What I Read in August
August has flown by. This is always a tough month for me, and with a few bigger family events taking place, I’m surprised I was able to read as much as I did. The Kindle app deserves all the credit; being able to read on-the-go and not have to worry about downloading books or keeping another device charged makes a much bigger difference than you’d think.
Below, here’s everything I read this August.
what i read in august
i am not a robot: my year using ai to do (almost) everything by joanna stern
4/5 stars
I Am Not A Robot follows a WSJ author as she spends a year testing various AI tools and reporting on what she learns. The range of AI went far beyond just chat GPT; areas of experimentation included self-driving cars, therapy, massage, medical scan tools, and even a romantic relationship.
The book as a whole was interesting but a little too ahead of its time; it would’ve been more impactful had the technology had another year or two to work through some of the bigger, more expected hiccups. For example, we’ve seen self-driving cars in the news for years now and they still struggle to work properly. Instead of spending a full chapter on that, which didn’t share anything new or groundbreaking, other AI tools could’ve been expanded upon further. The best chapter was how AI impacts school assignments and students’ ability to learn.
Overall, the book shares a few ways in which AI will benefit us as a society, but mostly serves as a cautionary tale should we become too reliant. As someone who grew up with IM and text messaging as a norm, learning to “understand” tone and context through a screen isn’t far-fetched to me; relying on AI provide companionship and someone to talk to regularly, however, is too much, and makes me quite concerned for future generations.
Favorite quotes:
“If Al becomes the thinking assistant students lean on too early or too often, we could end up with a generation that's always able to access AI for knowledge but has had far fewer chances to build judgment. They'll have the outputs, but not the instincts.” (p. 209)
“Do we really need even more hyper-optimized, hyper-targeted content designed to keep us glued to our screens? Are we headed toward a future in which we generate hyperrealistic videos of family trips to the Grand Canyon instead of actually going there? A world where simulation starts to feel preferable to experience?” (p. 256)
“The past three decades of rapid technical innovation didn't ruin us, but they did remake us.” (p. 266)
Read it here.
the girls in the dark by avery bishop
4/5 stars
The Girls in the Dark is one of those thrillers that somehow manages to feel both fast-paced and like a slow burn at the same time. There’s something to be said for a 400-page thriller that holds your attention from beginning to end and makes it genuinely difficult to put down.
The subject matter is dark at times, but the immersive storytelling keeps the book from feeling gratuitous. There’s plenty of detail, but the pacing keeps the story moving so it never feels like it's dragging or lingering unnecessarily.
What also gives the story more weight is the main character's relationships with her sister and daughter. It was an emotional layer I didn’t expect, and made me reflect after finishing the book.
No spoilers, but while I liked the ending, I also found myself feeling a little bit of a "that's it?" reaction after being so obsessed with the story from the very beginning. It wasn't a bad ending, but after such a clever and strong build-up, I was expecting just a little more.
Still, I look forward to reading more from this author, and I think The Girls in the Dark would make a great book club pick with plenty to discuss.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
little miss petty by sally kilpatrick
3.5/5 stars
A breezy palette cleanser, Little Miss Petty is a simple book that’s perfect for a lazy day on the beach or when you want to read something lighthearted instead of scrolling. I’ve liked a previous book by this author (Nobody’s Perfect), and while this book isn’t better, it’s still true to the author’s talents - a sweet, slightly cheesy story with a few laugh-out-loud quotes sprinkled in.
The main highlights of Little Miss Petty are the hints of humor and the way it depicts female friendship (especially with a group of three in different stages of life). Even though the plot highlights petty revenge, it’s less snarky than I thought and leans much more on a romantic plot line. I wish we had a few more petty scenes included for levity, especially with her ex. Still, the book adds heart without taking itself too seriously, so it’s a great book to pick up if you don’t necessarily know what you’re in the mood to read. Also ideal for fans of the early 2000s rom-com movies.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the butcher by jennifer hillier
3.5/5 stars
After seeing a few of my friends rave about The Butcher, I knew I had to add it to my reading list. Jennifer Hillier’s thrillers are some of my favorites, so I had high hopes!
Unfortunately, The Butcher just wasn’t for me. Before I dive into detail (no spoilers), I will say that I seem to be the outlier here; it has a high overall average and my friends absolutely loved it.
In my opinion, this book gave everything away within the first chapter. I saw most of the twists coming, though the ending was more far-fetched than I anticipated. Hillier is such a clever writer that I simply expected more, especially since she seemed to incorporate quite a few ‘coincidences.’
