I kept my September TBR Pile on the small side this year, so I can actually get through it. I said the other day on Instagram that during summer I tend to read YA romances that are fluffy and heartwarming. However, when Autumn rolls around I read moodier books and lean toward high fantasy and books that require me to think. I also usually read a YA book about a girl who studies abroad. I think it reminds me of my study abroad experience. I have a couple of moody books on my TBR pile, a science classic, and of course a study abroad story.
My September TBR Pile
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
I love Rick Riordan’s books. I love that all of them tie into one another. Primarily, though, I love that they are a history nerd’s wet dream. Riordan’s Gods of Asgard series delves into Norse mythology. Growing up, I knew all about Egyptian, Roman, and Greek mythos but had not really learned much about the Norse. As a result, unlike Riordan’s other works, these books are a completely new territory. The Hammer of Thor is the second book in the series. At the beginning of the month, I began reading it. I was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to (correct me if I’m wrong) Riordan’s first gender fluid character. I’ll try to get a full review up as soon as I finish. Also, this is a library check out. If I don’t say it enough, support your local library.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
I have been reading this book for ages now, but I am dedicated to finishing it this month. Hawking writes in a way that dumbs down some of the most complicated concepts in the world. For a while, I played a game with my coworkers. Every morning, I would come into the office and tell them something new I learned that would blow their minds. It is important to expand your horizons and learn new things. Personally, adding a bit of science into my romance and fantasy tendencies makes me feel a bit more diverse.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
This book is my standard fall read: a moody, high fantasy, with some mystery and romance thrown in. Finnikin is book one of the Lumatere Chronicles. Published almost 10 years ago, I had not heard of it until recently. The book community has failed me. This book is top notch. The characters are believable. The titular character is a good person but certainly has some flaws. Most of the people of Lumatere are refugees. No one enters or leaves Lumatere. The main character is trying to reunite his people, save the monarchy, and open Lumatere’s borders. Finally, and most importantly, there are prophecies. I love prophecies because inevitably they say one thing and mean something completely different.
The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
I have a terrible habit of not reading the last book in a series. I buy it, but it sits on my shelf for forever. To this day, I have never read the last book of The Chronicles of Narnia. Slowly but surely, I am changing this habit. I finished The Shades of Magic series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Now, I am going to attempt to finish The Tearling series. This book has been on my shelf for almost a year, taunting me. I loved the first two books. I’m sure I will love this one. I just have to sit down one weekend, accept that this is the end of that world, and finally get some closure… Easier said than done, but I have to at least try.
I See London, I See France by Sarah Mylnowski (not pictured)
I really want to read this book. I ordered it from Barnes and Noble two weeks ago. The delivery date was September 7. Then, my postal worker “got confused.” She believed I put a forwarding address in place. SPOILER ALERT: I hadn’t. I have lived in the same place for two years. More than that, she delivered another package to my house that day, at that same time. Two weeks later, no one knows if the package will be delivered or returned to sender. I have complained to anybody and everybody. Absolutely no one has done anything to help me. All I wanted was to read this freaking book about traveling Europe. Then, I would get nostalgic for the times that I traveled Europe. Then I would spend hours trying to plan another trip to Europe. Is that too much to ask for?
