The end of summer/the start of fall has been absolutely chaotic. Normally, this is a time of year that I particularly enjoy as it becomes socially acceptable to pull out my Halloween decorations and there’s an occasional cool morning (this is a rare treat for Florida). But there’s just too much going on in life, in work, outside of work, in the world…. anyone else relate?

Regardless, that hasn’t stopped me from diving into reading, especially fiction. Sometimes, you just need an escape!

My August and September reads include:

• Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
• The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
• Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
• The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad
• Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
• The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis
• Old Country by Matt Query and Harrison Query
• The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
• The Poppy War by R.F Kuang
• Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
• How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach

We have a lot to talk about, so let’s get into the reviews!

Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

This is the fourth book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series, so spoilers for the first three books may be ahead. Proceed with caution and check out my reviews of book #1,#2, and #3.

It’s been a long journey from the Trial of the Sun Queen, but I have finally wrapped up the Artefacts of Ouranos series!

Lor, the primary of Heart, has accepted her true self and her love for Nadir, only to be separated from him and those she loves. After the very stressful cliffhanger at the end of book three, you soon learn that Lor has the power to save Nadir, but it comes at a high cost. Can Lor save his life before time runs out forever? Of course, that creates a new web of problems.

Rating: 6.5/10

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

This book had some of my favorite things: A creepy gothic house and a group of writers.

Alex is stuck in a job she doesn’t like while her dreams of ever becoming a published author feel all but dead. But when a writer friend helps score her an invite to a mysterious writing retreat featuring feminist horror writer Roza Vallo, she has to go – even if it means seeing her ex-friend.

But immediately at the house, Alex senses something is off. It doesn’t help that Roza has set up the whole retreat to be extremely competitive with intense daily word counts and strange games. What’s really going on at this retreat?

I listened to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it!

Rating: 8/10

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Depending on the order in which you read this series, this is the fourth or fifth book in the Throne of Glass series, so spoilers for the first several books may be ahead. Proceed with caution and check out my reviews of book #1, #2, #3, and the prequel novellas.

Aelin has returned to Rifthold ready to tackle some unfinished business. She needs to track down the wyrdkeys and stop the King of Adarlan from becoming even more powerful, she needs to make things right with Chaol and Dorian, and she’s ready for her revenge on Arobynn. With the help of some unlikely allies, she gets to work.

There’s a lot of action in this book, so buckle up! I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Rating: 9/10

The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad

This book wasn’t what I expected at all, but I enjoyed it!

On one hand, it’s a book about the importance of journaling for creativity and getting through tough times in life. On the other hand, it’s a book of short essays providing some insight into how other people tackle hard things in life: Grief, purpose, creativity, body dysmorphia, etc. I read it like a book, but it’s probably better to take it one journal prompt at a time and really spend some time with it.

I found myself especially intrigued by Michael Bierut’s 100 Day Project Challenge.

Rating: 8/10

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

This is a story told from two perspectives: Anita de Monte, a rising artist in the 1980’s who dies a suspicious death, and Raquel, a young art student in 1998 who doesn’t quite fit in with her peers. Despite never meeting, the two have a lot in common as you bounce back-and-forth between their stories.

I wouldn’t say this book is very plot-driven. It’s really more of an exploration of power dynamics and art world politics. This book will take you through all of the emotions: Sadness, anger, confusion and frustration.

Rating: 7/10

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis

Can a book have too many twists? That’s a question I found myself asking while reading this book, but I digress.

A wealthy family has traveled to their favorite vacation spot in South Africa for a special occasion: Their mother’s wedding. Odelia, the CEO of a major fashion company, is marrying Asher, a man that’s 25-years her junior. While her adult children are largely happy to see her happy, this wedding comes with some complicated family dynamics. But Odelia knows not everyone is as happy as they seem based on the death threats she’s been receiving.

Rating: 7/10

Old Country by Matt Query and Harrison Query

Harry, a Marine veteran, is haunted by his war experiences and craves nothing more than a simple life. So, when a farm goes up for sale in rural Idaho, Harry and his wife, Sasha, snatch it up. But when their new neighbors reveal the farm comes with some unfortunate seasonal surprises, Harry and Sasha have to adapt quickly in order to survive.

This book had such potential and I can still picture it making a great movie (some parts were especially creepy!), but I found the ending to be a bit too… easy? I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’ve read this one, I think you’ll understand what I mean.

Rating: 7/10

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig

As high school students, a group of friends have their lives changed forever after one of them vanishes after climbing up a strange staircase in the woods. Now, as adults, they’ve mostly lost touch and have largely tried to put the past behind them. But when of them reaches out with a terminal cancer diagnosis, the group reluctantly agrees to get together one last time. This final reunion ends up being more than they bargained for once they find another staircase.

I found this book to be simultaneously confusing and fascinating. There is a large video game vibe to this book that reminded me a lot of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (check out my review here) if you’ve read that one.

Rating: 7/10

The Poppy War by R.F Kuang

Partially inspired by real life events, this book is grim and, at times, very hard to read.

Desperate to escape her small village and an impending forced marriage, Rin pulls off the impossible and manages to test high enough to be accepted into a prestigious military academy. Once at Sinegard, Rin struggles to fit in with her classmates and finds her studies to be even more challenging than she expected. As she navigates her new school and her new life she taps into something dangerous within herself. Who is she really and what will it mean for the approaching war?

Rating: 8/10

Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness

Stress + rest = growth

That’s the formula at the heart of this book.

Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness explore how to avoid burnout while still pushing yourself to your highest limits, whether you’re an athlete, artist, employee, etc. If you’ve read a lot of self-books like I have, you’ll notice familiar themes, but I really enjoyed it!

I think one of my biggest takeaways was structuring your day around when you achieve your best work. For example, morning people will want to use their mornings for their deep work and then save the afternoons for more creative work.

Rating: 8/10

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Much like The Writing Retreat (above), this one features a creepy house and a group of authors who have a habit of not telling the truth.

Upon the death of a famous horror writer, a group of writers find themselves unexpectedly invited to his home for the reading of the will. Unable to resist their own curiosity, they arrive at the home only to find out that Mortimer Queen holds grudges – even from the grave. They must play a game involving riddles if they hope to get out of the house alive. But everyone has something they’re trying to hide and the house is hungry.

Rating: 7/10

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

I really enjoyed this book, but I could see it being very triggering for some.

Phoebe has booked a stay at the beautiful Cornwall Inn as a final splurge for herself only to discover that everyone else is there for a wedding and the preceding festivities. The bride is horrified at her presence as the event is supposed to be perfect with no outsiders, but the two begin confiding in each other.

Phoebe is lonely after her husband’s affair and their subsequent divorce. The bride feels pressured to have a flawless wedding after her father’s death. Soon, Phoebe finds herself deeply entrenched in the event and the lives of the attendees that she refers to as the “wedding people.”

This book was funny, sad, and a little crazy.

Rating: 9/10

Want more reviews? Check out what I read in July 2025!

As always, I want to know what YOU are reading. Please leave a comment below.