This book was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019, and if I’m honest, I was hoping to LOVE this book, instead of just LIKE it. But I guess that’s what happens when you hype up a book too much. *shrugs* That being said, this book was still a blast and a half; pitched as “Project Runway meets Mulan”, it totally delivered on that front. I mean, it has magical scissors, a life-or-death sewing contest, and an epic quest to create enchanted dresses! WOOT WOOT!
The Kingdom // Jess Rothenberg // 📱// Welcome to the Kingdom™… where ‘Happily Ever After’ isn’t just a promise, but a rule. This book was set in some dark, twisted version of Disneyland and as a complete and utter Disnerd, I was LIVING for that. Also, it delved into some pretty provocative themes, such as how sometimes a monstrous reality hides behind the perfect magical fantasy.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown // Holly Black // 🎧// This is not a book about your friendly neighborhood sparkly vampire.
I’ve always been bothered by the fact that Edward being a vampire – you know, a BLOOD-SUCKING DEMON OF DEATH WHO HAS KILLED PEOPLE. UM, MANY PEOPLE IN FACT – was never really a moral issue for Bella in Twilight. In The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, however, Holly Black embraces this issue and exposes a dark side of vampirism that Twilight never dared to touch, not even with a twelve foot pole.
That being said, this book took it a bit too far for me; it was too dark, too bloody, too demonic (basically, it had ALL the trigger warnings). And don’t even get me started on the toxic relationship between Gavriel and Tana – it left a very bitter taste in my mouth (which might have been the author’s point, but I’m not sure).
Midsummer’s Mayhem // Rajani LaRocca // 🎧// Have I mentioned that I ADORE books about food? They never fail to get my mouth watering and my stomach growling, and Midsummer’s Mayhem was no exception. THERE WERE SO MANY LUCIOUS FOOD DESCRIPTIONS AND I JUST WANTED TO EAT EVERYTHING!!
All foodie fangirling aside, LaRocca’s middle grade novel is a creative and clever retelling of Shakespeare’s famous A Midsummer Night’s Dream that is perfect for younger readers. Since I wasn’t the target audience here, I didn’t end up enjoying this story as much as I thought I would (but that’s totally a me thing and has nothing to do with this lovely and delightful book).
This Mortal Coil // Emily Suvada // 📱// That’s it – give Emily Suvada a crown or something, because she’s officially the Queen of Perfect Pacing. Every chapter of This Mortal Coil was a well-timed rollercoaster ride, packed full of looping emotion and stomach-dropping revelations. Honestly, I found myself holding on for dear life (but in the best possible way).
The Sea of Monsters // Rick Riordan // 📱// My husband has never read any of the Percy Jackson books, so we’re currently working on rectifying this horrendous oversight. I haven’t reread these books since high school, and it’s been so much fun revisiting this well-beloved series and re-falling in love with the perfection that is Percabeth.
#YARC Reading Challenge Update
What I Watched in August
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty {Rewatch}// Let it be known that I am not a huge fan of Ben Stiller. His humor just is not my cup of apple juice. That being said, his more serious performance in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is actually quite beautiful. The movie itself is about a man who overcomes his fears and anxieties and learns to embrace life fully, which is a touching and motivational message for me, especially.
Detective Pikachu // This was…actually pretty delightful? I know we were all skeptical when the initial trailers came out (WHY DOES THAT JIGGLYPUFF HAVE SO MUCH FUR???), but boy, Ryan Reynolds SOLD it with his voice acting for Pikachu.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power {Season 3} // FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL, I LOVE THIS SHOW! I’ve been watching this She-Ra reboot since the release of it’s first season, and although it’s always been a delight, there was something about this season in particular that really blew the other two out of the water. My only complaint would be: WHY U ONLY HAVE SIX EPISODES????
The Missing Link // After the stop-motion animation studio Laika released Kubo and the Two Strings (which is one of my favorite movies btw), I was pretty interested in seeing what their next masterpiece would be. And although it was visually stunning and occasionally entertaining, I’m sad to report that The Missing Link did not live up to my high expectations.
Princess Bride {Rewatch} // THIS MOVIE IS A TOTAL CLASSIC. I hadn’t rewatched it in years, but I’m SO glad I did. Also, it seemed appropriate since I just saw Cary Elwes as the Mayor in Stranger Things Season 3.
