August Reading Round-Up: Must Read Books for Every Genre

Another month has come and gone, and with it, we've said goodbye to summer. While I’m a little sad to see those sunny days go, I’m also really excited for the crisp fall air and everything September has in store. Instead of reading by the pool, I’ll be settling in on the patio with a cozy blanket—definitely something to look forward to! I had high hopes for August reading, but, as usual, life got busy, and I didn’t get through as many books as I planned. No worries though! Here’s a look at what both Ashley and I managed to read last month, in no particular order. Did you read any of these? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read by Emily Henry is the perfect mix of romance, humor, and heartfelt emotion. The premise is super fun—two writers with major creative block, one a romance novelist and the other a literary fiction author, swap genres for the summer. What really makes this book shine, though, is how Emily Henry balances light, witty banter between the love interests with deeper themes about grief, healing, and self-discovery.

The characters feel real and relatable, with their own baggage and quirks that make them likeable (perfect characters are so boring!). There are moments that’ll make you laugh out loud and others that will tug at your heartstrings. Beach Read is an enjoyable, feel-good read that also has some surprising emotional depth. Whether you're here for the romance or the personal growth, Beach Read delivers!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

As a new romance reader, I thouroughly enjoyed Book Lovers by Emily Henry! It is like a love letter to bookworms and romantics alike, but it’s more than just a charming love story. The book offers a witty, engaging take on classic romance tropes, while also covering themes of family, ambition, and self-identity.

What I loved most about Book Lovers is the dynamic between the two leads. Instead of the typical small-town romance vibe, Emily Henry gives us two ambitious, career-focused characters who are sharp, driven, and just the right amount of cynical. Their banter is smart, funny, and full of tension, but it's also refreshing to see two people who understand and respect each other’s goals, rather than sacrificing them for love.

One of Emily Henry’s strengths is how she develops not just the romantic relationships but also the emotional ties between siblings (something we can definitely relate to!). The bond between the main character and her sister gives the book a lot of heart. This relationship with her sister was just as important as the romance, which is a nice change of pace from the typical love-centered plot!

That being said, the book does lean heavily on certain tropes (big-city career woman meets small-town guy), and at times, it feels like it's aware of its own formula. While it plays with these clichés in a clever way, there are moments where it borders on predictable. Also, the pacing can slow down a bit in the middle, where it focuses more on family dynamics than the romance itself. Some readers might wish for a little more momentum in those sections (I know I did!).

Still, Book Lovers is a delightful read, especially if you love bookish references, sharp wit, and a romance that has emotional depth beyond just the love story. It’s a thoughtful, feel-good book that offers a satisfying balance of humor, heart, and, of course, romance.

The Answer is… by Alex Trebek

I grew up watching Jeopardy! I loved the show and trying to guess answers (even though I did not know a single one). The show became a part of my daily routine. I would watch Jeopardy after doing my homework and then shower before sitting down to watch my 8pm show. I loved this little routine and would get upset whenever I missed Jeopardy! I do not watch it as much anymore becuse my life has gotten busier and I mainly watch shows on streaming channels like Netflix. But, I do still love the show!

As a lifelong Jeopardy! fan, The Answer Is...: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek feels like a warm, personal conversation with the man we all grew up watching. It’s not your typical celebrity memoir—AlexTrebek doesn't spend pages bragging or spilling drama. Instead, it's a collection of short, insightful reflections on his life, career, and the people and moments that shaped him.

One of the things I loved about this book is how it perfectly captures Alex Trebek's personality—humble, thoughtful, and with a touch of his signature dry humor. You can hear his voice in every sentence, and it's clear that he wasn’t just the trivia master we saw on TV but someone who deeply cared about his family, his work, and the world around him. He talks about his upbringing, his love for knowledge, and, of course, his legendary role on Jeopardy! without ever making it feel like he's lecturing.

What’s refreshing is how down-to-earth he remains throughout. There’s a lot of wisdom in his reflections, but he’s never preachy. Instead, he shares his experiences in a way that feels honest and relatable. There’s also a strong sense of gratitude in the way he approaches everything, especially his connection to the millions of viewers who tuned in to Jeopardy! over the years.

If you're a fan of Jeopardy!, this book feels like a heartfelt thank you from Alex Trebek himself. It’s not overly detailed or dramatic, but it's a sincere look at the man behind the podium. It's filled with warmth, wit, and a quiet wisdom that, much like Trebek, leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’ve been watching Jeopardy! for decades or are just curious about the man who made it iconic, this book is a lovely tribute to a life well-lived.

