We at Bookstr aren’t just a bunch of writers compiling books for your tastes. They’re also for ours. We are shameless book nerds out there salivating at the chance to tell you, our bookish fam, about the books we love. As Summer and August come to a close, we can’t help but want to tell you about the best book we read for the eighth month of the year.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – Fiction/Mystery
Kye has had the roughest childhood known to Barkely Cove. A mother who abandoned her, fleeing her toxic father, only for her siblings to slowly leave just as well. Before she knew it, it was just her and her father, who, for a little bit, treated her well. Until he didn’t, then he was gone too. Kye learns to survive in the marsh she calls home, earning herself the nickname “Marsh Girl.” As she grows up, she is framed for a murder she may or may not have committed.
I love this book because it still falls into the category of “Summer,” but it also comes with a mind-thrilling mystery. It is the perfect book for the end of Summer and the transition into Autumn.
Kyla McClintock, Editorial
We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade by Elyce Arons – Memoir
Trigger Warning: This book makes mention of mental health and suicide.
Arons depicts the friendship between herself and Kate Spade, spanning from college to Spade’s death. The memoir explains how their relationship grew while detailing the creation of their company, Kate Spade. Arons’s story navigates friendship, romantic relationships, professional feats, and the grief of losing a best friend to suicide.
As a twentysomething woman myself, I found myself gravitating towards Arons’s depiction of her friendship with Kate Spade in their twenties. The bond of a female best friend was described perfectly, with complexity and admiration. This book feels like a love letter to Kate Spade, and Arons was vulnerable with her grief. I highly recommend listening to it on audio, as Arons narrates it herself.
Lindsey Barnett, Social Media
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione – Romantic Fantasy
When Cara saves a rather large dog from a car accident, she finds herself in the middle of a battle she never knew existed, nor one she wanted to be a part of. Ares, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, fights against his destiny even as his own brother works against him. When he meets Cara, an animal lover with a secret power, things take a turn towards the unexpected. Kissed by a hellhound and cursed with the agimortus that holds back the apocalypse, Cara can survive the agimortus transfer longer than most humans, but not for long. Together with two other horsemen of the apocalypse, Thanatos and Limos, they race against time to save Cara’s life and prevent Pestilence from breaking everyone’s seals to jumpstart the apocalypse.
I fell in love with the continuation of Larissa Ione’s world-building from her Demonica series immediately. Ares is the strong, confident warrior with a shadowed past that we love to pine after, and Cara is shy and unsure of her place in the world. As she finds her place in this otherworldly realm, her confidence and power grow, and I’m a sucker for a good character arc.
Cassandra Fushia, Editorial
The Trouble with Giraffes by Lisa Mantchev, Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo – Children’s Picture Book
My kid and I were such huge fans of this title’s predecessor, Strictly No Elephants, so I was delighted to read an advance copy of the long-awaited follow-up. Following the first book’s themes of inclusion, this title expands on the concept of accessibility as it follows up with the Pet Club, centering this time on a child and her pet giraffe. It’s a beautiful way to explain to readers both young and old why creating accessibility builds empathy and results in a richer community overall, which seems to be a lesson the world sorely needs right now.
Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach
He Burns By the River by Khalia Moreau – Fantasy/Horror
Trigger warning: This book contains references to suicide and other potentially distressing content.
I follow Ms. WOC Reader on YouTube, and she posted that this book was on sale in the Kindle store for 99 cents, so I downloaded it. It’s a Cain-and-Abel-inspired fantasy/horror that takes place in post-colonial Trinidad, and I loved every moment of it.
The narrator, Roran, lives in the shadow of his older half-brother, Danny, in their village of Sapo. When a strange affliction overcomes Danny, rendering him near catatonic, the boys’ grandmother believes he’s been cursed. Roran is skeptical — he doesn’t believe in obeah, the folk magic that those in Sapo believe sank the southern side of the village. But when he starts hearing the voices of the dead, Roran realizes he’ll have to risk his life — and his soul — to save Danny.
Moreau says in her author’s note that she ended up self-publishing because the industry told her this story would be “too niche” for the YA market. It made me sad because this book was solidly written, with compelling characters, an engaging story, and a fascinating look into Trinidadian culture and folklore. Highly, highly recommend.
Phoebe Pineda, Editorial
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – Science Fiction
When Ryland Grace wakes up in an unfamiliar room, he doesn’t remember where — or who — he is. As he explores his surroundings, memories come back to him in fragments, including what this strange environment is and why he’s there. His location? A high-tech spaceship, a million miles from home. His mission? Save the future of all life on Earth. No pressure, right? With his crewmates dead and time running out, Ryland must complete his last-chance mission to protect humanity. Or die trying.
Ever since this book came out, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. And now that I’ve read it for myself, I can confirm, it doesn’t disappoint! I love nothing more than a sci-fi thriller, and this one tops the list. It has a hilarious narrator, life-or-death stakes, and, best of all, aliens. Highly recommend for SFF fans looking for their next binge-worthy read! (P.S., For any audiobook lovers out there, I’ve heard this one is incredible.)
Lauren Nee, Managing Editor
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros – Fantasy Romance
I read this book when it first came out, but I recently purchased the Graphic Audio version and oh. my. damn. I loved the first book on graphic audio, and Iron Flame did not disappoint. It only enhanced a story I was already deeply engrossed in by adding music, background sounds, and, of course, a definitive voice to all my favorite characters. I think only of my favorite aspects of this book and series is Yarros’ ability to evoke emotions and stick with character traits throughout, where other authors will sometimes change the choice a character would make that doesn’t align with their personality.
Book two of the Empyrean series finds Violet Sorrengail no longer a first year, but a second year with secrets of her own to keep and loyalties tested. Still reeling from a battle where beloved riders died, more riders turn up dead, the result of assassinations.
Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
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Want more Bookstr Team recs? Check out this listicle on our favorite romance books!
Find the above books and more on our Bookstr Team Recs bookshelf on Bookshop!
