August 2026 Reads

August was another very good reading month for me. I read nine books, and five of them ended up firmly in my “Yes!” category. I also had a couple of books that I enjoyed well enough but are part of ongoing series, so I’m reserving final judgment for now.

There were several standout reads this month, across both fiction and nonfiction.

My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner was probably the biggest surprise of the month. This is Renner’s memoir about the horrific accident that nearly cost him his life and the long, difficult road to recovery. I found it incredibly compelling not just because of the accident itself, but because of what it reveals about resilience, family, and the determination to rebuild your life after something that changes it forever.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume was another favorite. I somehow managed to make it this far without reading it, and I’m glad I finally did. It is a coming-of-age story about friendship, family, love, and the complicated ways people can remain connected to one another over the course of many years. There is something very nostalgic about Blume’s writing, but the relationships and emotions still feel remarkably relatable. I must say this is not a fluffy romance. I think going in with that knowledge will help not feel disappointed.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff was a beautiful and heartbreaking family story. It explores addiction, marriage, parenthood, and the ways that one person’s struggles can reverberate through an entire family. Definitely not an easy read, but a very powerful one.

I also really enjoyed Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. This is a relatively short but emotionally rich novel about a Colombian family divided between the United States and Colombia. It explores immigration, family separation, belonging, and the complicated meaning of home. I especially appreciated how much the author manages to accomplish in such a compact book.

Another nonfiction standout was Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. I’ve read some of Green’s nonfiction before, but this one particularly impressed me. It is part history, part science, and part exploration of global health inequality, all centered around tuberculosis. It made me think about how differently we experience diseases depending on where we happen to live and how much access we have to medical care. An excellent example of nonfiction that manages to be informative without ever becoming dry.

Two books landed in my “Maybe” category this month: An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong and Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore. Both are part of ongoing series, so I’m hesitant to make a final judgment based on a single installment. I’m still interested enough in the characters and worlds to keep going, but neither was a standout for me.

And then there were my two “No”s: Angel of Darkness by Daniel Kraus and The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden.

The latter deserves a little more explanation because it has made me reconsider an author I used to think of as a favorite. Katherine Arden became a favorite of mine because of the Winternight trilogy, which I absolutely loved when I first read it. However, her two most recent releases—The Warm Hands of Ghosts and now The Unicorn Hunters—have both been disappointing for me. I think the biggest issue is that they lack the dynamism and engaging plotlines that I have come to expect from fantasy. I want fantasy to pull me along, and neither of these books managed to do that.

Interestingly, my recent reread of the Winternight trilogy has made me question even that earlier love. I made it through the first two books, but only barely, and I never even picked up the third—which is still the book I remember most fondly from the trilogy. Perhaps this is simply a case of discovering that a book or author that once felt perfect for me no longer works in quite the same way. Reading tastes change, after all. Still, it’s a little sad to realize that an author who once felt like a favorite may no longer be one.

Overall, though, August was a very satisfying reading month. My Next Breath, The Bright Years, Infinite Country, and Everything Is Tuberculosis were all memorable for very different reasons, and I’m always happy when a month gives me a few books that stay with me after I’ve finished them.

July 2026 Reads

July was a bit of a mixed reading month for me. I read nine books, although four of those were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, so the number is a little misleading. Still, I had some definite standouts—and a couple of books that I wouldn’t recommend.

The biggest surprise of the month was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I had been looking forward to this one, and it absolutely lived up to the premise. It follows a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and suddenly has to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. It’s an entertaining satire, but there is also plenty to think about underneath the humor. Definitely a recommendation from me.

I also continued my journey through The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, listening to four more installments this month. These continue to be charming, entertaining, and very easy to listen to. They are definitely more on the light and whimsical side of historical fiction, which is why I’ve kept them in my “Yes” category for enjoyment, while acknowledging that they may not appeal to readers looking for serious historical fiction.

To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker was another favorite. This is a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a complicated relationship at its center, and it pulled me in completely. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.

There were two books that landed in my “Maybe” category. The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard had an intriguing premise and some elements I enjoyed, but ultimately didn’t quite work for me enough to become a favorite. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong was entertaining, but again, I wasn’t particularly wowed by it.

And then there was Between These Broken Hearts by Lexi Ryan, which landed firmly in the “No” category. The verdict on the graphic pretty much says it all: read this one only if you’ve already made it through the first three books in the series. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend starting here.

Overall, July had some definite winners, particularly Yesteryear and To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, along with another four enjoyable visits to the world of Emma M. Lion. Not every book was a winner, but that’s part of the fun of reading—there’s always another one waiting on the TBR.

Mid-Year Reading Check-In

I complete this same list of questions (almost) every year, and it is a good way to check in on what's been read so far and make some plans for the rest of the year.

1. Number of books read so far this year

As of today, I’ve read 60 books.

2. Best book you've read so far in 2026

Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny is, without question, the most profoundly moving book I’ve read this year. I was not only deeply affected by Navalny’s story, but also incredibly impressed by him as a person. With most politicians, it’s easy to question their motivations—whether they are driven by power, fame, or wealth. In Navalny’s case, I came away with a very different impression. Given the course of his life, it seems clear that his primary motivation was the pursuit of justice, and he ultimately gave everything in that fight.

