Books I read in August 2025
August has been a month of contrasts in my reading life. On one hand, it’s been dominated by one monumental book that pulled me into its depths, while on the other, I found comfort in lighter reads and revisiting familiar voices. Overall, it’s been a month of immersive storytelling, reflection, and, occasionally, a need to step back and breathe. Here’s a look at my month’s reading... You can read longer reviews for each book in my August Book Reads Blog (Amazon Affiliate Links)
This month, the majority of my reading time was devoted to A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. At over 700 pages, it’s undeniably a lengthy novel, but it never feels unnecessarily long. Yanagihara draws you so intimately into the lives of her central characters that you inhabit their joys, dreams, and traumas alongside them.
Having read Allcott’s Kind earlier this year, I was curious to explore his take on productivity. While some content felt slightly dated, particularly the nods to Outlook 2003 (and it should be noted that there is now an updated version of this book, I just had the older edition) it offered solid, practical advice, especially for anyone seeking to improve their efficiency for the first time.
Next up, I listened to the audiobook of The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle, having seen the film adaptation a few years ago. The book lived up to my expectations, delivering a twisty, engaging narrative. Even knowing the general premise, Searle’s storytelling was immersive and full of intrigue, proving once again that books often offer layers of depth films can’t capture.
A chance find in a charity shop meant I finally got my hands on a copy of Tin Man by Sarah Winman, a beautiful novella exploring love and friendship. Full of Wizard of Oz references and poignant imagery, including Van Gogh’s sunflowers, it’s a short but enchanting read. Winman has a rare gift for capturing human relationships with nuance and grace, making this a perfect follow-up to a heavier read.
Rounding out my audiobook listens this month was The Woods by Harlan Coben. I knew what I was getting into, a twisty thriller, and Coben delivered, though it felt a bit familiar after listening to Tell No One a few months ago. Nevertheless, it’s an engaging, tension-filled listen that kept me on my toes.
Sometimes, you need something light to balance out heavier reads, and How to Kill Men and Get Away with It by Katy Brent was exactly that. Despite the provocative title, this was a fun, easy-going read, sprinkled with sharp societal observations and perfect for taking a break from the intensity of A Little Life.
Another novella that captured my imagination this month was Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Set on a space station, it’s a reflective, eloquent exploration of life (both on Earth and in space) and the human experience. This is a book that encourages contemplation, touching on everything from scientific wonder to the philosophical questions of existence. I suspect I’ll return to it for a second read, as there’s much to unpack and ponder.
Having read Michaelides' newer novel, The Fury, earlier this year, I anticipated a gripping psychological thriller. While it was certainly twisty and page-turning, I found it somewhat predictable after my previous experience with Michaelides’ work. Still, it delivered an enjoyable dose of suspense and kept me engaged.
I listened to Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls which offered pure nostalgia. Following a 16-year-old over their summer holidays as they start to navigate life after GCSEs, it resonated deeply and evoked memories of those transitional summers between education and 'real' adult life. It’s a delightful mix of teenage love told alongside Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, adult reminiscence, and 80s/90s nostalgia.
I'm now looking forward to September's reads. I’ve just started Eastgate by JD Kirk (the next in the Bob Hoon series). You may have noticed that probably for the first time this year August didn't include anything by JD Kirk! 😅
With such strong recommendations from my book club for this (and having neglected to read it this month!), I started the audiobook of Black Diamonds during a long run this morning and am eager to dive in properly to this.
For September I also have Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (which comes highly recommended) queued on my Kindle ready to go.
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