Hey there, readers!
Once again, it’s time to chat about our favorite reads of the previous month. Here’s what our family most enjoyed in August:
Jeremy: In the past I’ve always picked one fiction and one non-fiction title as my monthly favorites. I’m breaking the mold here because my two clear faves were both novels. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, a slim philosophical masterpiece, won the Pulitzer about a hundred years ago; Swan Song is a massive post-apocalyptic story from the ‘80s that became overshadowed by Stephen King’s The Stand. Full reviews of each are coming soon.
Jane: Kristin Hannah is hit-and-miss for my wife, especially when it comes to endings. The Women, about nurses in the Vietnam War, mostly lived up to the hype, though, and told a unique story that Jane hadn’t encountered before.
Graham (9 years old): The oldest has been fully sucked into kids’ spy novels. City Spies by James Ponti kicks off a five-book series (with a sixth on the way) in which MI6 employs a group of ultra-talented teenage spies. Sounds fun.
Willa (6.5 years old): After our family trip to Monterey Bay, the middle kiddo immediately became obsessed with sea otters. We checked out every library book we could; Nat Geo’s Sea Otters was probably the best of the bunch.
Bo (3.5 years old): It’s always nice when the little one’s new favorite is a quick, nicely illustrated board book. That’s definitely the case with City (Raccoon Rambles). There are probably 15 total words and he loves it. Win-win.
Alright, your turn! What was your favorite August read?
I listened to and loved As You Wish: inconceivable tales from the making of the princess Bride. Most of the original cast narrates the book, which made it extra charming. I also read The Editor, the new biography of famous editor Judith Jones. That fit right into my wheelhouse.
For me, August was an unusual month in terms of reading material. I re-read two of my all-time favourite novels: Crime and Punishment, and The Grapes of Wrath. There won't be a month in which the best books I read will be better, until I choose to re-read these ones again.