August 2026 Reading Review: 9 Books I Read This Month
There’s something I love about looking back at a month of reading and seeing just how different each book can be. Some books make me laugh, some make me think, some completely pull me into another world, and every once in a while, you find one that you simply cannot stop talking about.
August was a busy reading month, and I made my way through nine books ranging from fun contemporary fiction to historical fiction and thought-provoking nonfiction. Here’s my August 2026 reading review, including the books I loved, the ones that surprised me, and a few that didn’t quite hit the mark.
⭐ August Reading List
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I started the month with Mad Mabel, a fun and twisty contemporary read from Sally Hepworth. Hepworth is always good at creating complicated characters and family dynamics, and this one had plenty to keep me turning the pages. This book kept coming up on the favorite reads from several bookies on the internet. I did enjoy the book but didn’t think it held up to the hype. If you love a connection with older/younger generations with a little mystery, then this is a book for you. Mad Mabel is a book that weaves the past and present together through the power of justice and redemption.
My rating: 4/5
If you enjoy domestic fiction with complicated relationships and plenty of secrets, this is one to add to your list.
Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick — ⭐⭐⭐
This one was a lighter, more contemporary read with plenty of personality. Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It follows Phoebe as she navigates relationships, life, and the general chaos of being a young adult.
It was a fun read, although it wasn’t quite a five-star favorite for me. I did relate to Phoebe’s anxiety of a committed relationship, it is a book about over coming fears and finding someone who helps calm those fears.
My rating: 3/5
A good choice when you’re looking for something entertaining and easy to get into.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The five-star read of the month! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Calamity Club was easily my favorite book of 2026. Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, delivers a story with compelling characters and the kind of storytelling that makes you want to keep reading. This was the third time I’ve read this book this year! I recommended it to my mom and was a little worried she’d hate the storyline but she loved it! She even said I never thought I’d be rooting for something like this! It is a book of friendship and doing whatever it takes to survive.
This was one of those books where I really didn’t want it to end.
My rating: 5/5
If you’re picking just one book from my August reading list, this is the one I’d recommend first.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez — ⭐⭐⭐
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez — ⭐⭐⭐Abby Jimenez writes the kind of books that are easy to pick up when you’re in the mood for romance, friendship, humor, and plenty of emotions.
The Friend Zone was a fun read, but it didn’t quite reach the top of my favorites list. This is a friend to lover story and a slow burn into the relationship. A good reminder that communication can solve more problems then secrets can. It was good but not my favorite Jimenez read. My favorites are “Just for the Summer” and “Say You’ll Remember Me.”
My rating: 3/5
It’s a good pick for a cozy weekend or vacation read.
The Scandalous Ladies of the Football Club by Frances Quinn — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a fun historical fiction read! The Scandalous Ladies of the Football Club combines history, friendship, women’s football, and a group of women who aren’t afraid to challenge expectations.
I especially enjoyed the historical setting and the strong female characters. It is about the first female football league in England. It addresses social, societal, and gender biased opinions. It was a fun, women focused book that made me want to get out and play. Perfect as the new season of Ted Lasso began about a female football team.
My rating: 4/5
Definitely one to pick up if you enjoy historical fiction with a little bit of sports and plenty of personality.
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who obviously loves books, I was immediately intrigued by the title How to Read a Book.
This is a thoughtful, character-driven story about connection, second chances, and the ways books can bring people together. It reminded me why I love reading in the first place. I was not expecting this book to begin in a prison book club. I guess that was what kept me reading it. Learn how books connected Violet to life in and out of the prison. It is a book about forgiveness, second chances and the power of books!
My rating: 4/5
This would make a great book club pick because there is so much to discuss beyond the story itself.
Mattering by Jennifer Breheny Wallace — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I switched gears with Mattering, a nonfiction book focused on the importance of feeling valued, connected, and like we have a purpose.
This one gave me plenty to think about. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to underline passages, talk about the ideas with other people, and maybe make a few changes in your own life.
My rating: 4/5
A thoughtful read, especially if you’re interested in relationships, connection, parenting, or creating a greater sense of purpose.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another nonfiction read that gave me a LOT to think about.
The Anxious Generation explores childhood, technology, and the ways modern life has changed the experience of growing up. Whether you agree with every argument or not, I think it’s a worthwhile book for starting conversations. If you or someone you love has access to a cell phone, I encourage you to read this book! It gave me so many good ideas about how to better parent my children with and without technology. It is a must read for parents in this digital world!
My rating: 4/5
This is definitely one I can see myself continuing to think about long after finishing it.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell — ⭐⭐⭐
And finally, a classic!
Gone with the Wind is one of those books that feels like a cultural experience as much as a reading experience. It’s an enormous story with unforgettable characters and a fascinating look at its historical setting.
That said, it wasn’t one of my top-rated reads this month. I remember watching the movie with my mom several times throughout my childhood. Scarlett O’Hare was a female icon. That being said, the book takes 44 hours to read and I was reading it at 2.5 speed. It is long and very hard to read as it brings up cultural issues and prejudices from the time period. I started the book wondering why it hadn’t been remade as a movie and by the time I finished it, I knew why. Definitely a classic but also, just watch the movie.
My rating: 3/5
I’m always glad I read classics, even when they don’t become personal favorites. There’s something satisfying about finally checking a long-standing book off the list.
My Favorite Books From August
If I had to narrow the month down, these were the standouts:
🥇 The Calamity Club — 5/5
🥈 Mad Mabel — 4/5
🥉 The Scandalous Ladies of the Football Club — 4/5
I also really enjoyed the nonfiction reads Mattering and The Anxious Generation. They were very different from my fiction picks but gave me plenty to think about.
Final Thoughts
August was a great reminder of why I love mixing up my reading list. I read romance, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, classics, and nonfiction, and each genre brought something different to the month.
Not every book needs to be a five-star read. Sometimes a three-star book is exactly what you need at the right moment, while other books stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
And now the big question: what should I read next? 📚
If you’ve read any of these books, I’d love to know your rating! And if The Calamity Club is already on your list, consider this your sign to move it to the top. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