Sadly, I don’t think you have to read a lot of thrillers to see where things are going, but again, this is a very popular book, so don’t just take my word for it!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
wonderland by jennifer hillier
4/5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Hillier for years but hadn’t read any of her books for a while, and because The Butcher wasn’t my favorite, I wanted to give something else a chance. I was initially torn between reading that and Wonderland, so I’m glad I ended up reading both this month, because Wonderland is the perfect end-of-summer thriller, from the initial cover down to the last sentence.
Set in a small town in Washington, the focal point here is Wonderland, the amusement park that employs most of the town. As such, you get a great mix of characters - young, old, new, and long-time residents. Quaint towns are a dime a dozen when it comes to thrillers, but this doesn’t feel stale in the slightest. I also loved the amusement park setting. It adds a slightly eerie atmosphere, and while it is creepy at times, it doesn’t cross into full-on horror.
True to what you can expect with a Hillier novel, the book touches on a few darker topics, but it never felt overwhelmingly heavy. It has the suspense and darker edge you want from a thriller without becoming emotionally exhausting.
While it did seem a little long at times, the story keeps you guessing and the connection between the past and present was especially well done. The story cleverly brings different timelines and events together without becoming confusing or difficult to follow.
My only disappointment was that the writing felt like it was setting up for a series. The author created layered characters and it seemed like a great launch pad for a two or three-part series, but it looks like this is just a standalone. Fortunately, you get a complete ending, but I do wish this had been the beginning of something bigger.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the life that’s waiting by brianna wiest
4/5 stars
Brianna Wiest is known for philosophical, Tumblr-esque essay collections that are a mix of grounding, reassuring, and hope-inducing. The Life That’s Waiting is no exception; it’s the perfect book for those who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or restless in that “in between” phase of life. Some of the chapters are titled “Read This when You’re Paralyzed by Fear” and “Read This when You Care Too Much about What Other People Think.”
After going through a tough month, I wanted a non-fiction book that gave me a wider perspective without throwing lots of advice my way, and this absolutely fit the bill. Because it’s an essay collection, this is a great book to invest in because you can pick it up as needed. I almost recommend it more that way; reading it straight-through as I did made the material a little redundant towards the end.
Instagrammable and quotable, this book would make an excellent gift, though I wouldn’t select it for a book club discussion.
Favorite quotes:
“Happiness is not how your life appears, it is the quality of your connection to it.” (p. 44)
“When we are searching for a purpose, we are often looking for a way to save the world. Purpose is first asking us to save ourselves. To recognize that the only life we are truly able to completely control from beginning to end is our own.” (p. 162)
“I hope you learn to differentiate comforting yourself with coddling; I hope you stop negotiating your standards down to your familiarities, I hope you stop talking yourself out of the person you actually want to be.” (p. 211)
Read it here.
down with the system: a memoir (of sorts) by serj tankian
4/5 stars
Down with the System is one of the most unique, layered memoirs I’ve read. The author touches on historic events that impacted his grandparents (and parents), sharing how they also affected his life, and then recounts his childhood up until the present day.
Themes include identity, community, justice, activism, and art. The book truly reads like an exploration versus just a recollection, and it’s philosophical at times without being preachy.
While this isn't a self-help or advice-driven book, one of my biggest takeaways was the author's emphasis on compassionate confrontation as a way to live more fully in alignment with your values and goals. I appreciated reading about his struggle to distinguish between being a genuine peacekeeper and people-pleasing to the point of self-abandonment, and how he ultimately found a more balanced middle ground, even when it means accepting that others might still be disappointed.
Favorite quotes:
“The experience of being caught in the middle of a war that seems to have nothing to do with you is, in fact, the experience of most people in war zones, and something that left a deep, indelible impression on my psyche.” (p. 45)
“I’ve always felt that on the day of reckoning, if there is one, we will not be divided into believers and nonbelievers, but instead we'll be divided between those who truly feel at one with all beings and the universe, and those who don't. The greatest act of love is the opening of a door to a complete stranger. Acts of kindness are inspirational and often create a ripple multiplier effect that render a high quotient of positive productivity.” (p. 169)
“Real art is about saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that scare you and the challenges that look too daunting to take on. Art exists for its own sake, much like the universe itself.” (p. 267)
Read it here.
dead girls tell no tales by carissa ann lynch
3/5 stars
Dead Girls Tell No Tales is a gritty, atmospheric mystery with a unique voice and strong indie movie vibes. The storytelling leans more toward stream-of-consciousness writing and building a specific mood than creating nonstop suspense, so I can definitely see why the writing style hasn’t worked for everyone in other reviews I read.
