Contrary to a lot of the noise on social media, I think we had a good Summer in South Wales. I spent lots of warm days in the garden, either pulling up weeds or devouring my latest novel (read my Ministry Of Time review, it’s my fave book of the Summer!). However, it seems like the -ber months were waiting with baited breath to have their moment in the spotlight. It’s now the eleventh day of September (yeah sorry…lots going on right now!) and we’ve already had thunder, caning rain and bitter wind. However, as I sit here writing my September TBR 2024, it’s the perfect Autumn weather – dry, crisp and sunny. So let’s crack on, shall we?
📖 Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Spooky season is one of my favourite times of year and I want to start leaning into it early. As know from my July Reading Wrap-up 2024, I believe Ali Hazelwood can do no wrong so I’m expecting Bride to be a big win for me. It follows Misery Lark, daughter of the head of the Vampyres, who enters a marriage with the rival werewolves’ Alpha in order to ✨bring peace to the land✨. In reality, she’s searching for her best friend who she believes has somehow gotten mixed up in werewolf mischief. We’re expecting enemies-to-lovers, witty banter and of course, some scream-worthy sex scenes. I already know knotting happens in this book which I haven’t experienced before BUT I expect if anyone will make me like it, it’ll be Hazelwood.
📖 A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride
This book has been sitting on my book shelf for the better part of 10 years. It’s a bildungsroman of sorts, telling the story of an vulnerable and isolated Irish girl who grows up in the shadow of her brother, and his brain cancer. Note: I bought this book after my mother’s death because clearly I thought I hadn’t already been through enopugh trauma.
Different to most novels I’ve read, the book is narrated in first person through a constant stream of consciousness. I’ve already taken a peak and felt a little overwhelmed by this writing style so have a feeling that this one might not stay on my shelves after I’ve read it
📖 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
I have a scratch off list of ‘100 must-read books’ and one of those is The Chronicles of Narnia. In my mind that’s the entire seven book series and not just The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, so since last year I’ve been making my way through them all. They are always a light-hearted, cosy and enjoyable read but as they are books for children (although, with adult themes) I’m not gripped by them enough that I want to read each story back-to-back…so it’s taking a while! Dawn Treader follows Edmund, Lucy and their cousin Eustace as they travel back into Narnia, meet up with Prince Caspian upon his boat the Dawn Treader and set sail across the Eastern Seas to discover new lands and find Caspian’s father’s seven long-lost knights.
📖 The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
The last book that I definitely want to read this month is Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar. Another of my favouriteeee authors, I want this to be one of my last books of September because I think it will be the perfect way to officially start spooky season. The Familiar is set in Madrid where Luzia Cotado works as a scullery maid and uses her tiny bit of magic to make life a little more bearable. However, when her mistress learns about her magic, she forces Luzia to attend court in order to win favour. Luzia uses this opportunity to better her fortunes but finds herself plunged into the politics, treachery and deceit that lies amongst the nobility, all against the backdrop of the Spainish Inquisition.
I won’t lie, I probably won’t be able to wait until the end of the month to read this…wishful thinking there.
May your bookshelves be brimming and your blankets be snug, enjoy the beginning of Autumn bookworms!
Happy reading!
