For the Love of Reading: August 2024

I talked about my summer reading last week but I haven’t yet shared everything I read in August. I finished 7 books and here they are:

Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Set in 1965 in rural Vermont, Agony Hill is the first in a series about Franklin Warren, a Boston police detective with a mysterious past that has caused him to start over in this bucolic village. The cast of characters is wonderful, from next door neighbor Alice Bellows, who has secrets of her own, to the members of the police department, to the local folks around town. The story is a slow burn with an ending that was very satisfying but also left me wanting more. I’m excited to read more in this series and looking forward to getting to know this town and the people who reside there. Thanks to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on August 6, 2024.

Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I can’t remember how this book came to be on my radar and I wish I could because I’d like to go back and ask why it was recommended. It’s not that it’s a bad memoir . . . I don’t believe anyone’s actual thoughts on their experiences can be categorized as bad . . . it’s just not really interesting. I believe Gagne is neurodivergent but I’m not sure about being a sociopath since she seems to “cure” herself of all of her bad behavior through therapy. There are some questions about her credibility and education and the whole thing left me sort of cold.

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Is this book as entertaining and compelling as A Discovery of Witches? Not at all. Is it worth reading as part of the All Souls series? Certainly. Harkness seems to be embarking on a new path with Diana Bishop, having her return to her witch craft family in Massachusetts to learn more about her parents and her ancestors in order to help her twins understand their own magic. There’s not a lot of plot but there is a lot of world building and it seems to mostly serve as a set up to the next book in the series. Recommend for fans.

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Those who in life had held back in matters of love would end in bitterness. While the people like her, who had filled the corners of each day, found themselves marooned on a scatter of memories.
I adored this quiet and charming book that tells the story of a woman who is convinced she has nothing left to live for . . . until she finds something that truly needs her around. It is a profound story that encompasses themes we can all relate to: love and loss, aging and purpose, and (perhaps most important of all) hope. Highly recommended.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It feels odd to praise a book that’s about a completely inappropriate relationship between a 15 year old student and her predatory teacher and yet, I’m about to do just that because the story is written so well. From the pacing to the setting, from the character development to the heartbreaking themes, this book had me in a chokehold. I wanted to look away but couldn’t. I wanted to scream at Vanessa to open her eyes. I wanted to keep reading in the hopes for a happy ending. It’s disgusting and disturbing and, if you can stomach it, utterly engrossing.

Know My Name by Chanel Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The powerful memoir tells the story of Chanel Miller, a survivor of sexual assault. She recounts with brutal honesty the night she was attacked and the aftermath and how it haunted her for years and changed her entire world. It’s an impactful story that has completely altered the way I will consider how sexual assault victims are treated, both by our court system and our society. It’s powerful and heartbreaking and very very important.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love a thriller or mystery when I’m on vacation and Home Before Dark did not disappoint when it came to delivering those vibes. The pacing is excellent as the dual time line keeps the story moving forward. The creepy gothic house is the perfect setting and the oddball cast of characters leave you wondering who to trust. It’s entertaining and easy and made for a great beach read.

As always, I hope you found something here you might want to read.