It wasn’t until I saw another book blogger post their August 2022 recap that I realized it is indeed the end of another month. As predicted, August flew by in a hectic, stressful whirlwind. Nevertheless, it ended up being a pretty decent reading month, all things considered.
I read a total of 7 books this month, which is slightly more than in either June or July. Getting back into audiobooks helped tremendously. The start of the semester at the local universities (including the one where I work) always increases my commute, since I drive through three campuses on my way home. When the students come back, so does the traffic. On the bright side, it means more audiobook time.
Let’s take a look at the best of the best from the books I read in August!
(Full disclosure(s): This post uses Bookshop.org affiliate links. Books with an asterisk were received as complimentary review copies in exchange for my honest opinion.)
The Bodyguard* by Katherine Center
I was a bit dubious about The Bodyguard, but every review I read was so glowing, I decided I had to give it a try. It helped that I was approved for an audio review copy on NetGalley.
I’m really glad I gave this one a go! It was such a fun reading experience and a unique premise, and the audio narration was on point. My full review went up earlier this month, and you can check it out here: “The Bodyguard” Caught Me By Surprise
Save Yourself* by Cameron Esposito
I had never heard of Cameron Esposito before receiving a PR email about the paperback release of her memoir, Save Yourself. I liked the sound of the book and adored the cover, so I decided to give it a go. Shortly thereafter, Esposito gave an interview on one of the podcasts I listen to (Forever35) and I knew I had to listen to the book on audio.
This memoir has jokes and it has heart. Some of the essays fell a little flat at the end, and some of the jokes felt a little forced in, but overall this is a powerful memoir about growing up religious and gay and learning to reconcile those identities, slowly and with a lot of missteps. I didn’t write a full review of this one because I took the side-joke comment “please don’t review this book” very seriously, on account of who I am as a person.
Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova
This book has lived on the bookshelf in my yoga room/home office for ages. It’s lived on many a bookshelf before I lived in a house with space for a yoga room/home office. Kitchen Table Tarot is a down-to-earth, personable guide to tarot reading and the meanings of each card in the standard Rider-Waite style deck.
I love the way Cynova makes the cards approachable while also grounding her information in the ethics of tarot reading. This feels like an essential guide for a beginner reader and a phenomenal supplement for someone who has been reading the cards for a while. My full review is available here: Pull Up a Chair and Let’s Talk Tarot
Honorable Mentions
This month, I also read…
- No Funny Business* by Amanda Aksel. Review on Your Book Friend
- Witchcraft Therapy by Mandy Em. This book was fine for what it is, a vague overview of magical self-care. For me, it didn’t have much new information.
- Shadow Work* by Danielle Massi. Review on Your Book Friend.
- A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall. Review to come.
In all, August was a pretty okay reading month and a pretty overwhelming work month. I’m really looking forward to cozy fall reading with candles and blankets and, of course, snuggles from my cuddle curl pup, Azula.
Happy September and happy back to school season for those who celebrate (aka those in school, working in education, or with kiddos who go to school). I’m excited to see what reading adventures we get into this month, book friends!
Want to make sure you never miss a best books of the month recap? Get connected by following here on Medium, Instagram, and/or Twitter. You can also support us by joining Medium using this referral link or by shopping our affiliate links on the support page.
Your Book Friend 