Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So, here are the books I completed in the month of August:
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone - This is another RE-READ. I first read this one back in February of 2018 and really enjoyed it. It has since made its way into my personal collection and I figured it was about time I picked it up and read it again. Just like last time, it was a pretty quick read, but super powerful. Originally I thought it was going to be a book about Trayvon Martin, but it turned out to be a novel about a 17 year old who is trying to be more like Martin Luther King Jr. in today's society. I enjoyed the way the story had an incredibly personal touch from the main character's letters he was writing "to" MLK. This is a story that needs to be told. We live in a world where racial inequality exists but just because it commonplace does not make it acceptable, right or permissible. Being disappointed, frustrated or disgusted isn't enough. I would (STILL) give it a 9 out of 10.
- Dear Justyce by Nic Stone - Since I just re-read Dear Martin, I thought I'd look to see if either of my audiobook apps had either of the follow up books available (Dear Justyce or Dear Manny). Neither have the newest available, but I was able to find this one on my Libby app. This is a sequel of Dear Martin, but instead of Justyce writing letters to MLK, this is a book based on Quan's story and him writing letters (that are actually sent) to Justyce. I appreciate that the author not only mentioned in the notes that she knows more "Quan's" than "Justyce's" in her life, but also took the time to write the story. Many kids (black or brown in the school to prison pipeline) don't have the support that Quan receives in this book, so it's great that Nic reminds us all to do our part, no matter how small that may be to help give others a chance/ shot. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune - This is another RE-READ. I first read this one back in May of 2022 and LOVED it. There was a good break in time, like years between reading the first and second book in the series, so since I just finished rereading The House in the Cerulean Sea last month I decided to grab the follow-up on my Hoopla app (once my downloads allowed for the month replenished of course). Truth be told, because I love The House in the Cerulean Sea so much, I probably had unrealistic expectations for this one, but I am happy to report I really enjoyed it. I know some folks have said they like this one better, but I think I still prefer The House in the Cerulean Sea. This one is definitely awesome and kept me interested the entire time, but I think I liked the "subject matter" of the previous one better. I would say that it felt a little predictable, but who doesn't love more of a happy-ever-after ending, #AmIRight?! I would (STILL) give it a 9 out of 10.
- Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas - This is another RE-READ. I first read this one back in January of 2022 and LOVED it. The first go around I didn't realize this was the prequel to The Hate U Give (not to mention there was a good break in time, like years between reading the two books), so since I just finished rereading The Hate U Give last month I decided to grab this one again on my Hoopla app. This story was told from the perspective of a young man (17 at the time of the story) and the "drama" that unfolded around him. I'll be honest, although I try my hardest not to judge others, if I had heard some of the characteristics of the main character - drug dealer, gang member, (two time) baby daddy, high school drop-out - I probably would've come with a few preconceived notions. I love when books stretch my brain and challenge me to think differently. I also love the little nod to Justyce in Dear Martin (that I probably wouldn't have picked up on if I didn't just finish that one). Normally I'm not a sequel or prequel fan, but this one's perfect! I would (STILL) give it a 9 out of 10.
- Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow - I don't remember how this one got into my "for later" list on my Libby app, but it was available to check out while I was still waiting for some others so I grabbed it. This is the story of Charlie, a seventeen year old girl who found herself in a psychiatric hospital after severely cutting herself. It's raw and powerful to see Charlie try to put herself back together after the world continues to take more and more from her. It was definitely a difficult read, one that was gritty and dark but with hope and resiliency sprinkled throughout the pages. Although this is technically a Young Adult book, I would say it skews towards the older age range of the category because of the subject matter. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Love Does by Bob Goff - This is another RE-READ. I first read this one back in June of 2018 and LOVED it. This book is written by an AWESOME man with some FANTASTIC stories... but what is even better is that he is constantly pointing back to his AMAZING God! The whole premise of the book is that love isn't a feeling, but an action. Bob shares personal stories (some of which are so outrageous you wouldn't think they were true) and ties them all back to Jesus. Although it is a Christian book, I would say non-Christians would enjoy it all the same because of the stories Bob tells and the calling to make love something that we DO! This book can literally change your perspective on living and loving! I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Looking for Alaska by John Green - I have read a couple books by this author, so when this title popped up on my Libby app as a recommended read I figured I'd give it a try. This is the story of Miles, a sixteen year old, who goes away to boarding school. While there he finds his first friends, has his first crush, tries his first drink, smokes his first cigarette, pulls his first prank and deals with death for the first time. I'm not exactly sure why, but I didn't find this book as engaging as some of the others. Maybe it was because the main character was male, I'm not sure, but this one didn't pull on my heartstrings as much. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
- Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - The next book in The Naturals series (which I started last month) became available so I was able to nab it before someone else checked it out on my Libby app. This is a continuation from where the first book ended - meaning the group of five "Naturals" were still all together in the FBI program. This time around they get tapped into helping a current case, a copycat killer of Dean's father. This story reminded me of an episode of Bones (if you are familiar with the show series, it reminds me of when Zack becomes Gormogon's apprentice). I liked the twists and turns of this mystery, which definitely kept me on my toes. Surprisingly I thought the love triangle between Cassie, Michael and Dean was actually more of a distraction than anything else, but maybe it's setting up for a future book. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Book three in the Naturals series was up next. I've gotta say, once the series reminded me of the TV show Bones it's hard for me to think of it any differently. It's like a YA version. I appreciated that the love triangle wasn't a part of this book and liked how Sloan played a bigger role as well. It is a little suspicious that there are so many coincidences (like how the mystery of Cassie's mom's disappearance/ murder now fits neatly in with the serial killers they were chasing), but oh well. I wouldn't say I'm sold on the series, but it is entertaining enough for me to finish it out. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Time to finish out this series. I'll be honest, I wasn't too excited for this last book, but I had already listened to the first three so I thought I'd see it to its end. If you liked the first three books in this series, then I'm sure you'd enjoy the fourth, since it continues on in the same way. The five teens are still working with the FBI as "naturals", trying to help solve crimes. This go around (as well as in the previous book) they have allowed them to shift from cold cases to active and ongoing ones. For the final book they are following along the cultish group that Cassie believes has her mom. I really wanted to enjoy it, but it left me with a 'blah' feeling. Maybe I'm not a whodunit fan after all. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
- Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson - I don't remember how, but this book ended up on my "for later" list on my Libby app and since it was available for download I went and grabbed it. This novel is about two friends who met at boarding school and years later one of the friend asks the other to take care of her stepchildren for her. The children are special because they burst into flames when they are agitated/ irritated/ angry/ upset/ frightened/ etc. I know, I know, this one is fiction ;) and thankfully the children are unharmed when this remarkable ability occurs. I really appreciated that the family is shown to be more than just blood and that parents are seen as real people who are just doing their best along the way. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston - This book popped up on my recommended reads on my Hoopla app and since I was still waiting for a handful of books to become available on my Libby app I snagged it. This is the quirky story of mistaken identity and the story of forgiveness, the power of second chances and the importance of found family. It had me feeling all the feels - from laughing out loud to tearing up a bit. I loved the underlying theme of redemption throughout the novel and have to commend the author on such a fantastic book. It was an endearing and easy read (totally a beach book). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey - Back in January I read the first two books in the Big Shot series by this author and I just recently saw that the third book was released (or at least became available on my Hoopla app). As with the rest of her books, this one was a little spicy with a couple explicit sex scenes, but thankfully we are all adults around here so it wasn't anything too crazy. These are all stand alone books, but I enjoyed that some of the characters from the previous story made appearances in this one as well. I thought this storyline was the most interesting of the three and also liked that it seemed as though the man was the one who had fallen harder in the relationship (because so often it seems like the girl is always the lovesick one). Instant love but future step-siblings... what ever will the two of them do?! I would give it an 8 out of 10.
With that, August is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
