Hiya friends! Presenting to you a wrap-up for the books I read in August 2020. I read 8 books this month, which is again a personal high for me, thanks to the blog tours I participated in. Without further ado, let’s dive into the recap.
Sins of the Father by JG Faherty
For years, Henry Gilman has tried to separate himself from his father’s legacy of murder and insanity. However, when he is faced with the same choices as his father, thanks to a vicious plague spreading through his city, will he go down the same path of madness as his father? Or will he make a different choice?
You can read the full review here.
The Child Who Never Was by Jane Renshaw
Sarah’s toddler, Oliver, has gone missing, but no-one believes her. Not even her beloved twin sister, Evie, who she loves more than herself.
Because she never had a son.
The child she is mistaking for her own is Evie’s son, James. But is he?
This was a provocative and stunning psychological thriller with a twist that blew away my mind. You can read the full review here.
Secure the Shadow by Marion Grace Woolley
The story of three lives, spanning the history of photography and our relationship with mortality.
Secure the shadow, ere the substance fades.
This was a terrific book. Woolley’s beautiful prose pulled me right into this engrossing tale revolving around photography, death, and grief. Read the full review here.
THE MOUNTAINS SING BY Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
It is is a poignantly written story that charts the journey of generations of Trần family as they face severe adversities for more than two decades during the Việt Nam War and the infamous Land Reform of North Vietnam. Don’t miss this one.
Read the full review here.
The STERLING DIRECTIVE BY TIM STANDISH
Set in an alternate nineteenth-century Britain, ruled by Queen Victoria, the book seamlessly blends three genres – historical fiction, science fiction, and thriller to create a dark yet intriguing read.
Read the full review here.
Death and the Underhouse by Christina Caniyo
An action-packed, romantic, young adult fantasy. Read the full review here.
WE ARE NOT FREE BY TRACI CHEE
Moving and powerful, Traci Chee’s We Are Not Free is one of the best books I have read so far in 2020. It is a collective account of fourteen second-generation Japanese American teens who are rooted overnight from their homes, along with their families and forced into incarceration camps during World War II by the United States government. Don’t miss this one either.
Read the full review here.
BROTHER’S KEEPER BY JULIE LEE
Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee charts a North Korean family’s harrowing escape from its country’s oppressive regime to the democracy of South Korea. Braving border guards, napalm, frostbite, air raids, bombings, and the bitterly cold Korean winter, can this family arrive unscathed at their destination? You will have to read the book to find out. Read the full review here.
I highly recommend this thrilling middle-grade fiction.
let’s chat
Have you read any of the books above? What were your your views on it? If you haven’t read any, then is any of the books on your TBR pile? Let me know in the comments below.
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Debjani's Thoughts 
This is a lovely wrap-up, Debjani! I thought The Mountains Sing was a five star read too!
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Thanks for commenting, Jennifer. The Mountains Sing was a great book. I’m sure it will have a profound impact on many more readers. 🙂
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Great wrap-up, Debjani. I’m glad you enjoyed so many of these books. I have never heard of The Child That Never Was, but you have me intrigued now! Hope you are enjoying September so far 🙂
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Thanks for your wishes, Stephen. I hope September also proves to be good for me.
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Sounds like you had an excellent bookish August! xx
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Oh yes, Yvonne. August was good. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Looks like you had a pretty great month. I haven’t read any of these, but The Child Who Never Was calls to me. It sounds a little unsettling, as all “missing child” stories tend to for me, but the premise is really intriguing!
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Yup, August was good, Mogsy. 🙂 I hope you like The Child Who Never Was as much as I did.
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We are not free is also definitely one of the best books I read this year too!
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I read your review, Prutha, so, I know you loved the book too. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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That’s amazing!
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Thank you, Lisa. 🙂
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Great post! “The Mountains Sing” is a book I have been wanting to check out for ages and I am glad that you loved it so much. There is something about reading about Vietnamese families and their struggles which appeals to me right now. I am very tempted to check out “Brother’s Keeper” too – I love how the characters are presented on the cover – it looks almost like a beautiful animation.
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When I picked up “The Mountains Sing”, I had no idea I was going to love the book so much. I didn’t have much idea about the Vietnam War, however, I was deeply impacted by what I read.
You are right about Brother’s Keeper as well. The cover was the reason I picked it up as well as the blurb. I was mesmerized by this book. I hope you read both the books. Both of them moved me deeply.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Diana. 🙂
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I read The Mountains Sing and I thought it was so good. You read quite a few books in August. Hope all your September books are super.
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Oh, yes, Marialyce. Thanks to all the blog tours I participated in August, I could read more number of books in August. I hope September is even better both in terms of quality and quantity of books read. Thanks for reading and commenting. ❤
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All four and five star reviews, you definitely had a good month! 😁
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Oh, yes, Tammy. August was a great month for me. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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