August & September 2025 reads...

Below are the books that I read in August and September along with my thoughts on each. I didn't read as much over the last two months, as I've been working on my own stories with multiple deadlines. That's why I've combined the last two months.

I'm not doing any formal reading challenges this year, but I seem to be doing my own in an informal way. In September I wanted to read books by Indigenous Authors since September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a symbolic day in Canada that recognizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools. I only read one in the category, but I've started another and have many more waiting for me on my digital and physical bookshelves. In December, I will try to read holiday stories, but until then, I'm reading through books on my shelves.

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PALESTINE by Joe Sacco
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This graphic novel was hard to read because of the gritty and honest details about what life was like for Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza at the time. And that much harder knowing how the occupation has escalated into forced starvation and so much more since the early 1990s when Joe Sacco penned this work. It gives an honest account of his time there and his interactions with so many Palestinians and even some Israelis, regarding everyday life, their views on each other, the idea of peace, and what they hope for in the future. Quite a different viewpoint from what the mainstream media has portrayed for my entire life. One of my favourite quotes comes from page 282, "Ultimately, I don't think peace is about whether there should be one state or two... The point is whether the two peoples can live side by side as equals." Even though this was hard to read, I believe Palestine to be an important read for everyone, the same as another graphic novel about mice.

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RELIC by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child 

This was a reread for me, something I don't do very often since I'm a slower reader. This was also the book that got me reading more of the Pendergast series as well as other books by the individual authors. Going into it, I remembered some parts of it, but it had been two decades since I read the story. Relic starts a bit slow in order to establish the background story, the setting, and all the characters. Once the action starts, it's a wild and tense ride! And this is still a book I highly recommend. 

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THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO EMBER by Danica Nava

This was a cute, fun story about a forbidden workplace romance, and many other lies that eventually catch up to the main character. With the MC and her love interest both being Native American, the story does also touch on Native issues. I found there were done in a realistic way that only added to the story. If you enjoy forbidden romances, workplace romances, only one bed, and lots of family fun and drama, The Truth According to Ember is a great choice!

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