August 2025 Reads
Hello, hello.
I can’t believe we’re already in September. I still feel like it was January not that long ago. Time is moving quickly. This is going to be short because I can feel myself getting real sleepy and I want to lean into it for a good night’s rest.
I just wanted to pop in and share the books I read last month, along with my ratings and reviews. It wasn’t a big reading month. We were traveling, soaking up family time, and once we got back to Chicago, we were savoring the last bits of summer. So, not a ton of reading. But with the -ber months here and the weather turning cooler, I have a feeling there’s plenty of cozy reading ahead!
Here are the four books I read this past month. Any on your TBR? Have you read and enjoyed any of these?
3 out of 5 stars
These Summer Storms by Sarah Maclean:
Had a tough time getting into this one, but about halfway through I was a little more invested. The writing is gorgeous; the island imagery really comes alive. That said, the story itself felt flat: rich people behaving badly with no real moral arc or deeper commentary. Beautifully written, but overall just okay.
4 out of 5 stars
The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu:
I love a book about a group of teachers, and this one delivered. 🙌
So much of it resonated. The faculty meetings that could’ve been emails, the professional development that didn’t apply, the countless calls on the radio about someone needing assistance, the endless hours, the deep commitment, and the real lives behind the faces greeting students each day.
“When I go, I hope it’s during professional development because the transition to death would feel so seamless?”
I haven’t read a book quite like this before, but as a former teacher, I truly appreciated it.
4 out of 5 stars
Woah. People weren’t kidding when they said this one was steamier than Ali Hazelwood’s usual. Consider yourself warned! 😅
That aside, I really loved the plot. The themes of crippling anxiety, fear of failure, the importance of mental health support, and learning to embrace your authentic self all really resonated with me.
I know nothing about swimming or diving, but I appreciated how Hazelwood wove the technical details into dialogue and story instead of info-dumping. It felt natural and easy to follow.
All in all, another win for Ali Hazelwood. Still waiting for her to write a book I DON’T devour.
5 out of 5 stars
Another beautiful novel by Kristin Hannah. I am always blown away by her writing and this book is no different. As a school psychologist and former teacher, I felt myself drawn to Julia, her inner thoughts, and her strong connection with Alice.
Somewhat novel, somewhat mystery, I found myself eager to get to the end to figure out who this girl really was and what her story was all about. It was gripping, emotional, and another five star for me.
Is there a book of Hannah’s I don’t love? I don’t think so.
“Life was impossibly fragile. If you were lucky enough to have a loving family, you had to hold onto them with infinite care.”
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Alright, I’m off. Wishing you a happy start to September!
