Astronomically Spectacular August | August Wrap-Up

Hi Book Lovers!

Ok, I have truly been lacking discipline with keeping up with these updates on my reading progress, and that is why my fellow bookies, I am only until now updating you. I know, I am a monster! *proceeds to have the most dramatic eye roll*

ANYWAY, I am back and ready to get back into the saddle of writing these fancy little reviews. So without further unnecessary suspense...here are the August books I read!

Poet X by: Elizabeth Acevedo

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Alright, let's start strong my people! Acevedo has done it again and she will come up again on this wrap-up and are you surprised? This American-Dominican writer is a genius at writing young-adult characters, who are not only proud Latinas but extraordinary young women who are brave and strong, who don't have their lives completely figured out-and that's ok! In Poet X, we meet fifteen-year-old Xiomara, who falls in love with poetry and learns how to cope with the tensions around her through the ink of her pen. Xiomara's coming-of-age story is authentic and raw, with moments I cried so hard into my pillow it was damp the next day from the number of tears released from my body! Xiomara will become your friend and someone you look to for courage, and I highly recommend you meet her today!

Frankly in Love by: David Yoon

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Did I love this quirky read, or did I have this silly grin on my face from the Niall song "still" stuck in my head? If you choose the book, you're just barely right!

Frankly in Love was a joy to read, with male characters that are vulnerable and able to show their insecurities and fears, without being defensive or assholes about it, I'm looking at you Draco Malfoy! Frank is flawed, yes, but he deeply cares about his family and friends making him relatable to many people. Especially since he usually tends to end up in compromising positions because of his lack of good decision-making. I honestly can't remember who said this, but it's true: love makes us stupid. And man can Frank be stupid! But, he's a lovable idiot and I honestly believe that's the point! The one flaw Yoon showcased in his storytelling for me was the way he handled Q's storyline throughout this book. I truly wish that Q's secret could have been "discovered" earlier in the book and been a greater moment between Frank and Q. It was unnecessary to learn the secret about Q at the end when we could have just known this about the character from the beginning, rather than making it a secret that never gets more development. There could have been more character development in Q, and for that, I'm pretty disappointed. But, overall this book was so fun and had a diverse group of characters that were cool to read about. Plus, I love the amount of Korean culture I read about within this book, it made me want to try more Korean dishes and research more about South Korea in general!

Such a Fun Age by: Kiley Reid

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This book is incredibly well-written and had a very important message about the dangers of performative allyship and how much harm this practice can be, particularly in the Black community. Kiley Reid gives us a story about a young black nanny, Emira, who gets accused of kidnapping the white child she is in charge of and the effects this event has on her life. Emira is not perfect, and I think that is what makes her experience so authentic and anger-inducing. She truly doesn't at first understand how problematic her boss and boyfriend are, until she gets a little push from her best friend- and thank the Lord for that! The amount of irritation her boyfriend and boss give me is infinite and they never really get better. The story itself was impactful and I appreciated what the author was trying to illustrate with these characters, but I didn't really like anyone except for Emira, her best friend, and the girl Emira nanny's for- that's it. Although I only gave this book 3 stars, mainly because I hate the way Emira was treated (I understand that this was the point of the book, it's just how I feel), I highly urge you to take the time to read this book and have conversations with your friends about performative allyship because it is necessary now more than ever!

The Hating Game by: Sally Thorne

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This enemies-to-lovers romance made me believe in love again, and there were so many ways that people have attempted to prove otherwise. Thorne truly shines in this novel and her ability to write characters that learn to see through preconceived notions and misinterpreted first impressions. I truly grew to love these characters and their budding office friendship that helped develop their pure affection for each other. We stan a story that has an encouraging couple that only wants the best for each other and aid each other in their dreams and careers! It is one of the best romances I read this year!

Red, White & Royal Blue by: Casey McQuiston

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I love the love Alex and Henry have for each other and the affection they have for each other. Similar to David and Patrick's relationship in Schitt's Creek, although these polar opposites seem to not see eye-to-eye at first, their undeniable chemistry eventually chips away at their tough exteriors and unravels deep respect and warm affection that could only be reserved for the first son and prince of England. I laughed out loud to their banter and might have shed a tear here or there when problems arose, but love will always conquer when true love is present, no matter how cliché I might sound, you know you want me to be right!

Queenie by: Candice Carty-Williams

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Ok, let's be real Queenie, the character, is a hot mess. She doesn't quite have life figured out, and she makes many mistakes that tend to leave her in sticky situations that she didn't expect to be put in. She has a complicated relationship with sex and her mental health, while still trying to figure out why her last relationship didn't work out. But, despite all of these things, I want her to succeed so bad and thank goodness she also wants this for herself! Her journey is rocky, but she has many people who love her and support her for all that she is, which is truly the heart of this story! The true love story here is between Queenie and herself. Queenie's ability to seek help for herself and face the past trauma that has caused her to question what true love should look like is admirable and empowering to see portrayed within the literature. Queenie is a complicated, loving, funny Black woman, who is merely trying to figure out the shit-show we call life. And, to be quite honest, I believe she's on the right track by the end.

Mexican Gothic by: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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This novel was a trip, let me tell you Silvia Moreno-Garcia did NOT come here to give you a basic book, none of that here! She crafted a story filled with both real and metaphorical horror that will resonate with readers, especially those of us who identify as Latinx. Mexican Gothic opens up a conversation about colorism, the erasure of culture, and the power of Latin storytelling! You will be constantly questioning where this plot will take you and who to trust. Noemí Taboada is proudly Mexican and refuses to be seen as anything other than a fearless and outspoken woman, who will do what it takes to uncover the sinister truth of her cousin's marriage to a handsome Englishman. A great read for Hispanic Heritage Month!

Clap When You Land by: Elizabeth Acevedo

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And as I foreshadowed at the beginning, Acevedo's recent release Clap When You Land is the latest book from Acevedo and she does not disappoint. This story of two sisters who learn of each other after their father's death on a flight to the Dominican Republic on 9/11 was beautiful and warm. Although these sisters are not particularly fond of each other at first, they come to find that they are the only two people who can understand what the other is going through and find solace in each other. Both of these sisters want to know more about the two places their father called home New York City and the Dominican Republic, while still having unresolved feelings about not being their father's only family. The love that surrounds this story is what will leave an impression on you, even after you flip to the last page.

I am sorry to say that we are at the end of the books I will be sharing my opinions about for this month and that I, unfortunately, didn't finish any books in September, so there will not be a September wrap-up. BUT, I will let you know about what you can look forward to for the October Wrap-up! I am currently reading a horror novel, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, which is certifiably terrifying and will leave you feeling eerie, and I'm not even done reading it. I will also be aiming to read more Latinx writers, potentially Isabel Ibañez's Woven in Moonlight, a Bolivian-inspired YA debut novel, that I can't wait to read! With that, I leave you for now and will continue to thank you for all your continued support of my content. You are truly the best!

♥️Keep it Authentic♥️

Amy

What are you listening to when you finished writing:

🎵 Iron Sky - Paolo Nutini