Gilmore Girls {Season 3} // I am sloooooowly making my way through this show, and I sometimes really like it, and I sometimes can’t get over the horrible choices the characters make. Haha.
Aladdin {2019 Live-Action Remake} // The original Aladdin cartoon is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. My husband and I quote it on a regular basis. So, to say that I had high expectations for this film would be an understatement. That being said, by some shocking turn of events….. I wasn’t actually let down (too much)?
Will Smith as Genie was SO MUCH FUN and I love that they didn’t just recreate the old film, frame by frame, like they did with the Beauty and the Beast live action. Some of my only complaints would be that Jafar was sort of a weak-sauce villain this time ’round and Abu was just not as cute/fun in CGI.
This Month On the Blog
- I won “BEST BLOG AESTHETIC” in the Third Annual 2019 Book Blogger Awards and I’m just….one big puddle of messy emotions, even now. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has supported me and who voted for me! Your kindness means so much to my waffle-loving self.
- It was my One Year Blogiversary! Can you believe that Novels & Waffles is officially one year old now? I know I can’t! So much has happened in just one year – it’s mind blowing!
- I created my very first tag! And because I’m nothing if not consistent, it was a WAFFLE-themed book tag.
- I reached over 500 followers on my bookstagram, 800 followers on my Twitter, and 600 on my blog! MY OH MY, THAT’S A LOT OF WAFFLERS! Guys, you are seriously too good to me.
My Posts from August
Around the Blogosphere
- May @ Forever and Everly announced the winners of the The Third Annual 2019 Book Blogger Awards!!! Congrats to all the amazing winners!
- Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea wrote an absolutely marvelous discussion post about blog hopping and commenting that I honestly could not agree with more.
- Tiffany @ Read by Tiffany started a College 101 series that I wish I had read before I went to college (all those many moons ago).
- Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books blessed us with this miracle of an article on how to put that extra bit of *SPARKLE* into your blog posts.
- Kal @ Reader Voracious shared an excellent guide on how to make the move from wordpress to self-hosting.
- Kelly @ Another Book in the Wall uncovered six useful Goodread features that I most definitely didn’t know about because I’m horrible with technology like that haha.
Do you despise summer like I do? Or are you a summer-lover? Share your favorite season in the comments!
What did you read in this month? Share your favorite reads with me please!
Haha I’m the exact opposite! I adore summer and despise everything about fall/winter. Fall is pretty, but where I live, I feel like they’re one and the same. The leaves fall off really fast and then it’s winter to me. It also doesn’t help that I don’t like pumpkin. 😬😂
One highlight of August was taking a trip to New York City and visiting the Strand Bookstore! I bought three books then had to walk in the pour rain about twenty long blocks. But it was so much fun, so beautiful, and my books were fine, thank goodness.
Ahhh, congrats on your book blogger award! I knew you would win that one bc your blog is just GORGEOUS and fluffy and eeep I love love love!! That’s my other August highlight… getting my blog designed by you! :D
I love summer but that’s probably because my birthday is smack in the middle of school holidays.
Your blog is so beautiful, it’s no wonder you won that award! Congratulations!!
I had the same with midsummers mayhem, I wasn’t a fan, but I think younger readers will like it way more!
Looks like you had a great reading month :)
(www.evelynreads.com)
PREACH TO THE END OF THE RIDCULOUS HEAT + HUMIDITY KAT FOR REALLLLL I’m hoenstly so glad to see that you loved a bunch of the same books that I loved 🥰❤️also YES FOR DETECTIVE PIKACHU i think my favorite scene was when ryan reynolds was singing the theme song all sad while walking. i was also SUPER thrown off by the ending. 😳
I hope you have a fantastic September. Happy Reading!!
OMG the aerobics Pikachu is literally my favourite thing ever. Sometimes I just go to YouTube to look for the “pirated Detective Pikachu movie” to watch it… for an hour. (I’m not really intensely watching it. I just like it on in the background. It makes me smile.)
Also, I am so in awe of your YARC challenge update counter!! It’s adorable!!
Finally, the award was VERY WELL DESERVED!! Your blog aesthetic is actual #goals!!
I’m a summer-lover!
I am glad to see that you had such a productive month! I wish you all the best for September, 100!
