Monthly Wrap-Up: August

I can’t believe we’re over halfway through the year. The (almost) start of one month means another wrap-up posts (you can read my previous wrap-ups for January , February , March, April, May, June and July).

August has been a good, quite significant month for me. I went on holiday to see family I haven’t seen in over a year, came back to find out my work contract has been extended until March next year, went to a tasting event for a sushi restaurant and — after months of waiting — I began the (a lot lengthier than I thought) process of moving house.

Blogging wise, I celebrated the three year anniversary of Jen Rose Writes. I started this blog just as I was about to finish university, on a complete whim. Now I’m happy to post about anything and everything and I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the people I’ve encountered through being very open about my interests and life on this very public space. I’ve still got a long way to go confidence wise but I feel a lot better about myself and my writing than I did when I started this blog and I only hope this continues on for as long as I have this blog.

I’ve had a lot of fun this month but this month has also served as a reminder that I am growing up. I’ll be moving out of the home I’ve lived in since I was born, which is a bittersweet feeling. It’s strange coming to terms with how much life is changing for me and everyone around me but I’m trying to keep positive about it all.

I watched a bit this month. Starting with TV shows, I finished seasons 4 and 5 of New Girl. Unfortunately, because it’s been out for several years now (I’m very late to the party!), I’m more or less aware of the major plot points I should be surprised about.

I also watched the second season of Never Have I Ever. On the face of it, it’s a show I’m too old to watch. However, it deals with stuff like sexuality and eating disorders in a way that is sensitive and not sensationalised. My sister and I finished watching it last night and I said to her “this was the show we needed when we were teenagers”. It’s a bit cringey and you go from hating to liking characters and back again so many times but it’s also a pretty good watch.

Now onto films. Firstly, I watched Werewolves Within. It was an unexpected hit for me, full of laughs and a bit of suspense (though, for once, I did get the twist!). Next up, I watched The Pebble and the Boy. I reviewed it in full here . I also took my third cinema trip of the year this month to see Free Guy which was much better than I thought it’d be. The last film I watched this month was Bad Trip. It was one of those movies where you laugh even when you probably shouldn’t and I enjoyed every moment of it.

I might have posted my (extremely short) September TBR but that won’t stop me from thinking about the books I read this month, as there were some fantastic reads.

This month was a great month for reading. Even though I’ve been busy with work, moving house and whatever else I’ve been up to this month, I’ve somehow managed to read 10 books! 2 of which are Arcs coming out next month, the other 8 are just books I’ve missed over the years.

The first book I read this month was Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This was my first read by this author, and arguably one of her most talked about books, and — though I did wish other characters were given more of a narrative — I did enjoy it, more than I thought I would.

The second book I read this month was Red Velvet by Carla Luna. After I was part of the blog tour for her last book, it made sense to partake in a blog tour for its sequel. You won’t be able to hear my thoughts on it until September 18 but what I will say is that it was an easy, cosy read.

The third book I read this month was Out of Love by Hazel Hayes. This is my second read by a YouTuber turned author (after Reputation by Lex Croucher) and I could definitely see why so many people enjoy it. It’s a romance with a difference and an honesty around love, sexuality and mental health I wish was in fiction more often.

The fourth book I read this month was The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon. This was a book I’d wanted to read for ages and, whilst it wasn’t anything new, I really enjoyed the idea and format of it.

The fifth book I read this month was Madam by Phoebe Wynne. I did enjoy this one but, after hyping it up so much in my head, it kind of fell flat in a few ways.

The sixth book I read this month was The Lonely Fajita by Abigail Mann. I’ve heard a lot about this book and it lived up to the hype for sure. I’m pretty sure this means Mann will be an auto-buy author for me and, honestly, I’m not mad.

The seventh book I read this month was Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. I’d heard so much about this book that it at first put me off reading it but I can definitely say it lives up to the glowing reviews I’ve seen. It was completely different to the books I read but I really enjoyed the reading experience and there’s no denying Acevedo is a fantastic writer.

The eighth book I read this month was Uncoupling by Lorraine Brown. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t read before but it was still an enjoyable romance full of stylish backdrops, banter and food I wished I was eating as well.

The ninth book I read this month was Evidence Of The Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was short and (not so) sweet but it confirmed the fact that Reid is a great writer.

The last book I read this month was The Meeting Point. I’ll be posting my thoughts on this one in a few days, so keep an eye out.

Though I did forget to post a few times, Music Mondays is still in full swing and I’m loving posting First Play Friday posts, too.

As well as these tracks, I’ve been listening to (and utterly obsessed with) Solar Power by Lorde and El Paso by The Vaccines.

🗓 🗓

So that’s my monthly wrap-up for August. I’d love to know how your month was, what have you got up to/been watching/been reading? I’d love to chat with you in the comments.