ShortBookandScribes August 2025 Reads, Book Post and Stats
Hello September! I had such a great reading month in August – ten books!! – but I’m under no illusions that it will continue now it’s back to school and the lazy summer holidays are over. I also really enjoyed being able to read some of my own books and not only review books/proofs. I love the latter but the pace of new publications seems to ease from August onwards allowing a better balance.
Here’s what I read:
This story of one family through the holidays they take between the 1930s and the 2020s is emotional and full of nostalgia and I absolutely loved it.
The Shell House Detectives by Emylia Hall
First in a series featuring Ally, a long-time resident of Porthpella and Jayden, a former police officer. They turn detective when a man is found at the bottom of the cliffs. I loved the setting and will be reading more in the series.
A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas
I can never go wrong with a Jo Thomas. This one is set in Tuscany with a community kitchen and three feuding Nonna’s and it will make you hungry!
The Hometown Bookshop by Jenna Warren
A delightful book with a bookshop/seaside setting. Actress Charlotte returns to her home town to help with her sister’s bookshop which is run by stuck in his ways Greg.
Absolutely gripping read with a twisty storyline; maverick characters; a killer with an agenda; a love story element; and all the gory details of killings that I have come to expect from this author.
The Life and Loves of Becca Valentine by Laura Pearson
An emotional read with a unique concept: that all the children whose mother you may become are there at your side, from your own birth, hidden from view but awaiting their own conception. Written with compassion and sensitivity.
The Best of Intentions by Caroline Scott
An inter-war story set at Anderby Hall where a community of artists have come together. It has a charm to it and some really well-drawn and interesting characters but it didn’t really gel with me overall.
I love this series featuring crime podcaster and investigator, Cal Lovett. Unsound is dark, tense and devastatingly moving, as Cal deals with his sister’s murder trial alongside a new cold case of a missing Edinburgh student.
The Victory and The Regency by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Books 12 and 13 of the Morland Dynasty series and another two brilliant reads following this family through the centuries. These books take in the Napoleonic wars alongside everything that is happening at home in Yorkshire and London.
I’m also halfway through A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford which, because of its huge size, I’m reading alongside my other books. I’m really enjoying my re-read of it – hopefully more on this in next month’s wrap up.
Book post received this month with thanks to the named publishers:
What the Wife Knew by Lia Middleton (sent by Michael Joseph)
When the Museum is Closed by Emi Yagi (giveaway prize from Harvill)
Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney (sent by Bantam)
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (sent by Viking)
The Matchbox Girl by Alice Jolly (sent by Bloomsbury)
Small Acts of Resistance by Anita Frank (sent by HQ)
I also bought:
This Family by Kate Sawyer
The Paris Bookshop Secret by Iris Costello
The Gentleman from Peru and Room on the Sea by André Aciman
The Harbour Lights Mystery by Emylia Hall
Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell (this was a giveaway from the author)
The Artist by Lucy Steeds
And I can never resist spredges:
The Cut Throat Trial by The Secret Barrister writing as S.J. Fleet
The Cut by Richard Armitage
Finally, my Storygraph stats for August:
Wow!!!!!!!! how many, impressive.
A very good month for me!