If You Only Read One: August 2021
If You Only Read One: August 2021
We know that we read — and review — a lot of books. It definitely helps that there are three of us, in that regard. So with this feature, we want to tell you our favorite read of the month - if we only recommend one book to pick up, what would it be?
Moira
Willa C. Richards’ “The Comfort of Monsters” (Bookshop | Kindle) was a surprise read that had me up late two nights in a row—I finished it in about 24 hours. Set in a dual timeline of 1991 and 2019 in Milwaukee, Peg reckons with the aftermath of her sister’s disappearance. 1991 was the summer Dahmer was arrested in Milwaukee, which enhances the darkness of the already harrowing story. Readers shouldn’t expect a traditional mystery: this is far more along the lines of psychological fiction. Regardless, it’s an amazing debut novel from a very promising author.
Shannon
I’ve already shared a glowing review of “Ace of Spades” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Bookshop | Kindle — and note that my review contains spoilers!), but it was absolutely the best book I read in a pretty good month of reading (if you like YA, celeb memoirs, and romance, that is). I kept most of my reading pretty light (in topic) in August, but “Ace of Spades” is YA, its definitely not a lighthearted topic. It’s a wonderful, thought-provoking allegory on racism and how microaggressions can build up over time for Black people with disastrous consequences. If you are white, I highly recommend this book! I can see how this may read as trauma porn for Black people, so tread carefully there.
Elizabeth
So, this is easily the least I have read in one month since I was in law school, and I blame work stress and the newest and fluffiest member of the Etherton household. It is what it is. However, two of the books I actually finished were about my adopted hometown, Washington DC, and I’m happy to say one of them — “Ladies of the House” by Laurie Edmonson (Bookshop | Kindle) — was the best book I read this month. I’m always a fan of a revisiting of a Jane Austen classic, and tbh, I may have preferred this book to “Sense and Sensibility.” This book felt like a warm hug in an increasingly chaotic month, and if you’re looking for a comfort read like I am, I’d put this at the top of your list.
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