August and September Reading Roundup
We are now in my favorite time of the year—the -ber months! And while in Virginia, we had a week of fake fall; I am pretending that it's not 85º outside and curling up with some cozier fall reads!
Here's what I read in August and September
Happy Reading!
The Shampoo Effect, Jenny Jackson | Fiction 4/5
This is a great character-driven novel! If you enjoy plotless fiction and dysfunctional friendships, this is for you.
Hope: The Autobiography, Pope Francis | Memoir
I knew very little about the Pope before listening to his autobiography. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for who he was. This was a lovely listen.
Meet Me in the Garden, Nina LaCour | Historical Fiction
This will be one of my favorite books of the year! I could not put this sweeping saga down. I used to think I didn’t like historical fiction, but I think I was just tired of WWII stories…
Following three sisters and their families during the Great Migration, this book was stunning. The writing was gorgeous, and the storytelling was heartbreaking and beautiful.
Famesick, Lena Dunham | Memoir 4/5
I really enjoyed this memoir—it was honest and raw and vulnerable. The writing is really good, and while I never watched GIRLS I always enjoy bts look at how things are made.
I got a little lost in some of the back and forth of the timeline, but overall I enjoyed this memoir.
That Night, Gillian McAllister | Thriller 4/5
This was a great psychological thriller that left me guessing until the end. I especially enjoyed it on audio.
Thank you to libro.fm for my copy.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, Anna Johnston | Fiction 5/5
This is such a sweet and heartwarming book. If you like books with older protagonists (I would say this is closer to THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO BROKE ALL THE RULES instead of A MAN CALLED OVE), this is the perfect read. I loved the characters and laughed out loud. Highly recommend!!
The Land and Its People: Essays, David Sedaris | Essays 5/5
I love David Sedaris.
So Far Gone, Jess Walter | Fiction 4/5
This book was hard to put down. Reading a book set in my hometown was fun, even though the subject matter was heavy. This was a story about a troubled father’s deep and complicate love for his family.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy.
Go Gentle, Maria Semple | Fiction 2/5
I found this book at times hard to follow. As another reviewer pointed out, it felt more like three books smooshed into one. Overall, it wasn’t for me.
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett | Fiction 4/5
Did I know I cared about opera before reading this book? No, I did not. My Ann Patchett year continues! I really enjoyed this book. The structure took some getting used to, but I fell in love with the quiet story and its characters.
Making Peace with What I Can’t Control: Find Relief from the Exhaustion of Overthinking, Trying to Fix Others, and Wanting to Figure It All Out, Lysa TerKeurst | Non-Fiction 5/5
This book found me at the perfect time. I found it biblically grounded and practical.
Thank you to libro.fm for my ALC!
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Agatha Christie | Thriller 5/5
A masterclass in the detective novel.
Stitched, Eli McCann | Fiction 4.5/5
Did I know I cared about competitive quilting before this book? No, absolutely not. Do I care now? 100%. This was such a lovely and tender book. If you like Clare Pooley or books with older protagonists, this will be for you. I adored it.
Thank you to libro.fm for my ALC!
The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, Helen Graham | Non-Fiction 3/5
While this was a helpful overview, I realize I prefer narrative nonfiction, and I had a harder time connecting to the timeline.
Breathing Under Water: A Novel, Jacqueline Friedland | Fiction 3/5
While I enjoyed the story, I had a hard time with the writing of this book. It felt at times over-written and repetitive. I think my reading experience might have been better had I read it instead of listened.
Thank you to libro.fm for my copy!
The Sympathizer, Viet Thanh Nguyen | Historical Fiction 4/5
I feel conflicted about giving this book a star review. It had some of the best writing I’ve ever read, but I often got lost in the stream-of-consciousness style. But this book was beautifully crafted, and I’m so glad I read it!
Never Say Die, Ke Huy Quan | Memoir 5/5
Prepare your tissues. I loved this memoir. Ke is so earnest, and I could listen to his stories all day.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, Deesha Philyaw | Fiction 3/5
I loved the writing of this book, but sometimes had a hard time following the timeline of the story. Some moments were laugh-out-loud funny, but I got lost a bit in the middle third.
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