What I Read: August

August is always crazy busy for me and I tend to struggle to get into and finish books. I made it through a decent number because I had some short ones that I finished this month.

He's a menace to readers everywhere!

Books:

• The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer- I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to a fantasy world with unicorns, red crows, and stars that actually fall from the sky in this book. As teenagers Rafe and Jeremy disappear for 6 months in Red Crow State Park. Where were they and how did they not only survive, but come out bigger and stronger than they went in? Discover the magical realm of Shanandoah as they return with Emilie and her fancy rat, Fritz (the comic relief). This book was part Narnia, part Neverland, and all lovely. "You can't save them all, but today we will save one."

• Stella by McCall Hoyle- Elise picked this book out when we went to the bookstore on my birthday to each pick out a book, a favorite family tradition. She read it and wanted a special place on her bookshelf to display it because she said it is now her favorite book she's ever read. After I finished Attack of the Black Rectangles, per Carter's request, she wanted me to read this one so I did. It was a sweet story about a bomb smelling dog who had PTSD after an explosion in an airport and the girl who saves her.

• Tallchief by Elise Paschen- This was a book of poetry published by Magic City Books Press. It was written by Maria Tallchief's daughter and the poems were about her mom.

• Survival Instincts by Rainy Dawn Ortiz- This was a book of poems written by Joy Harjo's daughter. It was also published by Magic City Books Press.

• Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura- This was a fun Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft rom com.

• Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman- I was so excited that Abbi Waxman had a new book coming out. I have loved all of her books, but this was a huge disappointment. I struggled to finish it and ended up switching over to audiobook to help me finish.

• How to Stop Time by Matt Haig- This was an interesting take on someone who doesn't age at the same rate as the rest of the world. I liked the historical references. "To teach feels like you are a guardian of time itself, protecting the future happiness of the world via the minds that are yet to shape it."

• The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket- I was really struggling to stay focused and get into books because I had so many things going through my mind and so much on my to-do list. I decided to try reading a children's book to see if the simplicity of the writing would make it easier and I'm a few books away from finishing this series, so I went with it. Not much happened in this one and I was mostly just reading to finish it. There were a couple parts that made me giggle, but other than that, it wasn't enjoyable. At this point, I'm just reading the books to finish the series.

eBooks:

• Neon Gods by Katee Robert- A friend of mine was going to an author even with Katee Robert and I told her I would go with her, so I decided I better read one of her books. I was expecting more character and world building with the Gods and especially the underworld with this book than what it had. It was a story about Hades and Persephone. Once I realized what the book was going to be, I enjoyed it a lot more.

• Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose- I loved this book. It kept me guessing until the very end and the title is fire. Also, that cover is so awesome! 

• The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove by Karen Hawkins- This was the 3rd book in the Dove Pond series. I loved the first book enough that I decided to go ahead and read the third one even though I didn't like the second one very much. After slogging through to finish this one, I don't think I'll read any more books in the series. I love the premise of a family of sisters who all have special gifts and each book focuses on a different sister, but the last two books missed the mark for me.

Audiobooks:

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry- This was a fun summer read. I was glad it was totally different from Beach Read and Book Lovers because they felt too similar to me. I liked how the book went back and forth between a current summer trip with 2 best friends and their previous summer trips. You got glimpses into their personalities and relationship, little bits at a time.

• The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Book #2 in the Inheritance Games series. This book was so much fun. It had so many unexpected twists and turns. I like that the books aren't just mysteries, they are also a game.

• The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones- This was the last book in the Indian Lake Trilogy. I had this book from a book event, but waited to listen to it as an audiobook because he mentioned that Stephen King read the audiobook. It turned out he just did one chapter, so it wasn't worth waiting for the audiobook. I love Stephen Graham Jones so much! This book was wild and all over the place and had so many swerves I  did not see coming. The end was perfection. I knew I could trust him not to take Adie from us.