My main critique is that even though the main character is my age, it read a little more YA than I expected, and I wish there had been another point of view to add more dimension and momentum to the story.
While there’s a strong “whodunit element,” this is more of a voice-driven novel than a traditional popcorn thriller. If you read thrillers for their fast pacing, tight plots, and endless twists, this will feel a little too artsy. It really has a gritty, indie vibe that makes it a writers novel, though I could see it developing a cult following on Tumblr back in 2013. I personally loved the uniqueness and it made for a nice break in between popcorn thrillers without having to sacrifice suspense.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the death row club by v.a. vasquez
3.5/5 stars
The Death Row Club had a super intriguing premise that immediately pulled me in; I try to borrow (rather than buy) most of my books, but really couldn’t resist when I saw this while scrolling on Amazon. Unfortunately, though, the execution didn't quite deliver on the potential.
The story was enjoyable enough, and the characters were certainly unique, but neither the characters nor the plot stood out as much as I wanted them to. At times, the story felt a little convoluted and confusing, with so much going on that it became harder to connect with the bigger picture.
The idea behind the book was such a strong one that I think this is one of those books where less would have been more. Whether that meant fewer characters with more opportunity to really stand out or a tighter, more focused plot, I kept feeling like the story could have benefited from a little more restraint or editing. This is the author’s debut novel, though, so I plan to pick up their next release.
Read it here.
what we did to survive by megan lally
3.5/5 stars
What We Did to Survive is a true summer YA thriller. Between the setting, the drama, and the survivalist elements, it has that perfect “read this by the pool or on vacation” energy. And while I do love a good YA book, this definitely skews younger YA. Some of the characters and drama felt a little immature, so I think your enjoyment may depend on how much patience you have for that particular style of YA.
The survivalist thriller element immediately pulled me in. Something about characters being forced to survive under extreme circumstances always gets me, and this book definitely delivered on the tension. One thing to note is that the characters, especially being immature teens, were pretty unlikeable. The drama also got annoying and redundant at times, but you kind of need to expect it with an YA book. Lastly, you’ll also need to suspend your disbelief a bit.
The clever twist at the end is exactly what I've come to expect from Lally’s books, yet I still didn't see it coming. I knew there would be a big twist at the end, but it genuinely caught me off guard.
If you liked We Were Liars, I think you'll probably enjoy this one. It has a similar YA summer thriller feel, a handful of messy characters, secrets, and a twist that makes you want to go back and re-read it immediately.
Read it here.
the company we keep: friendship, connection, and redefining what it means to grow together by alexandra elle
3/5 stars
The Company We Keep is book that I picked based on the cover. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and while it wasn’t bad, I didn’t walk away particularly moved. It’s a thoughtful book about friendship, but it doesn't reinvent the wheel. Pretty enough to display, it only took me an hour or two to finish.
The main themes are reciprocity, open communication, and being clear about what you need from your friendships, with reflection questions at the end of each chapter, plus a few different communication prompts you can adjust or copy-paste into your own conversations.
While the author includes a few personal anecdotes, this is not ‘part memoir’ as she describes it. Further, the advice feels centered around what the author personally needs from friendship (particularly frequent check-ins, lots of communication) rather than being a completely unbiased guide.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Honesty is loving, clarity is considerate, and communication is key.” (p. 37)
“Healing and growth are inseparable from the company we keep. The people around us can either help us rise or hold us back.” (p. 62)
Three key steps to resolve conflict: accept, address, adjust. (p. 136)
“Friendships need compassionate directness, not quiet speculation. Instead of waiting for someone to notice our silence, we need to be willing to communicate.” (p. 168)
Read it here.
someone’s listening by seraphina nova glass
3/5 stars
Someone's Listening is a suspenseful yet fun thriller, but it wasn't one of my favorites by this author.
The main character is meant to be a messy, unreliable alcoholic, but for me, her drinking felt more like a drag on the story than something that added dimension to her character. She was missing the complexity you get with a character like in The Girl on the Train, where the alcoholism feels much more intertwined with the character and the story.
