For August, I made it through a few more books in my (massive) TBR pile. A lot of romance and romcoms but then also paired with some creepier reads as I prepared for Spooky Season. Of the six books I read last month, I think three or four of them are going to wind up making it into my overall fave books of 2022. So it was a good month! But without further rambling, here’s the roundup:

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – An enchanting story perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Practical Magic. Easily one of my favourite books of the year, casting its spell over me with its charming characters, wonderful premise, and strong themes of family, love, and belonging. A must-read for anyone who enjoys found family tropes and romantic enemy-to-lovers stories with a dash of magic.
• Shades of Fear, edited by Allison O’Toole and Ashanti Fortson – A brilliant array of creators, each with their own chilling tale to get under your skin and give you goosebumps with.
• The Whisper Man by Alex North – A creepy and captivating book. I kept forgetting this was a book I was reading, it felt like a crime series I was watching and immersed in. Very well written and thoroughly haunting.
• Beach Read by Emily Henry – A perfect summer read! Emily Henry writes a heartfelt and delightful romcom with the classic enemies to lovers trope. I was rooting for our two protagonists and thoroughly enjoyed the ride from start to finish. Clever, fun, and witty.
• The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty – I made it about halfway through this and then DNFed it. It’s a well-written and intriguing story but it’s SO dense and there’s so much worldbuilding and history that it was extremely overwhelming to keep up with everything in my head. I still gave it four stars since I recognize the incredible talent and skill that went into the story, characters, and world, but it ultimately wasn’t for me.
• Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen – A beautiful multi-POV that mixes the ordinary with fantastical. While the larger story revolves around the tenants of a small, whimsical building called The Dellawisp, it weaves in the supernatural as well. The multi-POV incorporates that of the dearly (and not-so-dearly) departed as we find out about the lives of those who carry on, even after death. It’s a breezy read and reminds me of a slightly less dark Her Fearful Symmetry.

What have you been reading and enjoying?