July was the month of defeating the reading slump, and August is the month of catch ups.

As someone who typically makes super overly ambitious TBRs, I tried to switch it up a bit by making a more realistic list of books I want to get to. I’m hoping this takes the pressure off of me wanting to finish 10 – 15 books in a month — why do I do this to myself? I have no idea — and gives me some room to pick up some extra books that I might be feeling in the moment.

Basically, my reading is very sporadic and unpredictable, so I’m trying to adjust my TBRs accordingly.

Anyways, enough of my mindless babbling and more books!

The TBR

11/22/63 – Stephen King

I started King’s 11/22/63 this past April, got about halfway through it, and then sat it down for some reason. I believe moving in July was my main reason for putting it down, or it could be the size of this behemoth intimidates me, but, nonetheless, I’m picking it back up.

11/22/63 is what I’m reading currently, and I’m around 65% done with it. This is my first King novel ever, and I understand both why people love him and why people get frustrated with him. There’s definitely a lot of description and kind-of boring spots where it feels like I’m reading about paint drying, but King’s writing is so beautiful, so I don’t really mind the extra pages.

Whenever I finish this book, it will be the longest book I’ve ever read ever. I’m very excited, to say the least.

Insomnia – Stephen King

Yet another King book! Does this mean I’m becoming a Stephen King fan?

For some reason, I’ve been in the mood to read big books (500+ pages), and this one was calling my name. Whereas 11/22/63 is 849 pages, Insomnia is 912. Ya girl is working up her reading stamina so she can read King’s It and The Stand without taking all year.

The cover is what originally sold me on Insomnia. Just look at it! I love the deep red and the huge eye within the palm of the hand. It’s beautiful.

The main reason why I want to read this is because it follows a man suffering from insomnia (obviously), and he starts off sleeping a few hours to not sleeping at all. It reminded me of the Russian Sleep Experiment urban legend about scientists forcing people to say awake until they go mad. I feel like this is either going to be a disturbing in the best way possible or the worst. We’ll just have to wait and see!

The Catcher in the Rye – J. D. Salinger

Honestly, I have no idea what this is about. I just know that it’s a once-controversial classic that people tried to ban from libraries.

I mean, I love books that legislatures have tried to ban simply because of curiosity. Why did people hate this book so much? What makes it unacceptable for schools and libraries? I have to find out.

I threw this book on my TBR mainly because it’s short. Plus, I’ve been meaning to pick The Catcher in the Rye for about 3 years now, and I need to do it already. Fingers crossed I finally get to this.

Twilight – Stephenie Meyer / re-read

So, you may or may not have heard about Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight, but it’s the greatest YA emo paranormal to ever exist. This series completely consumed my hormonal and emotional pre-teen years, and I just want to immerse myself back into this world again.

Plus, if you didn’t know, Midnight Sun — a companion novel from Edward’s POV — was released yesterday. As a ride-or-die Team Edward Cullen gal, I’m obligated to read that, so I’m going to refresh my Twilight knowledge — as if I don’t know every detail by heart — before I grab Midnight Sun.

To be honest, I’d love to do a week-long Twilight readathon, but we’ll see if I even have the time for that.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

If you saw my Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone review, you’ll know I’m reading the series for the first time. I’m trying to finish the series by the end of December, but I didn’t realize I will have to double up two books in one month in order to do that. However, I’m still going to try and make it happen, but we’re sticking to one this month (again, realistic goals).

I’m super excited to hear about Harry, Ron, and Hermione, along with Neville, and ready to immerse myself back into the magical world of Hogwarts. I already know it’s going to be a 5/5.

The Excitement

I’m feeling so good about my reading going into August!

I’m excited to read some old favorites and big books, and, hopefully, to discover some possible new favorites.

Let me know what you’re reading for August and whether you were a Team Edward or Team Jacob ally growing up!