I also wish the podcast element had been stronger. It's an intriguing part of the set-up, but it gradually felt less important, to the point where I almost forgot how much the story initially centered around it by the time I reached the end.
I do enjoy this author, and I’m glad I went back to re-read her debut novel. While not a new favorite, it’s still a solid read and it’s nice to see how much stronger her work has gotten over the years.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the blackbird conspiracy by tariq ashkanani
3.5/5 stars
The Blackbird Conspiracy is the sequel to The Night Watcher, a book I loved last fall after picking it up through Amazon First Reads. It was actually one of the better books I've gotten through the program, so I was really looking forward to this one.
My biggest issue is honestly the wait between books. I really don't want to believe social media's instant gratification has impacted my memory this much, but the sequel should have come out sooner. This is clearly building into a larger series, and without getting into spoilers, this book also sets up the next installment. There are multiple storylines and pieces of a bigger picture being developed, and waiting more than a year between releases makes it harder to stay connected to (and invested in) all of it.
Because of that, I had to skim the first book again before starting this one, which I'd definitely recommend if you're reading it. Once I got back into the story, I really enjoyed The Blackbird Conspiracy. It's clever, twisty, and entertaining, though everything is turned down slightly compared to the first book. The first book made a splash; this was more of a sprinkle. For example, I missed the main character's spunk, which was such a large part of the first book. Her backstory continues to develop here and I liked getting more of it, though I wish it had played a slightly bigger role in the story.
I will absolutely download the next book; I just hope it comes a little sooner.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
she must go by aj campbell
2/5 stars
She Must Go is another highly rated KU thriller that unfortunately didn't quite live up to the hype for me. The premise was interesting and reminded me of an old Criminal Minds episode, but I found the story to be too predictable. The ending was also lackluster; I appreciate its completeness but it was almost too neat considering all the main character had been through.
One thing I did really appreciate was the more emotional and nuanced depiction of Alzheimer's. It’s not uncommon for thrillers to utilize the “sudden memory loss” trope; this was much more intentional, thoughtful, and realistic.
It’s an interesting read that I think fans of John Marrs will enjoy, but I personally prefer something more dynamic.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
gone woman by a.j. rivers
1/5 stars
If you’ve seen any of my other reviews, you may know that The Girl in Cabin 13 is one of my favorite Kindle Unlimited thrillers. That said, sometimes her series run for too long (30+ books), so I wanted to dive into her bibliography to see if there were any standalone novels I could read over the weekend - enter Gone Woman.
Gone Woman had a really intriguing storyline, but unfortunately, I just didn't connect with the story as much as I wanted to. The setup has an almost sci-fi-like quality, with the missing memories, strange circumstances, and questions surrounding what is actually happening, but for me, it was much more confusing than compelling, which is especially disappointing for a short, 200-page book.
Touching on page count again, the book is relatively short, yet it somehow felt much longer than it actually was. I kept waiting for the story to pull me in, but I never became particularly invested in the characters or the mystery.
This book is one I would skip, but I would absolutely check out The Girl in Cabin 13 if you love dark, Criminal Minds-like thrillers; I recommend adding it to your winter reading list!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
Lastly, I am on a big Shari Lapena kick for a post I'm working on, so I did my best to catch-up on her bibliography:
getting away with murder
3/5 stars
I’ve become a huge fan of Shari Lapena over the last few years; she writes these captivating thrillers are SO hard to put down. Told from a handful of perspectives, the reader is given a bird’s eye view into a crime or “whodunit” mystery and the way she crafts twists and reveals is just so fun and rewarding.
Getting Away with Murder is her newest release, and I was sadly not as obsessed with this book as I have been with her last few reads. The plot is pretty flat and predictable; a couple murders a relative to get themselves out of money woes, and are then blackmailed as a result. I spent much of the book waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, especially since her plots are typically layered and much more dynamic.
Spoiler alert here: my biggest complaint about the book is how every character is deeply unlikeable. Truly, the book needed just one person with a redeeming quality (or two) to give the reader someone to root for. Once I hit the halfway mark, I was disappointed and excited to wrap the book up - which never happens with Lapena novels!
Not my favorite, but I will still be anxiously awaiting her next release.
Read it here.
she didn’t see it coming
3.5/5 stars
She Didn't See It Coming is a domestic thriller that is truly a whodunit, with a tangled web of characters, secrets, and shifting perspectives. It's very fast-paced, but with around six POVs, you really need to read this one quickly or in dedicated sittings because it can be hard to keep track of who's who if you put it down for too long.
