Everything I Read in August 2023
I returned to work this week, and besides losing my ability to sleep in every morning, I wasn’t the least bit sad! That is because my summer was EVERYTHING I could have wanted and more. So many coworkers stopped me to say that they were following along on Closet Hook, and my travels looked amazing. I truly feel blessed to have the gift of summer break to rest, recover, and recharge. August alone brought so much fun!
This past month had the capstone trip of my summer travels…a trip to LA to see Taylor Swift! Despite a very arduous journey to get to LA (read- cancelled flights due to a storm, an unexpected flight to San Diego, and a broken down rental car on the 405), the trip turned out to be incredible. I got to see my friend Ricardo and meet a new friend (Bella), go hiking in Griffith Park, walk through Santa Monica, and explore Brentwood. Then, on the very last night of her LA shows and on the very last night of the US leg of the Eras tour, Ricardo and I got to scream and sing all night at Sofi Stadium with Taylor Swift. The show is just a masterpiece. Even if you don’t love her music (read- I will slightly judge you if that’s the case), the concert is a visually stunning production that is just something to see and I’m seriously impressed that she can put on a 3.5 hour show night after night. I want to be her when I grow up!
Ok, I will stop digressing, and start talking books! Let’s take a look at my reading this summer (the ten weeks I had off from work) in terms of numbers:
Total # of books: 15
Physical Books: 9 v. Audible: 6
Favorite Read: Boys in the Boat
Total # of Books in August: 5
I am going to review these in order from least favorite to what I absolute loved! This was really hard to rank them, because they are all very different books, and honestly not one was bad in the least. Some of these just hooked me more than others. With that said, let’s get to it…
#5: The Rabbit Hutch- Tess Gunty
I realize this book is a National Book Award Winner, so don’t come after me for rating it as my least favorite! The book was well written, had a unique perspective and plot, and includes incredibly well-developed, interesting characters, but it was just heavy! The book explores the tenants of a low-income apartment building called, The Rabbit Hutch. The characters are all struggling in a number of ways from violence, sexual abuse, trauma, etc. While it was an incredibly rich story to see how these characters would evolve, it just felt a little too heavy for my summer palette!
#4: The Paris Daughter- Kristin Harmel
I love historical fiction, and I am constantly surprised by how many stories can be created inspired by events during WW2. The Paris Daughter is the story of two friends, who bonded through raising their children in France as war loomed in Europe. Without giving too much away, when the war hit, families and friends were split up, but the love of your children can survive through it all. While I enjoyed the plot and the story, it felt like the story dragged on at times. It was a lovely story though if historical fiction is your thing!
#3: Tom Lake- Ann Patchett
If you read this book, I highly suggest getting it on audible, because Meryl Steep narrates and it is just so fun to listen to her voice! Tom Lake is a heart-warming story of a mother who tells her three grown daughters the story of how she fell into acting while in college and then fell in love with a famous actor named, Peter Duke. They knew their mother’s life to be rather boring, running a cherry farm in Michigan, and raising her family there. However, they learned as an adult that their mother, Lara, had a rather exciting life in her early twenties, that she happily gave up to raise a family. Read this book to pull at your heartstrings (or to listen to Meryl’s soothing voice…your choice)!
#2: None of This is True- Lisa Jewell
This was the psychological suspense book I needed this month! I am trying to diversify my reading palette, but I always live for a good suspense book. None of This is True is a new release from Lisa Jewell, and it was book that I just wanted to polish off in one sitting! Alix Summer is a successful investigative podcaster, who meets Josie, who is born on the same exact day as her in the same exact hospital. Josie presents as a woman, who is looking to make some changes in her seemingly dull life and reaches out to Alix about a potential podcast idea. She quickly discovers that Josie is layered, and has many secrets and scandals that she is hiding. Unfortunately, she becomes entangles in Josie’s web of lies, making this for a fun, suspense book!
#1: Hello Beautiful- Ann Napolitano
I had been seeing Hello Beautiful on every recommended book list or blog for months, and I don’t know why I resisted for so long! It is a modern spin on Little Women, sharing the story of four sisters and how their lives unfold as they grow up. This isn’t your typical heartwarming family story. The characters experience hardships from depression to alcoholism to failed marriages. While parts are quite heavy, Hello Beautiful is a powerful story that shows the importance of family, friendship, and love. I can’t recommend this book enough! Go read it, and thank me later!
This small, but mighty, reading community is a joy for me each month! You all will hold me accountable to continue to share books in September, even when I am exhausted and tired from returning to work. I can’t wait to check in at the end of the month with a whole new batch of great reads!
L