My reading and listening during August matched July due to it being the summer holidays and my fatigue being even worse with the boys being at home. We also had our annual summer holiday so I didn’t read or listen much – I was either exploring or sleeping!

I did manage five books, with three being for book clubs like usual! The other two were books that were recently released books that were on my TBR pile. I didn’t manage any for my reading challenges this month, but I’m not giving up!

The majority of the books I read in August were audiobooks, and the other was an ebook: all of them were fiction. Storygraph tells me I physically read 352 pages and listened to just over 40 hours!

A Secret Escape by Sarah Morgan 4.5*

Sarah Morgan’s new releases are always on my reading list, so I was excited to get stuck into her latest summer read. One reason she is one of my go-to authors is that I know I’m going to get a feel-good story with a happy-ever-after! This one didn’t disappoint, set in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District.

I was engaged from the beginning, and it didn’t waver throughout. The energy and atmosphere were palpable, and I wanted to jump right into the book! All of the characters were likeable and developed well – I especially loved Peggy (the main character’s nan) and her sense of humour!

The whole book flowed well, with the side stories and characters weaving together perfectly. I found the ending a little abrupt, but overall it was a wonderful summer read.

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan 5*

This was a reread for one of my online book clubs. I found it as captivating as I did the first time I listened. Faith Hogan‘s writing style is beautiful. I was so invested in the characters and locations that I didn’t want to stop listening!

There weren’t really any main characters I didn’t like. They all had their problems, but the way they dealt with them was realistic and overall it was a lovely, wholesome story. It was sad in places, but it also made me laigh and smile. This is one I still keep recommending from first reading it in 2023!

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 4.5*

I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the cover (yes, I do judge); however, after I’d read the blurb, I wanted to read it even more! Cosy fantasy is a genre I find myself reaching for at the moment, and this is one of the best I’ve listened to recently.

It was immediately engaging, and I loved the cosy, magical atmosphere and writing. As usual, the food narrative had me hooked! I identified with the main character Kiela (being awkward around others!) and Caz the spider plant, because I talk to mine – Steve – too! (Insert laughing emoji here because he even has a name.)

The storyline felt slow at a couple of points, but overall, it didn’t bother me too much. A few other storylines were running alongside the main one, and they all wove together wonderfully. This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far!

1979 by Val McDermid 3.5*

Although I know that Val McDermid is one of the biggest crime writers out there, this is the first of her books I’ve read. I had never heard of this series, so I probably wouldn’t have gone for it if it weren’t the pick for my in-person book club. The blurb did sound like something I would usually enjoy, however.

I loved the Scottish setting as Scotland is my heart home, and the fact that it was set in winter made it all the more atmospheric. It was engaging at the beginning, but my interest waned when it got more into the main subjects of fraud and politics.

I wasn’t around in 1979, so I did learn some new info from around that time, and it became quite gritty with the things that were happening. The rest of it, though – I could take it or leave it. I may consider reading the next in the series if I get around to it. However, I’m more likely to check out her police procedural stories rather than her journalism ones.

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell 4.5*

I had seen people mentioning this book a lot, but it wasn’t really on my radar until I read the blurb when it was suggested for one of my online book clubs. I did like the sound of it as I get on much better with middle-grade fantasy rather than adults’!

It gripped me from the beginning – as I mentioned above, Scotland is one of my favourite settings to read – so that probably helped too! I loved the atmosphere and the magical creatures that the main character came across on his adventures.

Throughout the whole book, there was a plethora of emotions – humour, sadness, and everything in between. The world-building was low-level, so it kept me engaged rather than overwhelmed. It did a great job of transporting me to another dimension and away from reality. I will definitely read the sequel!

My star ratings show that The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club was obviously my favourite read in August! As it was a re-read, I’ll say that The Spellshop came a close second. Have you read any of these? What was your favourite book of the month?