Book List for August 2025

I can’t believe that it is September 1st! Another beautiful, warm summer filled with relaxation and circles of friends and family is rolling to an end. School starts again tomorrow and the trees are already showing the signs of cooler nights. I read 13 books this month AND rode 509 km for the Great Cycle Challenge AND cleaned a lot of junk out of the basement…as well as enjoying the pool and eating a lot of good foods, having a fun few days with our littles and enjoying the company of friends so, no regrets – in fact, lots of happy memories are stored away.

FICTION
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
What words were left out of the Oxford English Dictionary in 1901? Esme grows up, motherless, in a world of words and begins to collect the missing words and soon discovers that some words are more important than others. Set during the suffrage moment, this thought-provoking book will make you think of the power of words to shape the world and our experiences in it.

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger
Relentless ambition and fear animate a group of children and their parents in a culture of privilege. Is the pursuit of prestige worth any cost?

Saturday by Ian McEwan
One day, a simple accident that changes the life of a family.

Olga Lies Dreaming by Xochill Gonzalez
Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, this is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream – all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.

Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle
What if your could have one last meal with someone you’ve love and lost?

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina
The funeral of Orquidea leads to a trip to Equador – to the place where Orquidea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back. This is a journey to save what is left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance.

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda
This thriller unveils a mother’s secret, campus mysteries, and long-hidden truths.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Two authors compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve.

NON-FICTION
Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right With Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman, Greg Beato
This is a roadmap for using AI inclusively and adaptively to improve our lives and create positive change while acknowledging challenges.

Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours by Shirzad Chamine
What are your saboteurs and how do you access your Sage? This is a life-changing approach to moving you forward and defeating your inner foes.

The Creative Mindset: Mastering the Six Skills That Empower Innovation by Jeff Degraff, Staney Degraff
Ordinary people can do extraordinary thigs. Using the six skills, will help innovation happen and bring out individual creativity flourish. Anyone can do it.

Co-Active Coaching: The Proven Framework for Transformative Conversations at Work and in Life y Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House, et al.
How do you make a difference and create transformational change? This book leads you into a world of self-discovery and supports individual growth and leadership managementl

The Secret to Mental Health: An Operating Manual for the Human Mind by George S. Pransky
How does your mind work? This book shows a profound way to understand our minds to help all of us live with more ease and peace in our lives.