Book Roundup- August

Yay, it's my favorite post of the month! Book reviews are my favorite posts to write but especially to read from other bloggers.

If you're not a reader, you might be feeling like Cash in these pictures: irritated by my book...

...and then bored to sleep by my book, hah!

But if you're like me, you can't wait to get into this blogpost which will hopefully lead to...more books!

In this last month of summer, I got a lot of reading done as work still was at a minimum for the summer and there's not much going on here in Virginia for us yet. Just as its been for me my whole life though, there is nothing more enjoyable, pleasant, or relaxing for me than to get lost in a good book!

Of course, the first thing I did when moving here was get my library card, and I've been so happy with our nearby library and its services! 

That helped me to have an overall really great reading month in August. 

However, towards the beginning/middle of the month, I got into one of my dreaded book funks that seem to happen every few months. I think it had to align with my overall mood of being cooped up in a hotel and apartment without furniture, but sometimes there's no rhyme or reason for it! I started at least two that I put down halfway (which you don't see mentioned in the rest of this post). Once I got over that funk, August was back to being a great reading month!

I read 2 thrillers, 2 romance or love stories, and a humorous women's fiction book that is part of one of my favorite series. 

As always, read below for my ratings and more specific reviews!

The It Girl by Ruth Ware- ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hmm, I don't have tons to say about this one. I love Ruth Ware's books overall, but she does better "timeless/classic writing" than modern, and this one seemed more modern than many of her other ones. It wasn't irritating. I wanted to keep reading it. I do really appreciate her writing style. That being said, something was missing with this one and I can't put my finger on what. It was definitely good...but not great! The character development was there but maybe the plot was lacking?

I'll Be You by Janelle Brown- ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! As I was reading, I felt so excited to find a "new" author. I've heard of her and her books for the past few years, but I hadn't been drawn to them that much before. I think a friend's high rating and a review that compared the characters to the Olsen twins (it's very, very loosely based on them) is what got me wanting to read this one. 

This author's writing style reminds me of Kimberly Belle. Usually I like the present day narration better when I'm reading, as opposed to past chapters, but this book had me really loving the chapters that covered the past.

I loved the take on troubled child stars (that you seem to hear more and more of in recent years), how it made me think of Waco and other cult shows Shane and I have watched on Netflix, how it made fun of pyramid schemes, and its unique plot. There's just enough reasoning in it to not be completely far fetched. The beginning and ending were my favorite parts; the middle didn't hold as much appeal for me, but it was overall such an amazing read!

Smells Like Tween Spirit- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ahh, it's a new book in one of my favorite series! This book is written by Gelman's wife (if you have ever watched Live with Kelly and Ryan) and her writing style in these Class Mom books is just hilarious! I look forward to reading these books so much. The only problem is that I read through them so quickly and then I'm immediately having to wait for another one to be released!

While I'm not yet a mom, I have always loved these books because a. I've always loved reading about mom life and b. I can relate to a lot of it as a former teacher/camp counselor/nanny/babysitter etc.

Reading these books is like reading a mom blog in that you're experiencing the everyday moments with them. I love the focus on everyday life. I love the focus on mom life. I love the soccer-mom household vibes it has. I love that these come out at the beginning of the school year always because they just give me that type of feeling! Most of all, I love how witty they are. This one was no exception- just so enjoyable.

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan- ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This author is a famous audiobook narrator for many, many recent books so she gets a LOT of support from other authors, and I enjoyed reading her previous book a few years ago, so I was excited to read this one that somewhat gave an insider's view to audiobooks (although I don't yet listen to them!). 

This book was somewhat unique while also being a typical love story (while including all the tropes and somewhat poking fun at them). I don't usually read or get that into this genre of book, but I was mostly just so happy when reading this that I found myself smiling at times. Unfortunately, I don't think it held up as much by the end, but I was definitely all in with this book.

This author's power is in her insight, wit, wording, and other elements that make it so well done. I had to reread so many of her lines to truly appreciate them. 

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center- ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Just as I finish saying that I don't typically read romance books, I'm sharing this book that falls in that category! This one is also chick-lit and just overall a good love story. Katherine Center is an author who I read her previous book last summer and as a result, I was excited to read this one too. I know that even if she writes a book in a genre that isn't typically my favorite, it will be well done and worth it! 

Of course I also had to read this one because it takes place in...Houston! (That's where the author is also from.) It also takes place on a boyfriend's family's ranch outside of Houston, and I could relate to a lot of aspects as I remember once visiting a boyfriend's family's ranch outside of Houston. 😉

She is a master of lightness, wit, and word choice. This is another example of a book where piece by piece I can't really say what works, but it all comes together and is just pure joy to read. 

That sums up my August reading! Any good recommendations that you stumbled across for September?