Even with the quick pace, I thought it dragged a little in the middle, especially compared to her other novels. The author did such a good job creating suspense among each character, and the final reveal was equally as clever. Maybe I’m being too picky here, but there were a few loose ends that I wish had been resolved, too.
Ultimately, not many authors could create a story this intricate and still make it feel fun rather than tedious. There are so many moving pieces, but Lapena does a fantastic job of making you want to keep untangling them.
It’s not perfect and popcorn thriller lovers might find it too confusing, but She Didn’t See it Coming is a fun, complicated whodunit that really lets the author’s unique writing style shine.
Read it here.
a stranger in the house
3/5 stars
A Stranger in the House is true domestic thriller that feels quick and breezy, with an easy-to-follow structure despite the multiple POVs.
From start to finish, I found it clever, though it wasn’t the most gripping or engaging. Because it was written in 2017 and I’m reading it in 2026, it made me wonder if we're just used to thrillers moving at a faster pace now. With so many books throwing near-constant twists and reveals at us, I think I might have obsessed over this more and found it to be more suspenseful had I read it when it first came out.
Looking at the subject matter, I also think that Shari Lapena was a little ahead of her time with this one; it was written nearly a decade ago, but the concept has since become much more popular within the genre.
Personally, the ending was not for me, although plenty of other readers seem to love it. Still, this is a high-quality domestic thriller you won’t want to miss, especially if you're a Lapena fan.
Read it here.
the couple next door
3/5 stars
The Couple Next Door is the OG Shari Lapena book, and a runaway bestseller for a reason. If this is your first introduction to her writing, I think there's a very good chance you'll love it. It's fast, addictive, and packed with the kind of twists that make you want to keep reading just one more chapter.
That said, having read more of Shari Lapena's books, this one feels a little more simplified. Her later books tend to include more perspectives and moving pieces, so The Couple Next Door is more straightforward in comparison.
Something to keep in mind is that this book is definitely more entertaining than realistic. If you don’t mind if a domestic thriller gets a little over-the-top with the drama, you’ll enjoy it. If you're a particularly critical reader or want more realistic tension, there are aspects of the story that you'll pick apart. Also, if you read a lot of domestic thrillers, some of the twists may seem predictable. However, the book moves fast enough (and adds enough new developments) that it’s more fun than frustrating.
Overall, The Couple Next Door is a great starting point for Shari Lapena. It may not be her most complex or realistic thriller, but it's a wildly entertaining, twist-filled read that helped establish exactly why she became such a popular name in the genre.
Read it here.
the end of her
3/5 stars
The End of Her is a domestic thriller built around layered secrets between a couple, with a few well-written supporting characters who keep the story feeling fresh and give the twists a fun launch pad to really take things to the next level. As far as Lapena novels go, this still has the alternating- POV we've come to expect from her, but each of the characters are distinct enough that telling them apart is easy to do (even in the very beginning).
Secrets are really what drive a good domestic thriller, and this one uses them well. The tension keeps building as more pieces come to light, and the twist unravel like a disturbed beehive, making it hard to put down. If you need a book club pick that people will actually want to read (and be able to read even with a busy schedule), this fits the bill.
No spoilers, but I will say that the trajectory of the story requires a little suspension of disbelief, which I find happens often in domestic thrillers. The story isn't necessarily the most realistic, but the author does a good job of making everything feel believable within the world of the book.
If you like Freida McFadden's fast-paced, secret-filled domestic thrillers but want something a little more detailed or nuanced, this is definitely one to pick up.
Read it here.
an unwanted guest
3/5 stars
An Unwanted Guest is a survivalist thriller that I’d say has a hint of slasher vibes (without being overly violent or graphic). It's definitely over the top, and I can see why some readers dislike it. There’s no dark humor, but the amount of drama makes to wonder if the author is serious (or subtly joking with the reader) at times.
This thriller is less of a clue-driven mystery and more about the drama between the guests as they become increasingly panicked and suspicious of one another. The tension comes from the characters, their secrets, their personal lives, and their reactions rather than the suspenseful action. It works until it doesn’t; by the halfway point I wanted a shift in tone or quicker resolution.
While I really liked the final twist and didn’t see it coming, but most of the book was a little too much for my taste, so it’s not among my top Shari Lapena novels. That said, keep it in mind if you want a thriller you can finish in a weekend this winter break.
Read it here.