What I read in August

This month was quite a mix; from heartwarming to heartbreaking. From stories about the best people can be, to the worst.

Here’s everything in order:

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I started the month by completing my Gillian Flynn binge with what is competing to be my favourite book of hers. She’s only got 3, and I’m all for her switch to screenwriting, but I hope she writes another novel soon!

And to think this was her debut is insane. Incredibly gripping. She really delves deep into the dark recesses of humanity. And the HBO series with Amy Adams is an inch-perfect adaptation!

Normal People by Sally Rooney

I finally gave in to see what the fuss was about and found myself compelled by a familiar yet, distinctly Irish story. I’ve never read a book stylised like this and I appreciated the different perspective.

Above all, I found Connell’s arc in the latter half of the book painfully relatable. I’ve never seen my university experience captured like this. The fish-out-of-water loneliness and depression. It’s something we never see in stories and even though Paul Mescal’s performance in the show brought me to tears, I’d like to thank Sally Rooney for this part of her realistic novel.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

After the darkness of Sharp Objects and the heartbreak of Normal People, I needed my faith restored in humanity and goeyness and so, naturally, I turned to one of my favourite authors this year, Rainbow Rowell - I’m trying to tick off everything in her bibliography as fast as I can!

Attachments was just the lovely, heartwarming read I needed to accompany my holiday. Rowell is so adept at crafting characters that have relatable flaws but you can’t help but fall in love with them. As soon as I closed the book, I wanted more of the happy ending!

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Just like Normal People, I’d wanted to see the BBC adaptation and previously, I would’ve watched it before reading the book but you’ll all be happy to know I’m reading the book before again now and I think it really helped to watch the series despite them being radically different.

I can’t believe this is almost 20 years old. Inspired by the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1997, Blackman has created a parallel world that unfortunately reflects our own to this day. Even though it’s for children, this just makes it more accessible and I’m aware it’s popular and critically acclaimed, but it still needs to be more widely known. This is an important text. But it’s also a fun read. And I was crying by the end.

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

I’ve been eyeing up Nick Hornby books in charity shops for a while now and the synopsis to this just spoke to me (it’s somewhat spiritually similar to my own book, Smalltown Boy).

Again, another book stylised in a way I’ve never seen before; entirely driven by the main character’s inner thoughts with little dialogue or action description. That said, you knew what was going on and the depth of insight made you understand the narrator’s worst choices and even question your own. It captures the thoughts we have that if anyone ever heard they’d probably hate us. A bold debut with a cracking soundtrack.

The Institute by Stephen King

Technically, I’m still reading this in September but I already know I’m going to like it. Not only because Stephen King is one of my favourite authors but the reason I bought the book in the first place; it’s a combination of King’s previous novel, Doctor Sleep (a sequel to The Shining I thoroughly enjoyed last summer) and Stranger Things.

So far, it doesn’t disappoint. I love how King builds up characters so you’re invested in them by the time something inevitably bad happens and whenever kids are the focus of his books they’ve always got such unique voices.

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Next month, I plan to complete a certain series that’s back in the public eye again. To find out what, either come back here in October or follow me on Goodreads!

Josh Stoddard is the author of Smalltown Boy, an LGBTQ+ romance set in 1980’s Manchester. It was recently shortlisted for Penguin’s WriteNow programme. He is currently seeking representation.

Follow Josh on Goodreads