I figured why title it August Read and Review when I could go with something so much more fun?! This month's post will be filled with wedding chaos and tidbits I'm sure, but also definitely lots of books. I gotta make the most of this crazy last month of break right?
August 1, 2023
The Return of Jason Foxx by Kevin Lavey is a contemporary fiction story about a teacher in his early 30s, ready to advance his career, commit to his long-term girlfriend and have normal adult sibling relationships with his siblings and father. Of course, nothing ever goes exactly as planned right? When he realizes a colleague purposely sabotaged his lesson during an evaluation, his younger brother ends up in the hospital with a TBI, his girlfriend isn't sure where her ex (who is also the father to her 8 year old son) fits in the picture, and his dad wants him to come visit him in jail, Jason starts to believe his world really is falling apart, but he manages to keep it together and keep striving for what he wants in life. Things don't follow his perfect plan, but this story definitely ends on a positive note and Jason learns lots about who he was, who he is today and who he wants to be in the future.
While the education system is a bit different in the states, there were lots of elements of this story that I could really relate to from a teacher's perspective, and I think other educators would like this book for the same reasons I did. I also enjoyed the fact that while he had a successful job and education (like me) he isn't as perfect as others seem to think he is (also like me) and that's totally ok. It sucks to reflect back on a crappy lesson or wish you could better support your family or partner, or just be annoyed with life's sudden turns but no matter where you came from and where you are headed, if you continue to work hard and not give up, good things will come.
I would definitely recommend this book! I had a hard time putting it down and think that whether you're a teacher or not, you might really enjoy this book! Thanks to @breysbooktours and @boyleanddalton for giving me a chance to read and review this awesome book!
August 2, 2023
Check out my blog post on Yoga One For Me
August 5, 2023
My Bachelorette <3
Missed Cue by Lynn Slaughter is a crime mystery/suspense novel about a ballerina who suddenly misses her cue to awaken as Juliet and it turned out she was dead! The police officer looking into the case, Caitlin, has a lot of potential suspects with MO for murdering her, including: a betrayed husband, a secret lover, the understudy, the company's insurance collector, and her husband's exwife! There are also lots of possible ways she could have been drugged and a few people with access to drugs. When two more seemingly unrelated people die, this case turns into something bigger than expected! And with her partner in rehab and her captain unimpressed with the way she is handling things, there is a lot of pressure for Caitlin to get to the bottom of this case!
I am a baby when it comes to crime or suspense novels, but this one was not scary at all and I could not put it down! I enjoyed the light suspense without the scary murderer feel and would definitely check out the author's other books! Thanks to Simone at @booksforwardpr for sending me a copy of this book to read and review!
August 7, 2023
My Bridal Shower <3
Check out my Middle Grade Monday Post on A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga
August 8, 2023
Among laying awake thinking of wedding details and laying awake watching Love Island, I have also spent some time recently lying awake listening to this fantastic new audiobook! I'm sure I'm not the only #booknerd out there who spent time during the pandemic wondering what type of literature would be produced about this unprecedented time in our lives... well here is a perfect example!
Women of the Pandemic by Lauren McKeon not only shares a perspective specific to Canada but also explores the many diverse perspectives of the pandemic's impact on the lives of a wide collection of women. From long-haul truckers trapped in the US to entrepreneurs struggling to keep their businesses afloat to working moms who suddenly need to work from home while learning how to teach their children full time with no additional hours added to the day (or money in the bank). The author included the personal stories of women from across Canada and who fall into a broad range of diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, income levels and family types (single, married, divorced, with children, caring for aging parents etc). Whether these women were working in science or medicine and studying or bearing witness to the effects of the virus first hand, or contributing to Canada's fragile economy in some other way during this tumultuous time, the women featured in this book played an important role in helping our country survive this difficult time and they deserve recognition!
I really enjoyed this book, and the narrator was great. I listened to it on my drive out to my cabin last month, and, as I previously mentioned, when I couldn't sleep late at night. I learned a lot and really appreciated the author's messages. Between factual information about Canada's experience as a nation as well as real stories from real women, it was an interesting and thought-provoking book to listen to. I would highly recommend this one for anyone interested in the Canadian context as well as pandemic literature, and those who enjoy books that reflect diversity.
