June and July Wrap-up and August TBR

Am I posting this at the end of July?



Should I have posted at least a month ago?

That's also a yes.

But when I initially started working on it, it was the second of July.  and then it was the seventh.  and by the eleventh I was kind of like "you know what, I'll just roll it into next month" so here we are.

So, because this will cover two months of stuff, let's start with June:

Almost half of June was taken up with either travel or being in Kansas.  Because I went to my first Summer Workshop (and had the most amazing, life-changing experience).  And being on the road takes up a lot of time. 

But hey I GOT A TON OF READING DONE.


What I Read:
Coolest thing about this is that I read all but one of what was on my TBR for this month.  So.  Accomplishment. *applause*

The Dark Prophecy ~ Rick Riordan

Overview: The second book in the "Trials of Apollo" series finds our heroes in Indiana, in search of the second oracle they must restore.  And yes, those are battle ostriches on the cover.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I enjoyed it a lot, but there were a few issues I had with it) (Also, kind of ironically, the book I thought I would have to leave until the end of the month ended up being the first one I read.  Because I couldn't put it down.)

Heist Society ~ Ally Carter

Overview: The retired daughter of a world-famous thief must return to the family business in order to prove that her father's innocence by pulling off the heist of the century.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I had a great time reading this.  Basically teenage Leverage, y'all.)

The Quarryman's Bride ~ Tracie Peterson

Overview: Eleven years ago, Emmalyne and Tavin were engaged.  But while a family tragedy drove them apart physically, it never loosened the ties of their hearts. 
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I didn't appreciate how Emmalyne's father was portrayed, but I really did enjoy the love story.)

Masterminds: Payback ~ Gordon Korman

Overview: The kids are still on the run, but maybe they've finally found a way to be done with the memory of Serenity forever.
Rating: 5 out of 5 (THIS WAS AWESOME. I read it in its entirety during the last day of the trip, and I loved every second of it.  Please, y'all, read this series.)

A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales ~ Various Authors

Overview: Exactly what the title is... it's Irish fairytales.  It's magical.
Rating: 5 out of 5 (I had a great time.)


What I Watched:

Girl Meets World:

I'm rewatching this show because I can and I have no regrets.  It's so fluffy and happy and feel-good.  Although now I'm getting to the kind of angst-y parts.  Which is sad.  But season one is so pure guys. So innocent.  Ugh.

Voltron: Legendary Defender:

Okay, I'm officially on the bandwagon.  I hitched onto the back and I'm so glad that I did.  I'm all the way through season one, and now it's about time that I jump into season two. But this show so far has lived up to the hype, and I'm enjoying it a lot.


What I Listened To:

I listened pretty much exclusively to Steven Curtis Chapman and Dear Evan Hansen whilst traveling.  Raiders March and Something Wild are both just to cause me SW feels.  But the others were most of what I jammed to when I returned.


What I Posted:
June was not the best posting month I've ever had... but it wasn't the worst.
First I told you Why You Should Watch The Bletchley Circle
And then I completed the #VoicesofYA tag


And now we move on to July!

What I Read:

Unlocking the Truth ~ Emily Thomas

Overview: Anne has a new mystery to solve when a mysterious newspaper article arrives at the library, implicating her friends and herself in a crime that happened on their homecoming night.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (I absolutely flew through this, but at times the writing left a bit to be desired.)

The Screwtape Letters ~ C.S. Lewis

Overview: An elder demon named Screwtape writes letters of advice to his nephew named Wormwood on how to handle his human, who has recently become a Christian.
Review: 5 out of 5 (It was soooo goooood.  Highly recommend.)

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You ~ Ally Carter

Overview: Cammie Morgan goes to a school for spies, where she's known as the Chameleon.  But when a school assignment goes awry, she is seen by a normal boy... who thinks she's a normal girl.
Rating: 4 out of 5 (It was really good, but not my favorite)

Andora's Folly ~ Abigayle Claire

Overview: Andora's parents marry her off to a peasant, a fact she is not happy about.  But after being given a letter with strict instructions not to open it, her curiosity may just prove to be too much.
Rating: 5 out of 5 (IT WAS SO GOOD)

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy ~ Ally Carter

Overview: Cammie and her friends are confused by their teachers' odd behavior... What is Blackthorne, and why is the East Wing suddenly off limits?
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I enjoyed it, and it was super fast paced... I couldn't put it down)

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover ~ Ally Carter

Overview: Macey's father is on campaign tour, but when Cammie comes to visit in Boston, things go from exciting to dangerous in a moment.  Now Macey is the target of a terrorist group, and Cammie wants to solve this mystery before next time... when she may not be so lucky.
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Oh my word.  It was so good.  This series, hopefully, is just going to keep getting better)


What I Watched:

Anne With an E:

I finally got around to watching this on Netflix, and I'm so glad that I did.  It's a bit darker than adaptations I've seen in the past, but in a good way.  It felt like coming home.  (Also, Gilbert is adorable.  Look at this sweetheart.  I love him so much.)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered:

Allow me to introduce you to the "Abby, mom, and sis binged this show" for this month.  Guys.  It was so good.  I have so many emotions.  I need to rewatch it asap.  It's about postal workers who solve the mysteries of letters and their recipients and I just loved it so much.  Please watch it so that you can come flail with me.

Young Justice:

(I couldn't find any gifs I liked but look at these nerds)
This show just left Netflix and I hadn't finished it yet so I watched the whole of it in like two days.  Are you proud?  I'm proud.

Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero

(here have a gif with no caption because it's the best I could find)
This past season was crazy.  And so great.  I'm going to miss this show so much it was so good.  I'm so sappy from that finale.


What I Listened To:

I listened to a lot of Steven Curtis Chapman this month and I don't think that's going to change any time soon.  Same with Owl City.  I listened (a lot) to this awesome album called "Music Inspired By The Story" which is basically where a bunch of artists came together with songs based on different Bible characters.  Go listen to it, it's epic.  And Voctave released a new album.  And I listened to the new Broadway version of Holiday Inn.  And then of course Descendants 2 came out this month and "Chillin' Like a Villain" is my jam (but please go watch the video and laugh at Ben's strut)

What I Posted:
Then Sings My Soul (about what God has revealed to me this month)
The Reintegration Cover Reveal! (about the cover for a really cool novel)
The Instant Life (about living not only for the instant, but for the infinite)


What I Plan to Read:

Only the Good Spy Young ~ Ally Carter (book four of Gallagher Girls yesss)

The Giver ~ Lois Lowry (because I bought a beautiful new edition so obviously a reread is in order)

Miracles ~ C.S. Lewis (idk if I'll actually finish it this month, but I'm really enjoying it so far)

London in the Dark ~ Victoria Lynn (because I needed to read this and review it a long time ago... and I haven't yet)


So that's all from me for the past two months.  What about y'all?

~ Abby