August happened to me, and apparently I happened right back to August—armed with nothing but an overambitious reading list and the questionable belief that sleep is optional. Eleven books in 31 days? Sure, why not! It's the rainy season here in my part of Mexico.
From the sun-soaked pages of Tove Jansson's The Summer Book (perfect for those "I'm totally reading outside" moments that lasted exactly 10 minutes before the rain and mosquitoes declared war) to the gripping intensity of S.A. Cosy's King of Ashes (which had me talking to the book), August's reading adventures took me everywhere from Tehran to fictional small-town America, with pit stops at existential crises and life lessons I definitely needed to hear.
Whether you're here to judge my life choices, steal some book recommendations, or just witness the beautiful chaos of someone who clearly doesn't understand the concept of "reading in moderation," you've come to the right place.
So grab your favorite reading beverage (mine was approximately 47 cups of coffee), get comfortable, and let me tell you about the delightful chaos that was my August book binge. Fair warning: there may be excessive enthusiasm, questionable time management decisions, and at least three moments where I forgot what day it was because I was too invested in fictional characters' problems.
Ready? Let's dive into this beautiful mess of stories...

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book is an enchanting, quietly wise portrait of the loving, sometimes mischievous bond between a young granddaughter and her eccentric grandmother on a remote island, steeped in nature’s beauty. Every vignette sparkles with humor, insight, and tenderness, making it a truly life-affirming read. The characters and dialogue are superb. Jansson was the recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and numerous other honors.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

I guess I'm disgraceful, but this was my least favorite read of August. How to Age Disgracefully tackles aging with humor and a touch of rebellion, following characters who refuse to be defined by convention or arcane rules. While sometimes lacking the emotional resonance of Pooley’s previous work, the novel still offers chuckles and lively prompts for reflection on what it means to grow older unapologetically.

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

King of Ashes grabs you from page one with its relentless energy—a thrilling blend of noir, crime, and Southern grit that showcases S.A. Cosby’s signature style. Cosby’s characters are unforgettable, and his plot twists will keep any club on the edge of their seats. Although Cosby is a winner of the Edgar Award (for other works), there is no specific major award yet for this title, but trust me, it will win awards. I loved this book! You can read my full review here.

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Audition by Katie Kitamura dives into the world of performance—both on-stage and in life—by peeling back the layers of a protagonist learning to define herself through moments of vulnerability and reinvention. Kitamura’s introspective style will spark book club conversations about authenticity, ambition, and the roles we inhabit. This book has not won any major awards, but Kitamura is widely recognized for her literary talent.

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

The One-in-a-Million Boy glows with warmth as it follows the quirky friendship between a 104-year-old woman and an unforgettable young boy, each touching the other’s life in profound ways. Winner of the Nautilus Award and the New England Society Book Award, Monica Wood’s novel celebrates second chances, family, and healing through loss. Book clubs will find plenty to talk about, from its whimsical tone to its tear-jerker ending. Here is my full review.

Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

Richard Russo's Bridge of Sighs is a magnificent, sweeping novel that follows 60-year-old Louis C. Lynch as he prepares to leave his beloved small town of Thomaston, New York, for the first time, traveling to Venice to reconnect with a childhood friend who became a renowned painter—a journey that unearths decades of family secrets, unrequited love, and the bittersweet pull of home. This Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for his earlier novel Empire Falls) masterfully weaves together multiple storylines and generations in his signature style, creating what Oprah Winfrey calls "a classic summer read" filled with romance, lifelong friendships, and epic family drama. At 600+ pages, it's a bit long for most book clubs, but it's the September read for my local group. You can read my full review here.

Frankie by Graham Norton

Frankie is an absorbing, heartwarming journey through a woman’s extraordinary yet often overlooked life—traveling from post-war Ireland to the bustling art scene of 1960s New York and beyond. Graham Norton crafts a character who charms, surprises, and occasionally breaks your heart, earning critical acclaim and a spot as a Sunday Times bestseller. For book clubs, this is a deeply humane novel that lingers long after the final page. Here is my full review of Frankie.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

This was my favorite read of the month. The Lion Women of Tehran sweeps readers into the epic story of two young women whose indestructible bond faces sacrifice and betrayal across decades of Iranian history. With evocative scenes and poignant themes of friendship, feminism, and political struggle, Marjan Kamali’s bestseller is both moving and relevant. Kamali is the recipient of the 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Award. My local book club will be reading this book soon, I hope! Read the full review of this excellent book here.

The Names by Florence Knapp

This brilliantly structured debut follows Cora, a mother trapped in an abusive marriage, as she faces the seemingly simple task of naming her newborn son—but her choice between Gordon, Julian, or Bear will determine not just his identity, but the trajectory of their entire family's lives across three decades. Knapp masterfully weaves three alternating timelines that explore how one decision can ripple through generations, creating a powerful meditation on domestic violence, maternal love, and the possibility of breaking cycles of abuse. While The Names is a Read with Jenna Book Club Pick and became an instant New York Times bestseller, it hasn't yet won major literary awards, though reviewers are calling it a "modern classic" and speculating it could be a future Booker Prize nominee. My full review of this book is here.

Stay Sane in an Insane World by Greg Harden

Greg Harden’s Stay Sane in an Insane World delivers straightforward, inspiring advice on thriving by controlling what you can—a perfect fit for clubs interested in practical wisdom and self-improvement. Drawing on decades of coaching elite athletes, Harden mixes anecdotes and motivation with actionable tools. This book has not received a major literary award but is praised for its accessible, commonsense approach.

Theft by Abdulrazak Gurrah

Abdulrazak Gurnah’s latest novel, Theft, draws readers into the intertwined lives of three Tanzanians navigating identity, destiny, and belonging against the changing tides of post-colonial Zanzibar. Gurnah, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, masterfully fuses personal histories with broader social upheavals. This intimate, thoughtful exploration is perfect for book clubs keen on novels that probe both the heart and the world.
August was my birthday month, and with this lineup of reads, it felt like I was unwrapping literary presents every single day. Move over, cake, there’s a bookmark in my icing!
Reading this many books in one month might sound like a dare from a slightly tipsy party guest or perhaps a test set by Greg Harden to see if I’ve truly mastered sanity in our page-turning, plot-twisting world. My age may technically be going up, but with each story my curiosity and reading stamina are only getting stronger.
So here’s to a birthday month of stories, escapism, wisdom, drama, laughter, and the ongoing proof that, whether one is aging disgracefully or just disgracefully hoarding book stacks, we’re as young as the next great novel on our nightstand. Long live August, and long live the “one-in-a-million” feeling that only a really good book (or eleven) can bring!

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