Rivals

As the third book in the series, you can tell this book is working up to a grand finale! This book takes you deeper in to the lives and drama of America’s royal family. McGee effortlessly combines characters, political drama, great characters, and ambitious woman. I can’t say there is anything that I didn’t like about this book! Each chapter was page turning and kept me wanting to read.

As someone who reads books specifically for the characters, I have to say that Katharine McGee wrote the perfect book for me. So much happens plotwise (leading to a great story), but there is so much character development in this book (and series in general) that i know the characters are going to be completely different people at the end of this series than when I started it. From Beatatrice grappling with what it means to be Queen to Nina struggling to create a space for herself in a royal world, this book is filled with intricate storylines and dynamic relationships.

If you’re an audiobook person, I highly recommend you listen to this series! The narrator does a beautiful job! I listened to most of this series and I think that was part of why i loved this series so much!

The Feather Thief

I picked this book up on a recommendation and knew absolutely nothing about it other than it was a true crime book. So, color me surprised when I realized I was reading a nonfiction book and not a fiction one!

That being said, The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson is a great blend of true crime and history! I read more than I’d like to admit before I realized what I was reading was not a made up heist story, but in fact a recounting of a true event, and I feel like thats a testament to how well written this is!

The book follows a young man, Edwin Rist and his story that led him to a heist of bird feathers from a museum. I learned so much through this book while still being entertained.

If you are in to true crime and want a book with a twist, this is the book for you!

The Housemaid

I have really been in to mystery/thriller books recently! The Housemaid by Frieda Mcfadden is my latest conquest in the genre and let me tell you, it was a page turner! Not once did I expect anything that happened. The story follows Millie as she takes a job as a housemaid for a wealthy family. What she hopes is a fresh start, quickly turns in to a whirlwind of suspense and drama.

This book has tension and drama and a plot that twists and turns. I liked the way that the house even felt like a character in itself with all the secrets that were tucked away in to it’s dark corners. This added a level of suspense that I enjoyed and made me want to keep reading until I had combed through the whole house and learned every secret. If you love a psychological thriller with twists and turns, you’ll love this one!

All My Rage

The only thing I knew about this book before I started reading it was that it was going to be different than Sabaa Tahir’s other books. I really did not know what to expect, but I quickly discovered that All My Rage was a deeply movig and beautifully written novel that hit me right in the heart. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

All my Rage follows two teenagers, Sal and Noor, as they navigate the difficulties of growing up and grapple with loss, trauma, and the weight of their pasts. Sabaa Tahir does an amazing job of portraying the characters’ struggles in a way that feels both intimate and universal. You really feel for them—their hopes, their anger, and their yearning for a better future. Their emotional journeys are hard to watch at times, but that’s what makes the story so impactful.

Sabaa Tahir’s writing is absolutely beautiful in this book. She paints such vivid pictures of both the internal and external worlds of her characters. It’s a tough book to put down, even when the subject matter gets heavy.

In short, All My Rage is a heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story about love, loss, and the strength it takes to keep going in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s the kind of book that will make you feel deeply and reflect on your own life.

A Court of Silver Flames

As a big fan of Nesta and Cassian, I was really excited to pick this book up. And, I was not disappointed! From what I have seen on Tiktok, liking Nesta is a little bit of a controversial opinion (which I will never understand lol). But, if like me, you like Nesta, you’ll be thrilled to learn that her story takes center stage in this book. If you don’t like her, I think you might change your mind by the end of this book.

Sarah J. Maas really digs into Nesta’s complicated character in A Court of Silver Flames, giving her more layers and giving the reader a better understanding of her character and decisions. She’s messy, she’s angry, she’s dealing with trauma—and it's all laid bare in a way that feels very real. Maas allows Nesta’s growth to unfold in a way that feels real—her path to healing is messy, painful, and far from linear. It's refreshing to see a character who isn’t "fixed" overnight and is given the space to truly heal, even when that process is messy and imperfect.

That being said, this is a long book, and it can feel a bit slow in placesm, which I feel can be typical for Sarah J. Maas books (this series tends to be slower in the beginning before packing all of the action into the latter part of the book). There are sections where the plot takes a backseat to emotional introspection and training sequences, and while that adds depth to the characters, it sometimes drags the pacing. This is much more of a character-driven story, with a focus on Nesta’s internal world rather than external events.

A Court of Silver Flames is not perfect. But it’s bold, emotional, and offers a deeper dive into a character who’s been pretty polarizing. If you're a fan of the series, you'll appreciate the evolution here. And if you can stick with it through the slow bits, the payoff is absolutely worth it.

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September Book Round-Up

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Mid-Year Book Round-Up: Our Reads and Reviews for 2024 So Far