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Hi.

Welcome to This Awful/Awesome Life! My name is Frances Joyce. I am the publisher and editor of this magazine. We'll be exploring different topics each month to inform, entertain and inspire you. Meet new authors, sharpen your brain and pick up a few tips on life, love, entertaining and business. Enjoy and please share!

August 2023 Reading Recommendations for Adults by Fran Joyce

For August, I’ve selected ten books to recommend.

Summer beach reads, a little mystery, and delicious summer recipes.

What could be a better way to enjoy the last month of summer than reading or preparing delicious recipes made with fresh produce?

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell – Jewel’s latest novel will be available August 8, 2023, but can be pre-ordered now. This psychological thriller is about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own true crime podcast.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni – A coming of age story about a boy born with red pupils who was dubbed “Sam Hell” and “Devil Boy” by his classmates. Despite his uniqueness, Sam grows up to become a successful eye doctor, but at what cost? A tragedy forced him to walk away from his friends, family, and hometown. Forty years later, Sam looks back on his life  and begins a journey that will take him halfway around the world to figure out his life,

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score – The Knockemout Series Book 2 0 – Nash Morgan was always the “good brother.” Liked by everyone, he became the chief of police in Knockemout, and life was good until he was shot. Now Nash is having nightmares and panic attacks. Nash can hide it from everyone except his new neighbor, Lina. Lina and Nash begin a relationship, but Lina has a secret Nash would never condone. Can Lina accomplish what she came to Knockemout for if it means she has to walk away from Nash?

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther – This novel was inspired by the songs of Taylor Swift. Eighteen months after losing her sister, Meredith is determined to try to reconnect with her family at their annual assassin game weekend during the family vacation at Martha’s Vineyard. The family is also hosting a wedding. Meredith will be dateless after being dumped by her boyfriend, but she’s determined to make the best of it. Will an assassin’s alliance with a handsome groomsman do the trick?

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher – Charlie and Silas have been best friends since they could walk. At fourteen, they knew they were in love, but they wake up one morning as complete strangers. Can they work together to discover the people they once were when everything they discover makes them question why they were ever together?

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – Olive Torres’ life seems jinxed, but her twin sister Ami has led a charmed life. Olive is determined to make the best of the wedding even if she has to endure spending the day with the insufferable best man, Ethan Thomas. When the entire wedding party, except Olive and Ethan, comes down with food poisoning, the honeymoon to Maui is up for grabs. Determined not to let Ethan have all the fun, Olive agrees to share the trip. What could possibly go wrong… or right?

Love and Lemons Simple Feel-Good Food by Jeanine Donofrio – 125 plant-focused meals to enjoy now or make ahead. We have featured many recipes from Love and Lemons in our popular  12 Months of Foods series. Discover fresh, delicious plant-based recipes that are easy to prepare.

The Farmer’s Market Cookbook by Julia Shanks and Brett Grohsgal – Detailed preparation techniques, storage tips, and over 200 flavorful recipes.

The Tucci Cookbook by Stanley Tucci – The Tucci family brings wine parings, delicious recipes, beautiful photographs, and treasured family recipes together in this book to delight a new generation of Italian food lovers.

Home Made Summer by Yvette van Boven – Favorite recipes for spring and summer inspired by the author’s childhood in Ireland.

August 2023 reading Recommendations for Kids by Fran Joyce

Author Page: Where to Find Your Next Great Read by Fran Joyce