Bobbi's August Wrap Up Report
Welcome back, readers! Can you believe we've already waved goodbye to August? For me, it whisked by in a flash. This month was chock-full of personal events and happenings. Regrettably, I hit a reading slump towards its end. Not ideal, right? Yet, despite this setback, I'm thrilled to report I read seven books! Breaking it down: two were audiobooks, three were ebooks, and the remaining two were print. Personally, I always count it as a victory when I read more than I listen. Cheers to that!
This month's rating distribution was fairly balanced: two books received 2 stars, two got 3.5 stars, one was rated 4.25 stars, and two earned a perfect 5 stars.
Book of the Month
From the moment I turned the last page of Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See, I was certain it would be my Book of the Month. A month has passed, yet it still lingers in my thoughts. I'm eagerly anticipating a re-read next year — I usually give a book at least a year before revisiting it. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story. Dive into my review for all the details!
Books Read:
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
Genre: Historical
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Set in Imperial China during the 1400s. The story revolves around Tan Yunxian, a real-life woman doctor, who is one of the three notable female physicians of her time. Inspired by Tan Yunxian's own publication, Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor and Yi-li Wu's Reproducing Women in Medicine, Metaphor, and Childbirth in Late Imperial China, See crafts a compelling narrative that celebrates the strength and resilience of women.
Review: Check out my full review here!
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
Genre: Historical, Literary, Diverse Voices
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: In glitzy Hollywood, iconic actress Kitty Karr's death bestows a hefty inheritance upon the St. John sisters, affluent Black women confronting their identities in a racialized society. Elise St. John finds Kitty's journals revealing her path from segregation to fame. These writings force Elise to examine her choices and the impact of the past on the present. Crystal Smith Paul crafts a tale exploring identity, family, and the challenges biracial individuals face in a world of passing and authenticity
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Genre: Literary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Synopsis: After her husband's death and her son Erik's mysterious disappearance 30 years ago, Tova Sullivan finds solace working nights at Sowell Bay Aquarium. There, she befriends Marcellus, a perceptive giant Pacific octopus. Marcellus unravels the truth about Erik's disappearance, striving to reveal it before time runs out. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel underscores the power of confronting the past to unveil a once-unimaginable future.
Review: Check out my full review here!
The Ancestors of Demons: The Shadows by Tess Grebe
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Dive into the realm of The Shadows, a world where magic blurs the lines of reality and possibility. Experience life from a non-human perspective, challenging your perception of monsters and morality. This realm of demons and unique rules promises both dreams and nightmares. As The Shadows narrate, journey to where science and magic intertwine. Prepare for an adventure that redefines reality.
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
Genre: Literary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Synopsis: Longtime Half Moon bartender Malcolm Gephardt buys the bar he's always loved, striving for success but facing financial strain. Meanwhile, his lawyer wife Jess grapples with the possibility of never becoming a mother. Over a tumultuous week, Malcolm learns startling news about Jess, a bar patron disappears, and a blizzard isolates the town of Gillam. In her new novel, Mary Beth Keane deftly examines midlife's challenges, forgiveness, the intricacies of small-town life, and the essence of family.
Review: Check out my full review here!
The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Synopsis: Lilach, an Israeli immigrant, enjoys a stable life in Silicon Valley with her family. However, a local synagogue attack unsettles them, leading her son Adam to join a self-defense class for confidence. Tragedy follows when a black classmate dies at a party, rumored not accidental and possibly linked to Adam. As racial tensions rise, Lilach doubts what she knows about her son. Ayelet Gundar-Goshen masterfully blends suspense and profound insights into race, identity, privilege, and hidden truths in relationships.
Review: Check out my full review here!
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Flor, possessing the ability to predict death dates, surprisingly organizes her own living wake, sparking questions and concerns among her sisters: Matilde, Pastora, and Camila. While Flor remains silent, the event uncovers hidden family secrets. Matilde grapples with her husband's unfaithfulness; Pastora feels compelled to mend family rifts; and Camila seeks acknowledgment. Meanwhile, cousins Ona and Yadi navigate personal challenges, from reignited first loves to fertility struggles. Elizabeth Acevedo's "Family Lore" unfolds over three days, intertwining past and present, highlighting a vibrant family's journey across Santo Domingo and New York City.
As September dawns, I'm optimistic for a renewed surge of motivation to tackle my ever-expanding TBR list and the influx of ARC requests. Wishing everyone a month filled with captivating reads and literary discoveries.
Happy reading!
Bobbi
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