Read:
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny (audiobook)
Bad Man by Dathan Auerbach
Jack & Jill by Kealan Patrick Burke
Keeper by Johana Gustawsson
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong
The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter (audiobook)
Confessions by Kanae Minato (audiobook)
House of Spines by Michael J. Malone
The Stand by Stephen King
Stats:
11 books (3 audiobooks)
4,254 pages
What a month! I kicked August off with an amazing read, hit a slump, and then sprang back with some seriously amazing reads.
BIRDBOX started the month for me with a crazy and way too realistic post-apocalyptic story. This was my first experience reading Josh Malerman’s work and I’m looking forward to checking out what else he has up his sleeve. Also…proud bookworm moment: I have already convinced two people to read this book and one has gone on to love it and recommend it to more people! Success! Unfortunately, this read was followed up by BAD MAN, which while not a bad book at all, just didn’t really do it for me. I struggled to find my groove with this one, but powered on. I think coming straight off of loving PENPAL by Auerbach, my expectations were perhaps just a little too high.
My luck picked up big time with all of the audiobook selections I made this month. I started off listening to A GREAT RECKONING, which was another installment from Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. I always love being back in Three Pines and this story really let Gamache shine again with a fascinating plot. Next up was the amazing book, THE GOOD DAUGHTER. I had never read anything by Karin Slaughter before this month and yet again, I’m finding myself telling you, I will be checking out more of her work. I can’t say enough good things about this book. Please, go experience it for yourself! Also blowing my mind was CONFESSIONS. This is my second Kanae Minato book this year and she hasn’t failed to knock my socks off yet! If anyone has Japanese crime fiction recommendations, please send them my way!
This month I picked up another novella by Kealan Patrick Burke. This time I chose JACK & JILL, which is a fascinating story about a woman who can’t seem to work past the events of her childhood. There is a lot of uncertainty about what is true and what is not in this novella. Burke is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Speaking of favorites? Let’s talk about the genius Johana Gustawsson! Last month I read BLOCK 46 after putting it off for way, way too long. This month I read the follow up in the series, KEEPER, and continued my love fest for Gustawsson’s writing. She has such a unique ability to weave together storylines from the past and the present. I can’t wait to see what she’ll dream up for book three!
This month I chose to explore works by quite few new-to-me authors. Bookstagram and the blogging world have been great communities to discovering these new authors. For my birthday I bought myself MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM after seeing it everywhere. This book was everything I hoped it would be! I love the 80’s nostalgia and the creepiness in this one. Hendrix has a real talent for a unique story filled with interesting characters. Another book I saw on quite a few blogs was THE GOOD SON. This is a translated Korean work, which came out in the UK before hitting shelves in the US, so I had the luxury of seeing positive reviews from bloggers who read a lot of the same works I enjoy. They did not disappoint with their recommendations! THE GOOD SON was a creepy, intense journey into the mind of a psychopath that I loved every second of. Speaking of creepy, let’s not forget HOUSE OF SPINES. Is Newton Hall really haunted or is it all in Ranald’s mind? This one gave me goosebumps and serious fall reading vibes.
Where would August’s wrap up be without a love letter to THE STAND? This behemoth took me practically the entire month to finish, but it was well worth it! I laugh, cried, was angry, was scared, and any other emotion you can come with while reading this book. Stephen King is such a fascinating writer and his ability to hook me on the characters of his books makes me love his work on a level I don’t always experience with books. THE STAND had all the post-apocalyptic goodness that make us love shows like The Walking Dead. Even if that theme isn’t your typical go-to, I think the characters that fill the pages of this book will still win over your heart.
I’d love to know what you read this month! Have you read any of these titles? Let’s chat!
Here’s to September! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: Thank you to Orenda Book and Doubleday Books for providing me with free copies in exchange for an honest review.
What Jess Reads 