I’ve always considered August to be one of my favorite months. Not only does it bring a new school year and a promise of the coming autumn, but it also allows you to enjoy the last few weeks of summer without baking in July’s toasty heat. This August was no exception, from both a reading and personal standpoint.
In August I read a total of 9 books:
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
- The Mulligan Guard Ball by Edward Harrigan
- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
- Light in August by William Faulkner
- A Little History of Literature by John Sutherland
Choosing a favorite book this month is a challenge because I read quite a few 5-star books, but I suppose that’s a good problem to have! I think it’s a tie between One Hundred Years of Solitude and As I Lay Dying. Both are brilliant in different ways, so it’s difficult for me to distinctly favor one over the other.
Reviews of these works will be posted in the near future, so stay tuned!
The majority of my August was spent preparing for college and tying up lose ends before move-in day. As always, there are many “lasts”: the last time soaking up the summer sun, the last time eating at your favorite local restaurant, the last time sleeping in your own bedroom, the last time seeing friends and family until the next break in several months. These lasts are bittersweet, for they are inevitably accompanied by numerous “firsts”: first time seeing old friends since the end of last semester, first time sleeping in a new dorm room, first night away from home in a while. It’s all new and different but still familiar in some way, reaffirming my belief that August is the most nostalgic month.
This month I completed my internship at a local Child Advocacy Center, an eye-opening experience for which I am incredibly grateful. The purpose of Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) is to provide a neutral, safe, comfortable environment in which to conduct forensic interviews of children who are alleged victims of abuse. Throughout my time working at the CAC I observed several of these interviews, and each time I couldn’t help but be heartbroken by how traumatic and awful their experiences were. It really puts things in perspective.
On a lighter note, I also got new glasses! My prescription changed and my other glasses were several years old, so it was finally time to purchase new ones. I’ve always wanted bolder glasses like these. I love them so much! ❤
As you read this I have already moved back to campus and have settled into my new dorm room for my first semester of sophomore year. It feels strange and exciting and nerve-racking to be back after nearly four months of glorious summer break, but I can’t wait to get the ball rolling at Wheaton again. Bring on the new adventures!
Here are some notable posts from my blog this past month:
- Camp NaNoWriMo 2016 | Wrap-Up
- On Writing and Inspiration | GUEST POST by Nadette Rae Rodgers
- Inside Out Book Tag
- Sunshine Blogger Award
- How Did I Do? | Bookish Goals for Summer 2016
- Sophomore Status Achieved | College
Here’s the thing: because school is now in session, I basically have negative time for blogging. I’ve scheduled posts like a fiend this summer, and I was actually able to schedule posts in advance for all of September and even much of October. However, this means that I won’t be as active reading and commenting on all of your lovely posts and it may take me a while to respond to any comments that you leave on mind. But don’t worry– I still read and greatly appreciate each and every one of them!! ❤
How was your August? What books did you read? What fun things did you do? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
Oh oh oh I can’t believe it’s september already! How? Just how???? that sounds like a busy (but fulfilling summer), and I totally get the school taking over all blogging time. I can hardly finish anything *grrrrrrs* You are so much more organised than me. I MEANT to schedule heaps of posts over the summer, but then…..
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Right!! August seemed to fly by– come to think of it, most months feel that way nowadays. haha don’t worry, breaks from blogging are good, too, if you have to take one. I like doing that every once in a while to recharge the blogging batteries. Happy September! 🙂
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I’m glad you had an amazing month. Good luck in college!!!
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Thank you!! 🙂
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This is my first September not going to school and it makes me really jealous of people that do (I know, it sounds weird but when you graduate you’ll know the feeling) Take it all in and love every moment of your year! Read when you can and crush it 😀
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Haha thank you! I’ve heard that a lot, and I can totally see myself feeling that way in the future. I love attending classes and learning, even though it’s A LOT of hard work. I’ll definitely miss it!
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You’ve a lot recently. Great! ♥
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Hi Holy! Can you please help me with queries regarding Instagram. How do you add Instagram link/page to WordPress that gives format as exactly it appears on Instagram?? Like the page of cute nerdy glasses you added to this page. I’m clueless about this WordPress options.
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Hi! I added it under the “Widgets” tab of “Appearances” on the WordPress dashboard. There’s a widget specifically made for displaying Instagram photos that should come up, and then I just added in my username.
Hope this helps! 🙂
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NO Holy. It didn’t help. Before publishing,when I edit post what exactly I am supposed to add so I’ll get the image same as it appears on Instagram post. My Instagram account is already linked with WordPress with steps you mentioned. I add link of page from Instagram post but it wont give me the appearance of Instagram post format. Please help.
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