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author

Sorry for my late comment response, I had to run out the door immediately after I posted 😅

Ok, sorry to be a tease but my favorite book of August is a psychological thriller I'm sharing in my upcoming Reading Simplified post for paid subscribers. But a very close second is PERRIS, CALIFORNIA by Rachel Stark.

My notable books of summer are: REMARKABLE BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt, NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro, THE WINNER by Teddy Wayne, THE WEDDING by Dorothy West , WHEN YOU FIND MY BODY by D. Dauphinne, and YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls

You'll probably get sick of hearing me say I'm still reading THE STAND by Stephen King but after not feeling like reading for almost a week this is the book I wanted to dip back into. Since I'm only reading The Stand on Kindle (I didn't like the audio narration), I decided to download I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS by Iain Reid for a bike ride today, this short book has been on my tbr for so long

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Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I'm Thinking of Ending Things has been on my list forever!!!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Ooooh can’t wait to hear your thoughts on I’m thinking of ending things!! The audio will be particularly interesting…

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

1. I'm still settling on my standout reads for August but I enjoyed quite a few including; A SEASON OF PERFECT HAPPINESS by Maribeth Fischer and PRIME TIME ROMANCE by Kate Robb.

2. THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRIARIANS by James Patterson, CUE THE SUN by Emily Nussbaum and ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt. Interesting how these are all nonfiction...

3. I'm 30 minutes from finishing ANXIOUS GENERATION.

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author

I forgot about The Secret Lives of Booksellers, that was so good! Nonfiction is your vibe this summer:)

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Best books for the summer: REBECCA, SEE JANE SNAP, ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK, THE BANKER’S WIFE, UNRAVELING OLIVER, WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA. I will spare you from reading a book of my reasons why.

Best books of August: THE WEDDING PEOPLE, A PRAYER FOR THE DYING, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ONLY PLANE IN THE SKY

CURRENT READ: LONG BRIGHT RIVER i’m getting a Headstart on reading this book for September book challenge for backlist 2020

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author

You've had such a great summer of reading! I think you've made me curious enough to try Rebecca this fall.

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Loved Long Bright River Kathy!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I really really enjoyed summer romance by annabel manoghan!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Omg sorry SUMMER ROMANCE :))

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author

Haha that’s ok, no big deal if there’s no caps:)

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

August was a fantastic reading month for me and the summer in general was really great reading overall. My standouts in August were some buzzy books including All the Colors of the Dark, The Wedding People and Just for the Summer and a backlist romance, Before I Let Go. They were all 5 star reads! My overall summer standouts would also include The Lion Women of Tehran, Colton Gentry’s Third Act and a backlist top favorite, The Dearly Beloved. I also read Hold My Girl which had an excellent book club discussion this summer.

I am currently reading Summer Romance in print and Forgotteb on Sunday as audio/print tandem read

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author

You had a some big buzzy winners this summer👏🏻 I'm so happy you loved The Dearly Beloved. I don't think Colton Gentry got as much love it deserved this summer, that was a solid read!

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

The Dearly Beloved spoke to me so deeply on so many levels, it is silly that I waited so long to read it

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author

I felt like that about Remarkably Bright Creatures which I just read in July- sometimes books wait for us until we’re ready:)

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Yesterday, I read BLUFF by Michael Kardos. I picked it up as a referral from you. I've been listening to old episodes of the Book Talk, etc. podcast, and you spoke about this book during the August 9, 2022 episode. I was so taken by the description and your enthusiasm for it, I ordered it right away in the Libby app. I didn't really intend to read the whole thing in one day, but was so taken in by the story I simply could not put it down. The combination of a magician and poker players was fascinating. This story was a wild, and rewarding, ride!

I'm also reading ETERNAL by Lisa Scottoline. I'm finding it a bit slow to ramp up, but I do enjoy historical fiction and have enjoyed many other books by this author, so I'm definitely planning to finish.

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author

Oh yay I'm thrilled to hear you liked Bluff! I remember that book- esp the ending, it was sooo good and very under the radar. I've read all his books, I highly recommend Before He Finds Her if you want to read more by him:)

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Thank you! I will go get that one!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

My favorite was probably The Seventh Veil of Salome, which I finished yesterday! I also enjoyed Perris, California a lot!

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author

I'm glad to hear you liked Perris!

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I Started the audiobook yesterday and I'm LOVING. yay!!!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

This month I enjoyed The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain (comes out later this month).

My favorite romance this summer was Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams!

This week I've been reading Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid.

One book I love to recommend to other readers is Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. So much fun.

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author

Thanks for your recommendation!

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How is Lady Macbeth so far?

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Good, but a bit slow. The general idea of the plot is very similar to Shakespeare's. I'm enjoying Reid's descriptions of nature, as usual!

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Good to know about pacing. This will be my first by her but I'm anxious to give it a try.

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I also want to know :)

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I loved KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE. A good comp is THE SPY ZOAST BY tTESS GERETSEN.

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Thank you for that rec! I’ll look it up now.

