What I Read In August 2020

All the books I read in August is from my Summer reading list. I think this is the first time ever that I read about 75% of my list (it’s more like 73%). To be exact, I read 11 out of the 15 books. I still might read the remaining 4 in the Fall, but we’ll see. There’s so many good books out there that I wish I was a much faster reading haha. Overall, I was so pleased with everything I read in August.

What I Read In August 2020

One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Bea is a plus-size fashion influencer with devoted followers and she loves to watch the hitreality show, Main Squeeze. It’s a show where there is one lead and dates 25 people at the same time and each week the lead is eliminating someone. Bea is sick and tired of the lack of diversity on this show. Then one day, she was selected to be the lead on Main Squeeze. When the camera starts rolling, Bea realized this show is so much more complicated. It’s so messy and most of all, could she really find love in this process.

If you love watching The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, that’s basically what this book is based on (in the book they called the show Main Squeeze). Since there’s basically no new season during quarantine, this book satisfied my craving for The Bachelor or Bachelorette. I felt like I was watching it! I love that they touch on diversity because that is truly what the show is missing. If you want a fun book to read / need a guilty pleasure / mindless reading, then you’ll enjoy this one.

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Mallory’s son, Link, was told to call the number that a slip paper. Link’s mom is in hospice and these were her instructions before she passed. When Link called the number, Jake McCloud picked up. Jake is the husband of the frontrunner presidential candidate. Link doesn’t understand why Jake McCloud picked up and how he knows his mother. Then the book flashes back to 1993 when Mallory inherited the Nantucket cottage from her late Aunt. Mallory hosted her brother’s bachelor party at her cottage and her brother’s friend, Jake. From there, it takes us through how Mallory’s life and how Jake’s life evolved from that bachelor weekend.

I was so look forward to reading 28 Summers. It’s Elin Hilderbrand’s new book of the summer. I added it to my Summer reading list. I enjoyed every bit of the book and it got me emotional. But I can’t tell if the ending was happy or sad. There were for sure very sad moments, but I love that it made me ponder if things did go well in the end for everyone. What I also love about the book is that each chapter is a new year and before she dives deep into each character during that year, Elin shares highlights about what happened that year.

What I find the most fascinating is when she started the book with year 2020 (Mallory on her deathbed) and shared everything that has happened to 2020. I don’t know how Elin was able to publish this book in time to share 2020 current events. Must that’s impressive. For sure believe that this book is a summer must-read.

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

This book takes place in Atlantic City, 1934 and based on a true story. Florence returned from college and determined to spend the summer training to swim the English Channel. Fannie (Florence’s older sister) is pregnant again after recently losing a baby and is on bedrest for the rest of her pregnancy. Their father insists they take in a mysterious young woman, Amma, whom he recently helped emigrate from Nazi Germany. Then tragedy strikes, and their mother makes a shocking decision to hide the truth.

I found out that at the end of this book who the true story was based on. Overall, I would categorize this book as a historical fiction. I was immediately into the book. The way the characters were introduced and how each one felt like a mystery is what kept me going. I will admit the family frustrated me and how they handled the tragedy. The only one likable is Gussie – the little girl and Anna (Jewish immigrated from Germany). It was interesting to hear how Americans heard about what is happening with the Nazis. If anything it made me so anxious because we all know historically what happened. I also found it interesting how in the 1930’s Atlantic City almost sounded like they’re living in Europe.

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

This is the same author as the Crazy Rich Asians series. Lucie Churchill  instantly can’t stand Georgeo Zao. One day they and was caught by her snobbish cousin Charlotte. “Your mother is Chinese so it’s no surprise you’d be attracted to someone like him,” Charlotte teases. Lucie is the daughter of an American-born Chinese mother and a blue-blooded New York father. Lucie has always favored her white side of the family and denies having feelings for George. Several years later, George unexpectedly appears in East Hampton, where Lucie is a fiancé and finds herself drawn to George again. Soon, Lucie is spinning a web of deceit.

If you loved reading the Crazy Rich Asians series, you will love this book too. I enjoyed every minute of it. Kevin Kwan does an incredible job describing countries and location. Because Now I want to go to Capri so badly. I also love how Kevin Kwan does a great job with adding in Asian culture. Overall,  I thought this book was funny and entertaining. I was zipping through this bookso quickly. It’s such an easy read!

How did you do with your Summer reading list? Were you able to read most of it, some of it, or didn’t get a chance to?

xo RD