I read quite a bit in August and I am very happy about that. I now have completed 34 books of my goal to read 39 this year so I am way ahead of schedule. Yay! Now I do need to get my rear into gear with the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2019. I still have 6 out of 10 categories. If anyone has suggestions for these, please let me know. The categories are: a Book I’ve Been Meaning to Read (I guess you can’t really help me with that one, except you could remind me of something I said that I was going to read here on the blog); a Book With a Gorgeous Cover; a Book In Translation; and a Book Published Before 1980. Thanks in advance.
Here’s what I Read in August.
Read
- Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman. I really enjoyed this one even though it is outside of my usual genre. Laura Lippman also wrote Sunburn, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So I don’t know if I like mystery thrillers but I definitely enjoy Laura Lippman.
- Dare Mighty Things by Heather Kaczinsky. This book was outside my normal reading genre but I enjoyed it. It’s an YA novel and would be an excellent read for your teen. There’s a sequel, One Giant Leap, that I want to read to see what happens in the story.
- Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber. The Snail on the Wall Books brought Heather Webber to Huntsville and I got to meet her. Yay! The book is a sheer delight. There is some magical realism but in a delightful, non-disturbing way.
- I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott. This is my second time reading this book this year. It was a Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club pick and the book club was fortunate to have Mary Laura with us to discuss it on August 29. A highlight of my year, FOR SURE. Thanks, Mary Laura! You can read my full review on the RCM website here.
- A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. Guys, I’m finally in a position to join the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. YAY! This is the September pick and I wanted to read it because I thought the story would be interesting. I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It’s set in the 19th century with a heroine who’s thoughts and ideas are more in line with women of the 21st Confusing? A bit. I’m not sure.
Currently Reading
- Code Name Hélène: A Novel by Ariel Lawhon. So excited to receive this ARC courtesy of Modern Mrs. Darcy for her first-ever Book Club Retreat! I’m so excited! It’s set during WWII – not my favorite historical time but a third of the way in the heroine is very intriguing and the story began in medias res so I want to see what’s going on. This one release on April 7, 2020.
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. This is a #buddyread with my new book friend, Brittany, who I met, virtually, after being on What Should I Read Next. This is so good! Check it out!
- The Life-Changing Habit of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo. I’m rereading these according to the categories I am currently tidying. Still have my pending box and Sentimental left. I know I said that last month, but I have been really busy this month.
So, what have you guys been reading this month?
Per usual, I am linking up with the Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly Quick Lit post, as I have done for years. Check what she and other readers are reading over there.
enjoy life…
P.S. In other book news, Amazon is placing a brick-and-mortar book store in the Green Hills Mall. This is across the street from the venerable, Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN. I’m not sure how I feel about this.
shannan enjoys life! 
I loved your episode of WSIRN! I have
Maybe You Should Talk on my TBR and hope to get to it soon!
My September reads are linked in my name if interested
I always love seeing your list, Shannan. A lot of these are new to me. I went to the library today and checked out A Place for Us; A Thousand Lies; and The Lying Game.
Thank you. I appreciate your being here. Aren’t libraries great. Except when your holds come in at once. Lol.
Code Name Helene sounds really good. I think that it needs to go on my TBR list.
If you love historical fiction, then definitely. Have you read anything by Ariel Lawson before?
Books before 1980: 84, Charing Cross Road; Sophie’s Choice; The World According to Garp. Great job crushing those reading goals!
Thank you. And thank you for the recommendations. And thank you for being here.
For a book in translation… I recommend anything by Backman. My very favorite is “my grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry”. I loved the audible version. “A man called ove” is another wonderful novel. I also read “a nearly normal family”, another book in translation that’s great in audible version.
“The boy in the suitcase” could be a contender for your book in translation. Hope you find something that sparks your interest!! Congrats on almost meeting your goal number!!!! Hope they’ve been quality!! 😃
They have been. Thanks for the suggestions. My book club has decided to read A Man Called Ove so glad to hear its good and it will work for that category. Thanks for being here.