August 31, 2020
August 2020 Reading Wrap Up
How was your August reading?
August was a fourteen book reading month even though I had two DNFs. I am happy to report four five-star reads, six four-star reads, and four three-star reads. Find all my August reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.
My favorite read of the month is a back-list title, Ordinary Grace.
Did we read any of the same books?
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
5 Stars. Compelling, engaging, and thought-provoking literary fiction. (You may have read Krueger’s This Tender Land this year.) My review of Ordinary Grace here.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
5 Stars. An engaging and poignant book about books. A reread which I enjoyed, even more, the second time! My review of A.J. Fikry here.
The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going
5 (MG) Stars. For daughters of Jane Austin fans and their moms. Innocent, engaging, science and writing themes. Not yet reviewed.
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradly
5 (MG) Stars. CAUTION: because of heavy content involving child abuse and self-harm, I’m encouraging parents to read this FIRST. Not yet reviewed.
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
4.5 Stars. (ARC) #16 in the series (please read series in order!) In addition to the mystery to be solved, this story includes poignant family and father/son themes. My full review of All the Devils Are Here.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
4.5 Stars. Women’s Fiction (Christian). This has probably been on my TBR the longest of any book! It was a more difficult read than I expected but highly compelling. CW: prostitution, abuse. Not yet reviewed.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
4.5 (YA) Stars. Yes, this summer I’m knocking out some backlist titles! I remember reading Joy in the Morning but for some reason missed this young adult classic. I was a little let down by the ending…a prologue would have been appreciated! The ending left me wondering about her future. Not yet reviewed.
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
4 Stars. After I read An American Marriage last year, I wanted to read this backlist title. It’s a compelling story, but once again I was a little let down by the ending. I was left with questions about Dana’s education (did she pursue her dream of medical school?) and the relationship between the sisters is a bit disappointing (not hopeful) at the end. Not yet reviewed.
The Amish Newcomer by Patrice Lewis
4 Stars. (ARC) A light and poignant read about a young woman who seeks protection from the Amish community under the Witness Protection Program. My review of The Amish Newcomer here.
Bloomability by Sharon Creech
4 (MG) Stars. Sharon Creech has a new book coming out soon and it reminded me I hadn’t read one of the most popular titles on her backlist! I love “found family” themes! Not yet reviewed.
The Book of CarolSue by Lynne Hugo
3.5 Stars. (ARC) Engaging and poignant women’s fiction. Themes include widowhood, siblings, undocumented immigration, and foster care/adoption. My review of The Book of CarolSue here.
Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning
3-3.5 (YA) Stars. Especially for high school girls who love sports. Not yet reviewed.
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
3 Stars. Historical fiction. Past and present-day timelines. New York Public Library setting. My review of Lions of Fifth Avenue here.
Between Inca Walls by Evelyn Kohl LaTorre
3 Stars. (ARC) A memoir of a young woman’s experience in Peru as a Peace Corps Volunteer. My review Goodreads review of Between Inca Walls.
DNF
I set aside two books aside this month: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay was boring; and Teach Me by Olivia Dade was offensive (substantial profanity of a religious nature and explicit open door romance)…I bailed quickly and DO NOT recommend this book unless your tastes differ from mine).
Let’s Discuss!
What did you read in August?
Did we read any of the same books?
Which of these books is on your TBR?
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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A Week in the Life of the WP Block Editor and Me
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Ooooh I have THE NEXT GREAT JANE on my Kindle on a friend’s recommendation. I’ll have to bump it up!
It’s a great story! I think you’ll love it! 🙌
Well done. The only book I read is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
🙌
Excellent month! x
Thanks! Not my typical but it works!
Wow 14 books is amazing Carol! I had two DNFs too this month which I’d forgotten about. 😂
My MG reads bumped the number up! I didn’t realize how many MG and YA I had read!
Great month of reading Carol. There are a couple here that I want to get too, hopefully between my Christmas reads. There are also a couple that are not on my radar, so will have to look at your reviews. 😊
Thanks Carla! 🙌
What a list!! I’ve only read A.J. Fikry and Ordinary Grace, so there’s lots to check out here! thanks Carol!
Be cautious of the stars! 😂😂😂
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my all-time favorites and I reread it around this time last year. Silver Sparrow & Fighting Words are both high on my TBR currently.
What a fantastic reading month you had – it’s always amazing when you end up with so many good books.
Here’s what my family & I read most recently this month including “The Shell Seekers”, “When No One is Watching”, “A Darkling Plain” and back to school books for my kiddos
https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-september-2020
Thanks so much for commenting! I really enjoyed my reread of Tree Grows….but I still wish for an epilogue!
I received some negative feedback about my comment that parents might want to preview Fighting Words before handing it over to children…..I’m curious about what you will think!
I’m hopping over to check your post now!
What a great list of books, Carol! I didn’t know Kimberly Brubaker Bradley had a new book! I really enjoyed her previous War books. Thanks for the trigger warning! I will have to think about whether I am able to deal with the difficult heavy theme of childhood sexual abuse. I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. That is interested that you read Joy In the Morning before reading A Tree. I know its not an official sequel, but I felt like Joy in the Morning was similar to what I would think Francis’ adult life could look like. I am glad you enjoyed Redeeming Love. That is my favorite Francine Rivers novel!
Here are my recent reads, if interested: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-book-reviews.html
Thanks for commenting Elena! I’m eager to do a reread of Joy in the Morning now! That makes sense that it would be a follow up of sorts to Tree. I’m hopping over to check your post!