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What I Read in August 2026
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items August was a very good reading month. I somehow managed to squeeze in thrillers, historical fiction, romance, memoirs, rereads and a few books that completely wrecked me along the way. There were some misses, but there were also a few that I already ...
This was such a fun summer thriller and exactly the kind of book I was in the mood for. I really enjoyed the plot and the twist, and it made for a very easy, bingeable read.
The Last Time I Lied
Shari Lapena is an auto-buy author for me, and this one hooked me almost immediately. I ended up binging it in two sittings, although I will say the ending felt a little more lacklustre than some of her other thrillers.
Getting Away with Murder
Unfortunately, this one just dragged for me. I found the storyline a little lacklustre and, honestly, I barely remember it now. There are definitely other Kristin Hannah books I would recommend first.
Summer Island
Wow. No notes. I binged this in one sitting and that plot twist absolutely devastated me. Such a quick, emotional read that completely broke my heart.
In Five Years
A beautiful, quiet little story. It’s incredibly short, but Claire Keegan manages to pack so much emotion into such a small number of pages.
Foster
This was a really enjoyable read with a great historical fiction storyline. I did find that it dragged a little in parts, but overall I really liked it.
The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club
This was a six-star read for me. I absolutely inhaled it because I NEEDED to know how it was going to end, and it reminded me so much of a thriller version of The Great Alone. This is officially a “I wish I could read it again for the first time” boo...
What Kind of Paradise
I’m not usually much of a romance reader, but I genuinely loved this one. I especially appreciated the depth and the storyline, and I’m already looking forward to reading No Matter What after loving this so much.
Ready or Not
This was an okay summer read, but I definitely preferred In Five Years. I think I may have set myself up for disappointment by going in with such high expectations, although it was still a quick and enjoyable read.
One Italian Summer
A beautifully written, slow-burn domestic thriller. I think my expectations were probably a little too high going in, and listening to this one on audio may not have been the best choice for me.
The Whispers
One of my favourite books of 2026, and I will absolutely refuse to shut up about it. Although it’s fiction, the storyline reminded me so much of the women’s jail in Kingston, Ontario, and I completely inhaled this book. I loved the characters and gen...
Liberty Street
I completely understand the hype around this one, I really do. I listened to it on audio, which I think was my first mistake, and I struggled to get through the first half because it didn’t immediately captivate me. I’ve also read much deeper and hea...
The Nightingale
Listening to Kelly Bishop narrate her own story was such a treat. She did a wonderful job telling it, and I genuinely loved every second. I knew it was coming to an end given where she was in her life, but I still found myself wishing there was more.
The Third Gilmore Girl
This was a reread for me, but after listening to The Third Gilmore Girl, I felt compelled to listen to this one again. Lauren Graham is such a wonderful storyteller, and hearing her narrate her own stories made the experience so much better than read...
Talking as Fast as I Can
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. It was exactly the kind of lighthearted, low-stakes palette cleanser I needed between some of my heavier reads.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
After an estranged parent passed away this month, I felt really drawn to this book because I wanted to feel a little less alone in that experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially once the story really picked up around the 60% mark, and I loved t...
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