The Read Report: August
The Read Report: August
12 Books to Wind Down Summertime
Whew! August was a big reading month. I turned page after page lying on a picnic blanket at my local park, sitting on a bench along the East River, with my toes tucked into the grass in the Catskills, on my couch under my faithful Chappy Wrap, in bed propped up on my mountain of pillows, and at cafes with a glass of wine.
What a time to be alive!
I read a total of 12 books (that might be a new record for me? I was actually shocked when I went to count) and if you know me, you likely know I ✨ detest ✨ rating them.
Rating stresses me out + always has! I put way too much analytical thought into it and reading is for my pleasure, so why do that? My sister recently wore me down to get a Letterboxd and I downloaded the app specifically to find more recommended movies. I’m only marking films as “watched,” and going on my merry way.
Anyway, if you’re browsing my GoodReads + wondering wtf my ratings mean, it’s generally…
⭐️ This was truly terrible IMO / I didn’t get it. The plot was lost to me and the language bored me to tears.
⭐️ ⭐️ I understood the plot and it was fine but I’d tell you to skip it.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This was pretty decent! I’ll likely have to think about the plot if you were to ask me for it a few months down the road, but I enjoyed it while reading.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I really enjoyed this book + would recommend it! It captivated me.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This is officially one of my favorite books! I stayed up late reading like a little kid, found myself researching topics related to the plot, and would venture to say it changed my life or very well might change yours.
This all being out in the open, I’m unsure how I want these book round-ups to go. Do I rank them? But if I did, what if I made a case for one above another that might specifically be loved by you? Should I use my GoodReads rating system?
I’m unsure of the best way to tackle this, but if you have any ideas or prefer these a specific way, please let me know in the comments! Come one, come all.
For today, I’ll include the book + tell you when I’d read it if I were you…
Happy Reading!
Kayli
Read This When: You’re on vacation and want to feel horny. Or anytime you’d like to. Monogamy and its strings are starting to feel like a chokehold. You’re going through a midlife crisis. You want to feel thankful you’re young + crave reassurance that life is still happening at 40, 50, 60.
Read This When: You’re starting to feel like your life is the worst. You’d like to feel more thankful for all you have. You need a reminder of how much you can endure.
Read This When: You’re feeling bad about your timeline. Pleasure seems as far away as Antarctica. That Kayak ticket alert feels just so destined it might be worth it. You need an example of a child-free by choice woman making things happen for herself.
Read This When: You need company for an evening at your corner wine bar. Peering into neighbors’ living rooms on a walk is your idea of a fun evening. Empathy feels far away.
Read This When: Craving a thriller that’s actually unpredictable. You want to feel just spooked enough on that late summer camping trip. Missing the unputdownable-ness of Nancy Drew books.
*this was a summer 2024 fave of both mine and President Barack Obama’s…do with that info what you will!!
Read This When: You miss Practical Magic but it’s 90 degrees out. Want to read a fairytale with a lil’ romp in it. You’re surrounded by flowers, chirping birds, and an apple tree.
Read This When: Young adulthood (can we still call it that in our 30’s?) feels impossible. Missing the sticky sweaty nights of your youth. Wanting to feel less alone in a economic, political, emotional dumpster fire.
Read This When: I have to be so real + say this was one of my rare one-star reads… but some people love it.
So read this when… you find yourself unable to stay away?
Read This When: You want a modern-day take on Mrs. Dalloway that rules. Want a book with a great movie to watch afterward. You ache for a novel that actually embodies the “deeply moving” promise.
The Hours / Mrs. Dalloway Combined Edition: Bookshop
Read This When: You’re discovering a new side of yourself. You’re in the throes of passion. You want a book that oozes with life and the complexities of it all.
Read This When: Wanting a book with LA feels but a NYC backdrop. Needing juicy entertainment that doesn’t leave you feeling overly downtrodden. You’d like reassurance that the conventional path you took was the right one.
Read This When: Wanting to be transported to 1960’s LA. Curious about the 1960’s art scene. Like old-school name-dropping.
* I wasn’t in loooove with this one + if you like old-school name-dropping, tales of a bygone era, and great stories recommend Griffin Dunne’s latest memoir instead…
Overall, August was a great month for books and I am beyond excited for September! I’m already devouring Blue Sisters, have been looking forward to Scaffolding, and you know I’ll be screaming, crying, throwing up (!!!) when the new Sally Rooney drops on the 24th.
What should I add to my list? Let me know + hope you’re enjoying the tail end of summertime — it’s the perfect moment to read outside in a long sleeve shirt while sipping an iced apple shaken espresso…
I’m dying to read Evenings & Weekends! And my vote is that, yes early 30s are still young adulthood!! And if anyone disagrees 🤫 shhh!! I don’t want to hear it 😆