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Best Books of August 2020
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Author: Hilarie Burton Morgan
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Audio
ATY Prompt you used it for: Week 16. A book set in a rural or sparsely populated area
Brief reason why it was the best:
I listened to the audio of this one and it was truly so good. There was never a moment where I was bored or uninterested in her story, and I think it was such a good mixture of talking about her past and her present, detailing infertility issues and actually starting a farm. It was just.... really good. Unexpectedly good, since I don't typically like books set in rural settings lol.
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Author: Annie Proulx
Rating: 4.5 stars
ATY Prompt you used it for: A book set in a rural or sparsely populated area
Brief reason why it was the best: Proulx has a unique writing style, lots of unusual metaphors and quirky characters. A young man goes to the Texas panhandle to secretly scout locations for giant corporate hog farms. He learns about the area and sort of falls in love with it. There are a lot of stories about the history of the area, some obviously tall tales and others too crazy to not be true. In the end, the various threads come together in a satisfying way. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that the first part takes something to stick with, as it seems to be just a bunch of colorful local history. The land is practically a character in the book as well. This isn't a new book but something I unearthed from my basement stash because another group had a challenge that included a title or author containing the letter "X".
Title: Exhalation: StoriesAuthor: Ted Chiang
Rating: 5 stars
Format: ebook
ATY Prompt you used it for: #52 A book related to time.
Brief reason why it was the best:
I'm kind of obsessed with Ted Chiang. His stories are so tight, compelling, imaginative, and unique. He's really a master at pacing and structure especially, and of course digging deeply into the philosophical implications of the worlds he's constructing.
- Title: Cutting for Stone- Author: Abraham Verghese
- Rating": 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt: Word in title ending in "ing"
- Brief reason why it was the best: Fascinating family story and beautiful writing! I was a little slow to engage in the book but once I did, I loved it! It's on the long side but the perseverance was worth it.
- Title: The Cross- Author: Sigrid Undset
- Rating: 5+
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): None
- Brief reason why it was the best
The end of the series that kept me in emotional tumult and tears through the last several chapters. I was amazed at how Undset drew me into the characters and made me care so much about these medieval people.
I have two 5+ books for August. The first one is Martin Marten by Brian DoyleMartin Marten Rating-5 stars
Format-Print
Why? I loved the quirky characters, I loved the nonhuman perspectives, I loved the writing style, and it made me laugh out loud.
The second book is Maybe You Should Talk To SomeoneMaybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Julie Gottlieb.
Rating 5 stars
Format Print
Why? I loved the stories the memoir told, I could relate to the book, I enjoyed how the author used theory to highlight the points she was making about therapy, and the book made me cry and laugh.
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Author - William Kent Krueger
Rating- 5 stars
Format- Print
ATY prompt- 2019 Goodreads Choice award
Why? - a wonderful book throughout, thought- provoking, heartbreaking and heartwarming, rich in symbolism, emotion and evocation of the American heartland and its people. The author deliberately used traditions of Huck Finn and the Odyssey to create a unique story.
Title -
Author - Viola Shipman
Rating - 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) - Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) - None, because I've finished the challenge, but fits - published in 2020, and historical fiction
Brief reason why it was the best - Easily, the best book of the summer, perhaps the year, for me. I enjoyed the setting - Michigan, the back story - gardening, the strong women characters, the parallel timelines of post World War II and post Iran War, the themes of love and perseverance, and learning to carry on and find new strength from within and from family.
Title - The Shoemaker's WifeAuthor - Adriana Trigiani
Rating - 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) - Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) - Not used for ATY
Brief reason why it was the best - Really good historical fiction. Love the descriptions of a part of Italy not as much written about (Italian Alps) compared to other regions (Tuscany, Amalfi coast, etc.).
- Title: Lucy: the beginnings of humankind- Author: Donald C. Johanson and Maitland Edey
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): N/A
- Brief reason why it was the best: The book itself is amazing, very informative and quite humorous as well. And it helps that the other 3 books I read this month were all 2.5 star reads. There wasn't any other possible choices!
Title: The Nickel BoysAuthor: Colson Whitehead
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Paperback
ATY Prompt you used it for: Summer challenge (July 4c), but it would work for "set in a place/time you wouldn't want to live" or "nominated for one of the most coveted literary prizes"
Brief reason why it was the best: The writing is gorgeous: the characters were very well drawn and the descriptions were so vivid I could picture every scene in my mind. The plot is hard to summarise without spoiling, but it is related to the civil rights movement and it's also a sort of coming-of-age story. It's also partly based on true stories of people who went to reform schools, which makes it all the more harrowing.