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Love Tess Gerritsen 💗 Martini Club #2 coming 3/18/25!!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

Favorite read of August: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (1966 novel written as a prequel to Jane Eyre about the madwoman in the attic)

Favorite summer-y reads this year: Swan Song, The Paradise Problem, Funny Story, Just For the Summer, Every Summer After, and Lies and Weddings!

Currently reading: The Grandest Game and Blue Graffitti!

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Sep 6Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

1. My favorite book that I've read in August would have to be SOMETHING MORE by Jackie Khalilieh

2. Notable summer reads would have to be LOVE AT FIRST BOOK by Jenn McKinley, A TOUCH OF DARKNESS by Scarlett St. Clair, THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE by James McBride, FLAMER by Mike Curato, BAN THIS BOOK by Alan Gratz, SOMETHING MORE by Jackie Khalilieh, ARIEL CRASHES A TRAIN by Olivia A. Cole, and THE POISONS WE DRINK by Bethany Baptiste.

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Sep 3Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

1. My favorite Aug reads were BY ANY OTHER NAME - I wasn’t sure if Shakespeare times would work for me, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed that storyline over the modern day one. And MARGOS GOT MONEY TROUBLES- I love a book that makes me laugh out loud.

2. My favorite summer reads included a great backlist - THE WIFE STALKER, and GOD OF THE WOODS, LULA DEAN, ALL THE COLORS and THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN.

3. I started THE WEDDING PEOPLE yesterday and couldn’t put it down. I’m guessing it will be a top ten for me 💙

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Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

August was a month of reading highs and lows! I did read some really good books, but my two favorites were PERRIS, CALIFORNIA and THE WEDDING PEOPLE.

I also had a great summer of reading overall with a few that will make my yearly top ten! Some favorites:

MARGO'S GOT MONEY TROUBLES

SANDWICH

FAMILY RESERVATIONS

WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST

THE GOD OF THE WOODS

LAST HOUSE

PERRIS, CALIFORNIA

THE WEDDING PEOPLE

I just started THE SEQUEL and WE USED TO LIVE HERE.

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author

New releases have worked so well for you this summer! I've still got my eye on Last House and Family Reservations

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I had not even realized those were all new releases! I’ve had so much good luck with backlist this year that kind of surprises me!

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Aug 31·edited Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

My favorite books of August are SAME AS IT EVER WAS by Claire Lombardo and SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell which I would recommend on audio. My notable summer reads are LONG ISLAND by Colm Toibin and THE WIVES by Simone Gorrindo. I am currently reading DAYS OF WONDER by Caroline Leavitt, which is okay so far.

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author

I had Days of Wonder on my tbr but it got lost in my Kindle haha, if it ends up being a huge hit for you let me know. Same as it ever was is a memorable read for me this year too

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Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

My favorite books of August were HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty (it has strong vibes of The Measure in that it makes you think and makes you feel! Would be a great book club pick with lots of discussion!) and THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel (so incredibly touching and heartfelt, and dang the skill of the author to make you feel like you’re right there going through situations that you’ve never experienced before). Cheers to another great reading month!

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I'll cheers to September reading, my August was just so so. I'm very excited about Here One Moment, I have a copy and I've been waiting until Sept- I'll read any book that's at all similar to The Measure

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The year it came out, THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS was in my top of the year. I still think about that book. She did an incredible job with a touchy topic. One of the most sensitively, deftly written books I've read.

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Completely agree! I’ve also loved Family Family this year. She has certainly become and auto-buy author for me!

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Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

THE LONDON BOOKSHOP AFFAIR by LOUISE FEIN historical Cold War era. Author’s note was very comprehensive about the loosely based on characters and true events, also the nf books she used for research. Good idea to capitalize titles,

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author

I love that you share titles that I've never heard of- that title is catchy, I love London, and bookshops and I haven't read much historical fiction set in the Cold War era

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I’ve had 5/7 5⭐️ reads this month! But I’ll say SPOILT CREATURES by Amy Twigg was my favourite out of those just because it felt very affirming from my own experiences.

It’s Winter here so no summer-y books but standouts would be THE MIDCOAST by Adam White and CACKLE by Rachel Harrison.

This week I’m reading KNIFE RIVER by Justine Champine and loving it but it is very dark!

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author

That's right, I totally forgot it's winter in Australia. You had a great reading month with all those 5 stars! I'm going to look up your fav, not sure I've heard of it

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

My best books of August were Same As It Ever Was and The Briar Club!

If I reflect back over the Summer, my top reads are Mary Jane, God of the Woods, The Berry Pickers and What the Dead Know (great on audio).

I’m reading Lady Tan’s Circle of Women right now but may have to pick up a mystery for the weekend as I have all the fall feels right now! I also have Perris, California from the library but not sure I’m up to a heavier read right now.

