August Reading Recap
How is it nearly the middle of September already?!
After an adventure-packed summer trip to Hawaii, a pretty bad illness that I likely caught on the plane ride back, and lots of other random things going on in my life, the blog kind of slipped by the wayside.
So to get back on track, here's a quick recap of the books I read in August!
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, 5/5 stars
August started off with one of my new favorite reads of the year, The Girl He Used to Know. It's a romance, but as I said in my posted review it's not your typical lighthearted summer romp. It was sooo good. And when I was chosen to be an ambassador for The Book Drop again, I got a tote with a design of the book cover on it from the publisher! So exciting.
The Nobody People by Bob Proehl, 4/5 stars*
After decades in hiding, a group of outcasts with extraordinary abilities clashes with a world that is threatened by their power. As a big Marvel/sci-fi/fantasy fan, I really enjoyed the world that Proehl created. It's a big cast of characters with "abilities" and regular folks, and every person's story was captivating. The only thing that kept me from loving this book was that it's part 1 of a series, which wasn't clear when I got this ARC. So the book ends abruptly, and I wish things were wrapped up better.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, 5/5 stars
I seemed to have a pretty decent month for romances, because I loved The Unhoneymooners too! I brought it along on my trip to Hawaii, and it was perfect for reading on the beach or while relaxing in our hotel before our next activity. It's a hate-to-love-to-hate/frenemy type romance, which I didn't think I'd like, but I totally enjoyed this story and all the characters. Now I need more Christina Lauren books.
Too Close by Natalie Daniels, 4/5 stars
I finally got to an ARC I was given during my last brand ambassadorship for The Book Drop! Too Close was published recently in July. It's a psychological thriller about the friendship between two women, one of which has committed a terrible crime she can't remember. It sounds like a quick page-turner, but it's more of a slow burn and character study.
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen, 4/5 stars
Another book I brought with me to Hawaii, but I didn't read as much as I thought I would, so I got to this one after I got home. The Rest of the Story is a sweeping YA romance novel that's also about family and social class. I could totally relate to the setting and the characters.
Even If Your Heart Would Listen by Elise Schiller, 4/5 stars*
BookSparks gave me a copy of this memoir to review, and wow. Schiller writes about the relationship with her daughter, Giana, who died of a heroin overdose at 33 years old. It's also an exploration of the substance abuse treatment system in America, which is failing to truly help its patients. There's a lot more to say about this one, which I do in my full review.
In Her Eyes by Sarah Alderman, review to come!*
The River by Peter Heller, DNF
I did not finish this book I borrowed from the library, but I don't think I was in the right mood for it. I may try reading it again in the future.
* I was given a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.