– Emma :)
Oh I remember reading Coldtown in one sitting back when it came out, and I loved it so much – but today? Honestly I can’t remember what the book is about haha
My favorite read this month was Sorcery of Thorns!! I’m also so glad that summer is over for you because I HATE the heat, and your predicament sounds horrendous!
CONGRATS ON WINNING BEST BLOG AESTHETIC. YOU DESERVE IT SO MUCH. HOW IS YOUR BLOG SO BEAUTIFUL AHHH. I’m so excited to read Wicked Fox and This Mortal Coil! And I feel like the only person on earth who hasn’t watched Gilmore Girls :((
I hope you have an AMAZING September! ✨
Congrats on your win and your new followers! I’m super excited for Wicked Fox but I’m trying not to buy new books until my birthday. THE TORTURE. I also thought Jafar was a bit of an embarrassment as a villain in the new film. I was let down by him (he’s one of my faves in the cartoon) but I agree that the rest of the film wasn’t too bad!
Since I’m living in a tropical country, I don’t really mind summer. I mean, my country has the heat and humidity 24/7 so I’m kinda immune to it at this point 😂 That being said, I’d love to have some cooler weather haha! You’ve read so many amazing books last month, most of them are on my TBR. I’m so behind on my YARC goal, I really need to focus to reach my goals!
Have a great September!
Ahhhh, congrats on the blog aesthetic award again, love!! I’m SO happy for you, and it’s so well deserved! <3 Also, congrats on hitting all those amazing milestones for your blog, Twitter, and instagram! The Princess Bride is literally one of the BEST movies in the entire known universe, and is an absolute classic! I think I've watched it a solid 20 times in my life, and can probably recite it word for word (I'm not ashamed at all HAHA!) Thank you so much for reaching out to me about writing for the Bibliosmile project, and for sharing my Goodreads features post!
[…] AUGUST 2019 WRAP-UP // IN WHICH I REJOICE THAT SUMMER IS OVER by Kat @ Novels and Waffles (This post is all about Kat being her amazing hilarious self. I definitely recommend you go read it!!) […]
I’m SO proud and happy to see everything you’ve accomplished in the past year of blogging, Kat, I admire everything you do so much. Congratulations on the followers of all platfoms and on the well deserved award as well, you’re incredible <3
I'm so happy you loveed this mortal coil ahhh this book deserves more praise, I was hooked from the first page just as well, such a great read :)
I hope you're having a lovely September <3
kat you are absolutely rocking your YARC reads!!!! you gooo!!! im currently reding ‘somewhere only you know’ and im still in the beginning of the book but its so cute and so much fun im having such a good time reading it.
pikachu dancing is the cutest thing ive seen all year. where can i get myself a dancing pikachu 😭😭
CONGRATS ON YOUR BOOK BLOGGER AWARD AND YOU ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY!!! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND PROUD OF YOU!!!!! 💖💖💖💖
I definitely cannot relate to being sad that summer is over, even though Central California is TRIPLE-DIGIT KILLER WEATHER (thankfully the humidity is rare here though), but I am glad that August is over… it tends to be the worst month of the year for me :’) Summer and Winter are tied in my book; I love all that summer entails and brings, but I also love Winter because COATS, CHRISTMAS, FIREPLACES, ETC!!!! Huge congrats again on hitting that one-year blogiversary, such a special milestone <3
Congratulations on winning best blog aesthetic, you SO deserved it!!! <3 Thanks for sharing the books you read & the films/shows you watched in August. I loved reading all about them! :D
great wrap up Kat <3 I also really enjoyed Spin the Dawn and I can't wait for its sequel. Lots of love xx
I’m very glad that you are getting your husband to read the Percy Jackson series, and I hope he treasures them. Spin the Dawn and Wicked Fox looks good – I mean I think covers are just getting better and better, honestly. Laika released a new movie? I need to check it out – I love their work. Kubo and the Two Strings was just such a goodhearted movie.
It’s always time for a Princess Bride rewatch!
I actually love spring/summer 😄 walking barefoot (in the cooler days, of course. I’ve gotten my fair share of blisters – Not. Fun. Do. Not. Recommend. But I love everything about summer (for us it’s December to February, so we usually spend like Christmas in tops and shorts and most New Years Eve parties are by a friend’s house with a pool 😄).
Little Fires Everywhere and Patron Saints of Nothing were definitely my two top reads of August!