Dodson Productions

August was a small reading month for me. Most of what I read happened within the final week of the month due to my insanely busy schedule. I really hope I read more next month, otherwise my fall TBR will never get finished!

• A Witches Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna – 3 Stars (7/26/26-8/6/26)

This one was a little more enjoyable to me than the last one. The characters were comedic, the romance was believable, and the storyline was interesting enough. It was just a little too comfy cozy for me. I need something to keep me enthralled in the storyline and the characters. I just needed more from this. But it is perfect if cozy is all you’re looking for.

• Masters of Death by Olivia Blake – 3 Stars (8/11/26-8/26/26)

After reading Januaries by the same author, I think I expected a little more from this story. While the story being narrated by Death was an interesting viewpoint for what is both a real world and fantasy laced romance, I still felt as though some of the plot points were unnecessary and just a way to fill pages. I expected more action, but this gave more cozy vibes than high paced fantasy with stakes. I am not a fantasy reader though, so if this is your preferred genre, you might like this book more than I did.

• BOOK CLUB PICK: The Teacher by Freida McFadden – 4 Stars (8/10/26-8/27/26)

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ENDING!?!?!?!? The book starts off kind of slow, which is par for the course when it comes to Freida McFadden books. She loves to lull you into a false sense of security. And well, she definitely did that with this book. I know that if I talk about the plot, I will end up giving the whole storyline away. So just read this for yourself. I promise, you will NOT be disappointed.

• Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle – 5 Stars (8/3/26-8/29/26)

Why is no one talking about this book?? As a lover of magical realism, this hit every necessary mark for me. It really felt like a modern Isabel Allende, but with so much more. Connecting food to the memories of the dead was such a new and vibrant idea that it had me hooked from the beginning. You get taken on a wild ride with this one, one that that is massively worth the emotional turmoil you feel throughout the story. And the ending will leave your jaw hanging to the floor for days after you’re finished.

September will keep me in my fall TBR with some exciting choices made by my family and friends. I am super excited to get some more spooky books into my rotation for the chillier time of year. See you next month!!