It was a lovely reading month! I read 26 books (see list below for the full list) with 13 of those being audiobooks. I updated my 2025 Reading Challenges page as well.  Here are a few of my favorite books that I read in August 2025.

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti 🔎 – In the tradition of Nancy Drew, four kids and one grandfather in Miami tackle a decades-old mystery. Together with Grandpa’s know-how and the kids’ intelligence—plus some really slick gadgets—can the Sherlock Society root out the conspiracy? 

This was so much fun – exactly my favorite kind of middle grade mystery/adventure. I grabbed this on audio and could not stop listening. Great setting, wonderful characters (and what a character the grandpa is!), and a solid mystery. Kids coming together to solve a mystery and take down the corrupt? Yes, please! Sign me up! This would be a fun family readaloud. 

Jacky Ha-Ha by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein (Jacky Ha-Ha Book One) – A fourth grader told me to read this and book recommendations from kids is something I l-o-v-e! Gahhh, I adored everything about this! I grabbed it on audio and listened in a day with a big smile on my face. It’s funny and thoughtful and real. Wonderful kids figuring out life stuff, adults trying to make the best decisions, and a group of sisters I wanted to hang out with. (I also super enjoyed that it was set in the 90s. That was a fun trip down memory lane). Can’t wait to read the others. 

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks – This was such a lovely story of two boys from two different backgrounds – Joe’s lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi’s family just moved to America from India. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like Joe and Ravi have anything in common — but soon enough they are facing the biggest bully in their class, with a common goal: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week. Short descriptive chapters made this a quick read and while bullying stories are hard to read, there is lots of hope and goodness here. The chapters alternated points of view and the voices of Joe and Ravi captured my heart. 

Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele – There is so much to like here! I do love a starting over story and that’s just what our main character Emily is doing. Yes, it’s under sad circumstances – her sister has passed away unexpectedly and left Emily her old house in Maine.The cozy mystery is fast-paced and the coast of Maine gives it a spooky feel that had me turning the pages quickly. I had a slight guess as to the true culprit, but was very much engaged in the journey. The ending was excellent as it wrapped up the immediate mystery, but left me anxious to read more to see what else Emily uncovers.

Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron – Just like book one in this series, this was so much fun! Dee and Jeff are always looking for ways to enhance their Golden Motel and the gold rush they accidentally start pulls readers right into the story. I could easily picture Dee’s dad as an old miner, the rush of guests to find their piece of gold, and the impact all these visitors had on the small town. In addition to wonderful descriptions of the setting, the quirky town characters, and hilarious wildlife, I adored the dialogue in this book. It’s clever and funny and thoughtful – all balanced so well. Get lost in the woods with Dee and you won’t regret it! Now, can I please book a stay at the Golden Motel?

Wedding Bells for East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride – I continue to absolutely love everything about this historical fiction series. This entry was another five golden stars. Fans of character driven, page-turning historical fiction shouldn’t wait to read this series. They are also excellent as audiobooks.Mavis, Jane and Cordelia feel like friends now, and Patricia’s vivid, detailed writing brings this area to life on the page. The East End isn’t an easy place for these characters, and yet they thrive. The sense of community is strong and the three women, plus their neighbors all feel like found family. The story focuses on each woman’s life as well as the lives of those in the community. It’s beautiful and thoughtful and so gripping. Just like the others in the series, I started this book and finished the same day. This felt like the end of the series, so if that is the case I can’t wait to see what Patricia writes next.

The Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream – This is definitely a hugging book. Ebey’s End is a small town on an island off the Pacific coast, reachable only by ferry. Resident grocer Anita Odom is perhaps not happy, but certainly comfortable with things staying just as they have always been. That is, until fourteen-year-old July shows up on her doorstep. Taking in the recently orphaned daughter of an estranged cousin had not been on Anita’s to-do list. From the moment she arrives, July seems to “know” what each customer at the Island Grocery needs. This is a big hearted, character driven book with some of the most loveable (and odd) characters. There’s a wisp of magic floating through the story that I wanted to grab on to and hug. And found family throughout. I loved it so much. I found myself slowing down at the end because I didn’t want to leave Ebey’s End. If you love found family, small towns, and lots of heart, go get this right now.

Here’s a list of all the books I read in August 2025:

• Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Game is afoot Elise Bryant
• Maybe Next Time Cesca Major
• Romancing the Author Julieann Dove
• Axes and Alchemy Carmen Radtke
• Stitches and Witches Nancy Warren
• Murder on the Brighton Express CJ Archer
• A Daughter of Fair Verona Christina Dodd
• Death and the Librarian Victoria Gilbert
• Curds of Prey Korina Moss
• Farther Than The Moon Lindsay Lackey
• Everyone is Lying to You Jo Piazza
• No Paw to Stand On Laurie Cass
• The Heir Darcie Wilde
• Just Another Dead Author Katarina Bivald
• These Summer Storms Sarah MacLean
• The Last Chance Matinee Mariah Stewart
• Cinder Marissa Meyer