Title EmbassytownAuthor China Miéville
Rating 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) place name in the title
Brief reason why it was the best: cool aliens and language as plot device, it's been quite a while since I've been so immersed (oh, this is accidental pun) in a fiction.
Title One of OursAuthor Willa Cather
Rating 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): Summer - book published between 1900 and 1950
Brief reason why it was the best: Beautiful description of the prairie landscape. The character of Claude Wheeler, who wanted more for his life.
TitleMemoirs of a Geisha
AuthorArthur Golden
Rating 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio) eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
Brief reason why it was the best: I enjoyed the story.
(I added it the the listopia).
I had two really good ones this month, one at the start and one just today. I can’t decide! So I’ll post both.The Book of Longings and A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor - both made me think about society and identity, but in wildly different settings! Both 5 stars.
- Title: A Game of Thrones- Author: George R.R. Martin
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 19. A fantasy book
- Brief reason why it was the best: This book was amazing! - excellent world building and character development, thorough plot development, unexpected twists. Interestingly, although this book is considered a classic in the fantasy genre (and I love reading fantasy), I was surprised at how much it read like historical fiction. The story is very grounded and the fantastical elements are there, but more subtle or seamlessly woven into the world.
(I will add this to the listopia)
Title: Harrow the NinthAuthor: Tamsyn Muir
Rating: 5 stars, but I would give it six if I could
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): a book between 400-600 pages, though it would also work for neurodivergent character, or nontraditional family.
Brief reason why it was the best: This is the sequel to everyone's favorite lesbian-necromancers-in-space book Gideon the Ninth, which was already hard to top, but it took everything I thought I knew from the first book, turned it upside down, ran it through a blender, and delivered something completely baffling and exciting. The stylistic risks it takes are insane and the prose is excellent. It's a perfect continuation to the series and I cannot wait for the third book!
Title: CirceAuthor: Madeline Miller
Format: eBook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): I didn't use it for a prompt, but it would fit #1, #19, #42 or #44
Brief reason why it was the best: The writing was incredibly good and the story of Circe was great.
Mod
Author: Sarah Andersen
Format: ebook
It's a cute comic about a vampire and a werewolf falling in love, what's not to like?
- Title: Tweet Cute- Author: Emma Lord
- Rating: 4 stars
- Format: Audio
It was a perfect book for a long drive, fun and cute and didn't require much thinking on my part! A lot of my books this month were difficult to get through, so this was a nice change of pace.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel WilkersonThis is my only 5 star book for the month of August. It is nonfiction, and talks about racial inequalities in the United States. The writing is incredibly good, the points well explained. It is packed with information and historical facts that are sometimes painful to accept. I strongly recommend it.
- Title Guards! Guards!- Author Terry Pratchett
- Rating 5 star
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) Fantasy
- Brief reason why it was the best
This was the third Pratchett book I've read, but the first that finally helps me understand his sly humor and popularity
- Title: The Empire of Gold
- Author: S.A. Chakraborty
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): The 20th book on a list; This was the 20th book published in 2020 that I read.
- Brief reason why it was the best: This was the final book in the trilogy and it stuck the landing. The whole series is great, but the middle book dragged a little. This one didn't drag, and it ended on a good note.
Title: The Constant RabbitAuthor: Jasper Fforde
Rating: 5 stars
Format: audio
ATY Prompt you used it for: N/A (used it for Popsugar - made up language)
It's pretty rare that I find satire that I like, but this was brilliant, covering the state of Britain excellently, but with anthropomorphised rabbits rather than immigrants causing ire amongst Daily Mail and UKIP types. Funny, relevant and touching in places, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Jasper Fforde.
Honorable mention to Miracle Creek which I read for a genre which starts with an initial in my name.
Title: Beach ReadAuthor: Emily Henry
Rating: 5 Stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book published in the last three years that had a lot of buzz
Brief reason why it was the best: Great concept, and amazing chemistry between the main characters right from the start. It was so much fun to read!
- Title The Poet X- Author Elizabeth Acevedo
- Rating 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) Popsugar's won an award in 2019
- Brief reason why it was the best Elizabeth is a great storyteller both in her words of verse and in her narrating
And b/c it was a flip this was my ATY favorite
- Title Beach Read
- Author Emily Henry
- Rating 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) A book related to the arts
- Brief reason why it was the best It's called Beach Read and listed as a beach read, but it has depth and wasn't just a cozy romance.
I picked two books this month. Both of them are in the same trilogy and quick reads for me. Very immersive world building that made me feel the sands between me toes. - TitleThe City of Brass
- AuthorS.A. Chakraborty
- Rating 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Audiobook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 11 - A book published in a year with a prime number
- Brief reason why it was the best Believable world building. Strong female MC who grows as the story develops. It does not follow the regular expectations either.
- Title The Kingdom of Copper
- Author [ author:S.A. Chakraborty|16002992]
- Rating 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) Ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) 10- A book between 400 to 600 pages
- Brief reason why it was the best The story continues with some unexpected twists and turns. The character's continue to grow and learn from there flaws. Other characters point out flaws and help them work on it.
Kendra wrote: "- Title: The Empire of Gold
- Author: S.A. Chakraborty
- Rating: 5 stars
- Format: eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if a..."
LOL I just added the other two to the list for this month. This one is finally waiting for me at the library. So glad to hear that it is just as good.
- Title: A Woman Is No Man- Author: Etaf Rum
- Rating: 5 Stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) : Ebook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best: An amazing look at Muslim culture and the hard topics from an inside look. It also relates to how women are treated in America in general. I don't want to spoil the book but this had me in tears too often.
Chelsey, I also loved this book and highly recommend it!
Title: RoomAuthor: Emma Donoghue
Rating: 5 starts
Format: Audio
ATY Prompt you used it for: Reject: Book told from a child's perspective
Brief reason why it was the best: I could not put this book down. I think what spoke to me right now is how people can experience the same situation so differently.
Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellAuthor: Susanna Clarke
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): audio
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): 30 It is on the New York Times '100 Notable Books' list for 2004
Brief reason why it was the best: This was a reread for me. I'm glad that it keeps being a favorite of mine. I loved the quirky characters. The plot moves very slowly but i alway love stories that take their time.
Title: MiddlegameAuthor: Seanan McGuire
Rating: 5 stars
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): ebook
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): #45 Book by the same author as one of your best reads in 2018 or 2019
Brief reason why it was the best: August was a delightful reading month for me, so this was a tough choice. I really appreciated the development of the main characters and the world building (tweaks-on-our-world building?)
- Title : You- Author : Caroline Kepnes
- Rating : 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) : Print
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) : n/a
- Brief reason why it was the best : in a world of immoral characters you end up rooting for the worst of them all.
- Title: Labyrinth Lost- Author: Zoraida Córdova
- Rating: 4 1/2 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio): eBook
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): A book related to witches
- Brief reason why it was the best: The magic and mythology that Zoraida Córdova creates is inspired by a variety of religions and cultures from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. She does an excellent job creating a world that was so detailed and rich that I was surprised reading the afterwards that they were made up rather than based on real mythical stories. The characters are interesting and fun with struggles that many can relate to.
- TitleShuggie Bain- Author Douglas Stuarr
- Rating 5 stars
- Format (Print, eBook, Audio) audio
- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable) it would work for promtps 4, 9, 10,22, 23and 48 among others
- Brief reason why it was the best - Brilliant writing, tough and gritty, strong mother-son bond, made me feel all the feels
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Title: Djinn Patrol on the Purple LineAuthor: Deepa Anappara
Rating: 4.5
Format: print
ATY Prompt you used it for: a book related to 2020 olympic summer games (on surface it seems like a stretch, however one of the characters runs, and is a member of the school's girl's relay race team)
Brief reason why it was the best: a child's perspective on disappearances of children in his neighborhood, and his investigation and repercussions. Sounds grim, doesn't it? Keeping the perspective of our lead "investigator" keeps it from too much darkness, though, and I became absorbed in the mystery, which is based on actual events. The author's note is well worth the read alone.
- Title: The Road
- Author: Cormac McCarthy
- Rating: 5 Stars
- Format: Audiobook
- ATY Prompt you used it for: Survival Theme
- Brief reason why it was the best: I love short, intimate, and emotional stories like this one.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Road (other topics)Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line (other topics)
Shuggie Bain (other topics)
Labyrinth Lost (other topics)
You (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Cormac McCarthy (other topics)Deepa Anappara (other topics)
Zoraida Córdova (other topics)
Caroline Kepnes (other topics)
Seanan McGuire (other topics)
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Here's a thread to post your best books of the month! Let's get some great recommendations going.
Answer the following questions:
- Title
- Author
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- ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable)
- Brief reason why it was the best