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author

You've got me excited to read The Briar Club...and I LOVED Mary Jane, that was such a fun read

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

August 4-5 stars: HISTORY OF SOUND, BY ANY OTHER NAME, THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY

Summer notables in addition to above mentioned: SANDWICH, HOW TO READ A BOOK, SAME BRIGHT STARS

Reading now: TELL ME EVERYTHING (Elizabeth Strout) THE FABLED EARTH (Kimberly Brock)

Perpetual recommended read: MARY JANE (Jessica Anya Blau)

Perpetual recommended podcast: WIND OF CHANGE (Patrick Radden Keefe)

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author

How's Tell Me Everything? Are you an Elizabeth Strout fan? She's one of the authors I still need to read 🙈

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I’ve read nearly all her novels and have enjoyed every one! Her prose is spare, yet impactful and I’m always excited to return to a pace (and place) where readers have the time and space to slow down and really absorb the message. I’d recommend My Name is Lucy Barton as a perfect primer before Tell Me Everything. So far so good 💗

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author

ok great, and you know my reading taste so if you’re saying start with Lucy barton, that’s what I’ll do👍🏻

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

That will give you a good sense of the pacing and most of the characters. My Name is Lucy Barton was a really quick read for me - so much that I thought my kindle didn’t download the whole thing!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

What are your favorite books of August? Worst Case Scenario, The Wedding People, Liars

What are your notable summer reads from the last 3 months?

The Cliffs

Husbands and Lovers

Same as it Ever Was

A Secret Worth Keeping

Summers at the Saint

We All Want Impossible Things

Swan Song

All Fours

Here we Go Again

What are you reading now (or finished reading this week?)

Currently reading Blue Sisters & House of Glass

Repeat question from last week for those who haven’t answered….What is ONE BOOK you love to recommend to other readers?

Same as it Ever Was

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author

I've been seeing good buzz about Liars. Thanks for your recommendation !

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I read some really good books this month, not a bad one in the bunch. This might be recency bias (I just finished it last night) but I think THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW is my favorite. It was the perfect book to end the summer with, and I loved the magical elements, the strong female characters, and the setting. It unfolded in ways I wasn't expecting and I can't wait to read more from Adrienne Young. I think I'll be listening to Spells for Forgetting very soon. (AND she has a new book coming out in January, A Sea of Unspoken Things.

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

August was a crazy month for me in a great way, I finished 12 books which is about double my norm and they were all at least 4 stars!! I had 5 books that I rated 5 stars and they are all completely different so I can't pick a favorite

- The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman - such a lovable misfit story

- Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - loved the quirkiness/writing style and now I must read all of Rufi's backlist

- 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann - clearly I love exploding my TBR, Sadie somehow makes every book she recommends a must read for me!

- I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid - cannot stop thinking about this one…

- Funny Story by Emily Henry - fell in my lap at exactly the right time

I'm in-between books but I think I'll pick up Reef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce tonight .

And finally one book I love to recommend is THE SHINING by Stephen King, I don't think I need to explain why :)

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author

You had an awesome reading month!! I want to read that Sadie Hartmann too! I heard her talk about it on The Talking Scared podcast, what a project

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

My favorite August reads were My Brilliant Friend and The Bright Sword. I put two because of the length of The Bright Sword.

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author

Was that your first time reading My Brilliant Friend? Are you continuing with the series?

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Aug 31Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

I had seen the HBO series of My Brilliant Friend. It was so so good. So when I read the book I understood it even more and I loved it. The movie followed the book perfectly. I am going to continue the series. I just got the second book called The Story of a New Name.

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Maybe I'll try an episode of the series to help get me into it, I tried the book on audio a long time ago and couldn't get into the flow of the writing style

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Sep 1Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

The series has subtitles and they speak in Italian. You may have to get used to it. Once I did I loved the way it pulled me further into the culture and story line

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

This month I really enjoyed THE DUKE OF HAZARD by KJ Charles. All of her books are instant comfort reads for me.

My notable summer reads were THE RAVEN CYCLE by Maggie Steifvater for capturing that teenage feeling of the world opening up in front of you. Another one was THE WOODS ALL BLACK by Lee Mandelo for hooking me on queer horror.

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author

I love having comfort read authors!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

1. Favorite books of August: You Are Here by David Nichols, The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, Just for Summer by Abby Jimenez (though I wish I had realized it was part of a series as I would have read the earlier books first).

2. In addition to the above, my favorites from this summer have been: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki, Sandwich by Catherine Newman, Real Americans by Rachel Khong.

3. I'm currently reading Think Again by Adam Grant and The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd.

4. My favorite nonfiction to recommend is Daring Greatly by Brene Brown; for fiction it depends on the person - The Rose Code by Kate Quinn if they like historical fiction, People We Meet on Vacation if they like romance, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch if they like science fiction.

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author

I really loved You are Here, he writes great love stories. I haven't heard of your first title in your summer favs, love finding new to me titles. And thanks for your recommendations!

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Aug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More

my favorite book of August was GIRL, INTERRUPTED by Susanna Kaysen. How about you Renee?

I’m currently on my second leg of Anna Karenina (Books 4-6) so that’s what I’m currently reading.

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We need your responses Renee!

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deletedAug 30Liked by Renee - Itsbooktalk & More
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author

I'm reading Blue Sisters soon, really looking forward to it

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