August Books – What I read

This post “August Books” contains affiliate links.

August felt like a slow reading month for me. The books were not something I flew through. One took me almost two weeks. And then I had so much on my mind that I didn’t feel like I had any more brain space to dive into new stories. I still managed to pick up entertaining books and had fun reading. So overall it was a good month for sure. Here they are my August books: What I read last month.

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn | ★★★★☆

What it is about: After loosing their house and livelihood after a three year court fight Ray and Moth are homeless. Shortly after also learning that Moth is terminally ill. Due to no other option and having nothing to loose they decide to walk the 1000 km (800 mile) long South West Coast Path in Great Britain.
What I thought: This book was really something. You’d think following people on the mundane task of walking along a coast line, struggling from exhaustion and hunger may be boring. Well it isn’t. I really enjoyed following Ray & Moth along the trail, reading about human interactions on the path, thoughts about life, reflections and hopes. It is a slower paced book and it was the perfect read while watching the sea during my vacation.
Original Language and Title: English paperback, eBook
Publications: German: paperback, eBook
Recommend to: Everyone liking hiking, adventure, real life stories and hopeful tales.

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon | ★★★☆☆

What it is about: For 1000 years the East and the West are divided. Each try to protect the realms from harm through different methods. But evil is rising and they need to come together to banish it once and for all.
What I thought: Reading a super hyped book always makes me a bit anxious because I have so high hope. Most often they are not quite fulfilled. Same here. The story itself was interesting enough that I kept reading this 800 page tale. However I believe it could have been told on half the pages. I enjoyed the different take on the dragons and especially the eastern folk tales that were included. Unfortunately I found no character really likable which may have been due to lack of developing the characters after initially appearing in the story. Also I personally found the world building a bit of a blueprint of existing societies.
Original Language and Title: English hardcover, paperback, eBook
Publications: German title “Der Orden des geheimen Baumes” hardcover, eBook
Recommend to: Readers who enjoy an epic fantasy novel.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey | ★★★☆☆

What it is about: Turning 50 Matthew is needing some new perspective inn life. So he buys a one way ticket to the desert and starts skimming through his dairies of 35 years. In the end he created this book.
What I thought: I bought this book on a whim after reading a book review on Instagram. Otherwise this book probably would have never made it to my TBR. It was an interesting read that gave a lot of insights to the life and thoughts of Matthew McConnegeau. It made im a person for me who has never really read anything more than a movie review about him. However I do not think there is much life changing wisdom hidden in the book. I read it as an ebook and I skipped a lot of the stories and handwritten notes as they were to small to decipher on a kindle. Si I would recommend getting a hardcopy of the book. I also heard the audio book is fun as it is narrated by Matthew himself.
Original Language and Title: hardcover, paperback, eBook
Publications: German hardcover, eBook
Recommend to: If you like biographies and memoire, love Matthew MCConaughey and love a glimpse into Hollywood

Die letzte Erkenntnis by Bernadette Calonego | ★★★☆☆

What it is about: Years after his brothers death he stumbles across new information and wonders if 3 death in Europe are connecting to his brothers. He travels to figure it out. At the same time one of the victims daughter is trying to escape her trauma by coming to an Canadian ranch. Soon their storylines are entangled.
What I thought: I enjoy this authors crime stories as they are not too bloody and horrific but rather have you solving a mystery that involves murder. Usually set in the Canadian outback. This one was a bit different as the story takes us to Berlin, Switzerland and Italy as well as Canada. The Berlin scenes were perfectly described and all locations spot on. I enjoyed reading it however it wasn’t my favorite. This may be due to the political setting. I don’t care much about it. Also I personally think the story was at times a bit too constructed.
Original Language and Title: German paperback, eBook
Publications: not translated
Recommend to: Everyone needing the first overview of the topic and doesn’t want to travel the internet.

Have you read any of the books or any of the authors? I am currently struggling with a lot of good books on my TBR but I feel like that I won’t appreciate them at this time. Do you know what I mean? I was looking forward finally reading but then nothing really gets me too excited. It’s a tough dilemma. Really. Anyhow hope you have good book picks in September.

Happy reading

Tobia