Auntie’s Annex: August Books
A lot about love, a little about murder.
Hello friends! Welcome to another installment of Auntie’s Annex, where I put the kids’ books back on their shelf and pull out my monthly stax. One of the best ways to get your kids involved in reading (or any activity) is to let them see you enjoying it, so let’s go!
I cannot fall asleep at night without reading. Even if I get the rare date night and my hubs and I close down the bar two-stepping, even if I am crawling under the covers at the hours reserved for witching magic and drunk drivers, I pull out my book. I may only read one or two sentences before I nod off, but it is the best way for my mind to wind down.
Yesterday I tried taking a bath with my book. This is an often romanticized image in my mind. Relaxing bubbles, a calm soak, my favorite book perched on my knees. Instead, I felt like a Celeste Barber reel — comically uncomfortable, the pages of my book getting soaked while I only managed to get half of my body submerged. No bubbles, no relaxing, the crink in my neck only getting worse as I floundered about trying to spare my text.
What is your favorite place to read? What about your least favorite?
I’m a few days late for Auntie’s Annex, which means I get to sneak a few extra books in under the wire. Lucky you. This post is “near length limit” (it warns) but you should be able to see it all via substack app or if you expand the email. And if you want to pick up one of the books I mention, and you use the handy link I provide, I will (hopefully, eventually) get a small kick back, so, thanks in advance.
AUGUST’S TOP PICKS
AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by Tayari Jones
Celestial and Roy are newlyweds on the up and up when an unthinkable (but all too common) tragedy strikes, and Roy finds himself wrongfully incarcerated. One tiny event changes the course of their lives forever.
Wow. Wow. Wow. This is a knock out of a book. The writing is immediately electric and hooked me from the start. The epistolary form allows the reader to gather both sweeping and specific information with beautiful execution, bringing us into the very intimate center of each character’s inner thoughts. As the story continues after the life altering event, and it is existence in all the messy, complicated, beautiful, and understandable ways that humans can coexist. A powerful read about a powerfully important topic.
TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett performed by Meryl Streep
Lara and Joe and their three girls are isolated during the pandemic working the family cherry farm. The scene is ripe (haha) for a trip down memory lane as Lara tells her girls about that summer she was in love with Duke, the movie star.
If Meryl Streep isn’t already a QUEEN of all things in your estimation, give this audiobook a listen and let her bring the cherry farm, the girls, and the beautiful Lara to life. Lara, filling the days with a tale from her past life, which feels both just around the last corner and a full lifetime ago. I relate to feeling like there have been so many iterations of me that the person I was then is nearly a stranger to who I am now. This is a book that filled me with joy for the life and the path that has led me to here, and also leaves me feeling fond towards all the women in my family, for their stories I know and have yet to discover.
BOOKS ABOUT THIS MESSY LIFE
I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy started acting at her mom’s request at the age of 6 and had to grow up under the scrutiny of Hollywood, and even worse, the scrutiny of her over-bearing mother. Enter trauma.
Wow, a car crash I want to see through to the finish, even if it makes me cringe. This book is haunting with a capital H for its honesty and raw energy. The writing is funny and vulnerable, and sometimes a bit disarming in it’s brutality. Full disclosure: I didn’t know who Jennette McCurdy was, I was 24 in 2007 when the show iCarly originally aired, so I wasn’t the target audience. Not knowing who she was did not make this less of an emotional read. The title is as brash as the book and you should be prepared for graphic descriptions of an abusive mother and an eating disorder. As someone who had never experienced either (lucky lucky me) it was more shocking than anything else, but I imagine this book would be very crucial for the right audience.
HEARTBURN by Nora Ephron
Rachel Samstat is 7 months pregnant with her second child when she finds out (from an inscription in a child’s book, no less) that her husband, Mark, is having an affair.
This book felt very NY. So very 1983. It was heartwrenching and hilarious. My sister will die two times over (and be completely non-plussed) when I tell y’all that I didn’t even REALIZE that Nora Ephron was the writer of When Harry Met Sally and that the whole time I was reading this book was thinking of Carrie Fisher’s character lamenting over her affair:
The humor had a Seinfeld vibe “what’s the deal with…” and an obsession with therapy, which feels appropriate and cutting edge given the era. Ephron’s ability to create a character who can so perfectly encapsulate a human without being a flat projection or a character-type is worth applause. Her cutting humor about love, humanity, and being a woman was both dated and (sigh) still applicable. This is my first Ephron and I will be going back for more.
THE RACHEL INCIDENT by Caroline O’Donoghue
Rachel is wrapping up university, works at a bookshop, has a crush on her professor, and meets a James or two. The events that unfold in one murky coming of age year are both complicated and commonplace, astounding and ordinary.
Messy, tender, and sweet, this book will make you nostalgic for your twenties, glad you are no longer in your twenties, and a bit heartbroken for the things that happened when we were kids. It will make you want to visit Ireland or at the very least hang with your best Irish gal (looking at you, N) and have some nonsensical adventures. It deals with the very real struggle of being a woman living in a county that doesn’t have abortion access, which feels terrifyingly topical for our current political climate. That said, it doesn’t read as a political book, but more as a lovely capture of youth, of being involved, confused, and trying to make it over the hump of adolescence and into the independent world of being an adult. Those foggy days on the cusp of whatever you are to become.
AUGUST ROMANCE READS
LUNAR LOVE by Lauren Kung Jessen
Olivia is inheriting her family’s zodiac based matchmaking business, and the competition is hot. Literally. His name is Bennet O’Brien and he is about to take traditional matchmaking into the digital age.
In this charming competitors-turned-lovers closed-door romance, prepare to swipe right. The story is as cute and wholesome as the characters. And despite the lack of bratwurst exposure and quivering members (I just rewatched 10 Things I Hate About You) this book will carry you along the romance wave just fine.
THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES by Sangu Mandanna
Mika is a witch (in hiding, duh) who answers a peculiar Help Wanted ad to find a house full of young witches who need a tutor, and one surly librarian who is less than enthusiastic about her arrival.
The cover blurb does not lie, this was a very cozy book that had me longing for my fall sweaters. I’ve been meaning to write my own witchy novel (never going to happen) and I’ve been on a romance rampage, so I was delighted to find a book at the confluence of romance and witches. It was mild in the romance department, more like the door was open just a crack, but adding a witchy element was enough fun for me to stick around. Perfect for an October/Fall romance read.
Two things I don’t get about romances (please please enlighten me) but which don’t detract from my enjoyment:
The first-name-last-name repition. I’ve never met a genre so obsessed with everyone’s full names like it’s a cute thing. Is it a cute thing?
The forearm being sexy. I simply don’t get it, but they come up more than I’d like as an object of desire.
MURDER MYSTERY FOR FUNSIES
MOTHER DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT by Nina Simon
Lana, a high power real-estate mogul, is forced by an illness to move in with her estranged daughter Beth, and her seafaring granddaughter, Jack. Her bedridden days quickly take a turn when she spies a mysterious figure in the night, and a body is found in the marsh the next day. Will Lana be able to use all her pent-up energy to solve the local murder?
A fatnastic generational whodunnit featuring a trio of strong and capable women (yay) all going through transitional phases of life. I love a good citizen gone rogue detective, and this one has a strong and unapologetic female lady boss that I simultaneously roll my eyes at and absolutely love. Oh! Plus, the men all take the backseat and it is a joy to read. I had a hunch who was guilty was before the story wrapped, but I would still fully recommend! I also just discoverd that Nina Simon is here on Substack, so lets check her out, yes?
BOOKS IN A SERIES
THE WINNERS (#3) by Fredrik Backman
Benji Benji Benji, we love you so. When a big storm brings down Beartown, those who have scattered find themselves coming back to help bury the dead, unbury the secrets, bury the past, unbury the future, and bury more dead. PHEW.
Never have I read a series where I have highlighted, shared, written down, or dog-eared as many pages and passages as this Beartown series by Fredrik Backman. I am not a great lover of sports, but I am a great lover of my children. I am, I think, a bit of a “forest folk” who just hasn’t fully found their forest yet. I am a person who wept at every ending at at every new beginning.
IN THE HAND OF THE GODDESS (#2) by Tamora Pierce
Alanna masquerading as Alan, finishes up her training as a Knight while serving as squire for the Prince, who also happens to be her best friend. When his life (and thus hers) is threatened by the greatest sorcerer in the realm it is up to Alanna to keep both her identity and her best friend safe.
I love this middle grade series. I was a tomboy as a kid, and would have loved to know that Alanna was out there, wishing to be a knight but also feeling conflicted about her inevitable maturity. Alanna is appropriately confused and betrayed by her body, and her romantic feelings simmering just under her first focus of becoming a knight. If she too easily defeats the dark wizard, or too readily gains support of her friends upon her big reveal, well…I am not complaining. I still want to read more about Alanna and what adventures lie in store.
A GREAT RECKONING (#12) by Louise Penny
Gamache in his new job at the Sûreté academy and is gifted an odd map by his friends in Three Pines. Never could anyone imagine how the map and the acadamy would entertwine. And of course, there is a murder to solve.
Question: should I review these books individually or wait and do one big review of the series? Mostly, I would say this series is worth reading or listening to, especially as an introduction to crime novels as the gore is mild and the characters loveable. This particular book didn’t capture my attention but I may just be on a listening hiatus lately and generally uninspired by audio (unless it is performed by THE Meryl Streep, then I am all ears).
ON THE NIGHTSTAND
in hand: OMG IDK yet!! Fun.
on Kindle: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
in ear: Glass Houses by Louise Penny
ADULTING
Thanks for being here. August is our annual beach trip to the third coast. We are at that age where it seems that with each passing year another baby makes their debut. Last year my friend Ada introduced us all to the perfect summer beach cocktail, this year she introduced us to her new baby, and a different take on the same cocktail. This is true friendship. I hope the beach trip, the babies, and the cocktails remain true for many years to come. Oh, and we also caught the biggest fish I’ve ever seen.
The Drink:
Spaghett with Campari (no, internet, not Spaghetti with Calamari)
Last year, we made Aperol Spritzes oceanside with champagne & lemon juice. This year we simplified: crack open a High Life, take a generous sip, then pour a shot of Campari and a shot of lemon juice straight into the bottle. Or, put them on a full glass of ice to keep it good and cold to the very last drop in this hot Texas heat. CHEERS.
One Cold Miller High Life
One shot of Campari
One shot of lemon juice
The Fish:
Not a fake picture. Not an innuendo. How much do you think this fish weighs? We threw him back, so the gentlefish lives to bite another line.
What have y’all been reading this August?
See you next time and happy reading y’all!
Did you know that the audio version of Heartburn is also read by Meryl Streep?? Loved it.
I’m so glad you’re reading the Alanna series! It was one of my first forays into fantasy and boy have I been hooked ever since.