August Reading Round-Up

August slipped away into a moment in time...happy -ber months!

Here's what I read in August!

The Ghostwriter, Julie Clark | Thriller, 4/5

This is a great summer thriller that had me guessing until the end. If you like messy family dynamics, then this one is for you. I especially loved Poppy. Great poolside reading.

The Art of Vanishing, Morgan Pager | Fiction, 2.5/5

This book is a lighthearted beach read. I was intrigued by a magical realism love story but I felt like it was missing character development which caused me not to be as invested. Given the way this book is written, I think it should have been marketed as YA.

How We Learn to Be Brave, Mariann Edgar Budde | Memoir, 5/5

This is a book I will be contemplating for a long time. I was made aware of Bishop Budde after her sermon at the 2025 Prayer Breakfast. This book beautifully weaves together her own story and Biblical and real life examples of learning to be brave. Unlike other books in this genre, Budde shares personal experiences of disappointment and let down as well as times of faithfulness when the Lord did not answer a prayer in the way she imagined. I was deeply moved and inspired.

Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro | Fiction, 4.5/5

This book was as stunning as it was thought-provoking. I was deeply moved by the characters and the way the story unfolded. The ending broke my heart and will stay with me for a long time.

Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service, Michael Lewis (editor) | Essay, 4/5

I’m a long time fan of Michael Lewis and several of the authors featured in this book. I not only found it extremely timely, but also important. If you need a good dose of earnestness, this is the book for you.

I am thankful for our federal employees.

A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck, Sophie Elmhirst | Nonfiction, 3/5

This is my second book this summer about a ship wreck, which is doing nothing for my fear of boating…I found the writing compelling, I just wish there would have been more on their marriage dynamic. Will not be packing up and living on a boat anytime soon ✌🏻

The Polish Boxer, Eduardo Halfon | Fiction, 3.5/5

This book is slow and contemplative. Each of the chapters almost feeling like a short story that is slowly woven together throughout the book. If you want something character driven, I found this to be very unique.

The Road to Tender Hearts, Annie Hartnett | Fiction, 5/5

This book is the perfect mix of Clare Pooley and Fredrik Backman, and I could not have loved it more. Darkly humorous and deeply moving, this is the perfect feel good book without being saccharine. Adored it on audio.

These Summer Storms, Sarah MacLean | Fiction, 3/5

This book felt like a mix of THE INHERITANCE GAMES and THE FAMILY GAME. I thought it was a little long and there wasn’t enough character development for me to feel invested. I do love a book about rich people problems.