August Wrap Up (2025)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And, even though it's a day late, I'm here with my August Wrap Up! 

I read a lot of books in August, which I'm extremely happy with, and because I lowered my Goodreads Reading Goal, it means I've already reached my target for the year (and I can't begin to tell you how relieved I feel, now that the pressure is off). 

But without further ado, here's my August Wrap Up! 

1. Fence, Vol.1 (Fence #1), by C.S. Pacat 

2. Fence, Vol. 2 (Fence #2), by C.S. Pacat 

3. Fence, Vol. 3 (Fence #3), by C.S. Pacat

The minute I changed my reading goal from 80 books, to 52, and I realised that I was a mere 7 books away, I immediately changed my attention to the books that would help me achieve that goal the fastest. Hence, the book choices of August (but mostly this series, as I had the majority of the Fence graphic novels in my possession at this time). 

I opened the first page, and that was it. I read these three in the space of two days. I likely would have carried on, if I had Volume 4. 

The Fence series just made sense to me. I love cute, LGBT romances. I love books about sport, because I haven't come across many of them. Couple that into a graphic novel, the fastest form of reading? Absolutely! 

4. Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell 

When I had read as far as I could into the Fence series as I could, I knew I needed something that was familiar, that I would enjoy, but invested enough that it wouldn't take too much time. Cue Black Beauty. One of my favourite classics of all time, reading from the POV of Black Beauty himself. 

Black Beauty as a character feels as fleshed out as any human character, even more so at times. You read about him as a young colt, being broken in, sold to his first home, his unforgettable friends, especially Ginger, swapped from owner to owner, experiencing loss, danger, cruelty, at the hands of negligence, or through work and turmoil. Black Beauty is wonderfully written, by the words of an expert, and a truly wonderful story. If you did not have the pleasure of experiencing it as a child, then I urge you to pick it up as an adult. Perfect for any age or any level of developed reader. 

5. Saga, Volume 9 (Saga #9), by Brian K. Vaughan 

6. Saga, Volume 10 (Saga #10), by Brian K. Vaughan 

7. Saga, Volume 11 (Saga #11), by Brian K. Vaughan 

 
With a fabricated deadline (my partner's night shift ending) and no Fence, Vol. 4 in sight, I was forced to search for other books that I knew I could finish fast. 

Of course it was going to be Saga. I still had Volume 11 to read, and Volume 9 was the perfect place to start, because of the emotional part at the end (it was the right volume to get me back into the Saga mindset), not to mention, at this point, I was three books away from my Goodreads Reading Challenge goal. 

And now of course, Volume 12 is out, and I'm back to being behind again. 

Sod's law. 

But this time, I am ready. 

I remember exactly where the 11th volume ended, and I want to know what happens next. 

8. Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals (Fence #4), by C.S. Pacat

9. Fence, Vol. 5: Rise (Fence #5), by C.S. Pacat 

 
At last! Volume four arrived! (It took a week longer than it said it would, but I got it in the end at least.)

You can bet I put my CR aside from I could marathon Volumes four & five! 

But, as you might expect, I loved them just as much as the first three. I think I'm going to recommend these to my brother, I reckon he'll like them just as much as me. 

In fact, if you're looking for a new LGBT obsession, and like fencing, and graphic novels, then this is the series for you! 

There are two volumes left, which I've asked for for my birthday, which is less than two weeks away, and although I'm excited to have them in my hands, I don't think I'm quite ready to say goodbye to these wonderful, wonderful characters! HELP! What do I read next? 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in the month of August! 

I know what you're thinking. You're wondering where all the books from my August TBR are! And I'll tell you: I haven't read them yet. 

But I did finish my first one this afternoon- and I'll be getting to the rest of them really soon. 

Okay! That's all I have for you guys today! As always, feel free to comment what you finish in August below, and we can talk about it! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx