Thursday, August 28, 2025

August 2025 Monthly Favorites

 Hey, everyone! How is it already August?! Time flies when you are having fun! Anyways, let's get into the monthly favorites! I've got a lot of fun stuff to share with ya!



The selected August favorites...

Favorite Music (had a great selection of cool + different tracks from all over the genre board):

Favorite Coffee and / or Tea:

Favorite Body Care and / or Skincare product:

Favorite Workout Videos:

Favorite Book(s) I've Read and / or listened to as an audiobook via Spotify:

  • Normal People by Sally Rooney (library read): This was one of the few surprising reads for me this month! We meet two polar opposites in school pretending to not know each other. Over the course of the story, they admit feelings then they don't (it's a bit of a theme in the book). And they always don't make the best decisions (but in life/work/school, we as humans always don't make the best decisions anyways that's just my two cents about that). By the end of the book, I was pleasantly happy with how all it wrapped up for our two main characters, Connell & Marianne. Writing was pretty good in some parts I was reading as well. Another book you may want to look up trigger warnings for if you were interested in reading it. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/normal-people-sally-rooney/1129141966?ean=9781984822185

  • They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (library read): This was so good! We learned about two different storylines intersecting and when I found out the twist of it, my jaw dropped! Do look up trigger warnings if you are sensitive to it. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/they-never-learn-layne-fargo/1136314548?ean=9781982132033

  • It's All Relative by Rachel Magee: This was a wholesome read about families coming together, lots of laughter and love (even if at times it always didn't come together). I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/it-s-all-relative-by-rachel-magee-paperback/-/A-90325456#lnk=sametab

  • Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (library read): I was really surprised by this one (because I'm not the hugest reader in the sports/athletic topics of books) and I ended up really liking it! I was rooting for our female main character, Carrie, and her confidence / attitude exuded throughout the whole book (she's someone you don't want to mess with in the game of tennis). The ending I thought with this one wrapped well! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/carrie-soto-is-back-taylor-jenkins-reid/1141014764?ean=9780593158685

  • While We're Young by K.L. Walther: This young adult romance was perfect for those that are fans (me being one of those fans) of the classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off (even if you aren't a fan of the film I think you'll still love it). I typically have a love/hate with young adult novels because of the writing but this book was wonderfully written (not too cringey), the love triangle aspect in this didn't drag out too much (ended on a healthy note), and appreciated the harder subject touches (ie: mental health + grief). This was a nice, modernized version of the classic film and loved all of the references from the film scattered into the book. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/while-were-young-k-l-walther/1145771635?ean=9780593813959

  • Looking for Alaska by John Green: This book I had a hard time getting into at first and I don't know why it took me so long to realize that. I was also surprised at well the story was written, the characters' being so funny and out-of-the-box. It touched on loss (which I wasn't aware of), love, and also the importance of having friends that always stick with you no matter what. Liked the found family aspect in this book, too. I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/looking-for-alaska-reprint-paperback-by-john-green/-/A-11326458#lnk=sametab

  • Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley: This book was the epitome of music-coded! We meet Percy at a bar in Berkeley, CA and she befriends an aspiring songwriter named Joe and they hit it off. Over the course of the story, their situationship is up-and-down and everything with their jobs + life takes turns, too. But by the end of the book, their chemistry connects. I was smiling by the end- only had one flaw with one of their characters which I couldn't overlook but it didn't stop me from loving this book. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deep-cuts-holly-brickley/1145575031?ean=9780593799086

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: Well, this was my third re-read of one of my favorite books of all time. And it's deeply resonated with me more (now in my 30s) since giving it a re-read. I forgot how good the writing is in it, how funny it is, how moving it is, and the fact that it touched well on loss + mental health. Do yourself a favor and read it and again do look up trigger warnings, too. I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-paperback-by-stephen-chbosky/-/A-12708200#lnk=sametab

  • Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie (My August 2025 BOTM Read): This book was such a ride, entertained me at times, and that ending? I need some more, please! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/immortal-consequences-i-v-marie/1147919965?ean=9780593898802

  • Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston: As someone that as never read this author before, I loved the whole romance-magical realism concept this story had. We meet Joni of who is a famous songwriter from LA and she hasn't been able to get herself to write the next hit song due to writers' block + burnout. So she heads back home to Vienna Shores, NC to hopefully gain some inspiration for this next hit she may write. Back home, nothing is the same as it was- her parents' music venue is closing down, her mom's health isn't the best and her best friend is engaged to her brother (still has yet to tell her about it). But when she starts to hear the melody of that said tune, it does gain inspiration- somewhat- and she hears it in the form of another voice named Sasha. She wants to actually meet this said character in person and it happens and Joni realizes who it is. The one she had a horrible kiss with at a concert earlier in the book. He's a total bad boy type that I seemed to enjoy in the book. But when Sasha and Joni begin making this connection for this next hit song, their feelings began growing for one another. Someone from Joni's past comes back in and declares his love (well sort of). It ends how it began for her & Joni's date- walking out on her the 2nd time around. By the end of the book, Joni and Sasha produce the next best hit (with her best friend involved on vocals), they love each other, and everything feels all interconnected. As a music lover, I loved all the music references in it and whatnot. Total summery feel of a book- great beach/pool read! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sounds-like-love-ashley-poston/1146306635?ean=9780593956236

  • Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This was such a wonderfully told story of the Riva family- not the most picture perfect family by any means- and we learned the beginning, the middle and the end of it. It was following (alternatively) our eldest, Nina, having her annual end-of-summer party in August of 1983. Throughout the story, we learn things about our characters' and the secrets they are all hiding before it all blows up at the party. I usually I'm not a fan of family drama ridden stories but this story I felt so engrossed in. It does touch on themes of cheating and alcoholism so keep that in mind if you were to read this book. Third read of TJR's and wasn't disappointed yet again! I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/malibu-rising-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/-/A-85916475?preselect=85910617#lnk=sametab

  • The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden (book 1): This book of Freida's was the most twisted I've ever read and I surprisingly really enjoyed it! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-housemaid-freida-mcfadden/1142009317?ean=9781538742570

  • The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden (book 2): The 2nd in the series was surprisingly good- read more like a mystery with a wonderful layer of suspense! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-housemaids-secret-freida-mcfadden/1142829592?ean=9780349132617

  • Totally & Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman: This sort-of-sequel to Funny You Should Ask (also by the same author listed) ended up being really good! We follow with the sister of Gabe, Lauren, from the first novel and her now navigating life as a widower plus being also a mom to a moody daughter. Then we meet Ben, Gabe's co-star on his newest film, and they have instant chemistry from the first time they meet. Over the course of the story, we learn about how Lauren & her late husband Spencer met (Spencer was Gabe's best friend in the book- reflects on Gabe's addiction too), and if she feels ready to open her heart up to Ben. Things stall for a few between Lauren & Ben and she realizes (while on a horrible date her new friend Allyson set her up on) that she has always loved Ben (even if recurring things pop up about Spencer). Ben & Lauren share so much in common (loss being one of those themes) and he is willingly to sacrifice a career choice to be with the woman he loves (even her daughter, Lena, is happy about Ben in the picture if she at first wasn't as open about it). Did I also forget Ben is Irish, has a motorcycle, tattoos and is in his 30s in the book? If that wasn't enough to entice you to read it... I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/totally-and-completely-fine-by-elissa-sussman-paperback/-/A-89926007#lnk=sametab

Favorite TV Show, Documentary and / or Movie(s) I've Either Watched or Streamed:


Well that was a wonderful slew of favorites this month- wasn't disappointed at all (that's saying a lot coming from me)! Thanks for reading and see you next month!

-Love, Lauren-


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