3. Best sequel you've read so far in 2026

Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen, the ninth installment in the Her Royal Spyness series. I love dipping into this cozy mystery series a couple of times each year, and this was one of my favorite installments so far. It was witty, charming, and thoroughly entertaining.

4. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s a satirical novel about a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and is forced to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. The premise sounds both hilarious and thought-provoking, and I’m really hoping to get to it this month.

5. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang. It’s described as a witty, deeply moving coming-of-age novel exploring grief, language, and culture shock against the backdrop of one unforgettable summer in Taipei. I’m very excited to see what Kuang does with a more contemporary story.

6. Biggest disappointment

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe. It’s marketed as an enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance and has developed quite a devoted following among romantasy readers. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The experience also reinforced something I’ve been noticing lately: finding truly exceptional romance novels often means sorting through quite a few mediocre ones first.

7. Biggest surprise

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I had previously read two of Reid’s novels and thought they were perfectly fine, but neither quite lived up to the hype. Atmosphere, on the other hand, exceeded every expectation I had. It completely captivated me and will almost certainly end up on my list of favorite books of the year.

8. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Allen Levi. Theo of Golden was my first experience with his writing, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

9. Newest favorite character

Theo from Theo of Golden. His kindness, quiet wisdom, and ability to savor every conversation and every moment of life made him one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time.

10. Book that made you cry

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman, and Upward Bound by Woody Brown. Each one moved me in a different way, but all three left me reaching for the tissues.

11. Book that made you happy

Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen. Spending time with Lady Georgiana always feels like visiting old friends, and this installment was especially delightful.

12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

In addition to Yesteryear, the books at the top of my TBR are Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell, The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, Whistler by Ann Patchett, and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. I also have an entire stack of summer romances waiting for me, and I’m hoping to read as many of them as possible before the season comes to an end.

June 2026 Reads

June was another productive reading month, with 11 books completed. The number is a little misleading, though, as several of them were quite short. Four of those books were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower. They were thoroughly entertaining, full of charm and wit, but I ultimately placed them in my "maybe" category. While I enjoyed them, I think readers looking for rigorously researched historical fiction may find them a bit too whimsical.

This month I also finally read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro for my book club. I realize this is a controversial opinion, but I didn’t love it as much as many other readers seem to. I understand what Ishiguro was trying to accomplish: the novel focuses on the quiet majority, on people who comply with a system that ultimately destroys them rather than resisting it. That is a fascinating idea in itself. However, because that is essentially the only perspective presented, the story felt somewhat one-dimensional to me. Human societies are rarely so uniform, especially when grappling with profound ethical questions like cloning. I found myself expecting at least some glimpse of dissent or resistance somewhere in the wider world, and its absence made the novel feel less convincing than I had hoped.

My two favorite books of the month—and quite possibly of the entire year—were Upward Bound by Woody Brown and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Upward Bound is written by Woody Brown, a non-speaking autistic author who communicates by typing and earned degrees from UCLA and Columbia University. The novel is composed of interconnected vignettes told from multiple perspectives, all centered around an adult day program serving people with significant intellectual and physical disabilities. It shines a light on a community that many of us rarely encounter or think about, while exposing the realities of a system that is chronically underfunded, understaffed, and responsible for supporting people whose conditions are often misunderstood or stigmatized.

Since the book's publication, there has been considerable discussion on social media questioning Brown's authorship because of his disability. Personally, I have no interest in participating in those debates. Instead, I would rather remain open-minded and hopeful that people with significant disabilities can find meaningful ways to communicate, create, and have their voices heard. Regardless of those conversations, Upward Bound is a compassionate, eye-opening novel that has stayed with me long after I finished it.

Atmosphere completely surprised me. I had previously read two novels by Taylor Jenkins Reid and thought they were enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. Atmosphere, however, is on an entirely different level. Set in the 1980s, it follows a female astronaut as she prepares for her first mission into space. I found myself deeply invested in the protagonist and her journey. Alongside the excitement of the space program, the novel weaves in a beautiful romance between two women with remarkable tenderness and authenticity. Although the book is deeply introspective, the narrative never loses momentum. The pacing is excellent, the emotional stakes continue to build, and several moments are genuinely heartbreaking. By the final page, I knew I had read something special. I absolutely loved this one.

May 2026 Reads

May was another solid reading month, with nine books completed. Rather than recap everything I read, I wanted to highlight the three books that left the biggest impression on me.

The standout of the month was Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. This novel has become a favorite for many readers, and after finishing it, I can absolutely understand why. In terms of atmosphere, I would compare it to Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Both novels have a quiet, thoughtful pace, feature older protagonists, and gradually unravel long-held family secrets. If you loved one, I think there’s an excellent chance you’ll love the other. Theo of Golden is a gentle, deeply compassionate story that lingers long after you turn the final page.

