Captivating August picks you don't want to miss out on
August 2023 edition
Hey there, my fellow readers, and a warm welcome to our new subscribers! I’m very grateful to have you here.
As Taylor Swift put it, August has slipped away into a moment in time. With summer inevitably winding down, I've picked out a couple of reads that will help us hold on to that "feel-good" vibe a little bit longer.
Much like an eager reader, I practically devoured the content on the pages of these books, feeling a tinge of sadness as I turned the final pages.
Oh, I wish these stories could go on a little more (just like those warm summer days!).
These are my recommendations from this month.
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
This book was such a great find, I’m grateful I got my hands on it!
Bonnie Garmus is an American author and copywriter who worked and lived in Switzerland and Colombia. Lessons in Chemistry is her debut novel which was published in April 2022.
I think it might be one of my favorite debut novels as it definitely stood out for me (maybe I’m still under the charm of the book). I liked Bonnie’s engaging writing, the plot, and the characters (I was immediately sold when the dog started narrating).
Set in 1960s California, the story follows a chemist Elizabeth Zott, who becomes a cooking show host after being unfairly fired. Not being able to continue her scientific research and in need to make a living, she accepts the offer which is pretty much the last thing she’d like to do.
Portraying the realities of the 1960s, the book skilfully tackles the issues of strong male dominance and women’s rights in an elegant and humorous way.
What's remarkable about my reading experience is that I couldn't find a good stopping point. Every time I intended to “stop after I finish this chapter”, I simply couldn't. The story flows so seamlessly that I was drawn in continuously, chapter after chapter.
For anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, clever story with fascinating characters, I highly recommend "Lessons in Chemistry" as a pleasant read.
And there's even more good news: Apple TV is adapting this gem for television! I can’t wait to see these characters on the screen.
Happy Place
by Emily Henry
If you’ve been here from the beginning, you might have already noticed that I’m a big fan of Emily Henry. That is why I simply couldn’t let the summer (and this edition) go without featuring her latest novel “Happy Place”.
The story follows Harriet and Wyn who broke off their engagement a few months ago but had to keep it secret. When their annual getaway with friends is coming up, they learn the cottage is for sale now.
After spending every summer there together in the last decade, they can’t stand the idea of breaking the news to their best friends and ruining this vacation. They agree to fake their relationship for one more week, play their parts, and then come clean. How hard could that be?
Or so they thought…
Emily Henry’s writing takes you on a journey with these characters, making you feel like you are a part of that vacation. Funny, romantic, sexy, and heartbreaking at the same time, this book made me feel empathetic. It also digs deep into the topic of friendship which I found very beautiful.
Full disclosure: This isn’t my favorite book by Emily Henry (Book Lovers is still my personal fav so far), but it ranks high on my list! It’s a captivating story that I read in one weekend. So if you love a good romance, you might greatly enjoy this one.
Before you go on with your day...
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That's it for today. Thank you for reading with me, and I'll see you next month!
Happy reading,
Liza
Disclaimer: The links to the books in this edition are affiliate, so if you choose to make a purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission.