Cait’s July Book Haul

June was a very slow book month. There was so much going on that I only finished three books! I thought only finishing six last month was slow… Also, two of the three were actually rereads via audiobook. I did get a couple of new releases, though, that I did start and I’m excited to get into them more.

Due to the lack of time and reading, there haven’t been as many posts lately. I apologize about that. I’m hoping July is a more productive book month, and that things get back on track here.

Let’s dive right in, shall we? Here are the books I read in June:

• Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare – I finished out the audiobooks of The Immortal Devices trilogy. Like I mentioned before, I am doing a full reread of the Shadowhunter books in chronological order. I have read The Mortal Instruments multiple times, but I have never read all the series back-to-back like this. It’s an interesting change and I’m noticing a lot I hadn’t before, especially since I had never reread TID before now (it had been five years since I read it originally). I think I appreciated them even more now, actually. I just really love Clare’s stories and imagination. I would read anything by her.
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – I finally read Gone Girl! I never saw the movie because I wanted to read the book first. Somehow, I managed to avoid spoilers through all these years, so it was great getting to read the twists and turns without knowing what was coming. I had to read it for class and I am really glad it was one of the assigned books. You can read my full review here.

Like I said, I’m hoping to do much more reading in July, so here are the books I want to read/finish this month:

• The Gates of Golorath by R.M. Garino – I am actually almost done with this book, and it’s fantastic! Honestly, I’m upset I haven’t been able to finish it yet. It’s really good and it’s killing me not having time to get through it. I should be finishing it in the next couple days, so a review should be up next week!
• A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir – This is the third book in the An Ember in the Ashes series. I had been waiting so long for this book! It released mid-June and I’ve only read about 75 pages I believe. I absolutely loved the first two books, and I heard this one is heartbreaking, so I’m both excited and terrified.
• My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows – This was released last week, so I’m not doing too bad yet. Another anticipated book I haven’t been able to spend time with. I loved My Lady Jane, so I can’t wait to read this. It  was hilarious, so it’s safe to assume this Jane Eyre retelling with ghosts will be just as amusing.
• The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley – My best friend has been trying to get me to read this for probably a year (at least) and now it is one of our book club’s books of the month, so I have no more excuses. Not that I need any. I love Arthurian legend and want to read the book. I don’t know why it has taken me so long, I already own the eBook!
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers – I have already read all of the released books in this series, but it is the other book club book, so I would like to reread it if I have time. It’s one of my favorite series and I have been wanting to read it again anyway. Also, the new one, Courting Darkness, comes out in February! I am so excited!
• The Assassin’s Blade and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – As I mentioned last month, our book club is doing a series challenge to prepare for the release of the final book, Kingdom of Ash, in October. I am behind on the schedule, but I know once I get into them it will go fast. I’m slightly obsessed… Right now, I’m about halfway through TAB and it’s already heartbreaking and bringing back all the feels!
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – Continuing the reread, this is next. I’m actually almost done with the audiobook. I think I have about an hour left. This is the first of The Mortal Instruments series, which is my favorite if you haven’t gathered that. I think I have read this book more than any other book, besides children’s books. This is my 6-7th time reading this particular book, and I still love it.
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare – See above. This is book two of The Mortal Instruments, which I will be listening to the audiobook of for the reread.
• I’m also doing an online book camp challenge, so if these don’t fit the categories, others will be added!

I know this is a lot, but I have already started five of them. Two of which I am almost done with. I am guessing I can finish at least three this week, so I am feeling ambitious!

What are you reading this month? Have you read any of the books listed above?

June was also slow in the buying/receiving of books. Here are the four I got:

• The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse
• A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
• Book of Dreams by Mikko Craig
• My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows