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August was a bit of a slow month for me in regard to reading. I think part of the problem was that I came out of the gate strong after graduation back in May. I hunkered down and read every book I could get my hands on, which is why my previous reading recaps have been better than this one.
That being said, let’s dive right into my August reading recap + September TBR hopefuls.
In August, I read the highly anticipated “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy.
“A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor — including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother — and how she retook control of her life.” — Simon & Schuster
While this book was an incredible peek into the hardships and triumphs Jennette McCurdy went through, it was also incredibly triggering. There were months when the relationship with her mother became too overwhelming for me. Or consequences of her eating disorder would turn my stomach as it brought up my own issues with disordered eating.
I spent a lot of time taking short breaks in between chapters and checking in with myself to ensure that I was okay to finish this book. I plan to write a more flushed-out review of this book later this week, which will help to paint a fuller picture of my feelings towards this book.
[If you’re interested in reading this book, grab a copy here!]
“I’m Glad My Mom Died” aside, I did also begin “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Though as you can tell, my mind was transfixed on another book most of the month.
This leads me to my TBR hopefuls for September.
1. “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
“What would you change if you could go back in time?
In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.” — Goodreads
The first part of this book I read, I really enjoyed. So I am mostly just looking forward to finishing the rest of the book. I have already dove back into this story head first, so a review of this book should follow soon after Jennette McCurdy’s book review. (In case you like reading my thoughts on books.)
2. “The Death of Vivek Oji” by Akwaeke Emezi
“What does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew?
One afternoon, in a town in southeastern Nigeria, a mother opens her front door to discover her son’s body, wrapped in colorful fabric, at her feet.
What follows is the tumultuous, heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious.” — LitLovers
This book was recommended to me by a dear friend and is another that I started reading early in August. However, this book also took second place to Jennette McCurdy’s book, so this hopeful is another that I am excited to finish.
I have read about 38% of this book according to my Libby app where I borrowed the digital copy of this book from my library and I will say, it had me hooked from the beginning.
3. “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.” — Goodreads
I am really excited about this one. If you have previously read my review on “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, or any article of mine that mentions TJR, you’ll know I am a big fan of hers.
While I still have mixed feelings about “Daisy Jones & The Six” I am still working on my goal of reading all of the books written by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
- On a side note, someone recommended that I listen to the audiobook version of Daisy Jones and I think that might improve my thoughts on the book since it is written in interview format made it a bit awkward to read at times.
I also get really heavy summer vibes from this book and I want to soak up the last few weeks of summer before Autumn settles in and I can think of nothing but pumpkins, ghosts, and apple cider.
Honorable Mentions:
4. “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
“Ancient, beautiful Manderley, between the rose garden and the sea, is the county’s showpiece. Rebecca made it so — even a year after her death, Rebecca’s influence still rules there. How can Maxim de Winter’s shy new bride ever fill her place or escape her vital shadow?
A shadow that grows longer and darker as the brief summer fades, until, in a moment of climatic revelations, it threatens to eclipse Manderley and its inhabitants completely…” — Goodreads
If I am being completely honest, I feel like a broken record every time I put this book on a list of books I want to read. I’ve only posted a couple of reading recaps and hopefuls for the next month and this book has always made its way onto the list.
Though knowing me, I have a feeling something in my mind is making me wait until spooky season, to really set up the vibe of the book for myself. That is why this book is on the honorable mentions list.
Similarly to how “Malibu Rising” makes me think of summer, “Rebecca” makes me think of Autumn. Wet and dark leaves, a rainy sky, fog rolling in as little hairs stand up on your arms. That’s the image I get in my head when I think of “Rebecca”.
I also watched the Netflix version of this book and was very disappointed, so I also need to read the book to prove to myself that the book really is always better.
With that said, I am looking to a better reading month in September! I made sure to not make this list too long, in order not to overwhelm myself. It also helps that two out of the four books I do hope to read, simply need to be finished.
If I have learned anything about myself, it’s that when I am overwhelmed, I tend to just shut down until the world doesn’t feel so loud anymore. This list feels manageable and I am excited about all of the books mentioned.
So, how about you? Read anything good lately?
Also, if any of these books caught your attention, grab a copy below! Happy Reading!
“I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
“The Death of Vivek Oji” by Akwaeke Emezi