August 9, 2023
Transister
Check out my blog post for more information and a special interview with the author courtesy of #BooksForward
Those Who Would Be King
August 10th
A Hollywood Ending
August 13th
I read this one with Xpresso Tours
August 15, 2023
Sideline Confidential
Brooke Bentley
Book Synopsis:
From former sports anchor and award-winning sports journalist Brooke Bentley comes Sideline Confidential – a behind-the-scenes peek at the obstacles and double standards facing women in the male-dominated space of sports journalism. When young sports journalist Blake Kirk lands her dream gig – working as a reporter for her hometown’s pro football team – she anticipates many of the challenges that accompany the gig – long hours in the office and on the field, many days of travel, immense pressure to succeed as a woman in sports journalism. What she doesn’t expect are the double standards and old-school entitlement that trip her up at every turn. As suggestive notes appear on her desk and a consensual celebrity hookup is weaponized against her, Blake’s dream devolves into a nightmare, and she is forced to choose between her dignity and her career.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading and learning about the male-dominated football world and how hard it must be for a young woman to break into that industry. I loved that Blake had an enthusiasm for the game and a passion for her job, and that she was not portrayed as a ditsy girl or anything like that. I also liked the juxtaposition between her and a male intern who got way more slack despite making several fireable mistakes. It is a really interesting book and one I would definitely recommend!
Thanks to PR By The Book for giving me the chance to read and review this one!
August 17th, 2023
Little War Time Library
Kate Thompson
This WWII historical fiction is perfect for booklovers!
Based on a true story of a librarian who created a library in an underground shelter in London's Bethnal Green Tube Station. Set in 1944, Together with her friend Ruby, Clara Button risks everything to create a much needed safe haven and community for people hiding out from the bombs above.
Thanks to Forever Publishing for sending me this book, it was a great cabin read.
I tried to get into this one but just couldn't. For whatever reason, it didn't really hold my interest. I left my copy that I was graciously given by the publisher, Forever, in the little free library at my cabin. I am sure someone will love reading this one, it just wasn't the right book for me!
August 22, 2023
The Midwives War - See my blog post
August 25, 2023
Midnight Mated
About the Book:
Midnight Mated is the first book in a sexy new adult paranormal romance trilogy featuring shifters, enemies to lovers, slow burn spicy, sassy main characters, and a multitude of hidden magic. This is NOT your typical shifter romance.
I was used to getting the short end of the stick, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I found myself fleeing my cheating ex, only to be run off the road and attacked by a vicious creature, barely escaping with my life.
Whisked away to the middle of the woods with no car or money, I found myself surrounded by crazies who claim to shift into animals and run in packs during the full moon. Even crazier? They say I’m one of them. And so was my attacker.
My Thoughts:
So I knew this one was a bit outside what I normally read when I signed up to join @breysbooktours for this #booktour but I found the beginning of the book very interesting. The drama between Rowan and her soon to be ex boyfriend was an intense way to start things off. I also appreciated how strong willed and independent Rowan was as the female protagonist. Once we dove into the fantasy/paranormal stuff I struggled as expected, but even with this being outside of my normal genre, I am glad I was able to enjoy some of the interesting characters and story arcs in this book. It is also a short read at under 200 pages and the first in a series, so definitely a good one to check out if you're new to this author and/or genre, like me!
August 24-27th
While at the cabin I finished off the following books
Harvesting Freedom
By Gabriel Allahdua
The Foghorn Echoes
Danny Ramadan
I also read (and speed read) several memoirs for the Avid Reader Canadian Book Awards Vote. Below are pictures of the books I read and here is the link to the more detailed post
And finally, I snuck this one in right on the wire:
August 31, 2023
Never Ever Getting Back Together - Sophie Gonzales
I believe I started this one as an audiobook a while back but didn't end up getting into it, this is not surprising as I don't have a great track record with audiobooks, but anyway, I did really enjoy it as a physical copy.
I read another Sophie Gonzales book in July and had to try this one as I loved her writing. Both are YA books but feature actual adults (ie. over 18), so they are nice for readers not wanting a high school romance but also wanting some of the nice elements of a young adult writing style. Never Ever Getting Back Together alternates between two FMC, Maya and Skye, two girls who dated the same guy, at the same time. The guy, Jordan, went on to find celebrity status when his sister married royalty, and he has asked them both to come on a Bachelor-style reality show where he has to see if he can find love with one of his former flings. The girls are pitted against each other in true reality show fashion, but end up finding love, with each other! It is definitely a different take on a reality dating show, and an interesting turn of events. I of course love reality tv, so this was perfect, but it also was a nice LGBTQ+ story, with the perfect amount of drama, romance and character development that I love in a good YA. If those sound like things you look for in a great book, definitely check this one out!
What a crazy month!
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