August is the busiest work month. At both jobs. It’s a mess.
So when I’m finally free for the day, all I want to do is curl up and read until I start nodding off. I mean, that’s what I want to do every night always, but I tend to neglect all other nonessential tasks in the late summer because I am absolutely fried from the weather and the busyness of the day. The good news is that this typically serves as an opportunity to take a chunk out of my TBR stack. Here is the planned chunk for August.
Book Clubs
- The Searcher by Tana French – I listened to this on audiobook. It started during my commute but I devoured the rest of it last weekend. Another good pick by my first
winebook club of the month. - Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger – This audiobook is my current commuting selection. So far I like it. It’s the seventh in a series of which I have not read any of the other books, so I feel a little like the new love interest walking in to holiday with a close-knit family. If I end up really liking it I may play catch up at some point.
- Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford – There are a lot of hard things in this memoir, but it’s gotten great reviews from people who tend to love books I love, so I’m looking forward to it.
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt – I like books about misfits, and I like the way Tartt writes characters. I’m excited about this one!
- Mrs. March by Virginia Feito – Suspensful story? Check. Odd characters? Check. I’m in!
Joy
My joy selections this month are about building the life you want and taking care of yourself while doing it. Two of them actually have joy in the title, but the third is just on theme (and also due at the library next week).
- The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal – I need to find some joy in exercise if I’m going to stick to it this month. Maybe this will inspire me.
- A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine – I picked this one out just based on the title alone. I am interested in this concept of stoic joy.
- Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian – If anyone can teach me how to be more at home with myself, it’s a poet. I’ve followed Zebian on Instagram for a while, so I already know I’m going to love this book.
Other Selections
- You Can Talk to God Like That by Abby Norman – I love everything Abby writes, so I can’t wait to soak in this wisdom on lament.
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – This has been on my bookshelves forever, and a friend recently reminded me of it.
- The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith – I am liking this one so far, and I think it will be a fun new series to read through.
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – So many recommendations to read it, so I guess I must!
What are you reading this month?
M. Suzanne Terry 
Shalom Suzanne. The one book on your summer list that I am familiar with and have read, is The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. I read it quite a while ago and don’t know how I chanced to find it. I do remember enjoying it and even giving it away as a present to a special friend. I haven’t read any of his many other books, but although he is not represented in my unread Kindle books, I have five Chirp audio books of his, waiting to be read. Right now, I am listening to a book I read four or five years back by Deborah Crombie, The Sound of Broken Glass. It’s marvelous, even the second time. – David Squires
Ooh – that’s another series that folks have recommended to me. I’ll have to try it out!