Another standout was Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. In this memoir, Block reflects on the years he spent being homeschooled—or perhaps more accurately, "unschooled"—and attempts to make sense of the lasting impact those experiences had on his life. At its heart, the book explores his complicated relationship with his mother and the well-intentioned, but often misguided, decisions she made regarding his upbringing and education. If you're a parent or simply enjoy thoughtful nonfiction that examines parent-child relationships, I highly recommend this one.

Rebecca Serle is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Magical realism is not a genre I typically gravitate toward, yet her novels consistently resonate with me on a deeper emotional level. A couple of years ago, I read and loved One Italian Summer, and this month I finally picked up In Five Years.

The novel follows Dannie, a young woman whose life seems perfectly planned—until she has a vivid dream in which she shares an intense connection with a man she has never met. The dream leaves her deeply unsettled because she has just become engaged... and not to the man from the dream. More troubling still, the emotional connection she experiences in that brief glimpse of the future feels far stronger than anything she has felt with her fiancé. But that premise is only the beginning. What unfolds is a moving exploration of destiny, friendship, love, grief, and discovering your own purpose in life. And the ending is nothing like what I expected. I absolutely loved it.

April 2026 Reads

April turned out to be a surprisingly excellent reading month. Despite juggling multiple final papers and presentations for school, I still managed to finish 11 books: 5 audiobooks, 4 e-books, and 2 physical books. Even more exciting, 5 of those 11 titles were nonfiction—a genre I’ve been intentionally trying to read more of, as I mentioned in my previous post. Happily, every single nonfiction book I picked up this month was excellent, and I would highly recommend all of them. Three, in particular, stood out to me.

1. Wild for Austen by Devoney Looser is, in my opinion, essential reading for Jane Austen fans. Looser examines Austen’s novels alongside her surviving letters to challenge the persistent image of Jane as sheltered, naïve, and excessively proper. While she does not suggest there was anything scandalous about Austen’s life, she makes a compelling case that Austen was far from a timid wallflower. In fact, her wit, social awareness, and understanding of human behavior—especially the sort of “shenanigans” on display in Lady Susan—suggest someone far more observant and worldly than popular mythology often allows.

2. The Shroud of Turin by French historian Jean-Christian Petitfils (which I read in Russian translation) was a fascinating exploration of one of Christianity’s most famous relics. I especially appreciated the way the book traced the Shroud’s historical journey while also engaging with the debates surrounding its authenticity. Petitfils ultimately argues that there is substantial evidence supporting the belief that the Shroud is indeed the cloth that covered Christ after the crucifixion and during the resurrection. Personally, I was most captivated by the historical aspect. Whether the Shroud is truly 2,000 years old or a remarkably convincing medieval creation, the fact that it has survived and been preserved for centuries is extraordinary in itself. More importantly, it continues to hold profound spiritual significance for many Christians and remains a symbol of faith, hope, and reassurance.

3. Patriot by Alexei Navalny is, without question, one of the most powerful books I have read about modern-day Russia, the current political regime, and the struggle for democracy. I was deeply struck by Navalny’s determination to continue fighting for change even when his own survival was clearly at risk. The memoir is profoundly moving, but also unexpectedly hopeful. It reminded me that there are still people willing to sacrifice everything for their convictions and for the possibility of a better future.

On the fiction side, Angelfall by Susan Ee was the standout of the month. I truly love the particular flavor of YA fantasy that dominated the early 2000s—the earnestness, the emotional intensity, and especially the purity of forbidden love stories. That combination gets me every time. Despite the popularity of contemporary romantasy, very few modern books have managed to capture that same magic for me.

March 2026 Reads

 

In March, I managed to read seven books—three on audio and four in print, one of which was quite short. While the volume was lower than in previous months, the overall quality of my reading was solid. I’m also pleased to see a pattern emerging: I’ve been consistently picking up at least a couple of nonfiction titles each month. Reading more nonfiction has been a long-standing goal of mine, so it’s satisfying to see that shift happening naturally. In March, in particular, I read two standout works of nonfiction.

Skinfolk by Matthew Guterl is a compelling memoir centered on his childhood in a large, multiracial adoptive family. What makes it especially thought-provoking is how he reflects on the ways this upbringing shaped his early understanding of race, identity, and privilege—and how those experiences ultimately influenced his academic and professional path.

Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts is both deeply personal and highly informative, focusing on menopause and women’s health. It’s striking—and frankly frustrating—how little attention menopause often receives in medical settings. This book does an excellent job of breaking down the biology while also empowering readers to better advocate for themselves.

One disappointment this month was The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. While some of his arguments about the impact of smartphones and social media on children are valid, the overall tone at times felt overly nostalgic—leaning into a “things were better before” narrative without fully grappling with the complexities of the present. I found myself wishing for more nuance and balance in the discussion.

On the fiction side, Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez was my favorite of the month. While I wouldn’t necessarily call her my go-to romance author, her books are consistently worth reading. They tend to go beyond typical genre conventions, often engaging with heavier themes while still delivering compelling, character-driven stories. In this case, the protagonist’s experience with anxiety was handled with care and authenticity, and I appreciated seeing mental health represented so thoughtfully in a popular romance.