B O O K S
In August, I read 8 books!
For transparency, every book marked with * is a title I received for free as I currently work at PRH UK.
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine*
Amelia is done dealing with her family, who are keen to finally see her settle down. In a desperate moment, she lies and tells them she has a boyfriend she’ll bring to a family wedding. And the only person willing to pretend is the random, strange man she bumps into on the street…
The IRS being a bigger problem than vampires is the funniest thing in this book. Again, like with My Roommate is a Vampire, this sequel is very silly and very fun. I found the romance a bit awkward, super insta-lust. It seems like a pattern for this series. The only reason I wanted to read this was that Reginald from My Roommate is a Vampire was the male lead this time around. He really carries the story because Amelia just felt like a cardboard character. Zero personality and no identity beyond being an accountant and making quirky quips every now and then – plus so many, many mentions of Taylor Swift; you would think we’re on her payroll.
How My Fake Alien Boyfriend Learned to Cook and Saved the Family Business by Lacey Hawthorne
After a bad breakup and watching her family restaurant slowly go downhill, Lola expects the worst for her family. She’s ready to throw in the towel until a competition promises the money she so desperately needs. Kal is a complete outcast on his planet, so when he accidentally launches himself to Earth, he should keep his head down and await rescue. But his curiosity gets the better of him, and now he has to put his knowledge to the test: with his first-ever job in a restaurant.
Lacey Hawthorne was inspired to write this novel after seeing a poorly AI-generated cover for a romance book in which the male lead was holding the whisk incorrectly. And that is how Lola and Kal were born. Super silly and very fun! Reading this immediately after finishing My Vampire Plus-One made me realise how much I actually didn’t enjoy that book, and this one had exactly what I was looking for. The only downside was the pacing, as I felt it wrapped up too quickly, and the stakes that were introduced basically came and went before they really had an impact.
How Lucky Am I* by Christian Watson
A gorgeous illustrated novel about Mr Skelly as he explores what makes a meaningful life. Developed by 1924us studio, this follows Mr Skelly as he recounts life lessons, reminding us that despite our differences, we are all made of the same bones. I’ve been following 1924us studio on TikTok since 2024, so when I heard the publishing announcement, I was over the moon! So stunning, each page a work of art.
Roadtrip with a Vampire* by Jenna Levine*
Reformed bad witch Zelda finds herself on a cross-country road trip with Peter, a vampire who doesn’t remember who he is. As they piece together his past, Zelda realises that she can’t hide from her own past either, and together they must work to save their future.
This was genuinely the worst. It felt like the terrible parts of the first two books in the series all combined to create this final mess. Insta-lust without an ounce of character development? Check. Extremely embarrassing moments disguised as romance? Check. Convenient plot device that makes zero sense? Check. I’m spoiling it here because I don’t think it’s worth reading, but Zelda conveniently forgetting the safe that she rigged, which made Peter forget his memory was originally hers, was the most boring way the story could’ve gone. Like, convenient in the most annoying way possible. I was already annoyed without how immature Zelda and Peter both were, and I was hoping the plot could already make up for it, but it didn’t.
We Were Forbidden* by Jacqueline Harpman
Three never-before-translated (in English) stories from Jacqueline Harpman: The Ardennes Forest follows a woman who wanders a forest forbidden to question the orders she follows. The Outcast is an autofictional novella about a young girl who feels jealous of her friend. The Broom Cupboard is a metafictional tale about an ageing woman who boards a train and invents a story about a young woman locked in a loveless marriage. Jacqueline Harpman’s work is a sheer joy to read.
A Short Stay in Hell* by Steven L. Peck
A devout Mormon man dies and wakes up in a hell shaped like an infinite library. That is all I’ll tell you. I loved how absurd this book was. You should read it.
The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance* by Chiara Bullen
An ambitious scholar is sent to research a mysterious mountain that houses a dragon and finds himself befriending the residents of the Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance. I struggled a lot with this book at the beginning. It was a bit of a slog, especially because I really hated our main character, Ainsworth Gladsly. He’s snobbish and rude for the most part of the book, and it takes a while for him to learn his lesson and grow out of his childish behaviour. The entire cast is interesting, but this book really highlights an issue I have with books that fall under the cosy fantasy genre. It expects its readers to have some understanding of fantasy worlds, so it can forgo world-building in favour of character development, but the issue with this book, like many others of its kind, is that the characters leave little to desire. I felt like I was reading their Dungeons and Dragons character sheet rather than actually feeling connected to these people. If the book sounds interesting to you, definitely give it a try, but I think I’m worn out on these types of books at the moment.
There Is No Antimemetics Divisions* by qntm
Antimemetics Division Director Marie Quinn must face the most dangerous antimemetic entity designed to destroy those who recognise it. An antimeme is an entity with self-censoring properties, but what can you do when you’re up against the worst of them all?
I enjoyed this a lot more than I anticipated. I had read parts of the original serial, but I had mostly forgotten it since it was so long ago. If you’re not aware, this book was born out of the online collaborative fiction project that is the SCP Wiki. It is a writing project that includes elements of horror, science fiction and urban fantasy. It is fast-paced and genuinely unnerving. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a film adaptation of this soon, like The Backrooms.
That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things was important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open to new music!)? Best books you read this month?
as told by zaheerah 