August Wrap Up and September TBR

So I thought I would start a little segment on my blog that I know is very popular around the book blogging community and that is to discuss what I read in the previous month and what I intend, or hope to read in the following month. So here goes nothing, this is my August Wrap Up and my TBR for the month of September!

August for me was going to be a very relaxing month, so I anticipated that I would get through quite a lot of books! As it was the height of the summer holidays and I had a week's holiday abroad, I planned to get through loads of books. I have every other summer in the past, so why not this one? Unfortunately my reading month didn't go exactly as well as I would have hoped as I only managed to get through 6 books. However, I don't actually think I did too badly considering 3 of those books were over 400 pages - one of which hit 600 pages! In the week I was away I managed to read 4 books and then the other two were read before and after the holiday! So this month was filled with some extremely pleasant surprises and some books I knew were going to be amazing! I just hope my luck continues! In terms of my reading challenge, which I have already completed, I have read 57/50 books, meaning that I am 24 books ahead of schedule! I am still baffled that I managed to read that many. Perhaps I shall boost my reading challenge up unofficially to 75. Let's see if I can do it, shall we? So without further ado, let's see what books I read this month and my opinions on them!

1. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas (5/5 stars)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am going to find it so difficult to wait until early 2017 for the sequel. I am in great need for this book now and you can bet I am going to be picking up anything else this author writes in the future because she writes gorgeously! It was such an unusual concept to have two boys who physically could not meet and tell their story through their letter correspondences. I found it so unique and it worked extremely well to the author's advantage. A truly unique tale of two boy's impossible friendship and their extraordinary determination to live beyond their labels.

2. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (4/5 stars)
There aren't words to describe my happiness to be back in the world of Rick's imagination. There is something special about Rick's books, something that is so enticing and exhilarating about the stories he tells that has me coming back to them time and time again. As Rick has clearly stated in previous interviews, his obsession with Norse mythology has always been grand, and he has always wanted to write this story. It's very clear to see the passion that Rick has put into this novel, and he should be extremely proud of it because it is truly fantastic. Rick has really stepped up the boundaries in this book, bringing the usual traits that are reminiscent of Rick's work whilst also bringing something new and refreshing to the table.

3. ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (4/5 stars) 

Going into this book I knew I was in the mood for a sci-fi and Illuminae was exactly what I was craving! Told in a variety of hacked documents, Illuminae weaves a tale of suspense and danger that at the same time touches the hearts of it's readers. All in all, this was a very powerful debut collaboration for these authors. It's such an effective and unique tale that whilst targets powerful sci-fi tropes, brings a fresh new twist on the idea.From reading this book and seeing all of the hype that surrounds it, I can clearly see that this is going to be a popular series to look out for! So keep your eyes peeled!

4. Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti (3/5 stars)

Zeroes had a really interesting concept and premise. Teenagers with superpowers who didn't quite make the superhero cut. I really enjoyed the interweaving of the individual character's story arcs and how they all came together in the end. It was a really smooth story with adrenaline pumping action along the way. My only grumble would be I would have liked to have known the origins of the powers and to why they had them. It left me craving just that little bit more. Hopefully we will get that in the sequels!

5. Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black (3/5 stars)

With similarities pitched towards a new Harry Potter, Cassandra Clare and Holly Black blow readers out of the water with this unique turn on the magic school story. This was a really easy and refreshing middle grade read that split up the difficult plots of previous novels read. I loved the idea of the main character not necessarily being the stereotypical hero that everyone looks for in the book. He was actually not the prime focus, however I did really appreciate the twist on the idea of who Callum's character actually is. I eagerly await the next instalment! 

6. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (4/5 stars)

Oh this was another Sci-Fi that I was definitely in the mood for! The beginning started off a bit slow and I found it a bit difficult to get past the first chapter or two, but once the crisis happened and Lilac and Tarver had to focus on their survival, the story really picked up! I did not expect the twists that were happening along the way - a lot more than just your average science fiction novel. The only thing that bugs me is knowing that I'm not going to get more Lilac and Tarver in the second book because it introduces a whole new set of characters and a new story! I am hoping that there will be appearances from them in the third book because I adored their characters. Hopefully I'll like the rest of the characters as well!

So those were the 6 books that I read in the month of August! As for September, with school starting back up and the hope of work, I can expect that I might go back to my regular reading schedule of when travelling to and from work, and at night before bed. We'll have to see. I'm also puppy sitting for two weeks of September so I am expecting to be held up a little bit because as much as I love Oscar, he can be a little devil sometimes and doesn't always liked to be ignored for reading! So without further ado, here are the books that I am anticipating reading in the month of September!

• Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (Currently reading)
• This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
• What We Left Behind by Robin Talley
• Concentr8 by William Sutcliffe
• A World Without Princes (ASFGAE #2) by Soman Chainani
• The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

I've added A Court of Thorns and Roses to my TBR pile this month because I asked you guys to choose my final book for August and that was the book that was picked! Although I didn't get a chance to get around to it in August, I have bumped it up to my September TBR, so here's hoping I get around to it along with everything else I have to read!

Let me know in the comments below what books you read this month and one book you're looking forward to reading next month! Are any of you going to be reading one of the books I'm reading this month?