How Is It Almost August?!

Summer is almost over. That sound you hear is the sound of teachers crying all over the US and the sound of parents doing a quick-ball-change of joy. 

Of course, I did some reading this summer. I had the time and the energy to really read as much as I wanted and it was fabulous. It made my heart happy because this year has not been a great reading year for me. I had a lot of blah or meh books. 

Here are some of the great books I read this summer:

Reunion by Elise Juska

I somehow read a bunch of books set in Maine around 2020 during the start or coming out of Covid. This was my favorite. It follows three college friends as they go to their 25th college reunion (technically 26th since the real one got postponed due to Covid). The three friends are all dealing with their own sh*t and they have never felt further away from each other. Will the reunion be the nostalgic party that they all want or will it further bring to light all that they have going on?

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

I stayed up until 1:30 AM to finish this book and as a static noise year -old woman, I don’t do that anymore. This is about Ali, who is dealing with the death of her mother and a divorce.      She just wants an easy romance that can get her out of her stretchy pants. Instead, she meets Ethan, he’s sweet, hot, smart and all the other things a good romance boyfriend should be. He also has his own stuff going on and the last thing she needs is someone to make her life messier. 

I gave this 5 out of 5 stars. 

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown.

I, admittedly, am not a big fantasy reader. I got burned by the second Wings of Fire book. But this book… this book I loved. It’s about Cassie, who works at a bookstore in NYC and leads a very ordinary life. One day, one of her sweetest customers dies at the bookstore and leaves Cassie a book. The Book Of Doors. This book is not a regular book, she is a magical book that can take the owner anywhere they want, through any door. But what seems like a very cool opportunity, turns into a fight for Cassie’s life as she learns there are other books like the one she has.There are also very bad people that will do anything to get all of them. 

I want to see this as a movie. 

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

I mean..don’t we all have money troubles currently with the way prices keep rising? But Margot has serious money troubles. After her affair with her married professor ends up with her pregnant, she finds herself having the baby despite everyone telling her it wouldn’t be a good idea. Margo loses her job and cannot find or afford child care. On top of that, her wrestling manager dad has asked to live with her despite them not having a great relationship. Margo decided to learn more about Only Fans, a decision that will take her down a road of great self discovery and drama.  

I gave this 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell

I’m not even done with this yet and I am recommending it to you. First, this cover is great. Second, you will want to scream at almost every page. It’s about Hannah-she has no purpose in her life other than trying desperately to get men to love her that way she wants to be loved. Enter William Thompson. After four women have been killed in Georgia, Hannah throws herself into trying to solve the murders. When the authorities believe they have found the murderer in good looking, lawyer William, Hannah decides to write him...and he writes back. What happens when you fall in love with someone who is a serial killer? 

Something I am still finding out because I’m ¾ of the way done but I have already told my friends about it. It’s perfect for summer! 

What were the great books you read this summer?

I am Laura Lott. I am an elementary librarian and I love to talk about books. You can follow me @bamareads on Instagram.